Can my hybrid go the distance?
 

About three years ago I bought a Schwinn Trailways 700C Hybrid. I knew it wasn't an awesome bike, but I couldn't afford more and it was perfect for the kind of riding I was looking to do (around the neighborhood and nearby trails). After that first year I used it occasionally, always pleased with its performance. About a month ago I stopped using my car and started using my bike for all of my commuting needs. Again, still very pleased with the bike.

I would like to participate in a 42 mile ride around a lake in September. I can afford to put a little money into the Schwinn to get it in top condition, but I can't afford to buy a road bike at this point. Do you think there's anyway a bike like mine can do that kind of ride? Other than tune ups and adjustments, what should I have done? Can I switch out the hybrid tires for road tires?

Thanks

Depending on how you want to go round the lake, if its a fast ride or a stroll along ride, you could do some preps. If you havent gone on long runs before, start doing that. Thats the best way to find out if the saddle and its position can handle your body. Then you might wanne adjust bar position. Of course type of tires means different rolling resistance, but touring tires might be more durable if speed isnt a key factor. If you´re not a speedie, you should do alright with your bike - just fine tune it before the ride.

you can do 42 miles on a hybrid. I did 100 miles on a 10-year old Trek hybrid this spring in a little over 4 hours. Be sure your tires are aired up, bike is shifting well, wheels are true, etc. Enjoy the ride. A road bike isn't required to do that. :)

You should be racing.

Hybrids can do everything.

LOL, I guess I'm not the only one who thinks 25mph for 4 hours is rather impressive on what is basically an old MTB.


Serious response for the original poster:
Assuming this is organized as a casual ride and not a race, there probably will be a group of MTB and hybrid/city bike riders averaging around 10-12 mph. You can probably hang with that group no problem, although if you've never done over 3 hours in the saddle, you probably want to do some long rides in advance to make sure your body is prepared for it. Better still, pre-ride in the area. :)

Thanks everyone for your advice! Hitting the road now!

Absolutely incredible ....

Indeed.
Depending on what rawhite1969's definition of "a little over" is that would be unbelievably fast.

I think it depends on the century somewhat. You have to be an excellent rider to do that but if you are one you can probably ride the century I did this year at 25 mph on almost any bike in good working condition. The stage 18 riders are currently 100km from the finish and they are averaging almost 22 mph so far, well up the first of three off the rating chart climbs. I imagine they could do northern Illinois at 30mph on that Schwinn! In any event, to the OP I would say that as long as you train for it a 42 mile ride on the Schwinn will be no problem. Build your long weekly ride up to 30 - 35 miles and you will be in great shape for the 42. If it were me I would build up to 50 or 60 miles in training and then you should be able to ride round the lake in style!

Ken

Sure you can, easily. I've done several rides >65km (40 miles) on my hybrid this summer, including one of 113km (~70 miles) without feeling any the worse for wear. :)

In fact, I'm going for another 110km ride tomorrow, and the same on Saturday on the way back.

Well, I'm sure a 170 strong peloton helps just a tad :rolleyes:. Outside of a peloton, 25mph for 4 hours on an upright bike would have to be a 100 mile downhill with a nice tailwind for virtually anyone.

Oh ... it was in a peloton :)

My hybrid IS my road bike.
I have over 7000 miles on it, and many rides 50, 60, 70 miles.
It'll do it.
You can do it :)

The Schwinn Trailways is one of the best department store bikes available. It isn't a bad bike at all, and should easily work for a longer ride.

Khutch was referring to the Tour de France Stage 18 avg speed. I guess the performance of the pro peloton in the middle of the Tour is a useful and meaningful yardstick for all marginally overweight hybrid riders tooling along on Trek 7000 series bikes. :lol:

If the course is near your house, I would ride it just to see what you are going to be up against. Get to where you can ride the entire course before the date of the scheduled ride and you will have it made. I did the MS 150 Citrus Tour in May of this year and there were plenty of hybrids doing the century ride the fist day and doing the return 50 mile ride the next. The bike will do it. Just get out and ride a lot so that you can do it. And we all know that you can.

I used to ride day long loops around the Finger Lakes on 26" knobby wheels and chromo frames - at a time when even that was more "advanced" than what most of my peers had...but for some reason I chafe & go numb sooner than I did back in high school.

Most any bike can get 40 miles in a day, its a question of how much the rider wants to endure.

The only way to know for sure is to practice, and if you practice enough, it will be obtainable.

I am stealing your last sentence for my signature! Such a true statement!!!

Was thinking the same thing

FYI, I think the 2 button is not working or your keyboard. Did you mean you did 100 miles in a little over 24 hours? :D

The only way I can get my old MTB over 25mph is if I throw it out of an airplane.

So it's September, ballyns. How did you do on the 42 mile lake ride?

Even on a road bike I'm struggling to average 20mph for that distance ride...

Maybe he meant km not miles?...or maybe it was 100 miles of gentle (2-3%) downhill?:lol:

It is not about the bike.