Whether to buy a road bike or stick with my hybrid
07-16-18, 05:13 PM
#26
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I couldn't afford the second bike for many reasons, but wanted to achieve having something very similar to a road bike. Slowly I am putting together the parts to make my hybrid into a hyroad. Worse case scenario, I revert back to the components it had before & retain the new parts for a future cycle.
YMMV... What may work for me may not work for others.
YMMV... What may work for me may not work for others.
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07-16-18, 06:02 PM
#27
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Maybe this is an offbeat suggestion, but for the cost of renting a road bike for a couple days, you could buy a used road bike that functions well enough for you to evaluate your preference for upright or drop bars, and give it a long enough trial so you get over the initial discomfort, if there is any. This might also help you refine your preferences for a new road bike.
07-16-18, 08:02 PM
#28
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One 55 year old to another...
I've got a carbon road bike and aluminum hybrid. I'll pick the road bike every time over the hybrid unless it's raining or very cold. The road bike is so much more fun, and that's what it's about for me.
Things I'd suggest considering seriously is get the best bike you can justify, some good clip in shoes and have someone help you get fitted. Not cheap, but (speaking for myself) well worth the investment.
I've got a carbon road bike and aluminum hybrid. I'll pick the road bike every time over the hybrid unless it's raining or very cold. The road bike is so much more fun, and that's what it's about for me.
Things I'd suggest considering seriously is get the best bike you can justify, some good clip in shoes and have someone help you get fitted. Not cheap, but (speaking for myself) well worth the investment.
07-16-18, 08:07 PM
#29
Mostly Harmless
I bought a $400 hybrid from a sporting goods story a couple of years ago, and in the past year I've begun to bike pretty regularly on local greenways. I often go 50 miles at a time and did a metric century a couple of months ago.
My only concern is that I'm basically doing the same in-and-out rails-to-trails greenway over and over. It's a great trail, but it's still the same trail.
I've been looking into local group rides to broaden my biking experience and make it more fun and to keep me motivated. But, I'm not that fast. I average about 13 mph on 50-mile rides. I'm 55, so I'm not going to get significantly faster on that bike.
Would a road bike make a big difference? So that I could hang with some of the more modest group rides? I've put thinner, slicker tires on the hybrid, and that sped it up probably 1.5 mph. I was cruising at just over 11-12 mph before that.
The hybrid is still about 30 pounds, and some of the greenway is dirt, so that slows me a bit. And have to stop to cross roads sometimes. I might've averaged closer to 13.5 on the metric century on the road.
Anyway, that's probably too much info, but would the road bike be worth the investment? And how much faster might I go? Don't want to be fast for any ego reasons. Just wonder if that will unlock the group ride world to me and perhaps make it realistic that I could do an American century (100 miles) one day.
My only concern is that I'm basically doing the same in-and-out rails-to-trails greenway over and over. It's a great trail, but it's still the same trail.
I've been looking into local group rides to broaden my biking experience and make it more fun and to keep me motivated. But, I'm not that fast. I average about 13 mph on 50-mile rides. I'm 55, so I'm not going to get significantly faster on that bike.
Would a road bike make a big difference? So that I could hang with some of the more modest group rides? I've put thinner, slicker tires on the hybrid, and that sped it up probably 1.5 mph. I was cruising at just over 11-12 mph before that.
The hybrid is still about 30 pounds, and some of the greenway is dirt, so that slows me a bit. And have to stop to cross roads sometimes. I might've averaged closer to 13.5 on the metric century on the road.Anyway, that's probably too much info, but would the road bike be worth the investment? And how much faster might I go? Don't want to be fast for any ego reasons. Just wonder if that will unlock the group ride world to me and perhaps make it realistic that I could do an American century (100 miles) one day.
My average speed for my 50 milers was around 13 mph. I pulled 9 pounds of accessories off my Roam (rack and bag full of spares, tools, food, and first aid supplies). My next ride was 50 miles at 15.1 mph, same route as before.
I don’t really need a road bike, the hybrid is okay, and it is definitely a better snow bike (I ride year around). Nonetheless, I have decided to buy a endurance road bike. Since it will be 10 pounds lighter than my Roam, I expect to pick up some more on my average speed, but I am guessing that due to wind resistance it will be less than a another 2 MPH.
Whether or not a road bike is a good money spend for you, is of course up to you (and maybe your wife).
07-16-18, 08:23 PM
#30
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I just got a claris equipped nishiki for $110 used. It's the low end of the spectrum, but it shifts fantastic and is a way better "give'er a go" road bike then an old 10 speed.
My suggestion
Dig around Facebook and craigslist for a used lower end bike around $100. You will still get a solid feel on whether you should get a drop bar bike, and more importantly depending on what you find, what style of geometry you like better.
My suggestion
Dig around Facebook and craigslist for a used lower end bike around $100. You will still get a solid feel on whether you should get a drop bar bike, and more importantly depending on what you find, what style of geometry you like better.
07-16-18, 09:11 PM
#31
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Okay.
I could make a long post about this, but I will sum it up and keep it short by saying that it's not an easy transition to make. If you are comfortable on a hybrid and you ride trails, you will probably find a road bike takes time to get used to, has a harsher ride due to skinnier tires and higher pressure, and the more narrow harder saddle is going to hurt at first. Your arms and hands will hurt due to the higher pressure on them as well, because you are leaning farther forward.
Your body must adjust, and your riding style needs to change to suit the bike. Road bikes are about efficiency. Not comfort. Even for someone with no experience riding bikes, the hybrid will be more comfortable at first. Comfort on a road bike comes down to fitness and experience.
I could make a long post about this, but I will sum it up and keep it short by saying that it's not an easy transition to make. If you are comfortable on a hybrid and you ride trails, you will probably find a road bike takes time to get used to, has a harsher ride due to skinnier tires and higher pressure, and the more narrow harder saddle is going to hurt at first. Your arms and hands will hurt due to the higher pressure on them as well, because you are leaning farther forward.
Your body must adjust, and your riding style needs to change to suit the bike. Road bikes are about efficiency. Not comfort. Even for someone with no experience riding bikes, the hybrid will be more comfortable at first. Comfort on a road bike comes down to fitness and experience.
07-16-18, 09:23 PM
#32
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I just got a claris equipped nishiki for $110 used. It's the low end of the spectrum, but it shifts fantastic and is a way better "give'er a go" road bike then an old 10 speed.
My suggestion
Dig around Facebook and craigslist for a used lower end bike around $100. You will still get a solid feel on whether you should get a drop bar bike, and more importantly depending on what you find, what style of geometry you like better.
My suggestion
Dig around Facebook and craigslist for a used lower end bike around $100. You will still get a solid feel on whether you should get a drop bar bike, and more importantly depending on what you find, what style of geometry you like better.
Claris is good. Shimano is a great company. They go for quality even on the lower end.
If you want to turn it into a utility bike, you will run into some issues, but it's nothing that a little ingenuity and creative thinking can't fix.
07-16-18, 11:15 PM
#33
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It's a great bike if you can dial it in. It's a bit on the heavy side for a road bike, but the triple crank is fantastic if you are going over lots of hills.
Claris is good. Shimano is a great company. They go for quality even on the lower end.
If you want to turn it into a utility bike, you will run into some issues, but it's nothing that a little ingenuity and creative thinking can't fix.
Claris is good. Shimano is a great company. They go for quality even on the lower end.
If you want to turn it into a utility bike, you will run into some issues, but it's nothing that a little ingenuity and creative thinking can't fix.
So your familiar with the Maricopa? It wasn't on my radar since I want a gravel bike, but for the price I figured it wouldn't hurt.
So far it's been great. I'm still trying to get the FD to work properly for me, but it seam to be more operator error then anything. The rear shifts flawlessly.
Do you by chance know what the max tire size I can get away with is? I'd like to get a set of 32c's for it since the kenda's are at the edge of their life.
07-16-18, 11:19 PM
#34
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I didn't mean to thread jack but I guess it's so semi relevant.
So your familiar with the Maricopa? It wasn't on my radar since I want a gravel bike, but for the price I figured it wouldn't hurt.
So far it's been great. I'm still trying to get the FD to work properly for me, but it seam to be more operator error then anything. The rear shifts flawlessly.
Do you by chance know what the max tire size I can get away with is? I'd like to get a set of 32c's for it since the kenda's are at the edge of their life.
So your familiar with the Maricopa? It wasn't on my radar since I want a gravel bike, but for the price I figured it wouldn't hurt.
So far it's been great. I'm still trying to get the FD to work properly for me, but it seam to be more operator error then anything. The rear shifts flawlessly.
Do you by chance know what the max tire size I can get away with is? I'd like to get a set of 32c's for it since the kenda's are at the edge of their life.
Even without the brakes in place, at the very least it wouldn't fit the rear wheel.
Last edited by toast3d; 07-16-18 at 11:26 PM.
07-16-18, 11:36 PM
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It's a great bike if you can dial it in. It's a bit on the heavy side for a road bike, but the triple crank is fantastic if you are going over lots of hills.
Claris is good. Shimano is a great company. They go for quality even on the lower end.
If you want to turn it into a utility bike, you will run into some issues, but it's nothing that a little ingenuity and creative thinking can't fix.
Claris is good. Shimano is a great company. They go for quality even on the lower end.
If you want to turn it into a utility bike, you will run into some issues, but it's nothing that a little ingenuity and creative thinking can't fix.
07-16-18, 11:44 PM
#36
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07-17-18, 02:16 AM
#37
Full Member
I was in the same situation but eventually bit the bullet, sold my hybrid and bought a road bike, haven't looked back since! I enjoyed riding my hybrid but much prefer riding the road bike. I had bar ends on the hybrid but prefer the hoods more.
07-17-18, 02:44 AM
#38
Interocitor Command
I'm 58. In the last 3 years I've gone from riding road bikes to hybrids. Go figure.
07-17-18, 06:54 AM
#40
☢
The road bikes are generally light and give your more flexibility in riding positions with a more aerodynamic frame geometry.
Hybrids on the other hand, typically offer a more compromise upright frame, but can be optioned with components from a road or mountain bike. A road bike is generally 2-3 mph faster than a road equipped hybrid.
Hybrids on the other hand, typically offer a more compromise upright frame, but can be optioned with components from a road or mountain bike. A road bike is generally 2-3 mph faster than a road equipped hybrid.
07-17-18, 08:40 AM
#41
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Pretty much.
I've become convinced that there's some sort of internal or "genetic" predisposition to machines that informs our decisions. When I was an athlete I was quick and agile. I was never interested in running past 100 yds. When I got into cars it was sports cars not muscle cars. My favorite sports car was my '70 Lotus Elan. These days I need to haul bikes but again it's a Fiesta ST not a mini-wagon. Many years ago when I got into Motorcycles I walked past the tourers and Harleys and went straight to the Ducati shop. I'm not making a judgement about anyone else' choices. I just know I am always drawn to the light, quick and agile. Thinking that others may have a similar predisposition and it should not be ignored.
I've become convinced that there's some sort of internal or "genetic" predisposition to machines that informs our decisions. When I was an athlete I was quick and agile. I was never interested in running past 100 yds. When I got into cars it was sports cars not muscle cars. My favorite sports car was my '70 Lotus Elan. These days I need to haul bikes but again it's a Fiesta ST not a mini-wagon. Many years ago when I got into Motorcycles I walked past the tourers and Harleys and went straight to the Ducati shop. I'm not making a judgement about anyone else' choices. I just know I am always drawn to the light, quick and agile. Thinking that others may have a similar predisposition and it should not be ignored.
07-18-18, 08:33 AM
#44
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I started out with a Scott Hybrid and then after a few years I moved to a Fuji Road bike. I went with an endurance model so long rides are still comfortable but still have the option of the drops into a good head wind. I almost got rid of my Hybrid but didn't and now i am glad i didn't because I have turned it into a gravel bike.
