I used road bikes before mountain bikes and hybrids were invented. I've evolved with the sport, moved on the superior types of bikes as they became available. Road bikes have evolved little in the last century. In fact there is a sanctioning body, UCI, that is dedicated to preventing design innovations from being allowed in road racing.Originally Posted by FXjohn
That TT bike was meant for you. I bet you will be amazed at your average speed once you get used to it. You are already used to aero bars so it should not take long.I definately didn't change my mind about hybrids and I definately didn't quit on my wonderful hybrid bike
Whenever I want to ride around for fun and exploration and exercise I use my hybrid since it can take ANY road or even when there is no road
The only reason I got this bike is to start practicing for timetrial races.
The body has to adapt to the new position and it takes a while to become accustomed to the way of riding and to achieve max power.
I got a good deal on a second hand nearly new frameset and so I just went for it
I still don't have a typical dropbar roadbike though and never will.
Last edited by Talldog; 05-26-11 at 04:04 PM.
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. - Yogi Berra
You passed somebody ??Never say never! If you want to get into racing, you should probably join a club. I think even TT specialist benefit from training with other riders. Your potential training partners might be more comfortable if you're on a road bike.
This guy hasn't figured out how to adjust his helmet straps yet, but he'll figure it out. He just got his bike Tuesday. He's planning on entering some sprint triathlons.
The fact that a guy on a hybrid is passing him while towing a seven foot long trailer and taking pictures means nothing. He wasn't trying to go fast here.
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. - Yogi Berra
Hello Dakota82. My pointers:
Road Test (ALWAYS Road Test the bike you want, if possible) just as you would USE the bike IE: with groceries or similar to help determine fit & ridability. If too heavy uphill, or too slippery because of too skinny or too slik a tire tread, etc. Get what you want, but make sure it fits you and your lifestyle. Get a comfortable seat and make sure the shifters and levers are properly positioned before testing. Get a kickstand or the Park Tools Wheel Holder to steady the bike when parked and make sure the tires fit the purpose (do you need knobbies or instead, just the town & country type?). Buy your bike from your trusted LBS so you CAN trust it with your life AND get good (hopefully) service. Don't worry if you don't know - just ask your LBS people or here @ bikeforums. It is good to hear you USE your bike for more than recreation, something many of us riders could probably do more often if we only thought about it - for me, it makes an everyday chore into an adventure.
I never saw a bike I didn't like.
This (the photo) is just wrong on so many levels, qmsdc15! AdelaaR, who likes to anthropomorphize inanimate objects, should find this "sad"Never say never! If you want to get into racing, you should probably join a club. I think even TT specialist benefit from training with other riders. Your potential training partners might be more comfortable if you're on a road bike.
This guy hasn't figured out how to adjust his helmet straps yet, but he'll figure it out. He just got his bike Tuesday. He's planning on entering some sprint triathlons.
The fact that a guy on a hybrid is passing him while towing a seven foot long trailer and taking pictures means nothing. He wasn't trying to go fast here.
C'mon, post this over in 'Road' ... dare ya!
Countless times everyday, but most of them are in cars.You passed somebody ??
Bikes are harder to catch, but it happens sometimes.
LOL, great comeback !Countless times everyday, but most of them are in cars.
Bikes are harder to catch, but it happens sometimes.
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. - Yogi Berra
I'll bite.This (the photo) is just wrong on so many levels, qmsdc15! AdelaaR, who likes to anthropomorphize inanimate objects, should find this "sad"
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. - Yogi Berra
Maybe I should have told him the helmet straps weren't right. He said he knew he needed to get the bike fitted but I don't know that. He mentioned that his saddle maybe should be higher and handlebars lower, but it looked OK to me.
Haha .. funny guy indeed.
His handlebar height may be fine for him but his aerobar points way upwards ... I would be surprised if that is comfortable.
His whole handlebar points way up in fact with the aero brakes losing all of their aero in the process.
Triathlon sprints eh? Sounds neat
He's right, though.
C'mon, post this over in 'Road' ... dare ya!
I see. I was under the impression that tilting the aerobars upwards put the rider in a more aerodynamic position by lowering the elbows and consequently the shoulders and head. Also perhaps with improved aerodynamics beyond that achieved by lowering the torso. Because the hands break the wind in front of the rider's head, maybe creating a turbulence for the head and shoulders to hide within. But I don't know about these things.Haha .. funny guy indeed.
His handlebar height may be fine for him but his aerobar points way upwards ... I would be surprised if that is comfortable.
His whole handlebar points way up in fact with the aero brakes losing all of their aero in the process.
Triathlon sprints eh? Sounds neat
A picture of Chris Boardman illustrating the position I'm describing, a sort of praying mantis position.
Most of the images I found of Boardman though and those I found of David Millar show a lower hand position.
The picture I've posted of CB looks kinda old. Maybe wind tunnel testing has determined flat forearms is better. I'd guess aero helmets factor into the equation, too, negating possible benefits of high hands.
I see that the bullhorns on the neophyte time trial rider's bike in the picture I posted are clearly wrong after searching Google images for pictures of these two famous English racers.
He did express an intention to get a professional bike fitting though, and I did not discourage him from doing so. We can laugh at beginners, but this beginner looks to be headed in the right direction.
I always thought of 'hybrids' as the SUVs of cycling.
I have a Diamondback Trace which is marketed as a "dual sport".
I know ... that was my point!
After about 3 months now on my TT bike I'm reporting back to you fine hybrid users about the differences.
There is, obviously, a difference in speed ... but it is rather small.
On my hybrid my overall average speed is about 21mph.
On my TT bike it is about 23mph.
That is not racing speed but fast training speed in medium traffic and over rolling terrain, using the same helmet and clothing on both bikes.
I've just recently acquired a carbon disc and carbon front wheel with high quality tubulars so I'll probably get even a bit faster with those.
Using an aerosuit and aerohelmet makes a difference too.
I'm tempted to put the disc and aero front wheel on my hybrid once ... just for fun and the looks on people's faces
The speed differential sounds about right since both bikes have aero bars (clip ons on your hybrid). A lot of people would be surprised at such a seemingly small difference in speed in everyday riding.After about 3 months now on my TT bike I'm reporting back to you fine hybrid users about the differences.
There is, obviously, a difference in speed ... but it is rather small.
On my hybrid my overall average speed is about 21mph.
On my TT bike it is about 23mph.
That is not racing speed but fast training speed in medium traffic and over rolling terrain, using the same helmet and clothing on both bikes.
I've just recently acquired a carbon disc and carbon front wheel with high quality tubulars so I'll probably get even a bit faster with those.
Using an aerosuit and aerohelmet makes a difference too.
I'm tempted to put the disc and aero front wheel on my hybrid once ... just for fun and the looks on people's faces
Putting the disc on the hybrid would certainly garner stares. But this top of the line Madone holds the record for dropped jaws I think.
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. - Yogi Berra
The praying mantis position, with the aerobars tilted upwards is apparently the fastest aero position by far. This caused the the UCI to outlaw it (on the basis that it was not a "safe" position). Surprise, surprise... the UCI hates innovation and change. The UCI rules only allow a forearm/elbow position such as Millar is using in the second photo. Some TT'ers will push the position to within a hair of legality. It probably depends more who you are on whether you get sancionted when bending the rules. In non UCI sanctioned racing the praying Mantis position is OK I guess.I see. I was under the impression that tilting the aerobars upwards put the rider in a more aerodynamic position by lowering the elbows and consequently the shoulders and head. Also perhaps with improved aerodynamics beyond that achieved by lowering the torso. Because the hands break the wind in front of the rider's head, maybe creating a turbulence for the head and shoulders to hide within. But I don't know about these things.
A picture of Chris Boardman illustrating the position I'm describing, a sort of praying mantis position.
Most of the images I found of Boardman though and those I found of David Millar show a lower hand position.
The picture I've posted of CB looks kinda old. Maybe wind tunnel testing has determined flat forearms is better. I'd guess aero helmets factor into the equation, too, negating possible benefits of high hands.
I see that the bullhorns on the neophyte time trial rider's bike in the picture I posted are clearly wrong after searching Google images for pictures of these two famous English racers.
He did express an intention to get a professional bike fitting though, and I did not discourage him from doing so. We can laugh at beginners, but this beginner looks to be headed in the right direction.
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. - Yogi Berra
That praying mantis position looks weird and unsteady ... I'm sure it's very aero since it semi-closes the gap between the arms and so it allows less air to flow under the torso, where it is jammed between the legs.
I've seen that madone before in the road forum, Talldog, it's way funny indeed.
That 808 wheelset with those mirrors is just priceless.
The cheap aluminum bottlecages and rear rack top it off perfectly.
Still ... a disc wheel with front suspension is yet another uncharted territory in the world of bikes
Ha!
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