Biking To Work - Any Suggestions?

doggiesnot

Hi all,

I'm new to bicycling and have started commuting to work via my hybrid Cannondale M700. Read my blog here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/doggiesnot/view/biking-to-work-278924

Any tips or pointers? I have a headlight, taillight, rear luggage rack (but I use a backpack mostly). My biggest concern I guess is if I get a flat tire. Should I be carrying a spare tube and a pump? I have a multi-tool, but honestly I'm not very handy and wouldn't know how to use it!

My ride is 8.0 miles long, about 5 miles is biking trails, and 3 miles of sidewalk (lots of intersections).

I ride carefully and watch for cars turning into and coming out of the side roads. I also try not to run over the big stuff, heh!

Anyone else doing this? It's a lot of fun, and a great way to get in a workout!

scott091501

I always advise a spare tube, Co2 canister, and tire levers at the least for any ride (multi tool is a good idea too). Sounds like fun though. Wish I didn't work 30 miles from my house.

doggiesnot

I always advise a spare tube, Co2 canister, and tire levers at the least for any ride (multi tool is a good idea too). Sounds like fun though. Wish I didn't work 30 miles from my house.

Thanks!

I found this link that will be helpful as well.
http://www.teamestrogen.com/content/asa_levers

jacksonpt

Spare tube, patch kit, and pump are essential, along with the knowledge to use them. Most decent bike shops will offer a basic bike maintenance class for things like fixing flats and adjusting breaks - it's worth the $25 or so that they usually cost.

A multi-tool is also good. Spend an hour or so tinkering with your bike some night. Learn how to adjust your seat/seat post, handle bars, tighten brake levers, take wheels off/put on, the basics. You don't have to be a master mechanic, but it is good to have some basic knowledge should you run into problems during a ride.

Other than that, sounds like you are off to a good start. Always ride defensively... even when drivers see you, they won't always care that you're there (or that you have the right of way).

I live about 12 hilly miles from home, so riding to work is a great short workout for me. I do it whenever weather and kids' schedules allow.

doggiesnot

OK, here's the writing on the outside of my tires:
Continental TourRide Puncture ProTection
A7-559
26X1.75
53 PSI

Sorry, but I have some noob questions.

1) When I buy a replacement inner tube, should it be 26X1.75 exactly? I saw one that's 26X1.50-1.75, that would work, or is it best to be exact.
2) Is there a certain brand that is better than others? Or type?
3) Should I inflate a little lower to account for heat? How much lower (estimate), like about 5 PSI less so I'm inflating to 48 PSI when cold? Or should I just inflate to 53 PSI?

Thanks in advance!

Speedtrap

1) When I buy a replacement inner tube, should it be 26X1.75 exactly? I saw one that's 26X1.50-1.75, that would work?
The 1.50 - 1.75 is just fine, it will work with no problems.

2) Is there a certain brand that is better than others? Or type?
There are some higher end tubes for racing, but for the most part you will not need to worry about that, just get a good tube from your local bike shop and you will be fine.

3) Should I inflate a little lower to account for heat? How much lower (estimate), like about 5 PSI less so I'm inflating to 48 PSI when cold? Or should I just inflate to 53 PSI? What is your tire rated for? You can inflate to the recommended PSI for the tire. for example my tires are rated to 120 psi, but I run around 110 PSI, this is on a road bike, yours will most likely top out at 80 PSI, but it is on the sidewall of the tire.there is no need to adjust for heat.

Get yourself an under seat triangle bag, it will fit the tube, inflator, C02 cartage, tire leavers and a multi tool. you can get them with quick releases to take them off when in the office.

MsP90X

Hi everyone! I try to bike to work every other day. My ride is on a rural highway with a narrow shoulder for cyclists. My ride is 25km each way and I usually take about one hour to get to my destination. I have been worrying about flat tires too and find this information very useful.

Happy biking

doggiesnot

1) When I buy a replacement inner tube, should it be 26X1.75 exactly? I saw one that's 26X1.50-1.75, that would work?
The 1.50 - 1.75 is just fine, it will work with no problems.

2) Is there a certain brand that is better than others? Or type?
There are some higher end tubes for racing, but for the most part you will not need to worry about that, just get a good tube from your local bike shop and you will be fine.

3) Should I inflate a little lower to account for heat? How much lower (estimate), like about 5 PSI less so I'm inflating to 48 PSI when cold? Or should I just inflate to 53 PSI? What is your tire rated for? You can inflate to the recommended PSI for the tire. for example my tires are rated to 120 psi, but I run around 110 PSI, this is on a road bike, yours will most likely top out at 80 PSI, but it is on the sidewall of the tire.there is no need to adjust for heat.

Get yourself an under seat triangle bag, it will fit the tube, inflator, C02 cartage, tire leavers and a multi tool. you can get them with quick releases to take them off when in the office.

Thanks so much!

It's rated at 53 PSI so I'll just be sure and inflate to that.

I have the bag under the seat and multi-tool already, and will get the rest of what I need too. I can bring my bike right into my office!

tonybalony01

In case you're still looking for more suggestions, here are a couple. You can get some tube sealant like Slime or Stan's. It's kinda like Fix-a-flat for your car, but you put it in your tubes when you get it, pump up your tires, and it fills small punctures as you get them. Also ask your local bike shop about puncture resistant or kevlar belted tires. A lot of them are pretty tough and can put up with just about anything short of a direct hit from a sniper rifle.

lungti29

I went from being a non-rider to a bike commuter overnight. I was sick and tired of sitting in an hours worth of traffic or more for the mere 10 mile trip to and from work. The weather is beautiful and the bike lane is plentiful so I bought a bike....a Giant Cypress Hybrid on Sunday and started biking on Monday. The best advice I got was from a female employee at the bike shop. She told me to own my place on the road. To be alert and follow the rules and to not let myself get intimidated by traffic. It worked to! I have been successfully riding to work for a little more than a week and I love it. I've gotten a nice tan, can feel my quads strengthening and the ride into work in the morning is super peaceful. As an added bonus the ride home from work actually takes less time than driving!!!!

As far as mechanical advice goes, I've taken a few free clinics at the shop where I bought my bike and purchased the multi-tool and a small pump that physically attaches to my bike along with my water bottle holder. I don't know that I'm skilled enough to use these things as of yet, but they made a valid point that if you have the equipment then maybe a fellow rider can help you with the mechanics, but if you are without then youre most likely out of luck! Hope this helps and I look forward to trading future tips!

Speedtrap

if you have the equipment then maybe a fellow rider can help you with the mechanics, but if you are without then youre most likely out of luck!

This is true, I will help other cyclist fix flats and other problems if they have supplies, I will not however give away my spare tube to a stranger, did that once and got a flat 10 min later.

One other thing to get is a good set of gloves, they help to reduce numbness in your hands and can save a bit of skin if you wipe out. They are a worth while investment.

lungti29

One other thing to get is a good set of gloves, they help to reduce numbness in your hands and can save a bit of skin if you wipe out. They are a worth while investment.

I never thought of gloves!!! Great idea!

katozdad

I had lots of trouble with punctures early on in my 10 mile ride, but I think I have sussed it now. I first installed a slime shield, which is green and goes between the tube and the wall of the tyre, but found that the friction was causing the slime shield to slash my tube (possibly when I was breaking hard, or something. Anyway, I have now taken an old tube chopped out the valve and fed the slime shield into it. I have now been riding for almost three months now without a single puncture. Bliss.

doggiesnot

Thanks for all the advice so far!

I've started using a heart rate monitor for yoga, and thought I should use it for cycling, too! I noticed a couple of times I exceeded my fat burn zone so I took a small break until my heart rate was back down, just a couple of minutes. A couple of times, though, I was on an uphill so didn't want to stop!

jacksonpt

A couple of things...

Regarding punctures - make sure you are inflating your tires to at least the max recommended pressure. Most punctures are from pinch flats which can be reduced/eliminated by running a higher pressure.

Regarding HR zones - they are largely a myth. Just get your HR up and you'll be fine. If you pass out, slow down.

doggiesnot

A couple of things...

Regarding punctures - make sure you are inflating your tires to at least the max recommended pressure. Most punctures are from pinch flats which can be reduced/eliminated by running a higher pressure.

Regarding HR zones - they are largely a myth. Just get your HR up and you'll be fine. If you pass out, slow down.

:laugh:
Thanks!

LifeinDC

One other thing to get is a good set of gloves, they help to reduce numbness in your hands and can save a bit of skin if you wipe out. They are a worth while investment.

I never thought of gloves!!! Great idea!

Gloves are also really important if you crash - second to your helmet. It is almost inevitable that you will hit some pavement with your hands and gloves will keep your from tearing them up. Then you will be more likely to be able to keep riding and it won't hurt so much. I know no one wants to think about crashing, but . . . if it happens the goal is to come out with as little injury to yourself as possible! (and the bike secondly).