Hybrid Bicycles - Just an observation. ( am I right ? )

When you go though the picture thread, and look at the bikes. And then watch the subject
matter of most of the post, then look at the replies on ( Your average speed ) post, it
seems the board tends to have more performance riders, mixed in with some commuters,
and very few that lean toward the more trail riding side of Hybrids. Would this be correct.
:) Richard

Many of us ride Hybrids for the versatility they offer - irrespective of mountain or road.

Many of us ride Hybrids for the versatility they offer - irrespective of mountain or road.

About half road and half trails, the road part is only to get to the trails though.:lol: and I
like being able to ride into town, 10 miles round trip closest for shopping etc..I guess
I push my Hybrid to the limit on the trails, But a lot of the bikes on the form, could never
handle the trails I ride, ( Tires ), My 700 x 38c seem small to me, but as large as I would
want for rode riding. I also noticed that I seem to be riding the only big box store bike
on the forum, or the only one posting about it. I'm not cheap, the things I have added
to the bike, cost just about what I paid for it. It fits me perfect, properly adjusted works
flawlessly, ( would new running shoes make me run faster ? ), seems like I am getting
on a rant. Not the point I was trying to make, just seems most people have there bikes
set up for performance, nothing wrong with that. For me a Hybrid is the best thing since
sliced bread...I'm enjoying more of the road riding, since switching to a Hybrid. :) Richard

My local greenway has some very light trails i've taken the bike out on, but it's generally a downtown cruiser

Would have to agree that most folks stick to the road, some hit the trails, and some wackos have ridden their hybrids on single track... with drop bars.

But this is why I have a set of cross wheels.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/trekoffroad1.JPG

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/trekoffroad3.JPG

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/trekoffroad4.JPG

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/trekoffroad5.JPG

The trekking bars make off road riding even more enjoyable but when the trail points straight down and is littered with roots, rocks, jumps, and tight turns I ride my hardtail.

Those are definitely off road trails, awesome looking bike. I need to get fenders also,
seems like I have to clean the front derailluer after every ride. :) Richard

Funny you should ask, Richard. Except for a brief spontaneous fun exploration of a hiking trail in a park years ago, I never rode my Marin off road until you told me I couldn't do it. Actually you said a hybrid could not be used for "real mountain biking". I decided to prove you wrong, so I rode through some woods on the way to my mom's (carrying a load of laundry in a trailer :)).

THe funny part is you were mountain biking on your hybrid all along, you just didn't know it. :lol:


About half road and half trails, the road part is only to get to the trails though.:lol:

If this were true, you should have a mountain bike. But you use your bike for transportation also. I think it's great that you get so much versatility out of your inexpensive bike. You have certainly proven an expensive one is not necessary to have fun.

NO fenders on trail bike! Please!

http://s287.photobucket.com/albums/ll151/KentB_photos/latest%20acquisition/?action=view&current=jollygreengiant.jpg

Here's a link to what I hope will be a serviceable hybrid for me. While it does need some work, it should fill its intended purpose of handling the admittedly poorly maintained roads in these parts, haul packages to/from post office, and trot home necessities from the local gas/convenience/hardware store.

I should also mention that roads around here might include gravel and/or two-tracks.

Pretty, it ain't, but I'm aiming at form following function without breaking the bank

Cheers!

I might be guilty of this as I don't 'commute' on my 'commuter' (Valencia), I like to ride on trails and on the roads in between the trails, since I have two nice short trails I can ride to from my house, soon to be joined by some other ones when a new trail is done soon. The Valencia seemed like the most roady upright bike but it works very well on crushed limestone trails and has durable tires std. I replaced a Trek 7100 w/ it. I took the 7100 on a rougher trail a couple of times but generally prefer to ride faster and not to go hurtling through the woods too much. I read some of the hybrid vs. road bike threads and it appears that there is some debate on the subject? What forum should I hang around?

dawg, that might be a mountain bike, but feel free to hang out. Hybrid riding is a state of mind.

cidrock, are the trails you prefer paved? If not, you'll fit in here better than the road cycling forum, they prefer paved surfaces.

Can someone help me figure out how to post a poll, or would like to post one asking the following?

Hybrid riders, do you prefer paved or unpaved routes?

1) Asphalt

2) Dirt

Thanks

Personally, I like both ... and that is the reason I made a hybrid.
Sometimes I like to go as fast as possible on paved roads and then I'm completely exhausted and feel great.
Sometimes I like to go riding out in the woods and do tricky rocky riverside trails.
I don't see why I should choose when I can have both :D

qmsdc15, if you want to post a poll ... start a new thread and at the bottom of the form you'll find a checkbox to post a poll.

I saw that, but you have to submit the thread before you can write the poll, which was confusing me. I was trying to write a poll before submitting the new thread. Thanks, you encouraged me to figure it out.

Personally, I like both ... and that is the reason I made a hybrid.
Sometimes I like to go as fast as possible on paved roads and then I'm completely exhausted and feel great.
Sometimes I like to go riding out in the woods and do tricky rocky riverside trails.
I don't see why I should choose when I can have both :D

You don't have to say which you prefer if you don't want to.

A lot of our trails here are 'paved' w/ crushed limestone? not exactly pavement but not exactly the stuff shown in some of the photos around here? Sort of halfway?

When you go though the picture thread, and look at the bikes. And then watch the subject
matter of most of the post, then look at the replies on ( Your average speed ) post, it
seems the board tends to have more performance riders, mixed in with some commuters,
and very few that lean toward the more trail riding side of Hybrids. Would this be correct.
:) Richard

IMO, yes.

But this is why I have a set of cross wheels.


awesome bike, great photos and nice wheels :thumb:

NO fenders on trail bike! Please!

Seems I like to break the rules... :)

Not just fenders but my pannier bags too.

Did this with my old Trek 6700 hardtail as my commute would take me through some beautiful off road sections and would often pass mountain bikers while toting my panniers and with clip on fenders.

You want really solid mounts on fenders if you are going to take a bike off road.

Rules are made to be broken, you outlaw biker you!

After I wrote that I realized that it's been a long time since I've done much mountain biking. Back then, no one used fenders, but I think I've seen them more recently on freeride and DH bikes. I might be mistaken, I'm sort of out of the loop these days.

When my work bike was my race bike, I never bothered to take the rear rack off. :rolleyes:

I have been known to take my fixed road bike out on the trails...

I had my cat fixed.

"dawg, that might be a mountain bike, but feel free to hang out. Hybrid riding is a state of mind. "

8-) Who knows what it'll be when I get done with it? Mostly streetable tires, may change the bars, or just add bar-ends. and quite possibly a rear rack.

I'm too old and fat for any mountain bikin'

My goal is somewhat akin to a Subaru Forester philosophy Something really useful and fun.

I'm currently riding an MTB with street tires. I have a "real hybrid" but I only take it out on Sundays. Oddly, I ride it on dirt trails occasionally, while the MTB never sees dirt.