22 miles commute... which setup is best?

Hello all,

I've moved out finally.. it was stressful but I have a place to stay in london... but... I'm about 11 miles away from workplace. Which means:

- 1h10 mn commute by train + tfl cost

- 40 mn by bicycle. I use my current mountain bike with BPM2 on it.

I've done that a few times and it's a bit exhausting with my little mountain bike and small suspensions. The road is full of potholes and vibration gives me soar on the back, neck and hands.

I'm considering few options:

- Upgrade my mountain bike to get a DH bike so I'll ride better. Maybe get a 29er?

- Or maybe get a vector bike: http://www.vectorebike.com/ But I don't want my bike to look too nice as it'll be parked outside and someone will damage or nick it.

- Get a recumbent: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KMX-X-Class-Adult-Size-Sports-Recumbent-Trike-/321738298539?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4ae918d4ab

I never had a recumbent but apparently it's more comfy? I don't know how it handle potholes! and if it's ok to use it in london.

- Get a 125c scooter... It's also an option. But parking would be a hassle. It's a thief magnet and I may get it nicked as parked outside.

Any view on a great commute, and knowing that during weekend I'd also have to go to central london... so I'd average around 25 miles / days, 7 days a week!

Comfort matters!

Hello all,

 

I've moved out finally.. it was stressful but I have a place to stay in london... but... I'm about 11 miles away from workplace. Which means:

- 1h10 mn commute by train + tfl cost

- 40 mn by bicycle. I use my current mountain bike with BPM2 on it.

 

 

I've done that a few times and it's a bit exhausting with my little mountain bike and small suspensions. The road is full of potholes and vibration gives me soar on the back, neck and hands.

 

I'm considering few options:

- Upgrade my mountain bike to get a DH bike so I'll ride better. Maybe get a 29er?

- Or maybe get a vector bike: http://www.vectorebike.com/ But I don't want my bike to look too nice as it'll be parked outside and someone will damage or nick it.

- Get a recumbent: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KMX-X-Class-Adult-Size-Sports-Recumbent-Trike-/321738298539?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4ae918d4ab

I never had a recumbent but apparently it's more comfy? I don't know how it handle potholes! and if it's ok to use it in london.

- Get a 125c scooter... It's also an option. But parking would be a hassle. It's a thief magnet and I may get it nicked as parked outside.

 

Any view on a great commute, and knowing that during weekend I'd also have to go to central london... so I'd average around 25 miles / days, 7 days a week!

 

 

Comfort matters!

http://www.designboom.com/technology/e-volo-personal-helicopter/

For peace of mind it might be better to get yourself something like a Tomos moped. It's not so likely to be nicked.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=171754698009&globalID=EBAY-GB&alt=web

If you want a bit more speed, a Honda Innova.

I can't see a recumbent being any better. You won't be able to see the potholes coming. If you want to go ahead with commuting on an electric bicycle, I don't think you can beat the BPM motor.

For peatomos-classic-xl-45-scooter-review et yourself something like a Tomos moped. It's not so likely to be nicked.

 

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=171754698009&globalID=EBAY-GB&alt=web

 

If you want a bit more speed, a Honda Innova.

 

I can't see a recumbent being any better. You won't be able to see the potholes coming. If you want to go ahead with commuting on an electric bicycle, I don't think you can beat the BPM motor.

And herehttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/dec/14/tomos-classic-xl-45-scooter-review

Is a review,I found the lime green one deeply desirable in a retro waye until I read about the 28 mph top speed and two stroke,its hardly outside BPM territory

Yeah, a 50c would have similar performance to a bpm.

And if I'm thinking to use a DD rather than the bpm for silence and reliability.

i'm having all the equipement for electric bike, so I'd prefer going by ebike. Electric moped could have been an option if I had more space (let say a garage), but it's not an option where I live.

A 50c or 125c noise may drive me crazy, as well as parking space, and yearly cost.. still pondering..

Recumbents are more comfortable.

In riding for hours without sore wrist or bum sense.

The first 20 mins is pure terror until you get balance. Then four months of learning handling and building Bent legs (different muscles).

Mirrors for rear view a must but forward looking is excellent with NO cricked neck.

Totally impractical for off road though.

That trike is low and broad not my favourite for playing with traffic but still more visible than road markings.

I have a full suspension mid racer it is on eye level with car drivers and the same width as a DF bike. Fast and easy miles.

It's also harder to steal the 20 mins of terror stops casual thieves, and resale on as it's virtually unique.

You will get lots of attention and comments (99% positive)

Ps the tomos isn't so slow and you can beat the 28 it's a lot of miles for the money and the helmet cuts out some noise

for comfort, you want a good full sus bike, not too expensive and with good guarantee

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/media/820/8208678/big_27705370ab4249a899fc286829f79b6e.jpg

Yeah, a 50c would have similar performance to a bpm.

 

And if I'm thinking to use a DD rather than the bpm for silence and reliability.

 

i'm having all the equipement for electric bike, so I'd prefer going by ebike. Electric moped could have been an option if I had more space (let say a garage), but it's not an option where I live.

 

A 50c or 125c noise may drive me crazy, as well as parking space, and yearly cost.. still pondering..

for comfort, you want a good full sus bike, not too expensive and with good guarantee

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/media/820/8208678/big_27705370ab4249a899fc286829f79b6e.jpg

Where do you put the battery? That should be the first consideration when choosing a donor bike.

Where do you put the battery? That should be the first consideration when choosing a donor bike.

In a suicide vest:eek:

Where do you put the battery? That should be the first consideration when choosing a donor bike.

cwah can make his own battery and rack. He'll come up with something. If not, there is always the option of a suicide vest like John said.

Batteries on racks don't go well on bikes with rear suspension because you have to allow for the wheel going up and down. If you mount the rack on the sub-frame it spoils the suspension, and if you mount your rack on the main frame, it's too high, which spoils the bike's handling.

The bike in your link looks really tricky whichever method you might want to try. I've converted about 20 bikes of all types and I've now learnt to be much more discerning when choosing a donor. I'd advise anybody else to think very carefully when choosing a bike, which will save a lot of headaches and hard work.

for battery bag in the triangle, I like this one:

http://theawesomer.com/photos/2014/11/triangle_bike_bag_1.jpg

And herehttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/dec/14/tomos-classic-xl-45-scooter-review

Is a review,I found the lime green one deeply desirable in a retro waye until I read about the 28 mph top speed and two stroke,its hardly outside BPM territory

I have a 1984 Puch Maxi from new and it has never let me down, magneto ignition so you just keep the moped on its stand, pedal and it starts - no bettery, the lights run off the generator inside the magneto - no battery. Don't forget u will need 2 stroke oil to add to the petrol. The TOMOS is derived from that and should be just as rock solid reliable

for battery bag in the triangle, I like this one:

 

http://theawesomer.com/photos/2014/11/triangle_bike_bag_1.jpg

Wow! That is really beautiful skilled leatherwork, most impressive.

Guys, i've been checking on some motorbike forum what they think about my need and it seems that leaving a scooter outside at night is a no go.... and it will either be stolen, damaged or used as spare part. Insurance would also be a killer in my area..

I've purchased this axiom flip flop:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Axiom-Flipflop-Deluxe-Post-Rack/dp/B007SWP93Q

I tried it last weekend and it seems quite strong even with 10kg on it. i hope it will last and it's rated 15kg.

The only issue was the little balancing issue as it's quite high but nothing too bad.

I'll try this config for now I think.

For the recumbent I'm not sure I want to endure 4 months of training before I can ride... and I'd like to be able to carry passenger (i do it on a bicycle now)

My current bike

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0i6c6pfzpbs0f46/2015-04-27%2012.50.26.jpg?dl=0

 

I've purchased this axiom flip flop:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Axiom-Flipflop-Deluxe-Post-Rack/dp/B007SWP93Q

I tried it last weekend and it seems quite strong even with 10kg on it. i hope it will last and it's rated 15kg.

Be very careful with this, a similar set up cracked my frame at the top tube weld even with an extra long seat post to spread the load down the seat tube.

I only had 5 Kilos on it but there's a lot of leverage, particularly when you drop down a kerb or hit a pothole.

Dave.

I thought very seriously about buying this one (I may still do so), I have had a ride on one and it felt great. Add a Magura hydraulic brake on the front, marathon plus tyres and a sprung seat post you are still under 400€. The triangle is big enough for a bottle battery or a triangular bag. I wouldn't leave it outside though, the one I rode was stolen from just across the street despite being chained to scaffolding...

http://www.decathlon.fr/media/832/8321326/zoom_f85edba071084d83a1d553b24225d663.jpg

Guys, i've been checking on some motorbike forum what they think about my need and it seems that leaving a scooter outside at night is a no go.... and it will either be stolen, damaged or used as spare part. Insurance would also be a killer in my area..

 

I've purchased this axiom flip flop:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Axiom-Flipflop-Deluxe-Post-Rack/dp/B007SWP93Q

I tried it last weekend and it seems quite strong even with 10kg on it. i hope it will last and it's rated 15kg.

 

The only issue was the little balancing issue as it's quite high but nothing too bad.

 

I'll try this config for now I think.

 

For the recumbent I'm not sure I want to endure 4 months of training before I can ride... and I'd like to be able to carry passenger (i do it on a bicycle now)

You can ride straight away but it takes a while to develop the full power you had on a DF. And the electric assist should ease the transfer.

Your cardio should remain the same just reduced peak power.

Yeah, a 50c would have similar performance to a bpm.

 

And if I'm thinking to use a DD rather than the bpm for silence and reliability.

 

i'm having all the equipement for electric bike, so I'd prefer going by ebike. Electric moped could have been an option if I had more space (let say a garage), but it's not an option where I live.

 

A 50c or 125c noise may drive me crazy, as well as parking space, and yearly cost.. still pondering..

I built a BPM with 50amp controller and two hobbyking 16ah 6s recently - it was easyiesh and from your previous posts I'd say you're more experienced than me. Total cost was around 400 pounds. I've restricted top speed to 17.8 mph and it goes a bit like a pedelec version of a muscle car - one can just use it as a very torquey slow moped. It also looks utterly crap so not worth stealing or vandalising. For London I'd use something like this

to me I would have thought a 50cc scooter for about £500 modest road tax £16 2 people I spoke 2 re insurance about £12 per month.

ou have got lights/mirrors/indicators a bit of wind protection box for helmet locks, underseat storage.

no faffing about with charging batteries 30 mile max with no peddeling.

my neighbour has one to commute to local station, very pleased with it.

would have no idea on parking/security/ issues re London though

Apparently for the type of distance I'm planning to do I have to count for at least £500 in petrol alone.

I'm going to ask for precision but it seems that bicycle is was cheaper. I'd have loved to have an electric moped but I just can't have that... yet. maybe someday.

So maybe best for now is to have a great DH bike?

For recumbent I really need something simple, I don't want added stress to learn how to ride on top of my journey as work is really exhausting