My Experience Commuting By Road Bike: Pros & Cons

In today's bike commuting in Japan video, I'm talking about the pros and cons of road bike commuting. If I missed anything in this video, be sure to let me know in the comments!

Today, my wife Thuong and I are riding our road bikes to a local cycling event here in Japan to test ride some gravel and mountain bikes. I thought I'd take this opportunity to talk about road bike commuting in general since my main 2 commuting bikes are out of commission at the moment and I've been using my road bike to commute to work lately.

While there are some disadvantages to road bikes compared to a smoother gravel bike or MTB, there were a few things that I found pleasantly nice about the road bike. Today's route is also a nice challenge for the road bike as it is a bit diverse with some hills, rough roads, flat smooth roads, and even some gravel.

In the video, I talked about some of my recommended road bike commuting tires. These are what I use.

#1 Schwalbe Marathon:
This tire is seriously bomb proof.

#2 Continental Gatorskins
Great Smooth Rolling Road Bike Tire / I've even used this in races and it performs great
.

Here's my thoughts on bike commuting with a MTB

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[chrisconley]

I've used my road bike for my 20-mile commute in Seattle. It's carbon, has 28 Gatorskin tires with very little tread padding. A very rough, stiff but faster ride on the streets. My commuter bike is a Trek aluminum dual sport with all-weather puncture-resistant 38 tires with fenders and a shock in front and back forks. The ride is completely different and smooth as silk on rough streets. I can (but don't like to) ride over glass, plastic shards from auto crashes, dead batteries, tree branches and all sorts of stuff in the gutter (aka bike lane). It's heavier than the road bike but then again gives me a workout. For commuters, thick all-weather tires, disk brakes, and fenders are a must.

[richncolita]

Awesome video, it's great that you share your thoughts on bikes and same time sharing the beautiful scenery that Japan has to offer, thank you!

[sirchristophermcfarlane]

You're spot on about maintaining commuting bike. Recently it's been so wet here in Germany and my gravel bike has accumulated dirt and sand on top of the front derailleur, brakes, etc. I live in a small apartment and don't have place to wash my bike at home so this is really is one of the big big big disadvantages. In summer I could just take it out to the balcony and wipe it with wet towel, but in cold season... nope.
Also one other pain in the butt is if you decided to wear complete cycling clothing for commute. I always have to take off all my layers (buff, jacket, long sleeve jersey, shoes covers, leg warmer, bib shorts), take a shower at work then change clothes.

[Radnally]

I really like it when you mix biking with going to different places in Japan. Thanks

[irvhh]

May I suggest that Tuong has her saddle too high. Noticeable hip rock. She appears to stretch at full extension.

[josemary]

My Trek Checkpoint AlR5 is a great commuter and an adequate trail bike. The Shimano 105 groupset realy shines on the city streets of Philadelphia, and the 45 mil tire clearance gives it versatility.

The relaxed Geometery lets you ride comfortably for hours. I did 65 miles today, and could still keep going if I had the time.

I would reccomend this to anyone who wants an all around perfromer.

[christill]

My brother used to ride a single speed bike to the station every day as part of his commute. Recently I got a new saddle and had one spare so I fit it to his bike. His saddle was looking pretty tired and I thought the Ergon one would probably be more comfortable.

The seat clamp was so dirty from him riding every day. The dirty water flicks up and gets on everything. It just shows how useful fenders are when you’re commuting.

[kevinjfeeney]

I've used just about everything. 20" bmx, 24" bmx... roadies. MTBs.. now I use either a Fuji folder (I have 2, ones stock..the other is converted to 700c and 3x9 drivetrain)... or a monster cross (an mtb with drop a 1976 khs Gran sport mixte. Updated to 700c wheels.. using 38mm tires.

[seanc]

have 6 bikes...… bought my wife's bike used for a couple hundred lmao

[杉浦麗]

Mamachari is a good bike! I have mine since I was in high school! But now I decide to try road bike. So I got a road bike now. But honestly mamachari is more relaxing for me. But I will still try to get used to it. Nice video!

[timdixo]

30y commuter. Disclaimer: each persons needs are specific but my opinion...a gravel style setup is the gold standard. Disc, wider tyres, even 32-35mm slicks, drop bar and if money no object Di2.
It’s the ideal balance of speed and safety.

[JAG_PT]

Started to see your videos as a way to prepare for the harsh winter ... here in Portugal is not extreme but the humidity and rain do their damage.
A few months ago I purchased an electric mountain bike as a car replacement for commuting it is a hard tail but it has the advantage of having tires + size, It is excellent in winter even uphill as I have steep climbs of 5 km was the only way to do it daily.
Currently is my only bike and the car is intended for emergencies, family outings and weekend shopping.

[DJILLEE]

I just realized you're from Rochester. I'm in Port Huron and do Macomb Trail and Stony all the time. If you ever want to organize a ride while in town let me know. I have an extra bike you can use, either a Giant TCR Advanced 2 or a Fuji Gran Fondo with Ultegra.

[carltonbirds]

I have two bikes, one I use for Summer, and the other for Winter, awesome video, looking forward to the next, btw..that ice cream looks nice. A thumbs up from me.

[Rose.Of.Hizaki]

Ive been commuting 8miles each way to work since 2015.

originally, I said it was to save money, Public transport where im from is very expensive, but the irony of me saying id be saving money, was very much there from the first day. You start buying all sort of junk for the bike - even if you dont need it you buy it anyway - This could be things for the bike itself like lights or other things like gloves/mitts and other bits of clothing because it either matches the colour of your bike or you just like the look of. Ive got a box full of cycling clothing which ive probably worn only once or twice throughout the years - some might not fit because ive lost a lot of weight but i have LOTS of mitts and gloves 😂 I collect them like pokemon.

Secondly, It was to lose weight. Working weird and long shifts means that i never really had time to go to the gym and i dont particularly like jogging. I was very close to 238lb when i started and with some time set out for gym, more days out on the bike im now 196lb - I mean im still big but im definitely a lot slimmer than i was previously.

Thirdly i noticed that the fitter i got as a cyclist, the more i wanted to race just about everybody - Even other cyclists who are much thinner than I am and fly past me fully kitted out in lycra. I know i have no chance of winning but to me its more a way to gauge my fitness level rather than showing off. I'll race anyone, Even people in cars - Bicycle will always win because they are less likely to get stuck in traffic. So I race against cars on my bike as a fitness regime. Maybe like interval training but with a lot more time between intervals. Sprint harder, sprint faster, sprint for longer!

Our public transport also likes to go on strike a lot. Bicycles dont go on strike unless they are broken!

[asdfasdf]

I ride FUJI single gear track bike for my daily commute (non fixed-gear cuz I'm too scared), definitely agreed with the point "easy to maintain".

[Rocky]

I’m seriously thinking to try riding my road bike during the winter, because I don’t believe in having bikes for different seasons. Of course it won’t handle deep snow, but if it’s a rainy day (and above freezing) it should hold.

[duathlete]

Lol...you said you're out of the saddle and I can see the wife just rolling along still in the saddle pushing a big gear. She's a strong girl. Some people just don't like getting out of the saddle even though it would make the effort easier.

[jameswalker]

Disk all the way. I could never go back. also I agree that gaterskins are the best tire out there

[andythousand]

Thanks for the great video with the helpful tips. I find it hard to clean geared bikes during bad weather also so I’m just like you when it comes to cleaning them.