MurometsVLD

I know this has probably been posted before but I am trying to decide if I should get a hybrid or a road bike with drop handlebars. I currently am using an old Zebra road bike with drops but I am not sure that they really make that much of a difference. I will not be using this bike during winter so clearance for larger tires is not really a concern. I also want to be able to put on full coverage fenders and a rear rack.

cyclist5

I have a 14mi commute to school one way. I started out with a hybrid bike and it was ok. I made it to class after an hour and 20min. After a few years the trip time was still the same. I upgraded to a road bike (cyclocross but put slick kevlar tires on it) and my commute dropped to 50min

Oil_LOL

It would be nice if you gave an example of your budget, and the conditions of your commute, but I agree with cyclist5, a cyclocross bike would be your best bet. Either that or a touring or randonneur bike. Also, you may find, if you really start to like commuting, that you'd want to do it in the winter . Anyway, if you are already used to drop bars, get a bike with them. 16 miles is a long time to keep your hands in the same position, and you may find them getting numb, even if you get bar-ends or something.

bhop

Any bike you enjoy riding IMO.

James827

I commute 10.5 miles on a mountain bike with slick tires. I find it to be a good bike, it comes down to whatever you like riding, and what you have available.

ObjectAgnosia

A couple of years ago I commuted 17 miles each way. I started off with a flat bar setup, then added bar ends for more hand positions. One month into the commute I converted the bike to a drop bar setup with cross levers. A lot more hand positions making the ride much more comfortable. The speed was pretty much the same, but then again I didn't really go all out. One thing to note, I went with the widest bars I could find at the time, I think 44cm ctc. Made the bike easier to control pedaling out of the saddle and uphill with gear on the rack.

MurometsVLD

I have already been living car free for about a month plus commuting most of the week for the month before that. The budget would probably be around $1500. This is more looking for a bike for next year since I need to save up a bit first. I am not going to be riding in the winter since I will be taking the bus.

MurometsVLD

then again maybe you are right about commuting in winter time. I have been feeling a little guilty whenever I get a little lazy and take the bus.

JohnJ80

This. Cross bike is a good choice.

J.

Standalone 

Drops rule. Except when you don't like them.

perspiration

i also throw my vote in for a cross bike. How about....a cross check!?

canyoneagle

At 14 miles, you are at a distance where you'll be spending enough time on the bike for your choice to matter.
It really does boil down to what you like, but to me the shortlist that I see is: - performance hybrid (flat bar) or cross bike / sport-touring (utilitarian road) bike.
The drop bars on a CX or utilitarian road bike will offer more hand positions, and many folks favor the porition of riding on the hoods. The Hybrid option yields a flat bar or riser bar with fewer positions (unless you install a trekking bar) but a riding position that some prefer.

Depending on your budget, fitness level, terrain, and preferred riding position, you will the be the better judge of what suits you.

If I were in the same situation, I'd choose a CX-style bike for my needs and preferences.

idc

I've never liked drop bars too much, and I always just put bar ends on a flat-bar for my favourite riding position - I also feel like it gives you more stability going up hills if you've got a heavy backpack for example. But that's just me.

Doohickie

Surly Long Haul Trucker or something like it.

CliftonGK1

I've got a 16-ish mile commute each way and I've done it on 3 of my 4 bikes:

1988 Trek 400 (dumpster salvage, converted singlespeed, rack/panniers)
2008 Surly X-Check (geared brevet bike, Carradice/Berthoud randonneuring luggage)
2011 Vassago Fisticuff (singlespeed monstercross racer, courier bag, no racks)

fietsbob

It's not the bars, per se, that make a difference , its your posture,
sit up = more frontal area for more wind resistance, bend over like a downhill skier
is less wind resistance.

I'd look into a recumbent ,
if you are going to spend something like 10 hours a week getting to and back.

it will be more comfortable.

JohnJ80

Why does the LHT and the Cross Check always come up? For example, there are a number of good cyclocross bikes out there.

J.

nashcommguy

Have posted this link at least a dozen times. No, I don't have OCD I just really believe in this bike for the money. https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._cross_cx2.htm

I bought the 2008 model in May of '08 and have well over 15,000 loaded commuter/utility miles on it w/one relube/repack and 2 minor wheel truings. My rt commute is 40 mi. I swapped out the stock tires for some Schwalbe Marathon Plus as the stock tires were too soft for asphalt.

A full commuting kit w/rack, bags, lights, fenders, toolkit, patchkit, tubes, tire levers, multi-tool, etc. would come in at well under 1500.00 even w/purchasing Ortlieb waterproof panniers.

Btw, the bike comes 90% assembled. One just needs to mount the hbrs, front wheel, adjust deraileurs and brake calipers and set the saddle height. The tires will probably need air as well. If you don't have the necessary mechanical skills take it to a lbs and pay them to assemble it. 35-50.00 is pretty reasonable for the service.

CliftonGK1

They're both spec'd out pretty nice right from the get-go (with the exception of the cheapo headset on both.) The price point isn't outrageous. They're durable. They both (for 2011 models) have all the mounting points for full compliment of racks front and rear for uber-hauler commuting.

exile

Check out Cross, touring, or sports touring models. They should work for you.

JR97

Riding conditions were my biggest factor. My commute is about the same as yours in terms of distance. The last leg of my return trip is quite a bit of hill climbing. I made the trip for 2 years on a knobby tired mtb and it wasn't too bad in the Spring/Fall when temps were moderate, but when it was upper 90's/100's, it was brutal. I switched up to a road bike with drops, but a little bit wider of a tire than most road bikes and couldn't be happier. I didn't see a huge change in commute time due to the lights/stops. But I noticed a huge difference in effort.

Ira B

If you are going to ride 16 miles every day you should go with whatever is the most comfortable for you. At the end of a long day at work you will be glad you did.

fietsbob

shops that have a QBP account can order them,
and that includes a bunch of online sellers ..

for those who don't like Brick & Mortar bike shops..

or maybe overlapping territory stuff is fine with the distributor
so all the shops that want to, can sell them, too, as well as their regular brands.

They are another Taiwan contract frame, for another importer,
decent steel tube spec.
details for what goes where , sent by CAD program seem sorted out.

hearsay and peer pressure too..

tarwheel 

Check out the new Salsa Casseroll. You could buy the complete bike within your budget, or get the frame and fork and build it up the way you want. It has mounts for 3 bottles, a pump, front and rear fenders and racks. It comes with a front rack. It has canti brakes and clearance for tires up to 38 mm with fenders, or you can put narrower tires for a faster, lighter ride. I bought a Casseroll frame and fork in early April and I've already put 650+ miles on it commuting plus a bike tour. This is a very comfortable riding frame but faster and lighter than a typical hybrid.

The Chemist

I've got a 13.5 mile one-way commute, and I ride a performance hybrid with bar ends. It's extremely comfortable, it's reasonably quick, and it's as maneuverable as one needs in the chaos that is Shanghai traffic. I personally don't like drop bars, but your mileage may vary.