Thinking about adding a roadie to my inventory...
09-13-18, 01:26 PM
#26
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I don't understand that. So much more time is spend climbing than descending that making up speed downhill is nearly impossible. It take take only a few minutes to descend a mountain that takes half an hour to climb... speeds will not even out. Go up a mountain and back down and average speed will be much closer to climbing speed than descending speed.
Say a 20 mile ride uphill takes 2.5 hours. That's about 8mph on average
And the 20 mile ride home takes 1 hour an 15 minutes. That's about 16mph on average
The whole trip was 40 miles. It took 3 hours and 45 minutes. So for the trip you averaged 10.6 mph, not 12 mph which would be the average of 8mph and 16mph because you spend a lot more time going slow than you do going fast, even though you go the exact same distance both slow and fast.
(I like math)
09-13-18, 02:21 PM
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I know asking Bikeforums if I should get a second bike is like going to the ice rink and asking if anyone wants to skate.
But I'm curious about feedback. I have a hybrid that I commute with and I love it. It's a great commuter. I can load it down with 50 pounds of stuff if I need to and it rides like a champion.
But on weekend rides of 40+ miles it feels a little cumbersome.
I was thinking of getting a roadie as a second bike that I don't have loaded down with racks and stuffs so I can do weekend rides where I can go further in the same amount of time.
Do you all think a road bike would make those 40+ mile rides easier? It's not that I'm gassed at that distance. I still have fuel in the tank. But it takes forever. I'm averaging 10mph over a long haul like that (partly because I usually do 20 miles uphill then 20 miles back, so the first 20 miles lowers the averages pretty hard). And with the flat bar my hands are killing me.
Or is the rider the problem and I just need to pedal more to make the old legs stronger?
Would I notice a clear and obvious difference on a long distance ride on a road bike?
I'm posting this same question in the hybrid forum to get a different take.
But I'm curious about feedback. I have a hybrid that I commute with and I love it. It's a great commuter. I can load it down with 50 pounds of stuff if I need to and it rides like a champion.
But on weekend rides of 40+ miles it feels a little cumbersome.
I was thinking of getting a roadie as a second bike that I don't have loaded down with racks and stuffs so I can do weekend rides where I can go further in the same amount of time.
Do you all think a road bike would make those 40+ mile rides easier? It's not that I'm gassed at that distance. I still have fuel in the tank. But it takes forever. I'm averaging 10mph over a long haul like that (partly because I usually do 20 miles uphill then 20 miles back, so the first 20 miles lowers the averages pretty hard). And with the flat bar my hands are killing me.
Or is the rider the problem and I just need to pedal more to make the old legs stronger?
Would I notice a clear and obvious difference on a long distance ride on a road bike?
I'm posting this same question in the hybrid forum to get a different take.
09-13-18, 03:28 PM
#28
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Aerodynamics matter even if you're not riding especially fast. I had (and still have) a flat bar bike for riding gravel. Headwinds were what convinced me to add a drop bar gravel bike to my collection. I do a lot of mixed surface rides and appreciate the drop bar on pavement even without headwind just as I do with my drop bar road bike.
09-13-18, 07:07 PM
#30
well hello there
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Yes. It would be wrong not to.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
09-13-18, 09:07 PM
#32
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09-14-18, 12:24 AM
#33
Interocitor Command
09-27-18, 08:18 AM
#34
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So last Friday I saw a 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite online at a LBS that has a few used bikes. I went after work to check it out and it followed me home.
I saw it, I test rode it, and there was no doubt. It was exactly what I was looking for. Slightly upright seating position (I can't do a full racing position yet, but I can always flip the stem and turn the bars down if I ever feel like trying it). Wheels that can do a wider more aggressive tire. But road gearing. And a groupset that's not total junk (Shimano Sora...it's not 105 but it's not Claris either. It shifts very nicely) And for well UNDER the budget I was prepared to spend. (...said no one related to cycling EVER
)
It's more of a gravel bike in it's current configuration with slightly wider 32 mm tires. But for the crushed stone trails I wanted to ride distance on that's going to be good. I'll might still go down to 28mm for the trails I ride.
I spent the weekend making it like new again (The shop did a decent job but it needed a little TLC to make it perfect)
I commuted on it today. It's not a great commuter because I hate wearing a backpack and I don't want to put a rack for panniers on this bike. My hybrid will keep it's job as my commuter. But the ride was easy. I was about 2mph faster on average and when I got to work I was barely breaking a sweat. I was putting less effort into the ride and still going faster. I can't wait to take this out for a long weekend ride, which is what I bought it for. (It's been POURING rain since I bought it because...of course it has)
Thank you all for not trying to talk me out of buying a second bike! (Not that I expected anyone to try when I started the thread
)
Here's a generic photo. I cannot for the life of my get a decent picture of it here in my office. Maybe outside after work.
I saw it, I test rode it, and there was no doubt. It was exactly what I was looking for. Slightly upright seating position (I can't do a full racing position yet, but I can always flip the stem and turn the bars down if I ever feel like trying it). Wheels that can do a wider more aggressive tire. But road gearing. And a groupset that's not total junk (Shimano Sora...it's not 105 but it's not Claris either. It shifts very nicely) And for well UNDER the budget I was prepared to spend. (...said no one related to cycling EVER
)It's more of a gravel bike in it's current configuration with slightly wider 32 mm tires. But for the crushed stone trails I wanted to ride distance on that's going to be good. I'll might still go down to 28mm for the trails I ride.
I spent the weekend making it like new again (The shop did a decent job but it needed a little TLC to make it perfect)
I commuted on it today. It's not a great commuter because I hate wearing a backpack and I don't want to put a rack for panniers on this bike. My hybrid will keep it's job as my commuter. But the ride was easy. I was about 2mph faster on average and when I got to work I was barely breaking a sweat. I was putting less effort into the ride and still going faster. I can't wait to take this out for a long weekend ride, which is what I bought it for. (It's been POURING rain since I bought it because...of course it has)
Thank you all for not trying to talk me out of buying a second bike! (Not that I expected anyone to try when I started the thread
)Here's a generic photo. I cannot for the life of my get a decent picture of it here in my office. Maybe outside after work.
09-27-18, 02:47 PM
#35
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The suspension fork on the hybrid is also an energy sucker even if it's locked out. What is your fitness and flexibility like? Do you feel like you need the upright position of an endurance bike? If you are just using it for short fun rides on the weekend and are looking to be faster and more aero then the hybrid you might want to check out race geometry bikes. I would test both and see how they feel. At that price point I'd skip discs. You are getting cheap cable discs which aren't as effective or easy to set up as hydraulics. You are also adding weight over rim brakes. For the same price you can get that bike with rim brakes and Sora 9 speed which i think is a big step up from Claris. New Sora has a lot of trickle down from last generation of DA/Ultregra/105 stuff and you even get the Shimano cranks on this bike for same price:
https://www.performancebike.com/shop...e-2018-31-8648
You can get this entry level Fuji Roubaix for $899:
https://www.performancebike.com/shop...e-2017-31-6235
I actually just bought the same bike online for $765 with free shipping and no tax but if you need a shop to do final assembly and set up then you might as well buy from Performance. That bike has 10 speed Tiagra and is listed at about 18 lbs which is not light by road bike standards but is really nice for that price point. The frame is under 1100 grams and has full carbon fork and internal cable routing. Generally I wouldn't recommend spending much on upgrades to bikes at that price. Usually it makes more sense to sell it and trade up after a year or two if you decide you really love road bikes but that Roubaix frame is good enough on paper that it wouldn't be the craziest thing in the world to put Ultegra on it with some nice wheels and have a 15-16 lb bike. But you can also spend $1299 and get that bike with Ultregra on it which is would be cheaper in the long run then upgrading:
https://www.performancebike.com/shop...e-2017-31-6231
https://www.performancebike.com/shop...e-2018-31-8648
You can get this entry level Fuji Roubaix for $899:
https://www.performancebike.com/shop...e-2017-31-6235
I actually just bought the same bike online for $765 with free shipping and no tax but if you need a shop to do final assembly and set up then you might as well buy from Performance. That bike has 10 speed Tiagra and is listed at about 18 lbs which is not light by road bike standards but is really nice for that price point. The frame is under 1100 grams and has full carbon fork and internal cable routing. Generally I wouldn't recommend spending much on upgrades to bikes at that price. Usually it makes more sense to sell it and trade up after a year or two if you decide you really love road bikes but that Roubaix frame is good enough on paper that it wouldn't be the craziest thing in the world to put Ultegra on it with some nice wheels and have a 15-16 lb bike. But you can also spend $1299 and get that bike with Ultregra on it which is would be cheaper in the long run then upgrading:
https://www.performancebike.com/shop...e-2017-31-6231
09-27-18, 02:52 PM
#36
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So last Friday I saw a 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite online at a LBS that has a few used bikes. I went after work to check it out and it followed me home.
I saw it, I test rode it, and there was no doubt. It was exactly what I was looking for. Slightly upright seating position (I can't do a full racing position yet, but I can always flip the stem and turn the bars down if I ever feel like trying it). Wheels that can do a wider more aggressive tire. But road gearing. And a groupset that's not total junk (Shimano Sora...it's not 105 but it's not Claris either. It shifts very nicely) And for well UNDER the budget I was prepared to spend. (...said no one related to cycling EVER)
It's more of a gravel bike in it's current configuration with slightly wider 32 mm tires. But for the crushed stone trails I wanted to ride distance on that's going to be good. I'll might still go down to 28mm for the trails I ride.
I spent the weekend making it like new again (The shop did a decent job but it needed a little TLC to make it perfect)
I commuted on it today. It's not a great commuter because I hate wearing a backpack and I don't want to put a rack for panniers on this bike. My hybrid will keep it's job as my commuter. But the ride was easy. I was about 2mph faster on average and when I got to work I was barely breaking a sweat. I was putting less effort into the ride and still going faster. I can't wait to take this out for a long weekend ride, which is what I bought it for. (It's been POURING rain since I bought it because...of course it has)
Thank you all for not trying to talk me out of buying a second bike! (Not that I expected anyone to try when I started the thread )
Here's a generic photo. I cannot for the life of my get a decent picture of it here in my office. Maybe outside after work.
I saw it, I test rode it, and there was no doubt. It was exactly what I was looking for. Slightly upright seating position (I can't do a full racing position yet, but I can always flip the stem and turn the bars down if I ever feel like trying it). Wheels that can do a wider more aggressive tire. But road gearing. And a groupset that's not total junk (Shimano Sora...it's not 105 but it's not Claris either. It shifts very nicely) And for well UNDER the budget I was prepared to spend. (...said no one related to cycling EVER
)It's more of a gravel bike in it's current configuration with slightly wider 32 mm tires. But for the crushed stone trails I wanted to ride distance on that's going to be good. I'll might still go down to 28mm for the trails I ride.
I spent the weekend making it like new again (The shop did a decent job but it needed a little TLC to make it perfect)
I commuted on it today. It's not a great commuter because I hate wearing a backpack and I don't want to put a rack for panniers on this bike. My hybrid will keep it's job as my commuter. But the ride was easy. I was about 2mph faster on average and when I got to work I was barely breaking a sweat. I was putting less effort into the ride and still going faster. I can't wait to take this out for a long weekend ride, which is what I bought it for. (It's been POURING rain since I bought it because...of course it has)
Thank you all for not trying to talk me out of buying a second bike! (Not that I expected anyone to try when I started the thread
)Here's a generic photo. I cannot for the life of my get a decent picture of it here in my office. Maybe outside after work.
09-30-18, 08:16 AM
#37
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Even though you may be completely happy with your hybrid for commuting now, I say get an entry level road bike and you will definitely see a difference, even for commuting. It may be a little uncomfortable to start, but you get used to it after a while and I'm now most comfortable on my most aggressive geometry bike. Having a lighter and more aero bike for your weekend rides is just an extra plus. Then again, if you have to commute with 50 lbs of stuff, then keep the hybrid for the commutes and ride the road bike only on weekends. But if you can find a way to ride the road bike for the commutes as well, I'd highly recommend that. That's what I did for years before I started working from home and I couldn't imagine going the distance I was doing (60 miles a day at one point) on anything but an out-and-out road bike.
10-01-18, 08:24 AM
#38
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Even though you may be completely happy with your hybrid for commuting now, I say get an entry level road bike and you will definitely see a difference, even for commuting. It may be a little uncomfortable to start, but you get used to it after a while and I'm now most comfortable on my most aggressive geometry bike. Having a lighter and more aero bike for your weekend rides is just an extra plus. Then again, if you have to commute with 50 lbs of stuff, then keep the hybrid for the commutes and ride the road bike only on weekends. But if you can find a way to ride the road bike for the commutes as well, I'd highly recommend that. That's what I did for years before I started working from home and I couldn't imagine going the distance I was doing (60 miles a day at one point) on anything but an out-and-out road bike.
Plus I run roughshot over some nasty rocky fields and an abandoned back road that looks like the lunar surface. So the wide tired hybrid is going to stay my commuter.
The biggest factor is that its only a 2.5 mile commute. (10 if it's really nice out and I take the long way home) So the road bike doesn't offer me much advantage. It might get me there 30 seconds faster but who cares? Also I started riding for exercise. In reality I should switch my commuter to a rusty old Wal Mart mountain bike to make it harder.
10-01-18, 08:41 AM
#39
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This is the "new"ride
Took it out yesterday to finally open it up. It needs some work. Needs a tune up as the shifting it a little tight. Bottom bracket needs to be tightened. A few other tidbits to dial it in. All things that should have been completed at the shop I bought it from...but whatever. I'm sure I could take it back there and have them do it all free but I don't trust them if they missed this stuff the first time. I took it to a LBS I know and trust and for another $50 it'll be running like a dream.
The rear brake was weak too and the shop I bought it from had no idea how to fix it. I wasn't concerned because I knew how to fix it and sure enough a little sandpaper on the pads and rotor and it stops fine. (I also go them to drop the price because of the weak rear brake) But good lord how does a professional bike mechanic not know how to improve the stopping power on a disc brake? Anyway that shop sucks. But the frame is in good shape and more of the components are in good shape so it's still a good deal. It just need someone who actually knows what they are doing to have it running like new.
I haven't gotten the accessories for it yet (aside from the anodized blue bottle cages that match all the anodized blue aluminium that came on the bike) so I need new pedals (these flats are what I had sitting around), a seat bag to replace the ugly top tube pannier I had lying around, etc.
I'll probably end up flipping the stem for an more aggressive riding position once I get used top leaning over more. But one thing at a time.
I did get a 2nd mount for my rear Cygolite. $10 for a piece of plastic seemed pricey, but to just be able to easily swap the light from 1 bike to another and not buy a second light ....worth it.
(PS, the road this is one was actually paved. It just looked really cool sitting on the muddy side with the tall grass)
Took it out yesterday to finally open it up. It needs some work. Needs a tune up as the shifting it a little tight. Bottom bracket needs to be tightened. A few other tidbits to dial it in. All things that should have been completed at the shop I bought it from...but whatever. I'm sure I could take it back there and have them do it all free but I don't trust them if they missed this stuff the first time. I took it to a LBS I know and trust and for another $50 it'll be running like a dream.
The rear brake was weak too and the shop I bought it from had no idea how to fix it. I wasn't concerned because I knew how to fix it and sure enough a little sandpaper on the pads and rotor and it stops fine. (I also go them to drop the price because of the weak rear brake) But good lord how does a professional bike mechanic not know how to improve the stopping power on a disc brake? Anyway that shop sucks. But the frame is in good shape and more of the components are in good shape so it's still a good deal. It just need someone who actually knows what they are doing to have it running like new.
I haven't gotten the accessories for it yet (aside from the anodized blue bottle cages that match all the anodized blue aluminium that came on the bike) so I need new pedals (these flats are what I had sitting around), a seat bag to replace the ugly top tube pannier I had lying around, etc.
I'll probably end up flipping the stem for an more aggressive riding position once I get used top leaning over more. But one thing at a time.
I did get a 2nd mount for my rear Cygolite. $10 for a piece of plastic seemed pricey, but to just be able to easily swap the light from 1 bike to another and not buy a second light ....worth it.
(PS, the road this is one was actually paved. It just looked really cool sitting on the muddy side with the tall grass)
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10-20-18 01:30 PM
