Ioan

I don't do the "this vs that" thing, don't understand cliques and stuff. All I can say is that my hybrid bike is, in my opinion, the best type of bike for what I need out of a bike.

sykerocker 

Exactly. I've got ten bikes at the moment, a couple of tourers, 3-4 road bikes that are wonderful weekend toys, but what sits at work for lunch time errands are a 21-speed GT hybrid and an old Raleigh Sports 3-speed. The Raleigh was there first, but it's probably going to get sold because the hybrid is a lot better for what I need (trips within a 5-mile radius that have to be over within 58 minutes, including errands).

So there's no status. If I'm playing that game, my status is hanging on the garage wall, and comes out on the weekends when I've got the time for 50-60 mile days. What's at work are tools, very efficient and revered tools. I can't see anything better than a hybrid for worktime needs, as I'm always going to be on pavement, need to periodically trackstand in traffic (I find flat bars are easier at that), have to ride in what I'm wearing at work, and still need to fly in my limited free time.

sykerocker 

I'm currently running both a 3-speed Raleigh Standard Sports roadster and a GT Passage hybrid (see previous post) - I love the Raleigh and have owned them on and off since the early 1970's - a cream and gold striped Deluxe Sports was my main transportation during college.

However, I've found the 15 or so year old, bottom line, GT hybrid my wife found me at the dump is superior to the Sports in almost every way. It's lighter, faster, handles better, accelerates better, the rattrap/toe clip combination gives me better power and control over the old rubber pedals, and I find the riding position slightly more comfortable. The latter point, however, probably has a bit to do with the Raleigh being slightly small to me (the alternatives were slightly small or slightly large - they didn't make them in my exact size), while the GT matches my road bikes in frame size.

I'll give the Raleigh the lead in being able to gear down while standing still at a light (kinda negated by my usual habit of dropping down to the small chainwheel automatically when coming to a stop - I'm rarely caught moving out in too high a gear), it's a bit more comfortable on rough city streets and cobblestones, it definitely has the advantage on wet roads (but the GT is getting mudguards in the near future), and it's probably a stronger bike for decades of use. The way I like to fix and flip bikes, that's probably a non-issue.

Yeah, I love the 3-speed and have wonderful memories of them, but since the GT arrived, it's gathering dust. I have a feeling it's going to be seeing Craigslist come early spring.

By the way, any bike shop worth it's salt is interested in your bike because it's a bike. It doesn't matter if it came from WalMart or the local Colnago emporium. A bike shop that can't give you the time of day due to what you ride is rapidly heading for insolvency - once the word gets around.

Elkhound

I have a Montegue and like it very much. For one thing, when it is unfolded it looks like a 'real' bike, not like something a circus clown might ride.

mike

Sounds like you just broke up with a hybrid rider.

zoltani

If being a dork means that i get to ride around on this then let me be a dork. Personally i love when someone with a road bike looks at it and says, "oh, a comfy bike", almost as if it could not possibly be fast if it doesn't have drops. I just laugh as i pass them. These bars really allow you to get good leverage when starting from a stop or getting up the hills.
Fixed gears can be fun, but i don't see what practical purpose they serve for someone living a car free lifestyle. Pushing up the hill from the grocery store with 40+ lbs of groceries on a fixed gear just doesn't seem like fun to me. As for road bikes, a good quality road bike is at least $1000 IMO, and i can't imagine leaving it locked up and letting in get banged the way a city bike does.

Elkhound

Just try getting up one of our WV hills on a three-speed.

gerv 

Nice bike! The handlebars are very similar to what I use on my commuter. They aren't quite as comfortable as drops, but they are a close second. My hybrid shipped with a set of mountain bike bars and I replaced them with something like you have. Somehow I find MTB bars most uncomfortable.

Elkhound

Me, too. The only thing I don't like about my Montegue folder is the mountain style handlebars, but I don't want to change them for fear of compromising the foldability. The straight-across mountain bars force you to grasp the handlebars much more firmly than more swept-back bars; this is good when you are on a mountain trail as it gives you more control, but on the road it results in sore wrists and shoulders.

Sixty Fiver

"Fixed gears can be fun, but i don't see what practical purpose they serve for someone living a car free lifestyle. Pushing up the hill from the grocery store with 40+ lbs of groceries on a fixed gear just doesn't seem like fun to me."

It's more fun than you would think...

zoltani

Yeah i know. After riding a friends i bought a rear wheel with a flip flop hub to convert an old low end motobecane. However, for my everyday riding and grocery getting i will stick with the dork factor...

BikeManDan

The term hybrid is pretty stilly IMO. Very loosely defined. Popular definition now just seems to apply to any flat bar road bike

The frame style that has a super short seat tube and super tall stem is kind of ridiculous. People seem to like them though.

Roody

They use less metal, so they're cheaper and more environmentally friendly. They're also easier to size. Once you get used to them (about 5 minutes) they ride just as good as a full-size frame, IME.

Gustavo

I don't think metal use in bicycle frames is an issue. If a frame uses 10% more metal, and is used for 5 years, that doesn't really add much waste. Hopefully, the metal is recycled anyway.

In any case, sloping frames are hideous, nothing could be uglier. What does it matter if they are easier to size, that is not to your advantage, but to the producers. You just end up riding an ugly bike. Just buy a second hand roadie for $200 and a second hand mountainbike for $300 if you want to ride in the woods. Why get a new bike anyway?

I find that hybrid bikers are almost always people that don't know anything about bicycles and can't be bothered to do some research, or look at the classifieds. Also, they are so insecure that they believe you need to buy tons of clothing, shoes, helmets, lamps and whatnot. If they had some imagination, they'd just get what is needed, a cheap bike to start with, and ride in their normal clothes.

Nothing makes me angrier than hybrids! They are even worse than those unbearable posengers...

thelung

Before anyone goes off about whats ugly they should have to post a picture of themself.

Juha

Well, it's only natural to go berserk over other people's chosen bike type.

--J

Elkhound

Considering some of the things happening on this planet, hybrids are not very high up on the list of things to get angry about. Get angry about human trafficing; get angry about genocide; get angry about FGM and honor killings; get angry about the stupid, wasteful, and unnecessary war in Iraq; these and other things are worth getting angry about. That someone chooses to ride a type of bike you don't like, that isn't worth getting angry about.

And as for helmets and lamps, they are things that one needs. If you're going to ride at night, lamps are not only a good idea, they are required by law in most states. As for helmets, I prefer to keep my brains inside my head, and I don't like the idea of my skull bouncing on the pavement without some sort of protection.

JeffS

I just decided not to fall. It helps tremendously with the skull bouncing.

Seriously though, I haven't fallen on a road bike since I was 9 or so. My Newfoundland knocks me down on a fairly regular basis though. We crossed paths at a jog two days ago and I went down in the middle of the street pretty hard.

Yes, I do wear a bike helmet, but I honestly believe my risk level is considerably higher while walking the dog, trail running, tree climbing, or with any number of normal activities than it is on the bike. Don't tell the safety nannies that though, or they'll pass another ridiculous law.


[edit] Not that I think Gustavo doesn't have issues... I definitely do.

gosmsgo

Nothings "cooler" than a guy on a single speed with a messenger bag. Of course, they usually end up driving a lot due to lack of equipment.

I'm a full on nerd. Hybrid, fenders, giant mud-flap, many lights, trekking bars, racks (front and rear) wear coveralls in the winter, trek trunk and to top it all off I wear an orange safety vest for added visibility. I also often pull an 8 foot long trailer and put chains on my tires in the winter. If accessories and practicality make you a dork then I am Captain Dork of the Dork patrol.

Of course I have had no need for an automobile in some time either.

Elkhound

Sometimes it is unavoidable. Like if your chain breaks when you are going down a hill very fast. Or if you hit a bit of black ice or an oil slick. Or if some idiot pulls out in front of you and you have to make a sharp turn to avoid running into him. All of these things can happen to even the best, most skilled riders, and all can result in a fall. Helmets are not full protection, of course; but they provide a h*ll of a lot more protection than one's hair, even if one has one of those big 70's-style bouffants.

Sixty Fiver

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Some folks like a bike that can do many things well.

Been riding for 36 years and wrenching for over 20.

Cheap bikes suck.

Helmets and lights and whatnot can save your ass.

Some clothes are better for cycling.

Posengers are people too, even if they are sometimes unbearable.

JeffS

That's a weak argument. Wrapping bubble-wrap around your head would be "better than nothing". Wearing a helmet in a car, on a bus, or walking down the street would provide more protection than nothing - doesn't mean you're going to do it. Wearing a helmet in the shower, or while walking down stairs would probably increase your survival rate more than wearing one on a bike.

Again, I'm not necessarily anti-helmet (I wear one every day), but if you started trying to mitigate your health risks, starting with the highest ones, it would be a LONG time before you got around to bicycle helmets.

It's more about being politically and costume correct for most of us.

Elkhound

I've heard this claim, but I have yet to see any evidence to back it up.

Sixty Fiver

I needed a bike that would be able to handle the road, trail, and singletrack that I experience on my commute (which rocks btw) and a full on mtb or full on road bike would only do one of those things really well but fall short at the other.

I build up a lot of bikes and do a lot of riding so started thinking that a hybrid would serve as the perfect platform... I found a Trek 7500 in nice original condition replete with riser bars, an adjustable stem, and some flexy cranks and made a few modifications.

The 7500's ZX frame is nearly identical to the frame on my 6700 HT which rocks the trails but isn't the best bike for commuting.

The riser stem and bars were replaced with a new stem and drop bars, the cranks were replaced with new Shimano 440's, and the fat tires were replaced with cross tyres.

Now I have a bike that keep up with all but the fastest of roadies and I routinely pass folks on the trails and singletrack as this bike does that exceptionally well too. I have even ridden loaded centuries on this bicycle and had no complaints whatsoever.

I have often said if I could only have one bike (god forbid), this would be it.

scottieie

"I'm thinking about getting a folding bike for travel use (planes, boats); any suggestions?"

How about a surly traveler's check? I am looking at getting one and am pretty excited about having a bike to take with me when I go places.