Bike path commuting in brisbane

[Ozchuck]

So I do enjoy riding along the bikeway that runs along the centenary,
However,

I gotta ask,
If I buy a new roadie with nice shiny carbon fork and seat stays and whatnot, will the bike fall apart, or will it rape my butt with the vibrations?

It's kinda bumpy is my main concern, I'm worried that nice expensive lightweight wheels, carbon bits etc might fall apart with frequent riding over the cracks in the pavement etc.

[Max]

I've done that path plenty of times on my Cannondale. It's not going to fall apart just from a few bumps here and there. I'm sure your bike will be fine. Your butt will be fine too.

Max

[beauyboy]

Trust me that path is nothing compared with Kedron Brook.

The bike will be fine.

Donald

[waynohh]

Bikes have to withstand rail lines and junk like that, a few cracks are nothing.

[goneriding]

It's a worry easily solved. Buy 2 bikes! One to commute on and one to weekend ride

Realistically, I'd be more worried about what happens to the beastie when you actually get it to work. It is more likely to get damaged in the bike racks than on the road.

One piece of advice is to make sure you get decent rims for commuting as the wheels do take a hiding.

If you think that bike path is rough you should try some of the Sydney roads. I've ridden both and Bris roads/paths are paradise in comparison.

[rimmeraj]

Hi,
I commute daily from Moggill Road into the city along that bike path on a road bike (approx 9kg)
it's not that rough. you should not have any problems.

[Ozchuck]

Okay, cool.

Was slightly concerned because my fixie rims went out of true over similar surfacing, and everybody constantly seems to complain the roadie wheels arent strong enough.

I seem to do a squillion K's a week now, so it seems like it would be worthwhile to buy a more fun, faster machine. (currently riding a 90's era roady with downtube shifters)

I do have aspirations to do fast bunch rides, maybo some racing on the same bike I commute on (after 15 or more hours riding during the week, additional weekend rides dont always seem so attractive, haha)

[Pax]

IMO Brisbane roads are worse by far than the bike paths (at least regarding roughness)...so you'd have to hope that your roadie would survive the paths or you are in serious trouble on the roads.

[Rhubarb]

I started commuting in from Brookfield to the city late last year along the Centenary Hwy biketrack. I bought nice new CF road bike Oppy C5 just before Christmas and am loving it - no problems with track surface. Wheels are only 500kms old but not had a flat yet etc.

BTW if you think Centenary bikeway is bad, take a trip along the Sth East freeway biketrack. I commuted from Brookfield to Eight Mile Plains on Friday via city (32kms each way). The new bits are good but the old path between Buranda Stn and Marshall Rd is abysmal and frankly I will not ride that again on a road bike. The path is very narrow, bumpy, covered with leaves, flowers, seed pods etc. Tight blind corners etc etc etc.

The road bike is a good choice for the Centenary commute. The MTN bike would be a must if you had to do the SE Freeway commute or not use it on that section.

[Ozchuck]

mmm, I like the path, but the way people coddle road rims had me worried.

It certainly is fun, and I like doing it on my current bike, but if a more expensive bike was gonna fall apart.

I hear people talk about "training wheels" and hw they shouldnt use their racing bikes for a commute.

Is that valid for Australia, where we dont use road salt and such?

[Max]

It's not like you're bunny-hopping your bike every 10 metres or so, is it? If not, your regular rims should be fine. I have entry-level road/race wheels - Mavick Aksiums. They're what came with the bike (a Cannondale Synapse 4). They are just fine for commuting. No warping, bending, broken spokes or other complaining from the wheels. I think the people going on about training rims vs race rims must have very special fancy-dancy racing rims to carry on about only using them for racing.

Rhubarb: That section of path is shocking, isn't it? I was planning to use it to commute from the Northside to the Southside, but after having ridden it once on my road bike, no way I'm ever doing it again - especially not in the dark or in less than ideal weather. The BCC/state government really need to fix it up. It's a death trap. There is one ridiculously tight downhill S-bend that actually has a sign recommending riders dismount for safety. This, on a "bike path"!!!

I decided to half commute via train until the weather cools down. Then, I'll be using the Centenary path to get me to/from work.

Max

[beauyboy]

I never quite understood that that "dismount sign", a much more appropriate sign would of been, "Low Gear", but then again that would of been to much sense.

Donald

[Ozchuck]

Well, my rear wheel developed a buckle. LOL!

[beauyboy]

Your joking. In one week your bike has got a buckle in the rear rim

Glad i don't have a road bike

Donald

[Max]

LOL ozchuck, what are you doing to your poor bike?! What sort of wheel is it?

Max

[Ozchuck]

A mavic such and such.

Not sure on the actual name, as I didnt take it to the office today.
Will check though, but its probably like mid-range from 7 years ago or something.

Also, I've been riding it pretty gentle, as I have a MTB and fixie for thrashing.