Will I regret getting a hybrid instead of a road bike?
#101
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Why would they have flat bars, it isn't a requirement to have flat bars to carry extra wt. but you can't change the fact that a wider flat has greater stability, the wider the tripod the greater the stability that is basic geometry my friend It also offers greater leverage to power a heaver load again not a requirement but an advantage
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I understand your analogy, Jack of all, master of none & too a degree you are correct. Hybrids cover many tasks. They are geared to pull trailers or loaded panniers great for shopping, kid hauling, the same bike can be used for commuting to work or school at a decent speed. Flat bars offer better control when carrying extra loads. Clearer view and comfort with there upright position. It's ability to cover many terrains and climb hills with a load. I agree it is not a choice for everyone but these characteristics are valuable to many, People living car free, Commuters, Couriers, Homemakers, not to mention it is the ultimate 2nd bike for people running carbon. But then there are always going to be people that feel that because they have no use for it that nobody should have a use for it, Go Figure
on my touring bike
and even on my big dummy.
But I do have a hybrid for getting trashed in the salt and snow...
fyi, the bars on the Big Dummy and the Superbe are wider than those on the hybrid...go figure.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
Last edited by chipcom; 08-26-09 at 05:28 PM.
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There are BF members who have toured on their hybrids (fully loaded) with great success. Also depends on how you load your bike. I just thought a touring bike with a longer wheelbase and wider drop bars would be more stable. Cheers.
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Not suited for carrying large loads (in addition to me), bad weather or off-pavement.
Not suited for carrying large loads (in addition to me), I can jury-rig fenders if needed and it goes off road fine.
Not suited for long, steep climbs
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
#108
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why don't you ride a road bike to see if you enjoy it more? A little over a year ago, I never would have predicted that I would be an avid cyclist. It came from riding a road bike for the first time in my life. Nothing like it.
For around the $1200 you were planning to spend on a hybrid (better be one nice hybrid), you could get a very nice entry-level road bike. At this price point, you can get a nice frame and components that will neither fail nor frustrate you.
For around the $1200 you were planning to spend on a hybrid (better be one nice hybrid), you could get a very nice entry-level road bike. At this price point, you can get a nice frame and components that will neither fail nor frustrate you.
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I'm not in the Bicycle business or the Hybrid business. I just point out the things I feel are appropriate to the discussion, I just happen to like my hybrid, I don't believe I have ever trashed or discounted the value of any other style of Bicycle. I believe all of them have there strong points & weak points. What matters most is the people simply enjoy there rides
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The lines between bicycle types are fuzzy. It appears that, now, "classic" hybrids are "tamer" than mountain bikes for more casual riders. And that "performance hybrids" like the Quick are more for less casual riders who (for some reason) need or want a more upright position than a road bike or don't like dropped bars. (Note that the default position of the Quick is less upright than the Anventure.)
I like the looks of that!
https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/roadrat
https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/roadrat
The 7.x FX series looks OK to me and appears to be very similar to the Quick line.
A bike with drops isn't faster unless you ride in the drops, which most people appear to do only occasionally.
But a more-skillful rider is hopefully going to make this occurance [hitting a pot hole while evading a truck] a rare one!
Still, if a friend of mine was going to start riding in NY or London with no previous experience, I'd recommend a flat barbike with fast but wide tyres (and wide tyres can be very fast, if you're willing to pay for that much low hysteresis rubber).
I think the a suspension fork on a hybrid appeals to people who think that it will make the bike more comfortable.
Last edited by meanwhile; 08-27-09 at 10:30 AM.
#112
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For most of the countries where people cycle in large numbers a tourer *is* what you'd call a hybrid, fitted with euro-style trekking bars - flat bars with built in extensions. The drop handle bike that you think of as a tourer is a nostalgia piece produced in tiny numbers.
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For most of the countries where people cycle in large numbers a tourer *is* what you'd call a hybrid, fitted with euro-style trekking bars - flat bars with built in extensions. The drop handle bike that you think of as a tourer is a nostalgia piece produced in tiny numbers.
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We're moving off topic here.
I still want to know what bike(s) the OP bought.
I still want to know what bike(s) the OP bought.
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#118
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For most of the countries where people cycle in large numbers a tourer *is* what you'd call a hybrid, fitted with euro-style trekking bars - flat bars with built in extensions. The drop handle bike that you think of as a tourer is a nostalgia piece produced in tiny numbers.
Trekking bars are designed for (doh!) trekking/touring and that's how Europeans use them. They'd be lousy bars for the typical European urban commute because the extra positions aren't needed for short journeys and they take your hands away from the levers.
Cf flats and trekkers:
Trekking bar positions:
Last edited by meanwhile; 08-28-09 at 03:14 AM.
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In the US, a touring bike (like the Trek 520) is not usually equipped with trekking bars (trekking bars are quite rare in the US).
Last edited by njkayaker; 08-28-09 at 12:43 PM.
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[QUOTE=meanwhile;9571349]I'm sure that you think a lot of things, but I'm puzzled why you think anyone would care.
Trekking bars are designed for (doh!) trekking/touring and that's how Europeans use them. They'd be lousy bars for the typical European urban commute because the extra positions aren't needed for short journeys and they take your hands away from the levers.
Don't get butt-hurt over it.
Trekking bars are designed for (doh!) trekking/touring and that's how Europeans use them. They'd be lousy bars for the typical European urban commute because the extra positions aren't needed for short journeys and they take your hands away from the levers.
Don't get butt-hurt over it.
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I'm sure that you think a lot of things, but I'm puzzled why you think anyone would care.
Trekking bars are designed for (doh!) trekking/touring and that's how Europeans use them. They'd be lousy bars for the typical European urban commute because the extra positions aren't needed for short journeys and they take your hands away from the levers.
Trekking bars are designed for (doh!) trekking/touring and that's how Europeans use them. They'd be lousy bars for the typical European urban commute because the extra positions aren't needed for short journeys and they take your hands away from the levers.
(Or turn a witty insult. As opposed to an insult that's wit-free...)
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I purchased a comfort bike for the trails, and a quality road bike for the roads. I love them both and alternate between road and trail rides. Keeps things from getting boring.