Hybrid Bicycles - Hybrid Bike Fitting?

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Buzzbait
06-26-10, 03:39 PM
Hi all. I just joined the hybrid bike world today, with the purchase of a Specialized Sirrus Sport. I've been riding a Trek 4300 hardtail mountain bike all around town, for the last 2 1/2 months, training for offroad riding over the summer. But I've gotten to love riding the local farm roads so much, I want a bike that's a bit more suited to pavement, and one that's easier on the steep mountain hills.

I tried out three bikes today. A Specialized Allez, a Specialized Sirrus Sport, and a Trek FX 7.3. I really liked the Allez, but drop bars just aren't for me. Too many years of straight bar mountain bikes for me to change now, I guess. The decision between the FX 7.3 and the Sirrus Sport was much tougher. In the end, I chose the Sirrus. It just felt a bit more light and nimble, and a little more suited to onroad use. It's a lot like an upright road bike. I've had a few problems with my privates and my right hand falling asleep on long rides (that just didn't sound right), so the grooved seat and bar ends are much appreciated. And......... I just like the looks of the Sirrus better.

So now that I've got my Sirrus, it's time to fit the bike to me. I've done mountain bike fittings before, but never a hybrid. Is there any difference that I should pay attention to, in the fitting process?

xoxoxoxoLive
06-27-10, 12:52 AM
This is what I found works for (me). I really like the upright riding position of a Hybrid. So raise the seat to the highest level possible,(without your hips moving back and fourth), just gives you awesome peddle power
strokes on and off rode. Make sure your seat is back far enough or close enough, that your arms are bent a
little bit, and your knee is at a straight line with your peddle when midway through the down stroke. I can ride
mine for hours and never feel uncomfortable, and seat position is so important, never want to be to close or to
far from the bars, (if your bike allows, you may be able to use your bars for some of that adjustment, but make sure your seat is as high as possible, ( without your hips moving) and you will feel like a RODE Warrior, I thought I had mine just right till tinkering around with it, and found out that my seat could go up almost another 1/2 inch. That added about 2 MPH to my average speed...Hope this helps. Richard ( Bike size means a lot to, never want to feel cramped or to stretched out)