kali217

Hi...I am semi-new to the world of bikes. I am looking at purchasing a hybrid and riding a lot. I know that I want to train for the MS150 this year and am curious if the hybrid is a horrible decision and I just need to buy a road bike?

A bike that I love is the Scott metrix 10 it is 1259$-I know that I would be buying an awesome bike because a very reputable store in town sells a ton of them. However, I am curious if I really need to spend this much. On the internet I am finding a Diamondback Clarity 1 women's performance hybrid 2012 going for 400$ brand new! I do not understand the huge difference in price. Can someone help me?!?!

giantcfr1

I'm confused with the term semi-new, but regardless, just pop down to your LBS and ask them the difference between a $1259 and $400 bike. They'll be able to point out the differences on the spot and you'll get a better understanding that way.

SlimRider

IMHO you should do the MS 150 with a road bike with drop handlebars. This will give you a greater variety of hand positions during your somewhat lengthy journey.

The pricing of bicycles can be a slightly complexed topic.

For example:

Why is it, that road bikes all have starting entry level prices that are almost always, greater than the starting prices of entry level, hybrid or hardtail mountain bikes? ...I dunno...

However, once we get inside of the LBS and decide upon the type of bicycle that will service us best, the component level then becomes the deciding factor in most cases. OTOH, you could always save money by eliminating the middleman by making your bicycle purchase online. Of course, in doing so, you would also eliminate yourself from certain customer benefits, as well. Benefits such as, proper fitting and free tune-ups.
A dealership can also serve as negotiator, between you and the bicycle manufacturer, when it comes to certain important warranty issues.

Buying online seems to have one distinct and undeniable advantage. It's a helluva lot cheaper in most cases! Therefore, you get more bang for your buck.

For example:

Your Scott Metrix retails for $1260. However, there are a few comparable bicycles that you can get for quite a bit less with similar componentry. Case in point:

The Motobecane Cafe Noir ~ $700
www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/cafe_noir.htm

For your standard road bike with drop handlebars, that would cost well over $1400 for 105 componentry, you have the following examples:

The Motobecane Vent Noir ~ $800
www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/ventnoir_xii.htm

The Schwinn Letour Legacy ~ $800
www.bikesdirect.com/products/schwinn/schwinn_letour_legacy_xi.htm


* The Scott Speedster S20, with 105 componentry cost about $1560...

MichaelW

The Scott Matrix is a high end hybrid with butted alloy frame, carbon forks and decent level of components.
The main advantage over a road bike is greater tyre clearance and rack/fender fittings. The major disadvantage over longer rides is that the hybrid lacks a variety of hand positions. You could fit the same brake and gear controls to a trekking/butterfly style bar to give similar feel to road bars or you could clamp on some additional aero-bars to the flat bars.
Higher end road bikes with useful tyre clearance and fender fittings are quite rare, these features are usually found at entry-level.
Drop bars scare some people but modern drops come in a wide variety of curves including some very good small-radius versions with narrow widths (eg: 3TTT ergo-nova) which are well suited to non-racing rides.

a1penguin

At the low end price range, you get the cheapest of often heaviest frame. The bike will have the cheapest components, which won't shift too smoothly, will need frequent adjustments and won't last very long if you treat them rough (riding hard). If you don't ride often and don't ride hard, a cheap bike can last a life time. If you want to become a bike enthusiast and ride regularly, investing in better bike and components will probably cost you less over the life of the bike.

Looking at the specs of the Metrix 10 compared to the Metrix 30.... I see that the Metrix 10 weighs less: 20 vs 25 lbs; you always pay more for lighter bike. They Metrix 10 has "105" components. These components WILL last a lifetime and offer excellent quality and durability; they are commonly found on road bikes. The Metrix 30 has components that lower level and normally found on mountain bikes. The 10 has a carbon fork (carbon ALWAYS costs more) which can help absorb road bumps. It also has a carbon seatpost, which I suppose might help with comfort but is definitely lighter than aluminum. The 10 is a 20 speed (2 x 10) rather than (3 x 9) speed and will have different set of gear ratios. The wheels on the Metrix 10 are probably lighter than the ones on the Metrix 30, simply because they are 28mm vs 32mm. Lighter wheels means you can accelerate faster from a stop. The other components are hard to compare sinse they are "Scott brand" and I am not familiar with their brand line. That said, I don't think $1269 for a 105 component bike with a carbon fork is unreasonable. Here is a link to a road bike that offers very similar components at the same price and weight: https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2012...eries/Z85.aspx.

I think you should ride the Metrix 20 and 30 to compare it to the 10. You'll probably notice the difference in feel.

As others have pointed out, a hybrid offers limited hand positions and you should consider bar ends of some kind.

Have you ever ridden a drop bar road bike? Are you very athletic? Do you have a good sense of balance? Do you plan on taking up riding or are you just going to do this ride and then put the bike in the garage? It's hard to give advice when we don't know much about you and what your biking needs are.

Slim has pointed out bikes from online seller, but I think you would be best served by your local bike shop. Dealing with assembly, problems, sizing and returns can be a pain and costly.

Igo

You are very likely to get a bike with less roll resistance and a better stance/geometry with a drop bar road bike. A 23C tire at 110 pounds of pressure in the tire (road bike/drop bars) will roll much easier than a 28C or 32C tire with 60 psi tire on a hybrid. The ride position on a road bike is most often more efficient for longer rides. If you are looking at hybrids for the more relaxed fit, I don't think you'll appreciate that fit at the end of 150 miles. Hybrids are just noy typically made for 150 mile rides. If comfort is something you are hoping for, try endurance frame road bikes rather than Performance frame. Treks H2 or H3 road bike configuration or the excellent Giant Defy series. Very comfortable and great performers. Slightly more upright position and maybe the best frame set for the kind of riding you are proposing.

giantcfr1

How'd you go with the Jamis Ventura comp femme 2011 road bike you were looking at?

jehowe

IMO, get the bike that's suited for your everyday needs, not the MS150. I guess what I'm saying is don't compromise everything else simply for this ride. While road bikes might clearly be a better choice for long road rides, if your needs include trail or more mixed riding, a hybrid or wide tire commuter might be the better choice and make you happy for the other 363 days of the year.

Comfort will be an important factor in your bike choice obviously, but the 2-day MS150 rides are not races and offer lots of stops and rider support, with long rest/lunch stops near the halfway points each day (~35mile mark). You'll make it with whatever you pick as long as the bike is a comfortable fit for you overall and that you're able to get the training in.

I'm doing the Houston-Austin MS150 ride this weekend on a steel 30lb moustache bar Novara ETA. I found during my longer training rides (~60mi) that I can stretch out by putting my hands on either side of the stem or somewhere in between. You may find that you can get away with something similar if your best overall choice isn't a drop bar.

Best of luck in your bike search and the MS150. Palm padded gloves and padded shorts have been the biggest factor in long ride comfort for me. Between those items and moving hand positions a bit, I've never developed hand/finger numbness during rides or a bum that was too tender to get back on the next day- different story with leg soreness.

Igo

Absolutely true. There are 363 other days.

giantcfr1

So did cal217 bother to come back for all your advice?