TLDR: Would switching from a cruiser to a road bike significantly improve the enjoyment of my commute?
I have recently started commuting to work via bike, and my trip is about 16kms (10miles) round trip. I picked up an old Huffy Regatta cruiser from the 70’s last year when my commute was much shorter (<1km). However, now that I’m travelling a longer distance, I am feeling winded and can’t figure out if it is just my inexperience or the bike itself.
A bit about my commute:
8km (5miles) each way which takes me around 30-40 mins
Bike trails and bike lanes when on roadways (I live in a very bike-friendly area)
A single large hill and some moderate inclines (that seem endless)
A bit about me:
I’m 5’1” and fairly athletic (I definitely have the leg strength)
A bit about my bike (pictured):
Cruiser
Single gear
Back-peddle brakes (which make coasting nearly impossible)
I want to make commuting a regular thing and I am more enthused than ever to be on a bike, but I am just feeling like its been especially difficult and I am wondering if its my inexperience or the bike itself. I was looking online locally at used road bikes that range from $100-$400 and was thinking of picking one up for the rest of the season (looking to bike into December if I can).
Would switching from a cruiser to a road bike significantly improve the enjoyment of my commute?
(Also open to any advice for a newbie commuter)
by ShipZealousideal5134
2 Comments
Buy a TREK Verve low step, small frame & you’ll be in heaven…. Night & day difference vs. a cruiser bike for commuting 10 miles.
Part of your issue will be the drastic increase in distance – have you changed your diet, hydration and rest regimes to compensate?
That said, almost any bike would be better than that to be honest. Those are designed for what the name suggests – leisurely cruising, not getting places. Sure you can use them for that but it won’t be fun.
They’re heavy, have ineffective brakes, inefficient rider position – they’ve got it all. Worth nothing that bikes without a lever controlled front brake are illegal in some countries on safety grounds, so even if it’s allowed where you are it’s possibly not a good idea.
A road bike would be an extreme shift, and I’m not sure you’d really get the benefits of the road bike (aerodynamics, low weight, low rolling resistance) if you’re hitching that trailer to the back of it.
You might do better with a hybrid, possibly leaning more to a gravel bike side of things. If you could cover the cost a decent class 1 ebike would also massively take the sting out of things for you while still feeling like you’re cycling.
E: How could I forget gears! Hugely beneficial for helping you up hills then gaining and maintaining a decent pace on flats.