speed difference between road bike and city/hybrid bike
#26
Velocommuter Commando
Not really, take it from someone who has far too many touring bikes, there are substantial differences. The chainstays on my trek 620 are something like 6 cm longer than a Sirrus, with the corresponding increase in wheelbase. It also has a lot less trail, making it a much more stable ride. Also, a shorter top tube, allowing for a more comfortable fit doing long distances, or maybe just the ability to run drop handlebars.
Sorry, different beasts entirely, but your right, they do both have braze ons, an big tires.
Sorry, different beasts entirely, but your right, they do both have braze ons, an big tires.
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 2,324
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
And front suspension.
Not bashing either, but slapping a rack and panniers on a road bike if you have to carry stuff is like putting a luggage rack on a Ferrari. Yeah, my road bike is about 3mph faster, at the cost of having to carry stuff in a backpack, and a much harsher ride on 23mm versus 36mm on my commuter.
-Roger
Not bashing either, but slapping a rack and panniers on a road bike if you have to carry stuff is like putting a luggage rack on a Ferrari. Yeah, my road bike is about 3mph faster, at the cost of having to carry stuff in a backpack, and a much harsher ride on 23mm versus 36mm on my commuter.
-Roger
If you haven't considered drop handlebars, then definately take some for a test ride. It takes a while to get used to them, but I can't use flat bars now, drops are so much more comfortable and get you in a decent aero position for the headwinds!
#28
Johnny G.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Baltimore City
Posts: 103
Bikes: 2009 Jamis Coda (black), 2006 Giant Cypress DX (in repair after crash)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You can get some "faster" tires on hybrids. Mine are 35x700c at 90-95psi. It rolls great, but as some people have pointed out, a headwind will make you late for work if you're set up to be upright all the way
#29
Rebel Rouser
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: fort worth, TX
Posts: 190
Bikes: kilo TT, dawes touring lightning, unknown BCM lugged conversion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
yes tx is a windy mofo with flat bars it sucks getting windblasted
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
Posts: 524
Bikes: riders:Schwinn Continental ('80), Specialized Crossroads Sport ('07), Schwinn Super Sport (73), Schwinn Superior (76), Projects: Schwinn Sprint ('74), Trek 800 & Schwinn Continental ('71)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
There two types of hybrids, comfort and training (aggressive), the Sirrus fills the later category.
A comfort hybrid will position you more upright and yet shoud have a headset permitting you to lower or extend forward for stretched out position.
The hybrid should also provide you the speed as you experienced on the MTB. With 700 / 35 or 38 tires you will have a solid ride and as many touring bikes provide. My 700 - 38 are rated to 100 psi and roll smooth with function tread for a variety of pathways. Many hybrids often have triples with 48 tooth as the largest front.
On road bikes the drop style bars provide more hand positions, also allow you to position your upper body lower if head winds or climbs are encountered. Also the front gear may sport 50 or more tooth gear, and the difference is noticeable.
If you carry much or your ride. examine the frame and confirm your options for rack (s) and ease of loading for balanced ride.
Saddle style should also be considered. Many road bikes are fitted with narrow saddles, if not comfortable on the test ride, you will not be happy on the commute. The same with the hybrid, depending on model and setup.
My son took delivery of a large frame MTB last summer, and could not get comfortable, went back and found the saddle was to narrow, added cost to his bike was another $50 for proper saddle.
Yes, try before you buy.
All the best...
A comfort hybrid will position you more upright and yet shoud have a headset permitting you to lower or extend forward for stretched out position.
The hybrid should also provide you the speed as you experienced on the MTB. With 700 / 35 or 38 tires you will have a solid ride and as many touring bikes provide. My 700 - 38 are rated to 100 psi and roll smooth with function tread for a variety of pathways. Many hybrids often have triples with 48 tooth as the largest front.
On road bikes the drop style bars provide more hand positions, also allow you to position your upper body lower if head winds or climbs are encountered. Also the front gear may sport 50 or more tooth gear, and the difference is noticeable.
If you carry much or your ride. examine the frame and confirm your options for rack (s) and ease of loading for balanced ride.
Saddle style should also be considered. Many road bikes are fitted with narrow saddles, if not comfortable on the test ride, you will not be happy on the commute. The same with the hybrid, depending on model and setup.
My son took delivery of a large frame MTB last summer, and could not get comfortable, went back and found the saddle was to narrow, added cost to his bike was another $50 for proper saddle.
Yes, try before you buy.
All the best...
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,528
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5219 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times
in
2,331 Posts
17 miles each way ... : I started with a mountain bike, then put on big fat 2" slicks. 50 minutes flat for varied terrain on NE roads. Switched to hybrid with 700c wheels thinking it would be faster. It wasn't. It added 10 minutes. Switched to an old road bike which felt faster but wasn't, same 10 minutes as the hybrid. I'm working on getting that MTB back on the road - that's my pick. Buy a nice used one for $100 and put slicks on it. Just my opinion.
#32
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
After reading all posts I have decided on cyclocross 2008 Giant TCX 1.
It is not that I have any special preference to brand and model, but that I can get it new for $700 in LBS. Is it good bike for the price. I test rode it and it felt nice.
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...CX+1&Type=bike
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...CX+1&Type=bike
#33
All Bikes All The Time
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 2,343
Bikes: Giant TCR 0, Lemond Zurich, Giant NRS 1, Jamis Explorer Beater/Commuter, Peugeot converted single speed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That Gary Fisher will be pretty fast, especially if you flip the stem or something like that to approximate a more aggressive position. Other than the flat bars, it will proablaby not ride much different than a comfort road bike. I have 2 road bikes and a cyclocross bike, but my fully rigid (much like the GF) mountain bike is almost just as fast with skinny tires (and it is FREAKIN HEAVY). Seriously, though.....you might consider dropping as much weight on the bike as you can since you have to climb home for so long every day.
The position and geometry is what makes a bike fast (tires and gearing being equal). Go with the bike that you LOVE to ride. The one you dream about at night. The one you think about in the shower....wait....scratch that.
The position and geometry is what makes a bike fast (tires and gearing being equal). Go with the bike that you LOVE to ride. The one you dream about at night. The one you think about in the shower....wait....scratch that.
Last edited by Sawtooth; 01-28-09 at 12:43 PM.
#34
An Army of Fred
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Lost South of Nowhere East of Edan On the Waterfront Far from the Madding Crowd (Biloxi, MS)
Posts: 1,003
Bikes: 1992 Specialized Crossroads Trail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
Check out the new Kona Dew Drop. It's a hybrid (part of Kona's Dew series) but with drop bars. It ranks fairly high on my "Next Bike to Buy" list.
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,936
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It depends on your riding position, mostly. If you are positioned efficiently on either kind of bike, you will go faster for less effort.
#36
Light Makes Right
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Green Mountain, Colorado
Posts: 1,520
Bikes: Gianni Motta Criterium, Dean Hardtail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
No need to choose - if you want a road bike just buy one with clearance for larger tires.
You're confusing road bike with road racing bike. They're rarer than they used to be but you can still find road bikes that'll take wide tires. e.g.:
IIRC it'll take a 38mm
Not bashing either, but slapping a rack and panniers on a road bike if you have to carry stuff is like putting a luggage rack on a Ferrari. Yeah, my road bike is about 3mph faster, at the cost of having to carry stuff in a backpack, and a much harsher ride on 23mm versus 36mm on my commuter.
IIRC it'll take a 38mm
Last edited by GV27; 01-28-09 at 03:49 PM.
#38
Older than dirt
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Winchester, VA
Posts: 5,342
Bikes: Too darn many.. latest count is 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
But the Sirrus isn't technically a hybrid either. Specialized categorizes it as a "fitness/commute" bike. All it really is is a flat bar road bike, not a hybrid. Compare to the FX line in Trek. It's really nothing more than a road bike for people that don't want drops.
It has a road crankset and majoritively road components. The only real "hybrid" in the Specialized line is the Crosstrail.
It has a road crankset and majoritively road components. The only real "hybrid" in the Specialized line is the Crosstrail.
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,936
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Flat bar road bikes are made for the uninformed, inexperienced and bull-headed. But that aside, there's nothing inherently faster about a road bike except the riding position. You can replicate that riding position on any bike, except for the drops. Of course, you can't compare a big, fat, knobby-tired, suspended mountain bike or comfort bike that weighs 30-35 lbs with any bike that uses more suitable road-type tires and weighs 20-25 lbs.
#40
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Part of my post did not show up as I put it in the title. Anyway, I found cyclocross bike 2008 Giant TCX 1. It is brand new and with tax in LBS is $700. Is it good bike and price?
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...CX+1&Type=bike
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...CX+1&Type=bike
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Montreal
Posts: 6,521
Bikes: Peugeot Hybrid, Minelli Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Good buy, but does it have the mounting points for rack and fenders at the rear drop-outs and seat stays. If it doesnt you can use P clips from the hardware store. People talk down the Sora shifters but they work well, and give easy upshifting from the hoods as you accelerate away at traffic lights. When you are up to speed you can move down onto the drops.
#42
Real Men Ride Ordinaries
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,723
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
There is a 2.5 cm difference in top tube length, not major, but something to be taken into account, especially as converting to drop bars add about 7 cm to reach as it is. I'm not saying that it can't be done, but you must admit, there are substantial differences in the geometries of a touring bike and your Sirrus.
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 1,522
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Part of my post did not show up as I put it in the title. Anyway, I found cyclocross bike 2008 Giant TCX 1. It is brand new and with tax in LBS is $700. Is it good bike and price?
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...CX+1&Type=bike
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...CX+1&Type=bike
I would really focus on bikes where you can get a test ride. If you've put in serious miles on only one or two bikes, it's pretty hard to just know what geometry fits and doesn't fit. When I was shopping for bikes, there were 3 standouts in terms of fit... a 20" wheel Dahon folder, a 700C tourer, and the Breezer I ended up with. Since I had that kind of choice, I narrowed it down based on the kinds of things I normally do and I ended up with a bike that suits me very well.
#44
DancesWithSUVs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
How'd you miss the other flat-bar thread?
__________________
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
#45
aka Phil Jungels
Flat bar road bikes are made for the uninformed, inexperienced and bull-headed. But that aside, there's nothing inherently faster about a road bike except the riding position. You can replicate that riding position on any bike, except for the drops. Of course, you can't compare a big, fat, knobby-tired, suspended mountain bike or comfort bike that weighs 30-35 lbs with any bike that uses more suitable road-type tires and weighs 20-25 lbs.
Not true! Flat bars are a HUGE help for someone with physical problems, or those of us who appreciate a better do it all bike.....
People with blinders on, are truly uninformed!
#46
Light Makes Right
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Green Mountain, Colorado
Posts: 1,520
Bikes: Gianni Motta Criterium, Dean Hardtail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ah, the Albatross, North Road, Mustache, etc. bars are so under appreciated. There are two types of cyclists in this world - flat and dropped. Then there's the weirdos like me.
That being said, I fail to see the point of a flat bar being better for a "do it all bike". How are ya gonna "do it all" when you're locked into one position.
That being said, I fail to see the point of a flat bar being better for a "do it all bike". How are ya gonna "do it all" when you're locked into one position.