What Bike is Most Efficient for Getting to Work?

We’ve all seen them, the huge number of different bike riders on the morning commute. All wearing different cycle clothing, from suits to lycra. All riding different types of bikes ranging from streamlined road bikes to slow and steady granny bikes.

Obviously the choice that people make as to which type of bike to ride is based upon what they are going to use it for. A range of things have an affect on which bike you use, how far you have to travel, what you require to take with you, finally, whether or not they have showers.

Most people believe they have the most efficient way for commuting to work. But have they really? Would it work out faster for a granny bike to get to work over a fixed gear bike? You wouldn’t think so at first, however, I believe i can prove you wrong.

If you choose 4 different cyclists and time how long it takes them to get to work, we’ll then see who’s fastest. If we take 2 lycra wearing cyclists, one of a fixed gear one, the other on a road bike. Then take another two cyclists, one in a dress on a granny bike and the other in casual clothing on a mountain bike.

Of course the majority of people will assume that the fixed gear and the road bike will take easy victory over the other 2. This is true, however, they haven’t won the race yet. Once these 2 arrive at their place of work, they are sweating uncontroably. So for them, as well as your travel time, you have to factor in your time for a shower at work.

For the other 2, the mountain biker did get there quite quickly, however, still a little sticky, a shower might be required. Finally, the easy going granny bike, it may come in last, however, the rider is sweat free. With no need to have a shower, the rider can simply walk straight into work.

So once you add up all the time taken to get to work, plus then add on shower time. The granny bike takes the victory at a steady speed. It really does go to show that slow and steady wins the race.

Next time you go on the commute, take time to think if you’re getting there fast enough.

Tags: cycle clothing, cycles, Cycling, Mountain Bikes, Road Bikes

What is Needed in Cycle Gear

When a person takes up bicycling as a sport, there is cycle gear that is needed to keep them comfortable and safe during the ride. There are many different companies that specialize in bicycle gear for riders, whether they are professional or casual riders. There is certain cycle gear that is used when riding on the road for fun, for those who race competitively in road races, and also those who ride in mountain mike races. There is specific gear for each of these types of riding styles so that the person can be adequately protected and comfortable during the ride.

Shorts and Shirts

Biking shorts are one of the most important features in cycle gear. Biking shorts can either make the ride much more comfortable or they can make it miserable for the rider. Biking shorts used to only be found in a tight, spandex material which is very revealing for men and women alike. These cycling shorts have panels in them so that they fit the rider close to the body and snug, but also have padding so that the person’s buttocks do not get as tired when riding. Some people would want to be more modest with these cycling shorts and would put the tight shorts underneath a loose, normal pair of shorts, which would be less revealing. This causes problems, however, since the regular shorts will ride up and bunch up, pinching the rider and making him or her uncomfortable during the ride despite the padded shorts underneath. Biking companies have learned to cope with this problem by making cycling shorts that look like normal shorts but have a girdle in them, like a built in pair of underwear, that is padded like the traditional style of riding shorts.

There are also shirts in cycle gear that permit the rider to be as comfortable and aerodynamic as possible when riding. These shirts are also hug the body well, being cut in sleeveless, short sleeved and long sleeved versions for all seasons of the year. The material is made to wick water away from the skin so that the person stays drier and either warmer or cooler, depending on the time of year the cycling gear is used. There are some women’s versions that have a built in bra so that women do not have to wear a sports bra as well as this tight fitting biking shirt. In other versions of cycling gear, the biking shorts and shirts are molded together into a streamlined bodysuit that enables the rider to be the most streamlined for their ride. Check out cycle gear world for more articles.

Tags: biking gear, cycle clothing, cycle gear