What's good daily mileage on a hybrid?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gladeville, TN
Posts: 481
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What's good daily mileage on a hybrid?
I usually ride 15 to 18 miles because that's what I can get in after work in +/- an hour's time. On weekends, I push it further and try to get in 20 or 25 miles. I've done a couple of 50's and was pretty beat up afterwards, but nothing taking a shower and relaxing for a bit didn't fix. I know if I had a road bike I could make better time and cover more distance. I'm just wondering what kinda mileage is 'normal' for a 50+ (I'm 56) given the configurarion of the bike and what's going to be comfortable. Is it all about shape and conditioning, or is it unreasonable to think you can be comfortable on a hybrid for 3+ hours? What'cha think?
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 193
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
A more expensive bike won't make you more fit -- you'll just cover more ground and have a flatter wallet.
I've done centuries on a nice, cheap used road bike and on a fat-tire mountain bike -- and had fun every time.
Ride as much as you have time for, be consistent and focus on quality time in the saddle rather than miles.
I've done centuries on a nice, cheap used road bike and on a fat-tire mountain bike -- and had fun every time.
Ride as much as you have time for, be consistent and focus on quality time in the saddle rather than miles.
#4
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
A more expensive bike won't make you more fit -- you'll just cover more ground and have a flatter wallet.
I've done centuries on a nice, cheap used road bike and on a fat-tire mountain bike -- and had fun every time.
Ride as much as you have time for, be consistent and focus on quality time in the saddle rather than miles.
I've done centuries on a nice, cheap used road bike and on a fat-tire mountain bike -- and had fun every time.
Ride as much as you have time for, be consistent and focus on quality time in the saddle rather than miles.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 572
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I averaged about 150/week last year on my hybrid and went the road bike route early this year. I did a metric century last year with no problems and actually comfort on my hybrid is no problem at all. My Bianchi hybrid was oriented to road work, it had 28mm Continental Gator tires and a similar riding position to my road bike. I find that I'm about 2 and a fraction mph faster ride average day in, day out on the road bike. At least some of that is due to the superior gearing, it has 10 speed 12-25 and the shifts are so closely spaced that it is a big help on keeping me in my powerband.
I'm 63.
I'm 63.
Last edited by TomD77; 07-20-11 at 07:23 PM.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Little Sweden, USA (Lindsborg, KS)
Posts: 233
Bikes: Bianchi Infinito Celeste, Trek 7.5 FX, Felt Z6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I usually ride 15 to 18 miles because that's what I can get in after work in +/- an hour's time. On weekends, I push it further and try to get in 20 or 25 miles. I've done a couple of 50's and was pretty beat up afterwards, but nothing taking a shower and relaxing for a bit didn't fix. I know if I had a road bike I could make better time and cover more distance. I'm just wondering what kinda mileage is 'normal' for a 50+ (I'm 56) given the configurarion of the bike and what's going to be comfortable. Is it all about shape and conditioning, or is it unreasonable to think you can be comfortable on a hybrid for 3+ hours? What'cha think?
I average around 10-11mph on my 20-60 minute daily rides, covering 3-10 miles in that time.
I'm currently riding a Trek 7300 but am getting a Trek 7.5. It will be interesting to see if my average numbers go up after that.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Green Valley AZ
Posts: 3,770
Bikes: Trice Q; Volae Century; TT 3.4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
In my opinion, a good recreational daily mileage is whatever distance is required to keep you happy and fit. Are you happy? Feeling fit? Do you want to keep riding all your life? If so, I'd say you have it nailed.
If you want to ride longer than three hours and your present bike seems to get in the way, you might want to talk with a local expert about how well your bike does and does not fit you. Road/hybrid/comfort/tri/ aside a right fit can make all the difference. The longer you ride the more the quality of adjustments as simple as seat position, angle, height, cleat position, etc begin to tell.
If you want to ride longer than three hours and your present bike seems to get in the way, you might want to talk with a local expert about how well your bike does and does not fit you. Road/hybrid/comfort/tri/ aside a right fit can make all the difference. The longer you ride the more the quality of adjustments as simple as seat position, angle, height, cleat position, etc begin to tell.
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gladeville, TN
Posts: 481
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sounds like it's just a conditioning thing. I've only been riding for about 4 months, so I guess I'm doing OK. I just got to wondering if a hybrid was expected to be comfortable on the long haul. Sounds like it is! I ride a GF Mendota and love it. I think my biggest problem with yesterday's ride was that the heat index was over 100 for the whole ride. Went through over a gallon on Gatorade and Powerade and still lost 6 pounds That's one way to lose weight!
#9
cycleobsidian
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 441
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I did a 720km, 8 day bike trip on my Trek 7.3FX a couple of weeks ago. Most of the time I wasn't even wearing bike shorts, just regular shorts. The road bikers were faster, but since it wasn't a race I didn't care.
I just like the flexibility of a hybrid. I go from commuting to work, to shopping, to visiting friends, to riding on gravel paths, to riding long distances all on the same bike.
You can easily go 3+ hours on a hybrid. It just takes practice to get up to that level.
I just like the flexibility of a hybrid. I go from commuting to work, to shopping, to visiting friends, to riding on gravel paths, to riding long distances all on the same bike.
You can easily go 3+ hours on a hybrid. It just takes practice to get up to that level.
#10
Conquer Cancer rider
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 6,039
Bikes: Fun bike, city bike, Bike Friday, Brompton (also fun bikes)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just did a week long tour on a rented hybrid (a heavy Trek beast with front suspension and huge thick knobby tires), and I admit the 40-plus mile days were sort of hard. But it could also have been the heat and the hills, of which there were many.
But then there were the occasional stretches of gravel, and they would have been pretty hard on a road bike, and I did enjoy the hybrid's granny gear.
But then there were the occasional stretches of gravel, and they would have been pretty hard on a road bike, and I did enjoy the hybrid's granny gear.
__________________
Zero gallons to the mile
Zero gallons to the mile
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,279
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8274 Post(s)
Liked 9,030 Times
in
4,470 Posts
In my opinion, a good recreational daily mileage is whatever distance is required to keep you happy and fit. Are you happy? Feeling fit? Do you want to keep riding all your life? If so, I'd say you have it nailed.
If you want to ride longer than three hours and your present bike seems to get in the way, you might want to talk with a local expert about how well your bike does and does not fit you. Road/hybrid/comfort/tri/ aside a right fit can make all the difference. The longer you ride the more the quality of adjustments as simple as seat position, angle, height, cleat position, etc begin to tell.
If you want to ride longer than three hours and your present bike seems to get in the way, you might want to talk with a local expert about how well your bike does and does not fit you. Road/hybrid/comfort/tri/ aside a right fit can make all the difference. The longer you ride the more the quality of adjustments as simple as seat position, angle, height, cleat position, etc begin to tell.
Think time and intensity, not miles.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 5,585
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 408 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times
in
85 Posts
I'll be 65 in October. The last charity ride that I did had all types of bikes entered for the ride. I did the 54 mile ride on my road bike and on the last 5 or 6 miles, I was riding behind a young female on a Cannondale hybrid who was doing just fine keeping an average 17 mph pace. I opted for the road bike on this ride because the route we were taking was full of rolling hills and the road bike is better suited for that type of riding. I have a few more charity rides starting in September and will take the hybrid if the terrain is suitable for it. The charity rides that I do with my wife but without my cycling team are all done on the hybrid.
__________________
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#13
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
So what will get you higher milage-Your Hybrid- Me on a Cheap OCR3 or an offroad Tandem on a long ride?
It doesn't matter what bike you ride- I have done 100 milers on MTB's with Knobblies on- both road and offroad- Climbed mountains on the basic OCR3- and got a mate on his hybrid doing a metric- 3 weeks after getting it when his previous longest distance was 25 miles on a Basic bike.
Providing the bike fits- then use it.
It doesn't matter what bike you ride- I have done 100 milers on MTB's with Knobblies on- both road and offroad- Climbed mountains on the basic OCR3- and got a mate on his hybrid doing a metric- 3 weeks after getting it when his previous longest distance was 25 miles on a Basic bike.
Providing the bike fits- then use it.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Skipjacks
Hybrid Bicycles
30
10-20-18 01:30 PM