Road Cycling - Idea Road/Fun/Commute Bike

Hello, everyone, it looks like you have a lovely online community here.

Anyway -- my situation. I am just getting into cycling, and I currently have a pretty cheap Schwinn mountain/hybrid that is too small for me. I am looking at getting a new bike soon.

How will I use this bike? I will be doing a lot of city riding, probably distances of 7-12 miles on average. I might try the occasional long road trip -- 50 or 60 miles, perhaps -- but that would be infrequent. I want a comfortable bike that is fast and can climb hills well with less fatigue (Atlanta is very hilly). I might want my bike to move to an occasional commuting role, probably handling distances of 8-10 miles each way, but this fun and fitness would be the bike's primary interests.

Right now, I am very interested in the Specialized Sirrus series (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkFamily.jsp?sid=04Sirrus&JServSessionIdroot=ago5wh9udw.j27006). Because of my budget, I would be looking at their entry model -- the others are significantly more expensive and for my amateur style would likely provide little added benefit or, more importantly, fun.

I have also been looking at the Trek 7000 series (http://trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/citybike/7300.jsp) -- another hybrid bike that is very close to a pure road bike. These bicycles have mountain bike style handlebars and a more comfortable seat than pure road bikes. I have heard great things about the Sirrus, and I would love to get some opinions on it based on what I will be doing.

It seems that good road bikes are a bit out of my budget (I'd like to stay around $500) and I don't find them particularly comfortable. I've heard that the hybrids are tough on the hands because there aren't as many possible hand positions; if this became a problem I would likely add drop bars. I've also heard that the upright position of the hybrid is not so good for fast riding. I would like to able to maintain ~18-20 mph over fairly long stretches (obviously varying with hills), and I particularly want to be able to comfortably climb hills very well; I've heard the more upright position on a hybrid has a less powerful stroke, which makes sense, but I am used to the mountain bike I have.

Thoughts? Thanks a lot.

UPDATE: BTW, I meant "Ideal Road/Fun/Commuting Bike."

Hello, everyone, it looks like you have a lovely online community here.

Anyway -- my situation. I am just getting into cycling, and I currently have a pretty cheap Schwinn mountain/hybrid that is too small for me. I am looking at getting a new bike soon.

How will I use this bike? I will be doing a lot of city riding, probably distances of 7-12 miles on average. I might try the occasional long road trip -- 50 or 60 miles, perhaps -- but that would be infrequent. I want a comfortable bike that is fast and can climb hills well with less fatigue (Atlanta is very hilly). I might want my bike to move to an occasional commuting role, probably handling distances of 8-10 miles each way, but this fun and fitness would be the bike's primary interests.

Right now, I am very interested in the Specialized Sirrus series (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkFamily.jsp?sid=04Sirrus&JServSessionIdroot=ago5wh9udw.j27006). Because of my budget, I would be looking at their entry model -- the others are significantly more expensive and for my amateur style would likely provide little added benefit or, more importantly, fun.

I have also been looking at the Trek 7000 series (http://trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/citybike/7300.jsp) -- another hybrid bike that is very close to a pure road bike. These bicycles have mountain bike style handlebars and a more comfortable seat than pure road bikes. I have heard great things about the Sirrus, and I would love to get some opinions on it based on what I will be doing.

It seems that good road bikes are a bit out of my budget (I'd like to stay around $500) and I don't find them particularly comfortable. I've heard that the hybrids are tough on the hands because there aren't as many possible hand positions; if this became a problem I would likely add drop bars. I've also heard that the upright position of the hybrid is not so good for fast riding. I would like to able to maintain ~18-20 mph over fairly long stretches (obviously varying with hills), and I particularly want to be able to comfortably climb hills very well; I've heard the more upright position on a hybrid has a less powerful stroke, which makes sense, but I am used to the mountain bike I have.

Thoughts? Thanks a lot.

UPDATE: BTW, I meant "Ideal Road/Fun/Commuting Bike."

i bought the sirrus because of budget as well. i also got the entry level one. i love it. it's sooo pure white and beautiful to just stare at. plus it's good for commuting and riding as well. the seatpost doesn't do much, the suspension part just kinda bottoms out. the milano seat is very soft and good for the tush. the ride is nice. thus far i've put a aero bar on it and it feels pretty good when riding long distance. other than that.. sirrus is a good choice.

here are some of my setup...
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=12716
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=12718

rui

The 7000 Series trek is actually miles from a real roadbike... its designed for VERY upright riding, plus riser bars and an adjustable stem to make it even more upright. If you "add" drop bars you are also looking at several hundred for STI drop shifters, if they will even work with the drivetrain (definately wouldn't work on a Trek 7000 series).

The Sirrus COULD be converted to drop bars, but again its several hundred for shifters and install typically. If you are considering drop bars, why not save yourself the cash now and buy a drop bar roadbike? The components and price will be pretty similar... I think the Allez starts at $550 or so.

Between the two the Sirrus is lightyears beyond the Trek 7000 series, but if you are considering drop bars, by now and save yourself the cost later.

The 7000 Series trek is actually miles from a real roadbike... its designed for VERY upright riding, plus riser bars and an adjustable stem to make it even more upright. If you "add" drop bars you are also looking at several hundred for STI drop shifters, if they will even work with the drivetrain (definately wouldn't work on a Trek 7000 series).

The Sirrus COULD be converted to drop bars, but again its several hundred for shifters and install typically. If you are considering drop bars, why not save yourself the cash now and buy a drop bar roadbike? The components and price will be pretty similar... I think the Allez starts at $550 or so.

Between the two the Sirrus is lightyears beyond the Trek 7000 series, but if you are considering drop bars, by now and save yourself the cost later.

seely.. if only if i had know about this site and known you earlier.. i would have took your advise. i was looking into a drop bar to compliment my C2, but instead found myself looking at those bullhorn bars instead. those look nice. the only thing i think i won't be able to tackle would be how to install the shifters and getting them to shift correctly. the brake lever and stuff should be fairly easy. plus the syntace bar is fairly cheap... $59 or so... http://www.cambriabike.com/road/bars/syntace_zero_time_trial_bar.htm

but definitely.. if your going for a drop bar... go for an entry level allez.. they are very nice too, but if it's upright you want, then sirrus would be a good choice.

I'm sorry -- I think I used the wrong terminology. By "drop bars," I meant just bar extensions that would bend downward for a more roadbike-style position so that on long, fast stretches I could pack more power into my stroke.

I would still use the stock brakes and shifters, but change positions to the lower bar extensions when I see fit. Why not go straight to a road bike? I find that I get pretty bad lower back pain if I am too hunched over; I like being a bit more upright; I prefer feeling that the bars are closer to me so that I don't have to stretch to reach them; I like the better visibility. Just some reasons. I'd welcome more advice and reasons to go to a road bike. FYI, the Allez starts at around $620.

I am much more interested in the Sirrus than I am the Trek 7000 series; I was just throwing it out there as a possibility in that genre.

Keep the great advice coming! Thanks for all the help. Does anyone else own a Sirrus?

UPDATE: ...additionally, I will be doing a great deal more city riding. It seems logical that an upright position is more practical for such conditions. Just more food for thought.

Your back pain will be greatly reduced by riding a properly fitted road bike. FWIW I have more position and pain problems on a hybrid than I do with a road bike. Bar-ends (handlebar extensions) are great in that they give you a chance to stretch out and a second hand position, but I've never seen them mounted pointed downwards.

On a road bike you actually rarely ride down in the drops of the bars. Most riding is done on the tops of the bars (like a flat bar bike) or on top of the brake hoods. It can be much more upright and comfortable than you might think...

To maintain the sorts of speeds you're talking about, you could look at a Specialized Sequoia though this will extend the budget a bit. In the specialized range, an Allez might be a good option too (at about the same price as the Sirrus). The drop handlebars give plenty of different hand positions which can really increase comfort on longer rides. My wife has the Allez Sport (mid 700s), and has been very happy with it. The advantage of going to the Sport model over the entry level triple is a better component set that is more easily upgradable. The Sora components on the entry model are the only 8 speed road units in the Shimano range, which makes it very hard to get anything better as you wear out components or get the upgrade itch. :)

Are you limited to just Specialized and Trek at your LBS? Fuji, Giant, Felt, Raleigh as well as many others also make some great entry level road bikes for buyers on a budget.

I bought a hybrid about 6 years ago. It was fine to get me started out again, and I used it as a commuter beast for a long time. I was very excited the day that enough things failed that I could justify replacing it... :)

Thanks for all the advice.

In retrospect, I might have been a bit generous with my speed estimates. For city riding, I would likely be averaging more like 10-14 mph. I would probably only achieve more than 18mph on downhills or on dedicated bike trails.

It sounds like people are suggesting I go straight for a road bike. Are there any advantages to having a hybrid? If I wanted to cut across a grassy area or a park, for example, would a road bike be appropriate for that?

Keep the advice coming,
Jonathan

Thanks for all the advice.

In retrospect, I might have been a bit generous with my speed estimates. For city riding, I would likely be averaging more like 10-14 mph. I would probably only achieve more than 18mph on downhills or on dedicated bike trails.
I'd still go for a road bike if I were you. For anything outside of city riding the flat bar (even with bar ends) can get really frustrating. Having owned moutain bikes, hybrids, roadies and cyclocross bikes, I can't say that I find hybrids to have anything much going for them. They're neither rugged enough to be great on unsealed trails or grass, nor efficient enough to be enjoyable on roads and sealed paths. I took a Sirrus Comp for an extended ride a few weeks ago when shopping for a new commuter. While the drivetrain efficiency was better than my older hybrid, I still found the flat bar to get annoying after about 10 miles.

A flat bar on a mountain bike is great as when mountain biking you have a lot of weight shift and bike movement going on. You're always moving about so tend to stay comfortable. When riding a flat bar on the road, you tend to stay in one position for extended periods so the discomfort catches up quickly.

Want versatility? Go drop bars. You still have the hand positions of a flat bar (on the top) but can extend out for comfort much better.


It sounds like people are suggesting I go straight for a road bike. Are there any advantages to having a hybrid? If I wanted to cut across a grassy area or a park, for example, would a road bike be appropriate for that?

Keep the advice coming,
Jonathan
Depends on your bike handling skills. I can happily ride a skinny-tired road bike on gravel and grass these days (just took a bit of time to develop the stability). When I bought my hybrid my thinking was along the same lines, but I never once took it off a sealed path. Thing is, I enjoyed the cycling so much that it wasn't a big deal to find a slightly longer route that kept me on something sealed. If you're really worried, talk to the bike shop about changing the stock tires out for something a bit wider e.g. 700x28. For city riding, it might not be a bad idea to switch to a tire with good flat protection anyway, like a Specialized Armadillo or a Continental Ultra Gatorskin.

If you had a slightly higher budget, I'd strongly recommend a light touring or cyclocross bike. Something along the lines of the Surly Cross-Check (http://www.surlybikes.com/bikes.html). It usually runs somewhere around $800, but is incredibly versatile.

Just giving my $.02. Don't bother with the 7000 series. I ride a 7500 for commuting, and I don't like the riding position. It is VERY upright, even after changing the riser position to be more forward. Every tiny gust of wind acts as a break, and trying to ride over 15 mph is like trying to ride over 19 mph on my roadbike. It does have a suspension fork and a suspension seatpost, and those are nice on the horrible road I have to take to work, but for doing anything other than going to work (13-15 mph) or tooling around with the wife (8-10 mph), I ride my roadbike. I would go with the sirrus, or another type of roadbike with a more relaxed geometry.

I also second the suggestion for a little bit larger tire (700-25 or 700-28 vs 700-23)and flat protection. I ride the armadillo nimbus. Its heavier than some tires out there, but not so much so that it is a burden, and Ive driven through glass and potholes and not flatted. (Although I still had to dig the glass out of the tire when I got home.)

I pretty much did what your thinking about. I wish I had been smart enough to ask your question before spending the money. In my case I bought the Trek 7200, swapped the handle bar's for a straight bar with bar ends, and later added an aero bar. This bike worked great initially but as I began to ride more I quickly wanted a true road bike and ended up buying one within a year. Of course now I have two bikes and use them both depending on what type of riding I'm doing but I ride the road bike 98% of the time now.

Dan.

Thanks for all the advice. It sounds like a road bike does make a lot of sense. I will probably go to the bike shop this weekend and test ride some bikes, including the Sirrus. I'm still interested

Regarding road bikes -- Is the Specialized Allez (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=5975&JServSessionIdroot=hb83l467cu.j27004) an excellent choice for what I am interested in? What about the Cannondale R400 (http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/04/cusa/model-4RR4T.html) or R500 (http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/04/cusa/model-4RR5T.html), or the Trek 1000 (http://trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/road/1000.jsp) or 1000c (http://trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/road/1000c.jsp)?