Hybrid Bicycles - Hybrid specific forum: If you've already posted, do come back and vote the poll

I just joined this forum yesterday and was astounded when I could not find a hybrid section.<snip>

I think this is the best justification for a Hybrid forum: new members with no history on the forum come here because they search for a bicyling forum and find that this is one of the largest out there, and then are surprised to find no specific area for Hybrid bikes. I can back that up as a new member, I came here specifically to talk about my new Hybrid, and after looking around never found any comfort level with posting about it since searches of past threads on Hybrids brought up a lot of wasted space with people arguing about why someone would even buy a Hybrid rather than a road or mtb. So now I just come here to search around for information, read it, then browse away without posting (i.e. Lurking). I don't have time to waste my time arguing about why I have the bike I do, I just want to talk about riding it, modifying it, etc. with other people who have similar bikes/interests. Someone with a carbon road bike who pace rides at 30mph will have very little in common with me when I talk about fitness cycling on the bike path at 15 mph. Suggesting that I post in "recreational and family" is not attractive either, I don't consider myself a "recreational" rider when I take my 1 hour morning fitness ride, I'm not riding for "recreation", I'm doing it because it's great exercise and easy on my ailing knees compared to running. And as a motorcyclist it has some synergy with other forms of 2-wheel riding. I have many friends who are road bikers/racer and I don't even bother talking about bicycles with them, because of the same thing, they're at a whole different level with their riding issues. I think the admins should look at the place from the eyes of a new forum member with no history here, and you'd see that if someone buys a new Trek 7.6FX and comes to the forum, they aren't going to naturally post in any of the existing forums here. I'm still searching for a vibrant hybrid forum, might as well have it be here right? I would probably have 20 posts on the forum already if it existed, rather than 2.

So now I just come here to search around for information, read it, then browse away without posting (i.e. Lurking). I'm still searching for a vibrant hybrid forum, might as well have it be here right? I would probably have 20 posts on the forum already if it existed, rather than 2.

+1

While there is a wealth of information on this site the opportunity to interact is stiffled for those of us within the "hybrid culture" IMO. I expect there will be more baby boomers just like me who are returning to cycling in an attempt to invigorate our own aged frames and engines. Many will choose hybrids. We need a place to share ideas, experiences and talk about what we're going to buy next from your site sponsors. :)

YES to inclusion of a hybrid specific category forum.

Has anyone had a problem with asking questions about their hybrid in the commuting, utility forum, general cycling, or recreational forum ?

The roadies will rip on anyone and generally eat their own young... :)

Has anyone had a problem with asking questions about their hybrid in the commuting, utility forum, general cycling, or recreational forum ?

The roadies will rip on anyone and generally eat their own young... :)

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/picard-facepalm.jpg

Has anyone had a problem with asking questions about their hybrid in the commuting, utility forum, general cycling, or recreational forum ?

The roadies will rip on anyone and generally eat their own young... :)

The simple answer to this question is yes & I could certainly post examples But lets not get into pointing fingers at people. That will only result in hard feelings between members. People have opinions & the one thing I have learned about the internet is that personality can be interpreted in many ways & not always as intended. The goal here is to promote a Hybrid sub forum not to cause problems within the board. The examples that have been brought up are only to support the reasons behind why we would like the Hybrid forum to exist. It should be made very clear that this is not a complaint platform against how other member perceive Hybrid owners. Every member here is entitled to their opinion. Please let us not stray from the topic & realize that these are just examples & should be treated as such. I would be very disappointed if anything posted here resulted in any action against member for posting there opinion in another forum

In a perfect world you would be correct. But this isn't a perfect world. Try posting something about your hybrid in either the road or MTB forums. Your going to be insulted and laughed off in the first 2 posts. That's a fact. Hybrids are looked at as a jack of all trades, master of none. Don't take my word for it either. Try posting and see.

Why would this surprise anyone ?

It would like posting something about my folder in the recumbent forum.

botto - slow day ?

So y'all know, I'm not ignoring the thread. Please continue the discussion as to the merits of creating a Hybrid Forum. I'm adding a poll to the thread momentarily to get a statistical sense of the actual demand for this.

Why would this surprise anyone ?

It would like posting something about my folder in the recumbent forum. ;)

botto - slow day ?
I think you just made the best argument for a forum specific to hybrids.

I too am one of those who is just getting back into cycling (after a 20 year absence of being a hard-core cyclist) and chose to go the hybrid route. I was hoping to find specific information about hybrids but was a bit disappointed. Yes, there is some info in the mountain bike and general discussions, but as has been mentioned in this thread, hybrid questions are not exactly received with a warm welcome -- in fact, as has been said, most hybrid questions are met with ridicule. I'm reluctant to post my hybrid questions and comments because of this.

Bottom line is that hybrids are here, they're not going away, and there are many aspects about them that don't fit in any of the other forums.

Why would this surprise anyone ?

It would like posting something about my folder in the recumbent forum.

botto - slow day ?

Sixty Fiver - snarky day?

I think you just made the best argument for a forum specific to hybrids.

I too am one of those who is just getting back into cycling (after a 20 year absence of being a hard-core cyclist) and chose to go the hybrid route. I was hoping to find specific information about hybrids but was a bit disappointed. Yes, there is some info in the mountain bike and general discussions, but as has been mentioned in this thread, hybrid questions are not exactly received with a warm welcome -- in fact, as has been said, most hybrid questions are met with ridicule. I'm reluctant to post my hybrid questions and comments because of this.

Bottom line is that hybrids are here, they're not going away, and there are many aspects about them that don't fit in any of the other forums.

The point I was making was that if I had a question about a folder I would ask questions in the appropriate forum.

People keep citing that hybrids aren't welcome in the road and mtb forums which is perfectly understandable (get over it already) but I have yet to see any compelling evidence that hybrid related questions are not welcomed in other forums that already deal with every kind of cycling one can imagine except perhaps unicycling.

Because I ride road, mtb, ss, fixed, folded, classic and vintage, like to build frankenbikes, work as a mechanic, own a shop, and moderate these forums I tend to get around and read a lot more than most.

I use the term hybrid to describe the blending of different technologies and reluctantly apply this to a class of bikes that are really not much different from bikes that have been made for decades and decades.

My old 1978 Raleigh Superbe and 1948 Rudge would be called city bikes if they were being sold today... when they were sold they were just the comfortable general purpose bicycles most people rode.

For the most part, the majority of hybrids are the modern equivalent of those bicycles of old and I don't see them as being that different or presenting any unique challenges.

Why would this surprise anyone ?

It would like posting something about my folder in the recumbent forum.

botto - slow day ?

If a Hybrid is 1/2 road bike & 1/2 mountain bike why wouldn't you think that MTB was the proper place to pose a question

If a Hybrid is 1/2 road bike & 1/2 mountain bike why wouldn't you think that MTB was the proper place to pose a question



For the same reason questions about hybrids usually don't fit in the road forum... it is about purpose and I don't know too many folks besides me that have taken their "hybrids" out for any intense off road riding.

So y'all know, I'm not ignoring the thread. Please continue the discussion as to the merits of creating a Hybrid Forum. I'm adding a poll to the thread momentarily to get a statistical sense of the actual demand for this.

Glad to see you're aware, Tom. My major caveat is placement of said poll (don't get me started) so as many as possible will be aware as well.

65'er - We've had to place our queries regarding hybrids all over the bloody forum! And we don't tread in the Land Of The Roadies :eek: . All are aware that's a mine-field. I just got a bunch of pm's regarding this issue. All were in favor of creating said Hybrid forum. And used analogies such as :"I feel that talking about my Hybrid here is like swearing in church."*



* - With apologies to original sender - trying to make a point here.

I have a hybrid and a road bike. The hybrid was my first bike and I have gotten a lot of use on it commuting to work and as my general purpose bike. I use it now primarily as the bike I use to ride with the family. I've never taken it for intense off road rides, although it does well on grass, gravel, dirt, etc when the need arises.

That being said, I just can't see the practical value of a hybrid specific sub-forum. Most of the information I have garnered specific to my hybrid I have received in either the commuting or family/recreation sub-forums. What exactly would we talk about?

Hybrids and their ride and riders. How to get the most out of them. Upgrading and maintaining. Wheels for Hybrids. Etc. A Hybrid, though poorly named in the mind's of some, are certainly as specific a variety a bicycle as a road-bike - which have a forum. A mountain-bike - which have a forum. A recumbent-bike - which has a forum...so forth.

Think about it. Or should we get rid of ALL the sub-fora here and just have a BIKE forum?

The point I was making was that if I had a question about a folder I would ask questions in the appropriate forum.

People keep citing that hybrids aren't welcome in the road and mtb forums which is perfectly understandable (get over it already) but I have yet to see any compelling evidence that hybrid related questions are not welcomed in other forums that already deal with every kind of cycling one can imagine except perhaps unicycling.

Because I ride road, mtb, ss, fixed, folded, classic and vintage, like to build frankenbikes, work as a mechanic, own a shop, and moderate these forums I tend to get around and read a lot more than most.

I use the term hybrid to describe the blending of different technologies and reluctantly apply this to a class of bikes that are really not much different from bikes that have been made for decades and decades.

My old 1978 Raleigh Superbe and 1948 Rudge would be called city bikes if they were being sold today... when they were sold they were just the comfortable general purpose bicycles most people rode.

For the most part, the majority of hybrids are the modern equivalent of those bicycles of old and I don't see them as being that different or presenting any unique challenges.

There has been plenty of harassing, and I`ve tryed to comment on it when I see it. Sometimes that is just petrol on the fire. I also posted once askng peopel to tell me what a Hybrid is, since the treads exploded once somebody wrote "Hybrid"

So y'all know, I'm not ignoring the thread. Please continue the discussion as to the merits of creating a Hybrid Forum. I'm adding a poll to the thread momentarily to get a statistical sense of the actual demand for this.

Thank you Tom,
I don't believe any of us thought you were not paying attention to this thread. Thank you for creating the poll. It is a positive step forward in getting a feel for what the members want. The thread I feel has received good response considering it is outside the main forums. It is however in the proper forum for this discussion. Thank you for your help and your support with encouraging the discussion to continue
Charlie

Hi all,

I just got a new Giant Cypress a few days ago. I've been monitoring the forums for about a week and have gotten a ton of information. I will say though that, while it's true that you can post and find "hybrid" info in several sub-forums, it takes a lot of time to sift through all of the other stuff to find something that may be relevent to my interest. I'm just one person, but if you multiply my time by all of the others with the same interest, that's a lot of wasted time. I don't know how much work it takes to maintain a sub-forum, but if it's not too much, it seems like a sensible solution for this significant piece of the bike community.

I think the admins have realized we're not backing down. Good! Bravo to all who have shown that the only logical and fair solution is to create a hybrid-specific forum.

Now I'm waiting for the onslaught of roadies to race in and vote 'no' - and then race back to their roadie-forum. Call me a cynic...

I think the admins have realized we're not backing down. Good! Bravo to all who have shown that the only logical and fair solution is to create a hybrid-specific forum.

Well to be honest I think we have gained some respect by going through channels & engaging in civilized dialog on the subject. If people want this then it will probably happen. Both sides actually help or there would be no thread. The entire discussion has gone extremely well & moving in the direction we want it to go

For the most part, the majority of hybrids are the modern equivalent of those bicycles of old and I don't see them as being that different or presenting any unique challenges.
You haven't ridden current day high performance hybrid, have you?

High performance or not, there definitely is a class specific need for hybrids, be they sidewalk cruiser types or full on high end bikes. For starters, there's a lot of component questions that can be asked and answered about -- sure, you can say that these questions can be answered in other forums but the same can be said about pretty much every other bike as they can be discussed in either mtn bike or road discussions yet they have their own place. Let's face it, in today's world, there are road bikes, mountain bikes, fixies and SS's, trials bikes, cyclocross, bmx, touring bikes, tandems, commuter bikes, and... there are hybrids.

Having a hybrid forum to discuss hybrid issues with like minded people is not an unreasonable request, all things considered.

You haven't ridden current day high performance hybrid, have you?


Actually... I have... but thanks for playing.

My old '99 Trek Multitrack has also been known to go out on group rides and hang with some pretty skilled riders which astounds them to no end and I have received a few less than positive comments from that segment of the road riding population that is fixated on carbon fiber and $2000.00 group sets.

i am used to that as I also ride a number of fixed gears and if there is a group that gets an undue amount of flack, it's them.

I don't see where hybrid riders are unduly persecuted for riding what are practical bicycles.

I'll keep laying the devil's advocate here and no-one should think that I am not a huge fan of how manufacturers have responded to offer an ever increasing lineup of urban friendly bikes.

If there is to be a hybrid forum I'd be happy to moderate it but like Tom, I just need to see that there is a real need that isn't already being filled.

I'd like to hear some ideas on how this proposed forum would look...

I suspect it would look like all the other forums on the site, with the exception that people are talking about hybrid bikes, brands, models, components, concerns, etc.

Since this discussion is in a rather obscure section of the site, perhaps it should be moved to the General Cycling Discussion section where more hybrid riders could see it and comment/vote?

I joined today and that was the first thing I looked for. Luckily someone explained it didn't exist yet, or i'd still be looking!

I could move this thread... will check it with the moderation team first.

Awesome! Thanks for looking into it Sixty Fiver.

btw: I sent you a PM.

Moving to General Cycling...

I think that worked... and I'll even work up a little spit and stick this thread so it doesn't get lost.

Thanks. :thumb:

I still don't see all this hostility towards hybrids aside that which comes from an already identified small segments of the BF community, many of which probably have a cruiser stashed away in their garage that they really like but would not be caught dead on. :)

What is not to like about bikes that can do it all ?

I suspect it would look like all the other forums on the site, with the exception that people are talking about hybrid bikes, brands, models, components, concerns, etc.

Since this discussion is in a rather obscure section of the site, perhaps it should be moved to the General Cycling Discussion section where more hybrid riders could see it and comment/vote?

I think the fact that the thread had life in a bit of an obscure part of the board says volumes in itself. I am grateful to see it become more visible for the purpose of voting though.

Nice move, 65. Thank you! (or whoever all was involved)

WCoastPeddler: The move was made. You and I both suggested this - welcome to the likely beginnings of a new Hybrid Forum.

RespectTheWheel: Welcome to the forums! You're here just in time to (hopefully) see one started.

I'm a lurker. This is my first post and I would welcome a hybrid sub-forum. One of the bikes I own is a hybrid. As has been said before: the opportunity to to ask questions, relay experiences and make suggestions in an environment where the bike one rides is not considered "less than" would simply be very good.

Well, my current and favourite ever bike is a 26 inch wheel drop handle based on an MTB frame... so I have no idea what faction I'm supposed to adhere to. But I think that if the hybrid riders want a place where they can free of the opinions of the ruder and stupider (and probably slower) sort of road bike owner then they should have it. I love a good road bike myself, but there is something about them seems to attract idiots who need to validate themselves by explaining why the rest of the world needs a road bike too - often for a six mile commute over bad roads.

hybrids = comfortable upright position of mountain bikes + the speed of roadbikes. these are perfect commuter bikes, and since the commuter movement is growing significantly in numbers,



This is another reason a hybrid forum is needed: there should be an appropriate place to have stickies and faqs to deal with misconceptions like the above. A hybrid that approaches road bike speeds ***won't*** have that "comfortable upright position" (nor will an aggressive xc mtb). The top tube and stem will stretch the rider out to make him while aero using flat bars.

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Pretty please!

I still don't see all this hostility towards hybrids aside that which comes from an already identified small segments of the BF community, many of which probably have a cruiser stashed away in their garage that they really like but would not be caught dead on. :)

What is not to like about bikes that can do it all ?

Remember sixty, they are not all like you. Sadly.:D

I think we have a solution without creating more forums on the page.

Well that kind of derailed it, I guess it is a done deal

Yay! They sort of caved..... :D

Develop the interest further, Panther, and I'll do what we did with Clydesdale's. We'll split Hybrids out into their own forum. This is but a stepping stone on the path.

Develop the interest further, Panther, and I'll do what we did with Clydesdale's. We'll split Hybrids out into their own forum. This is but a stepping stone on the path.
It makes perfect sense to me, I am a big believer in the process. I was kinda excited to see the results of the poll

Develop the interest further, Panther, and I'll do what we did with Clydesdale's. We'll split Hybrids out into their own forum. This is but a stepping stone on the path.

You got a deal. Onwards, troops! :D

Moving to General Cycling...

I don't like Hybrids, but I'm very happy they exist for others who like them. I wish you would combine Hybrids with the Recreation forum. I'd bet there are a lot of roadies, mtn bikers, touring cyclists, ... who like the General forum, but don't want to have to 'filter' thru all the Hybrid threads, myself included. It seems to me like Recreation riding and Hybrids fit well together.

I don't like Hybrids, but I'm very happy they exist for others who like them. I wish you would combine Hybrids with the Recreation forum. I'd bet there are a lot of roadies, mtn bikers, touring cyclists, ... who like the General forum, but don't want to have to 'filter' thru all the Hybrid threads, myself included. It seems to me like Recreation riding and Hybrids fit well together.

Sounds sensible to me. I suppose that what I call my MTB could be considered by some to be a hybrid. I don't hang out much in General Cycling, but I would have thought hybrid is a subset of either General, or Recreational cycling. I'll continue to call my Trek 830 a MTB though. :D

I don't like Hybrids, but I'm very happy they exist for others who like them. I wish you would combine Hybrids with the Recreation forum. I'd bet there are a lot of roadies, mtn bikers, touring cyclists, ... who like the General forum, but don't want to have to 'filter' thru all the Hybrid threads, myself included. It seems to me like Recreation riding and Hybrids fit well together.

I'd prefer this solution as well.

The idea is for this to be a temporary fix. As interest grows, the Hybrid portion will be split off and become it's own. Then you get your General forum back. So supporting the Hybrid forum will get your wish accomplished sooner. This is simply a maturation-process.

We want the same things you do. Please support us rather than cast hairy eyeballs at us. That only delays matters.

I think that because a hybrid is a general purpose bicycle that a forum dedicated to such should be contained within the General Cycling forum.

It is kinda like what civil-unions are to gay marriage, It is almost what we wanted but comes up kinda short. Don't get me wrong as I am great full. When I started the thread I expected nothing to happen. It had more support than I thought it would have.

Interesting. generally bikes are ridden on roads so a lot of what should be in general cycling is in the road
biking forum which should be for race or training. Going fast on fast bikes, that's road cycling to me.

I agree with Bokes, that hybrids would fit more in recreation than general cycling, but I also agree with 65er, that hybrids are general purpose. You won't win a race on one, but mine can go fast (road wheels) and carry a big load, but not both at the same time. :(
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/IMG_1691-1.jpg