When considering commuting to work or school, I sometimes receive inquiries about long-distance commutes.

Some people struggle to decide whether to choose a "road bike" or a "mini velo" when considering a 20km one-way commute.

I, the author, have experience commuting 45km one way, so I have ideas beyond the conventional wisdom.

First, I will share the general opinion.

Road bikes offer more stability

Comparing road bikes and mini velos, road bikes have a longer overall length.

While their tires are narrow, the actual contact area with the ground isn't dramatically different.

What's important here is the length in the longitudinal direction.

Road bikes are longer, making them more stable to ride.

Road bikes are better when considering tire size

Mini velos are also known as "small-wheeled bicycles."

Their tire diameters are typically up to about 20 inches.

On the other hand, road bikes typically have 26-inch or 27-inch wheels.

What's the difference? The idea that the distance traveled per pedal rotation is different is half-true and half-false.

"Distance traveled per pedal rotation" = "Number of teeth on front gear" ÷ "Number of teeth on rear gear" × "Tire circumference"

*Gears are technically sprockets.

I used "gears" as it's a common term.

The distance traveled per pedal stroke has three factors: "number of teeth on the front gear," "number of teeth on the rear gear," and "tire circumference."

While a smaller tire diameter means a smaller tire circumference, it does NOT mean that mini velos are bikes that require a lot of pedaling to move forward.

While it's possible to make the distance traveled per pedal rotation the same for a 20-inch bike and a 26-inch bike, depending on the gear combination, it can become very heavy to pedal.

Road bikes are ridden with light gears and fast pedaling, while mini velos can be ridden however one likes, so the riding styles are completely different.

Considering a long distance of 20km, I recommend a road bike because it allows for lighter pedaling.

This concludes the general answers.

Speaking from my experience of long-distance commuting, if you combine cycling with public transportation and limit the cycling distance to about 5-10km, a mini velo is perfectly adequate for commuting to work or school.

For example, you could use a mini velo to travel from your home to the station or bus stop, and from the station or bus stop to your company or school, utilizing trains or highway buses for the main part of the journey.

By purchasing just one bike bag, you can transport your bicycle on trains and buses.

For such distances, it's highly unlikely you'll need to bring your bicycle into a crowded train.

There's space for bicycles and luggage, so be sure to check it out.

If the highway bus is empty, you can even place it next to your seat.

Mini velos are better when considering how to use travel time

Bicycles are great for getting around under your own power, but when considering commuting to work or school, you might want to read a book during travel, or if you're a student, memorize English vocabulary or review your notes for a test.

If you commute entirely by road bike, you'll have to put in a fair amount of effort to move.

In that case, you won't be able to study for tests or do other tasks during your commute.

In this regard, if you combine cycling with public transportation and then cycle again, as mentioned above, you can still study for tests and the like.

Even when considering commuting to work, there are some days when it's genuinely tough.

On such days, it's safer to opt for public transportation, and you'll be able to focus better on your work.

Mini velos are better depending on the road

If your 20km commute is along a large national highway, a road bike would be more advantageous.

However, conversely, if you're passing through residential areas or downtowns, or navigating narrow streets, a mini velo is more advantageous due to its tighter turning radius.

For commuting to work or school, even if you can choose "which route to take," your "destination" is predetermined.

This narrows down the options for routes along the way.

Avoid riding a road bike through crowded areas as it can be dangerous.

Mini velos are more advantageous in case of trouble

When considering long-distance commuting, if you calculate going back and forth about 240 days a year, the possibility of no troubles occurring at all is quite low.

Flat tires, falls, getting lost (?), rain, snow, and various other things can happen.

While punctures can be prevented to some extent with maintenance, it's difficult to prevent them 100%.

Considering the long distance, rain protection is crucial.

You might encounter heavy rain (or snow) during your commute, or it might be clear in the morning and pour in the evening.

In such cases, leaving your bike and taking public transport home should be considered as one of your options.

And when you retrieve your bike later after it's been left behind due to a flat tire, rain, or snow, a mini velo can be loaded into most cars if you go to pick it up by car.

In the case of a road bike, it might not fit unless you prepare a suitable vehicle.

Some models can be loaded if partially disassembled, so it requires more attention than a mini velo when purchasing.

Ultimately, it's a matter of preference

I've covered the benefits of choosing each type of bike so far.

Even so, I believe it's ultimately better to choose the one you prefer.

Even if commuting feels tough, if you love your road bike, it probably won't bother you, but if you feel like you "can't take it easy," then it will be tough.

What's important is to gather information about what could happen and be able to deal with problems.

This will give you peace of mind and make your commute safer.

External Writer: Koichi Okuno