Experiment: What difference does the bike make?
CCS
Posts: 53
in General Chat
I thought I would share the results of a very unscientific experiment that I carried out last week…
As the forecast was for loads of rain on Tuesday, and the roads and bike paths get pretty slippery around us, I decided to dig out the old mountain bike for my commute to work rather than using my road bike. The bike is about 10 years old, and feels like it is made from lead (or something similarly heavy); knobbly off road tyres; front suspension; suspension seat post; rack for baby seat on back…(you get the general picture).
The route is my regular commute (just short of 10 miles with a few hills) that I generally do at not far off race pace (or as fast as I can go with a heavy laptop on my back).
On the mountain bike, this took 34.35 mins (and a bit longer on the way home, which it always does for some reason).
I then repeated the journey on Thursday at the same time of day (so very similar traffic conditions) on my road bike (bottom of the range Specialized Allez) – which took 30.25 mins.
It’s nice to know that having splashed out on a new bike this year, it does actually make a difference!
Other conclusions (in no specific order)
- I really missed having clipless pedals and proper cycling shoes when on the MTB
- The brakes on a road bike are crap compared to sturdy v-brakes on a mountain bike (or perhaps I need to learn to be less of a wuss and not cycle downhill with the brakes on the whole time)
- I really wonder how much faster the trip might be on a flashy carbon bike – but my Scottish upbringing prevents me from ever thinking of buying a bike which costs more than my first car!
As the forecast was for loads of rain on Tuesday, and the roads and bike paths get pretty slippery around us, I decided to dig out the old mountain bike for my commute to work rather than using my road bike. The bike is about 10 years old, and feels like it is made from lead (or something similarly heavy); knobbly off road tyres; front suspension; suspension seat post; rack for baby seat on back…(you get the general picture).
The route is my regular commute (just short of 10 miles with a few hills) that I generally do at not far off race pace (or as fast as I can go with a heavy laptop on my back).
On the mountain bike, this took 34.35 mins (and a bit longer on the way home, which it always does for some reason).
I then repeated the journey on Thursday at the same time of day (so very similar traffic conditions) on my road bike (bottom of the range Specialized Allez) – which took 30.25 mins.
It’s nice to know that having splashed out on a new bike this year, it does actually make a difference!
Other conclusions (in no specific order)
- I really missed having clipless pedals and proper cycling shoes when on the MTB
- The brakes on a road bike are crap compared to sturdy v-brakes on a mountain bike (or perhaps I need to learn to be less of a wuss and not cycle downhill with the brakes on the whole time)
- I really wonder how much faster the trip might be on a flashy carbon bike – but my Scottish upbringing prevents me from ever thinking of buying a bike which costs more than my first car!
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Comments
i can't imagine not riding on a drop bar / aero bar bike now; there is something so rewarding and relaxing in it.
ccs - you need to get a carbon bike now, if only in the interests of science!
i rode my folder into work last week quote]
RIS.... really you rode a folder..... straight jacket for you mate
- Clipless pedals
- Slick tyres
- Remove the detritus
- Pointy helmet
If you undertake the baove phased changes, let us know how you get on
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