areyouolsen

Hey all, I believe this is my first post, though I've been lurking here for a month or so. I have a quick question that I'd like some opinions on.

I want to start commuting to work, about 10 miles each way, all pavement, lots of hills. Initially, I started looking at utility bikes, like Trek's Bellville or Allant, because of, well, the utility factor. I've also looked at Cannondale's Quick and Badboy and others in the same category; all around $700-$800. After swinging through REI after dinner tonight, though, I started to consider more roadbike-styled bicycles with drop handlebars, which I could add a rack to.

I already own a Cannondale Prophet which I use for trail riding, so should I get a hybrid or just get the roadbike to commute with?

I appreciate ALL help, suggestions, comments, etc. and respectfully request that you leave the flaming at the door if someone has an opinion about this bike or that bike.

Thanks!

javal

For a stretch of 10 miles a (performance) hybrid is sufficient. If your commuting is rather carfree and even, exercise and speed during commute might be tempting, why a roadie with drop bar can come in handy. On the other hand I think hybrids are more likely to be prepared for mudguards & racks. The difference between performance hybrids and roadbikes can be hard to tell. Its more a question of where you want to take your riding and your over all feel?

Scooby214

I have a road bike and a hybrid. I prefer the hybrid for commuting purposes, and save the road bike for longer distance rides and group rides. The hybrid puts me in a slightly more upright position, which gives me better visibility. It also has wider tires which are a help on one particularly rough stretch of my 13 mile (one way) commute. If I had to commute on the road bike, I could add a rack and fenders, though in my case the rack and fenders look right at home on the hybrid.

If your commute will be over fairly good roads and you don't have to carry much with you on the ride, you may prefer the road bike. In my case, using the road bike shaves about five minutes off of my average travel time.

DTSCDS

My first thought was use the bike you got. Then I googled and found out it is a full suspension MTB--you *could* use that but I think it would be a beast on a commute.
If you go to the Commuting forum you will find that pretty much anything can be a commuter. However, if you ARE going to buy a new bike, I think the hybrid is just about perfect for commuting. As has been said before, a more upright position, plenty of places for racks/lights/fenders etc., bigger tires, more cargo friendly gearing--it all adds up to commuting friendly.

areyouolsen

Thanks a lot for the replies, folks, it really did help me with my decision. I found a nearly new Novara Big Buzz through craigslist (still has the whiskers on the tires, even) for $300 and am making my inaugural commute to work tomorrow!