which bike for which purpose?
 

I've been using my 10 year old Bianchi Advantage hybrid bike regularly now for about a month. After making some adjustments and getting a nicer saddle (used) I've been using it to increase my cardio. I find myself doing a combination of steady pedaling on long flat roads, occasionally increasing my speed for short bursts (is that called sprinting?) and tackling roads that go uphill. I'm really enjoying the results of this and the bike finally seems to be setup just right. I'm usually out 5 or more times per week and do an hour.

My question is around whether I'm using the right bike for the job. The hybrid is working fine now, but will the kind of biking I'm doing eventually stress the frame and components because I'm doing things it wasn't meant for? My bike came with straight handles but I added the end bars, adjusted them to where they feel comfortable, but at times find them a bit uncomfortable when I'm trying to come down lower to go faster.

Should I look at a road bike and if so what type? Budget for me would be under $1,500 total (Cdn with tax). At this time I don't see changing what I'm using the bike for. I'd like to think I could eventually join a riding group (next spring) or even consider racing, but I find what I'm doing now to fulfill my needs.

a hybrid is marketed to cover both on and off road riding, but in the long run does neither very well if you get serious about it.

if you're getting serious, which it sounds like, then a road bike is always a good idea. as to which one - i really can't say w/o knowing your age/fitness/etc. check the bikes for under 700$ thread, or trek 1500, giant TCR1/2, specialized something or another, C'dale, used, etc.

btw - "occasionally increasing my speed for short bursts" could be sprinting, or it could be 'putting in an effort"

If you're happy with the hybrid, then stick with it, you won't stress the frame/components from the riding you're doing. The hybrid frame is beefier than any road bike frame, so you don't have to worry about doing any damage to it. You would notice a speed difference on a road bike, however it wouldn't be as comfortable b/c it won't have as much of an upright position as you're used to on the hybrid.

For group riding, if you want to ride with the faster groups, you'll be at a disadvantage on a hybrid, but there are plenty of slower groups that go out, and you'd be fine on the hybrid.

If you want to race, then I'd suggest you look into buying a road bike.

A budget of $1500 CDN will give you plenty of options for bikes, right now (and extending into the fall) is the best time to buy a bike b/c a lot of shops are having big sales to clear out their '06 inventory.

botto:

Age - 43
Fitness? - weight training since age 17, always been in good shape and health, cycling has made things even more enjoyable.

So what is sprinting then?

badkarma:

I do like the hybrid, and you make a good point about the position of the road bike and handle bars. I seem to mix it up, between leaning forward on the side handles and crouching down when I want to pick up speed. I get up off the saddle for hills or to get over a slight hill if my legs are tired and then I sit down again to continue the cadence.

I'm also asking about my bike as it's getting so that I may need to put some money into it (tires, tune up, some noise when cranking while off the seat) and should I put the money into that or put it towards a decent, reliable road bike?

I could then use the hybrid less if I get a road bike or do up the hybrid with more road type tires, etc. and get more out of it.

If you want to save yourself some money try parktools.com or sheldonbrown.com as they will have some tips to tune up your bike yourself. If you just have to do brake or derailleur adjustments, at worst you'll need some allen wrenches, but it can probably just be done by adjusting the tension with the barrel adjusters.

A road bike is going to put your body into a less relaxed position, but it'll be a position that's more efficient. I'm not saying it's uncomfortable, but it'll be *less* comfortable than a hybrid. Go out and test ride some road bikes and see how it feels to you.

I'm not sure any of us can tell you whether you should buy a road bike or not, that's really up to you. But if you're looking to do fast club rides or racing, then you'll be at a pretty significant disadvantage with a hybrid.