Cycling to work is good for the environment and for your fitness. Free from the constraints of public transport and the hassle of finding a parking space, cycling to work offers a greater sense of freedom than any other mode of transport. Gravel bikes are particularly popular for this. Here at the BIKE editorial office, too, a relatively large number of staff members cycle to work on gravel bikes. Editor Jan Timmermann is particularly keen on cycling to work. In this article, this frequent cyclist shares his thoughts on cycling to work on a gravel bike compared to other types of bike.
Conclusion
No bike gets me to the office any faster than a nippy gravel bike. An aerodynamic riding position and sporty handling on all surfaces give the gravel bike a time advantage. Compared to a fast mountain bike, however, this advantage is modest. Handling, comfort, carrying luggage: speed is by no means the be-all and end-all for cycle commuters. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Speed kills
I must point out that my journey to work, at 31 kilometres one way, is unusually long. The average cycle commuter in Germany covers just four to five kilometres in one direction. It is worth noting that just under half of Germans live less than ten kilometres from their workplace. Nevertheless, only around ten per cent cycle to work. Statistically speaking, commuters on e-bikes cover slightly longer distances than their counterparts without motors. I, too, have tried out the electric boost for commuting, but was disappointed. My commute is fairly flat, with an elevation gain of 130 metres each way. The cut-off at 25 km/h means I can hardly make use of the electric motor.
Nevertheless, in my experience, cycling fast isn’t an option for every day. Anyone who cycles such a long distance there and back three, four or five times a week will inevitably start to feel the strain at some point. The aim cannot be solely to achieve the fastest commute time. Safety, relaxation and comfort must also be taken into account in the long run. The choice of bike can have an impact on this. I, for example, enjoy commuting on my rigid-fork MTB hardtail with a single-speed drivetrain. Being limited to just one gear means I don’t have to worry about regulating my speed. Nevertheless, I’m faster on it – with a similar amount of effort – than on an e-bike that’s at least twice as heavy.
The statistics
Over the last 1.5 years, I’ve cycled to work on 135 days – covering the same route 270 times. I track every single journey. With this number of journeys and countless variables, one cannot, of course, assume any scientific validity, but it is enough to compile fairly accurate personal statistics. As a tests and technology editor, I have access to a wide variety of bikes with very different designs. These are my best times for the 31-kilometre route under reasonably comparable conditions:
- E-gravel bike: 1 hour 12 minutes (25.6 km/h)
- Single-speed hardtail: 1:10 (26.4 km/h)
- Cross-country full-suspension bike: 1:02 h (30.0 km/h)
- Average gravel bike: 0:59 h (31.5 km/h)
- Race gravel bike: 0:57 h (32.6 km/h)
So the gravel bike is the fastest set of wheels for cycling to work. Competition-oriented race gravel bikes, with their aerodynamic designs and particularly sporty riding positions, are especially fast. However, there is one challenge they all share: carrying your belongings. Even if you can leave your laptop at the office and there are lockers and somewhere to have lunch once you’re there, you’ll still need to carry at least a change of clothes, snacks and valuables. In 90 per cent of cases, I ride with a rucksack. Whilst a luggage rack keeps your back free, it can compromise handling and aerodynamics. On my way to work, I don’t usually wear aerodynamically optimised clothing either, but rather a comfortable T-shirt and a close-fitting pair of baggy trousers over my bib shorts.
Findings
If my aim were to get to work as quickly as possible by bike, my personal statistics suggest I’d need to opt for an aerodynamic race gravel bike. The faster the ride, the more important it is to have a streamlined combination of bike and rider. At speeds between 20 and 25 km/h, the importance of aerodynamics increases significantly. From 30 km/h onwards, air resistance outweighs rolling resistance and all other braking forces. Around 95 per cent of my journey to work is on tarmac, with many kilometres along straight, uninterrupted stretches. If I wanted to get to work even faster, I’d probably have to opt for an aerodynamically optimised road bike with a fairing.
There are several reasons why I don’t do that. As mentioned, a high average speed isn’t my aim when cycling to work. Even at speeds of 30 km/h and above, it becomes really dangerous for cyclists on the road. I’d much rather have a good view of my surroundings than tuck my head down into the wind. What’s more, lots of consecutive rides on very sporty bikes take their toll on my back. A slightly more upright posture is easier on the body in the long run.
I count myself lucky, as my route takes me along plenty of cycle paths. However, the tarmac is in poor condition in many places. A bit of comfort in terms of geometry, chassis and tyres is an advantage in the long run. That’s another reason why I like to commute on a lightweight mountain bike, where the suspension can be locked via a handlebar remote. Incidentally, I’ve always set my best times on fast gravel bikes with tyres at least 55 millimetres wide.
What do you think: when cycling to work, do you prefer a fast gravel bike or even a road bike? Or are other factors, such as comfort and carrying luggage on your bike, more important to you? Let us know in the comments!
Jan Timmermann
Editor