Living Car Free - Hybrids are dorky

I don't do the "this vs that" thing, don't understand cliques and stuff. All I can say is that my hybrid bike is, in my opinion, the best type of bike for what I need out of a bike.

Well, who cares? And I doubt that most people who ride a "hybrid" [I keep one at my office] care either :)

Exactly. I've got ten bikes at the moment, a couple of tourers, 3-4 road bikes that are wonderful weekend toys, but what sits at work for lunch time errands are a 21-speed GT hybrid and an old Raleigh Sports 3-speed. The Raleigh was there first, but it's probably going to get sold because the hybrid is a lot better for what I need (trips within a 5-mile radius that have to be over within 58 minutes, including errands).

So there's no status. If I'm playing that game, my status is hanging on the garage wall, and comes out on the weekends when I've got the time for 50-60 mile days. What's at work are tools, very efficient and revered tools. I can't see anything better than a hybrid for worktime needs, as I'm always going to be on pavement, need to periodically trackstand in traffic (I find flat bars are easier at that), have to ride in what I'm wearing at work, and still need to fly in my limited free time.

The most practical car-free invention ever is the English three speed or the Dutch bike.

I'm currently running both a 3-speed Raleigh Standard Sports roadster and a GT Passage hybrid (see previous post) - I love the Raleigh and have owned them on and off since the early 1970's - a cream and gold striped Deluxe Sports was my main transportation during college.

However, I've found the 15 or so year old, bottom line, GT hybrid my wife found me at the dump is superior to the Sports in almost every way. It's lighter, faster, handles better, accelerates better, the rattrap/toe clip combination gives me better power and control over the old rubber pedals, and I find the riding position slightly more comfortable. The latter point, however, probably has a bit to do with the Raleigh being slightly small to me (the alternatives were slightly small or slightly large - they didn't make them in my exact size), while the GT matches my road bikes in frame size.

I'll give the Raleigh the lead in being able to gear down while standing still at a light (kinda negated by my usual habit of dropping down to the small chainwheel automatically when coming to a stop - I'm rarely caught moving out in too high a gear), it's a bit more comfortable on rough city streets and cobblestones, it definitely has the advantage on wet roads (but the GT is getting mudguards in the near future), and it's probably a stronger bike for decades of use. The way I like to fix and flip bikes, that's probably a non-issue.

Yeah, I love the 3-speed and have wonderful memories of them, but since the GT arrived, it's gathering dust. I have a feeling it's going to be seeing Craigslist come early spring.

By the way, any bike shop worth it's salt is interested in your bike because it's a bike. It doesn't matter if it came from WalMart or the local Colnago emporium. A bike shop that can't give you the time of day due to what you ride is rapidly heading for insolvency - once the word gets around.

Depending on your budget...I would suggest Brompton or Bike Friday. I have been researching for the past year and trying various bikes. The Brommie is my first choice. Expensive but from what I can tell well worth it in the long run. If you are below 6' in height and not over 200# you probably can get a way with a Dahon or Downtube. Those are less expensive than the Brompton but this is one of those cases where I feel you get what you pay for.

Aaron:)

I have a Montegue and like it very much. For one thing, when it is unfolded it looks like a 'real' bike, not like something a circus clown might ride.

Hybrids are easily the most unattractive, most unfashionable bikes in existence at the moment. Many of them are very poorly made, they tend to be a bit slow, you can't take them offroad, really, and even the good ones are sort of ugly. If you ride a hybrid, you know that roadies will view you with utter disdain, cool urban fixie-riders will be more polite and pretend you're not there, more because of your attire than because of your bike, and mountain bike riders will blow past you in their SUVs on their way to, well, the mountains. A hybrid rider is clearly at the bottom of the (ill-defined) bicyclists' social hierarchy..

Sounds like you just broke up with a hybrid rider.:D

If being a dork means that i get to ride around on this then let me be a dork. Personally i love when someone with a road bike looks at it and says, "oh, a comfy bike", almost as if it could not possibly be fast if it doesn't have drops. I just laugh as i pass them. These bars really allow you to get good leverage when starting from a stop or getting up the hills.
Fixed gears can be fun, but i don't see what practical purpose they serve for someone living a car free lifestyle. Pushing up the hill from the grocery store with 40+ lbs of groceries on a fixed gear just doesn't seem like fun to me. As for road bikes, a good quality road bike is at least $1000 IMO, and i can't imagine leaving it locked up and letting in get banged the way a city bike does.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1024/1249737093_24b4217860_o.jpg

The most practical car-free invention ever is the English three speed or the Dutch bike.

Just try getting up one of our WV hills on a three-speed.

If being a dork means that i get to ride around on this then let me be a dork.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1024/1249737093_24b4217860_o.jpg

Nice bike! The handlebars are very similar to what I use on my commuter. They aren't quite as comfortable as drops, but they are a close second. My hybrid shipped with a set of mountain bike bars and I replaced them with something like you have. Somehow I find MTB bars most uncomfortable.

Nice bike! The handlebars are very similar to what I use on my commuter. They aren't quite as comfortable as drops, but they are a close second. My hybrid shipped with a set of mountain bike bars and I replaced them with something like you have. Somehow I find MTB bars most uncomfortable.

Me, too. The only thing I don't like about my Montegue folder is the mountain style handlebars, but I don't want to change them for fear of compromising the foldability. The straight-across mountain bars force you to grasp the handlebars much more firmly than more swept-back bars; this is good when you are on a mountain trail as it gives you more control, but on the road it results in sore wrists and shoulders.

"Fixed gears can be fun, but i don't see what practical purpose they serve for someone living a car free lifestyle. Pushing up the hill from the grocery store with 40+ lbs of groceries on a fixed gear just doesn't seem like fun to me."

It's more fun than you would think... :D

"Fixed gears can be fun, but i don't see what practical purpose they serve for someone living a car free lifestyle. Pushing up the hill from the grocery store with 40+ lbs of groceries on a fixed gear just doesn't seem like fun to me."

It's more fun than you would think... :D

Yeah i know. After riding a friends i bought a rear wheel with a flip flop hub to convert an old low end motobecane. However, for my everyday riding and grocery getting i will stick with the dork factor...

The term hybrid is pretty stilly IMO. Very loosely defined. Popular definition now just seems to apply to any flat bar road bike

The frame style that has a super short seat tube and super tall stem is kind of ridiculous. People seem to like them though.

The frame style that has a super short seat tube and super tall stem is kind of ridiculous. People seem to like them though.

They use less metal, so they're cheaper and more environmentally friendly. They're also easier to size. Once you get used to them (about 5 minutes) they ride just as good as a full-size frame, IME.

They use less metal, so they're cheaper and more environmentally friendly. They're also easier to size. Once you get used to them (about 5 minutes) they ride just as good as a full-size frame, IME.

I don't think metal use in bicycle frames is an issue. If a frame uses 10% more metal, and is used for 5 years, that doesn't really add much waste. Hopefully, the metal is recycled anyway.

In any case, sloping frames are hideous, nothing could be uglier. What does it matter if they are easier to size, that is not to your advantage, but to the producers. You just end up riding an ugly bike. Just buy a second hand roadie for $200 and a second hand mountainbike for $300 if you want to ride in the woods. Why get a new bike anyway?

I find that hybrid bikers are almost always people that don't know anything about bicycles and can't be bothered to do some research, or look at the classifieds. Also, they are so insecure that they believe you need to buy tons of clothing, shoes, helmets, lamps and whatnot. If they had some imagination, they'd just get what is needed, a cheap bike to start with, and ride in their normal clothes.

Nothing makes me angrier than hybrids! They are even worse than those unbearable posengers...

Before anyone goes off about whats ugly they should have to post a picture of themself.

Nothing makes me angrier than hybrids!Well, it's only natural to go berserk over other people's chosen bike type. :rolleyes:

--J

Nothing makes me angrier than hybrids! They are even worse than those unbearable posengers...

Considering some of the things happening on this planet, hybrids are not very high up on the list of things to get angry about. Get angry about human trafficing; get angry about genocide; get angry about FGM and honor killings; get angry about the stupid, wasteful, and unnecessary war in Iraq; these and other things are worth getting angry about. That someone chooses to ride a type of bike you don't like, that isn't worth getting angry about.

And as for helmets and lamps, they are things that one needs. If you're going to ride at night, lamps are not only a good idea, they are required by law in most states. As for helmets, I prefer to keep my brains inside my head, and I don't like the idea of my skull bouncing on the pavement without some sort of protection.

As for helmets, I prefer to keep my brains inside my head, and I don't like the idea of my skull bouncing on the pavement without some sort of protection.

I just decided not to fall. It helps tremendously with the skull bouncing.

Seriously though, I haven't fallen on a road bike since I was 9 or so. My Newfoundland knocks me down on a fairly regular basis though. We crossed paths at a jog two days ago and I went down in the middle of the street pretty hard.

Yes, I do wear a bike helmet, but I honestly believe my risk level is considerably higher while walking the dog, trail running, tree climbing, or with any number of normal activities than it is on the bike. Don't tell the safety nannies that though, or they'll pass another ridiculous law.


[edit] Not that I think Gustavo doesn't have issues... I definitely do.

Nothings "cooler" than a guy on a single speed with a messenger bag. Of course, they usually end up driving a lot due to lack of equipment.

I'm a full on nerd. Hybrid, fenders, giant mud-flap, many lights, trekking bars, racks (front and rear) wear coveralls in the winter, trek trunk and to top it all off I wear an orange safety vest for added visibility. I also often pull an 8 foot long trailer and put chains on my tires in the winter. If accessories and practicality make you a dork then I am Captain Dork of the Dork patrol.

Of course I have had no need for an automobile in some time either.

I just decided not to fall. It helps tremendously with the skull bouncing.

Sometimes it is unavoidable. Like if your chain breaks when you are going down a hill very fast. Or if you hit a bit of black ice or an oil slick. Or if some idiot pulls out in front of you and you have to make a sharp turn to avoid running into him. All of these things can happen to even the best, most skilled riders, and all can result in a fall. Helmets are not full protection, of course; but they provide a h*ll of a lot more protection than one's hair, even if one has one of those big 70's-style bouffants.

I don't think metal use in bicycle frames is an issue. If a frame uses 10% more metal, and is used for 5 years, that doesn't really add much waste. Hopefully, the metal is recycled anyway.

In any case, sloping frames are hideous, nothing could be uglier. What does it matter if they are easier to size, that is not to your advantage, but to the producers. You just end up riding an ugly bike. Just buy a second hand roadie for $200 and a second hand mountainbike for $300 if you want to ride in the woods. Why get a new bike anyway?

I find that hybrid bikers are almost always people that don't know anything about bicycles and can't be bothered to do some research, or look at the classifieds. Also, they are so insecure that they believe you need to buy tons of clothing, shoes, helmets, lamps and whatnot. If they had some imagination, they'd just get what is needed, a cheap bike to start with, and ride in their normal clothes.

Nothing makes me angrier than hybrids! They are even worse than those unbearable posengers...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Some folks like a bike that can do many things well.

Been riding for 36 years and wrenching for over 20.

Cheap bikes suck.

Helmets and lights and whatnot can save your ass.

Some clothes are better for cycling.

Posengers are people too, even if they are sometimes unbearable.

Sometimes it is unavoidable. Like if your chain breaks when you are going down a hill very fast. Or if you hit a bit of black ice or an oil slick. Or if some idiot pulls out in front of you and you have to make a sharp turn to avoid running into him. All of these things can happen to even the best, most skilled riders, and all can result in a fall. Helmets are not full protection, of course; but they provide a h*ll of a lot more protection than one's hair, even if one has one of those big 70's-style bouffants.

That's a weak argument. Wrapping bubble-wrap around your head would be "better than nothing". Wearing a helmet in a car, on a bus, or walking down the street would provide more protection than nothing - doesn't mean you're going to do it. Wearing a helmet in the shower, or while walking down stairs would probably increase your survival rate more than wearing one on a bike.

Again, I'm not necessarily anti-helmet (I wear one every day), but if you started trying to mitigate your health risks, starting with the highest ones, it would be a LONG time before you got around to bicycle helmets.

It's more about being politically and costume correct for most of us.

Wearing a helmet in the shower, or while walking down stairs would probably increase your survival rate more than wearing one on a bike.

I've heard this claim, but I have yet to see any evidence to back it up.

I find that hybrid bikers are almost always people that don't know anything about bicycles and can't be bothered to do some research...


I needed a bike that would be able to handle the road, trail, and singletrack that I experience on my commute (which rocks btw) and a full on mtb or full on road bike would only do one of those things really well but fall short at the other.

I build up a lot of bikes and do a lot of riding so started thinking that a hybrid would serve as the perfect platform... I found a Trek 7500 in nice original condition replete with riser bars, an adjustable stem, and some flexy cranks and made a few modifications.

The 7500's ZX frame is nearly identical to the frame on my 6700 HT which rocks the trails but isn't the best bike for commuting.

The riser stem and bars were replaced with a new stem and drop bars, the cranks were replaced with new Shimano 440's, and the fat tires were replaced with cross tyres.

Now I have a bike that keep up with all but the fastest of roadies and I routinely pass folks on the trails and singletrack as this bike does that exceptionally well too. I have even ridden loaded centuries on this bicycle and had no complaints whatsoever.

I have often said if I could only have one bike (god forbid), this would be it.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/7500mxb.jpg

"I'm thinking about getting a folding bike for travel use (planes, boats); any suggestions?"

How about a surly traveler's check? I am looking at getting one and am pretty excited about having a bike to take with me when I go places.

"I'm thinking about getting a folding bike for travel use (planes, boats); any suggestions?"

How about a surly traveler's check? I am looking at getting one and am pretty excited about having a bike to take with me when I go places.

I have a Montegue Paratrooper which I like. It is a little heavy and cumbersome to carry when folded, but unlike some folding bikes, when unfolded it looks and rides like a real bike, rather than something a circus clown would ride.

somebody mention dorky hybrids? Have been LCF since 7/07 and use this for nightly commuting, errands, and grocery shopping. Don't have tons of cash and have gradually pieced my gear together. As an entry level bike its holding up good and has been ridden in all weather conditions.
AFIK don't have any off-road riding places nearby plus all of my riding is usually on paved streets. I think a road bike would have been trashed by now. I WAS 220+lbs and occasionally drop off and jump up curbs. Rode a dirt path into the side of a sidewalk slab at speed because the drop was covered by grass. My light flew off and broke but the bike was fine. Have lost 30lbs and money is starting to save since I have most of my gear now. Now I just have to beat that buy a new "cool" bike itch.

Now I just have to beat that buy a new "cool" bike itch.

that's a tough one; especially since the rain has subsided a bit, I've been just barely able to avoid the temptation of splurging on a road bike just for long recreational rides. (Bikes are as bad as heroin, and almost as expensive... )

Lend me your roadbikes for a couple of days....They'll never be right again. (warm fuzzy feeling?)
Lend me your MTBs for a couple of days...I'll get there eventually....exausted. (Not so fuzzy)

Billbass

I did a century on my Marin Larkspur last year. It was probably not the best choice for handlebars, but other than that it was just fine. Given that I had about 10-15 k on gravel, and no flats, it seems to me that it held up quite well mechanically, and while I was slow (I hadn't done a century for over 10 years), I would do it again.

That bike was my spring/summer/fall LCF bike in Calgary (it has over 4000 km on it from 15 months of riding), I certainly found it to be practical/comfortable/and mechanically robust (I did have to swap out the original tires and some other parts eventually).

Being dorky myself, I guess I can't really object to the title of the thread :p

In terms of style, theres just a few aspects that make the hybrid bike look too .. Busy. Say in comparison to a classic roadie which looks beatiful for its simplicity, a hybrid with its sloping geometry and 3 chain wheels looks cluttered. In fact modern frames are a major cluttering I think. Their fat tubes, and their sloping geometry combine to look more like some ovegrown bmx rather than a pure and simple bicycle. Their huge decals accentuate the cluttered look.

I have a Larkspur too. It's a nice bike, and my first serious one (ie. with brakes and shifters that work).

It was Marin's the last steel frame model, and has a great ride. As for the frame, I think that it's quite beautiful with clean lines. But of course, I'm biased.

The only downside is that it doesn't fold to fit inside a car, and it doesn't have drops.

Is it really a hybrid? It feels more like a "street bike" to me.

In terms of style, theres just a few aspects that make the hybrid bike look too .. Busy. Say in comparison to a classic roadie which looks beatiful for its simplicity, a hybrid with its sloping geometry and 3 chain wheels looks cluttered. In fact modern frames are a major cluttering I think. Their fat tubes, and their sloping geometry combine to look more like some ovegrown bmx rather than a pure and simple bicycle. Their huge decals accentuate the cluttered look.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/bike_path/fx/79fx/

is this an ugly bike in your opinion?

heh, my first "real" bike about 8 years ago was a Raleigh hybrid - and at the time I thought it was just fine, but then when challenged with a 5 day 600 mile trip - I dashed to the LBS and bought a nice roadie, put 50 miles on it and went off to my ride. Came home and really didn't ride the hybrid anymore, but kept it clean, sparkily and well lubed - I luvs me bikes.

Something like this I guess: http://centurycycles.com/images/library/small/ral_venture_blue_07_s.jpg

So since then I've done a lot of switching over to the "darkside" and mtb - even have a mtb for my commuter as the city streets around here suck - had to rebuild my roadie wheelset.

But still kept the hybrid. So now the fleet is up to 4 bikes with the 5th coming (nice FS mtb), and then my ex-boyfriend becomes ill at 37 yrs old with a blood clot - and thank goodness it's caught in time - and so he went on blood thinners and major drugs - and dissolved the clot - but his doctor wants him to lose 40 lbs - so he started asking me about bicycling (to which he used to point out bicyclists on the road as my "brethren" and ridicule them for being on a busy street, holding him up, etc - he did this for the full 8 yrs I went out with him - and was a contributing factor to our demise) - and so I nicely said you would fit the hybrid well (I always buy men's bikes) - if I take the bike to the shop and retrofit it to being back full hybrid (I had roadie tires on it, etc) of my choosing and you pay for it, plus the other adjustments to it - it's yours for a small fee. He did it.

So I take the bike to the shop, pick out some stuff and they work their magic and I walk up to the shop and ride the bike home. DAA-AAM - seriously I forgot how comfortable they were - to ride sitting up and all. And with a regular hybrid tire back on it - I can take the potholes if I hit them. At that moment, I nearly regretted my decision to sell - was it the fact that I enjoyed the ride ... or that I missed having the bike. Probably both. But I continued on with the sale (only thing that annoyed me immensely was that he put on the biggest - I mean BIGGEST freaking seat he could find on it - yeah it's comfortable I guess but it's freakin huge!!!! - but he likes it and he does go out on a ride with his father once a week- and so it was a good sale - it went to someone who could use it). Plus, I see the guy perhaps once a month (as friends) and so I am the official bicycle repairman out there so I still see it --- but still I like my mtb for the city - especially since I've discovered some nice short cuts around BUSY intersections (like expressway entrance/exits) where I perhaps jump a wall, hit some stairs and definitely jump some curbs (I have about 3 blocks I ride sidewalk - hate to do it - but have too have been nearly smushed more on the street in that area versus taking the driveway challenge) - and the mtb is my choice of vehicle.

I Have a Hybrid and I think it looks decent. It's a Trek 7100. I have been commuting to work with it(9miles one way) and it is great. I might get a faster bike in the future but I am not made of money. I never had any real issues going off road a little with it also.

My hybrid is my daily commuter - just got new fenders on her too. Slicks for tires n rides well on jarring city streets. Not speedy like my roadie, but an excellent commuter.

Reading through these posts, it seems as though some people have narrow view of what a hybrid bicycle actually is. Hybrids are bikes that take characteristics from mountain bikes, comfort bikes, and road bikes. They are made to be more comfortable and rugged than a road bike and faster that a mountain bike on the street. This covers a large number of different designs, but people seem to be stuck on just the upright position bikes. I partly agree with the thread title, some hybrids are pretty dorky pretty, but I've seen and ridden some sleek hybrids.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/bike_path/fx/79fx/

is this an ugly bike in your opinion?

$2,400 for a hybrid? :roflmao2:

I partly agree with the thread title, some hybrids are pretty dorky pretty, but I've seen and ridden some sleek hybrids.

Which bikes do you like that are sleek hybrids?

$2,400 for a hybrid? :roflmao2:

they probably don't sell too many...

they probably don't sell too many...

I don't know. On the one hand, a lot of the people I see riding hybrids look pretty prosperous. OTOH, they probably didn't become prosperous by spending a lot of money on features that they don't need for occasional use, like carbon frames.

But there are nice bikes in the FX line that go for much less. Makes me wonder about your user name....

Are there any other hybrids you like that are less pricey than the FX9?

I ride the 7700 FX, it's a 900 dollar (when i bought mine) Hybrid.
I also have a Lambert , a Sam Benotto and a Specialized MTB

I ride the 7700 FX, it's a 900 dollar (when i bought mine) Hybrid.
I also have a Lambert , a Sam Benotto and a Specialized MTB

Thanks. I've always done most of my riding on MTBs, although I have a couple old Fuji 10 speeds. I'm thinking about getting a hybrid soon--one of the "sleek" ones. Besides the Treks, I've looked at Specialized Sirrus, and I will look at other mfrs. before I decide. I only want to spend $600 to $800.

This seems to me to be a strange discussion, given the loose definition of 'hybrid bicycle'. One company sticks flat bars on a road bike, it's a hybrid. Another company sticks 700c wheels on a mountain bike, it's a hybrid.

Personally, I took a fairly stock hard-tail MTB, added road tires and riser bars - since it's a hybrid of a comfort bike (relaxed-upright bar style, fenders) and a road bike (slicks) all on a mountain bike frame, it is by definition a hybrid.

It seems to me that 'hybrid' is more of a marketing buzz-word for commuter / utility bikes than anything else.

they probably don't sell too many...

a safe assumption.

One member here Bionic Pammy has one (trek 7.9) and claims they are awesome.

My dorky bike...

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/Trek7500door.jpg

Which bikes do you like that are sleek hybrids?

Kona's Dr. Dew and Ph. D

Dr. Dew (http://www.konaworld.com/08_drdew_w.htm)
Ph. D (http://www.konaworld.com/08_phd_w.htm)

Here's another sleek one.

http://scottusa.com/service/files/images/products/products/photos/4m9lN71e4el5VoQEM6MY1Gsnrb166U4F.jpg



Scott SUB (http://scottusa.com/us_en/product/75/667/sub_20) (I know--terrible name!)

Very nice, I especially like that Scott Sub in black.