Biking to Work - RoadBikeReview Resources to get you started!
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Bike to work?
Why not? With high gas prices, congested automobile traffic, and global warming on most people's minds, commuting on bike has become a very attractive alternative. Consider that worldwide, statistics show that most workers get to work via bicycle than by any other means. You too can start! And we have the resources for you to get started right here!
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Biking to Work - Getting Started »
 After feeling the effects of gas prices and seeing the economy crater, I decided I'd
like to see what it would be like to
get around the SF Bay Area without a car. In other words, to commute via bike +
train. I figured it might be a good way to save up some money for Christmas
while getting into better cycling shape. And, more importantly, see how folks
get around when they’re tied to someone else’s schedule. What I l experienced was very
interesting.
Cost
Caltrain is the train system that runs between San Francisco and San Jose. Round
trip rates vary depending on distance, but for my route it’s $7.60/day--a bit
more than I was expecting (of note, for the 4 weeks I did this, I was only asked
to show my ticket 4 times). Driving is 60 miles round trip and I get around 15
mpg. At $4/gallon, that’s $20 in gas; at the current $2/gallon, it’s 10$ in gas
per day. So it
is a small savings. Driving takes about 30 minutes while the train takes 30 plus
60 for the bike plus 10 for the shower at work.
Bottom line: $2.50 in savings
per day with an extra 70 minutes of commute time. Note: I blew through any savings
by buying additional equipment.
My commute
I live at the top of a hill. The descent is about 400 feet in elevation, most of
which happens within ¼ mile. It’s a thrilling ride with only one short climb
from my house to the train station that’s just over 3 miles away. I can make it
in 12 minutes. Depending on where I get off, it’s an additional 3 or 7 miles
ride to work. Unfortunately, the drop off closest to work doesn’t have frequent
stops, so dropping off at a place farther North provides more flexibility though
longer cycling distance.
Continue reading...»
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Commuting Resources
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Your Source for all things related to commuting.
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KHS - Urban Xtreme
Reviewed by: BostonRedSox
Review Date: September 14, 2008
Overall Rating
 5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Summary:
Just getting back into biking after more than 10 years away. I rode my friends Cannondale Road Warrior 500 a few times and really liked it. However the ride was pretty stiff and jarring even with the carbon fiber fork. I understand that is pretty typical of aluminum frame bikes.
I started looking for a Steel framed bike based on many suggestions that they were much more comfortable to ride. I read and heard from many sources that steel frames absorded road vibration much better than aluminum bikes, and that you had a better 'feel' for the road than you do with aluminum frames.
Well after riding a Jamis Coda steel framed hybrid bike, I really started believing in the steel frames. I would have bought a Coda Comp but noone had them as it was the end of the 08 model year. After some more research and calling around enough I located this bike which had very similar specs to that Jamis Coda Comp. I talked to a few people who owned this bike and they all said it was a super bike, fast, fun, comfortable, durable and just an over all great hybid.
Well I've put about 100 miles on it in the last 10 days and I really love it. It is all the things those people said. Very fast, I can pretty easily hit 20 mph on straight aways without too much effort. on straight roads with pretty good pavement I can probably pedal at 20 MPH for almost as long as I want... well maybe 20-30 mins before i would get tired.
bike is virtually the same weight as comparably sized aluminum frame. The idea that steel is significantly heavier than aluminum is mostly a myth. Apparently the higher quality bikes like this with Reynolds 520 steel can be constructed with much thinner diameter tubes than older steel bikes from 15+ years ago. This translates to a bike that is not only as strong as aluminum but also virtually as light. This bike does not weigh even one pound more than an equivalent aluminum frame bike. In honesty I haven't tested that with a scale but i've picked this up and then immediately my friends equal sized aluminum frame cannondale road warrior, and they feel exactly the same to me. Dont let the myth that steel bikes are heavy dissuade you from buying one, it's just not true any longer.
Bottom line I liked that cannondale road warrior 500 but this bike is probably just as fast and it's much much more comfortable to ride due to the vibration absorbing steel frame. Other than the high end Jamis Coda bikes, I doubt there is a superior hybrid on the market. Lastly the build quality of the frame is excellent. I'm very impressed by the finish and quality of this KHS bike.
Strengths:
Fast, Durable, No heavier than an aluminum frame bike.
Weaknesses:
8 speed cassete instead of 9. Shimano Sora real derailer is only so-so, it's worked fine for me so far but it's not on the higher end of the shimano road line like a Tiagra. Still it has been fine for me so far.
Read more reviews here >>
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Bicycle Commuting Resource Guide!
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