sonatageek

In the few years I have been coming to bikeforums, I have found the C&V board to be one that is almost completely friendly and supportive. Pretty much any old (or really not terrible old) bike gets in, heavy or light, hi-end or low end cruiser.

I think that hybrids came about to fill the void left by the elimination of sports touring bikes from many company's offerings during the mountain bike boom of the 80's and early 90's. Now they did bring a few mountain bike features over (straight or riser handle bars, mountain bike controls and drive trains, and now front suspensions) but the space they fill, I think, is the fitness/recreational space that sport touring road bikes were aimed at.

I have had a few hybrids pass through my hands (with 700c wheels) and I liked them. My current ride (for the past few years) has been a hybridized mountain bike with slick tires and trekking handle bars. A great combination, even if some people think the bars look a little funny.

daven1986

For me my hybrid was exactly that - I didn't know what kind of bike I wanted so went with a hybrid. It worked, but I never truly liked it - found out that I'm much more of a road bike person and since converted my hybrid to a fixed gear drop bars bike and now I truly like it

You can get some very sporty good quality hybrids though, but for me I like to have 1 bike for each job, not 1 that can do them all.

Talldog

It is refreshing to see that you are softening your position regarding bikes that cost in excess of $1,000, and recognize that there is indeed a point to having a bike like that, even if one is not a "professional".

jbchybridrider 

This tread is a bit the same as what is a hybrid bike "seen a few of those" and there's never been a clear answer to that because the category is so diverse,so it figures that hybrid riders have to be a pretty diverse group of people.
So there's going to be people that take it really serious right down to people that have never thrown a leg over a bike before.
It needs to be that way to keep it the best forum for hybrid riders on the net which it is and I cant count how many times a newbe has posted on here asking for advise mainly from experienced hybrid riders and others that have bikes or parts there interested in.
Never have I seen anyone look down on any newbe or inexperienced person in a snobby who the hell are you I'm better than you way, infact its the opposite everyone is willing to help and encourage.
As for personal attacks on people well the problem with the net is were not talking face to face or even on the phone and I think what seems like an attack actually may be said with a smile in person and is easily taken out of context.
Also were from allover the world with different backgrounds and cultures and need to respect that to.
Basically all I'm saying is there's nothing wrong with the forum as it is and has good balance. So have a nice day.

MommyOnTheMove

Well,I may be jumping in when I shouldn't, since I'm new around here. But, as a member of many forums of many different topics, I think the point the OP was trying to make was valid. And the reactions to his post somewhat reaffirmed that.

There are always people on topic specific forums that come off as pretentious know-it-alls. Just because you ARE professional, elitist, or whatever other word you would like to throw in there, you are a person like everyone else. And should respond to those who are new in this world, with patience and encouragement.

I can see why you would feel "offended", I suppose, if you are a professional or what have you. But in all honesty, who cares? Who cares if you are professional, new, or somewhere in between. Do what you love, do it your way. Who the heck cares what else other people say? Why the need to react to people's well intentioned comments/posts with such indignation? I don't get it.

Just my $0.02.

Doohickie

Nice essay, Timber_8. I agree with just about all you said... except that you can't avoid bigotry in cycling. Haters gonna hate and all that. Don't let 'em get ya down.

AdelaaR

Nice way of putting it.
I agree completely.

pixelharmony

Man I just joined this forum and didn't know there was some background drama regarding hybrid bikers

I haven't ridden a bike in over 15 years. I recently picked up a Specialized Sirrus and absolutely LOVE it. I did 12 miles yesterday (mixed trail/road) and am hooked. I didn't know there was bashing here on road bikers or MTN bikers. I want some biker shorts btw because I heard there's some padding on the butt, also from my friends that cycle they tell me nothing feels better than cycling with shorts.

jbchybridrider 

"o" where just chewing some fat, nothing to worry about here.
I buy all my cloths in person at the shops and not online that way you know it fits right.

AdelaaR

Yeah me too ... I buy everything online except the clothing & shoes.

Forums are a place to discuss and sometimes discussions get personal.
That's just the way it is.
Let's just try to keep it friendly.

Talldog

Nice bike ....

Speaking of shorts, I just got some Sugoi Viper shorts and they are the nicest I've had so far. They are on sale right now at various places on the net.

javal

Actually, many (younger) riders do start off with hybrids and go on to roadies. Very common for the local club riders I randomely get together with. And I see no fault in that. Those of us that are lucky enough to enjoy cycling as a whole, cherish our C&V, our rando´s, our utility bikes and hybrids just as much. Thers no conflict really. And theres certainly no difference between riders wearing tights or not. The hybrids seem to attract every aspect of human category and isnt that the magic with hybrids? Its versatile, therefor a clever choice for a variety of riding. I´ve ridden all my life, and without doubt my hybrid is the most useful bike i ever had, but it`ll never be the most enjoyable.

qmsdc15

To tell the truth, I was unaware of it also.

qmsdc15

Highly overpriced.

qmsdc15

Well said.

Timber_8

I couldn't agree with you more

Timber_8

It is very unfortunate, but fear not my Hyades has come to an end

qmsdc15

Hyades?

from Wikipedia "In Greek mythology, the Hyades (pronounced /ˈhaɪ.ədiːz/; Ancient Greek: Ὑάδες "the rainy ones"), are a sisterhood of nymphs that bring rain."

Timber_8

sounds good to me

Timber_8

Lets forget it, I don't hold grudges against you or anyone for that matter. This is not our 1st and hardly are last. Most of the time I find you a valuable & knowledgeable contributor to the forum. Your people in the street photography is among the best. I don't really care what your issue is with me, I'll just bite your head off every now and then.

qmsdc15

I already forgot about any bad feelings I supposedly had towards you. I sort of remember defending you in the past although I guess I should have stayed out of the discussion which mods rightly deemed inappropriate and deleted the whole thing. Honestly, I don't have issues with you, I enjoy your posts, just found this thread somewhat paternalistic.

If your meant hiatus, welcome back, but I think you've announced your return before...

We answer newbys questions. It would be easy to ingore the same question time after time, but we answer, no one says 'do a search'.

I remember one guy who posted pictures of his bike and he didn't even know to line up his tire logos with the valve stems! I didn't make fun, I told him in a nice way how we do it.

qmsdc15

Thanks for the compliment on my photos. Here's the best one I took today.

AdelaaR

Euh? What?

Timber_8

So when you get a flat you can check the puncture in the tube against the tire to be sure what ever punctured the tube is still not in the tire

AdelaaR

Oh thats neat ... never heard of that .. thx