i'm tempted to get a road bike

jimmypippa

I ride a hybrid, and part of the reasomn is that it *does* look "a bit ghay".

Most of the time I am cycling in the dusk/dark, and dressed like Mr Luminous, the twassock, so I doubt that riding anyuthing would look cool. I want a bike that doesn't look cool enough to pinch. (I am probably failing on *that*, but it might help).

I do also find my back feels better with flats, rather than dropped handlebars, and the more vertical position feels better in the sort of traffic that I experience (on the A6, near Buxton, there are a lot of quarries, and quarry lorries).

However it is a bit of a bitch cycling against a headwind.

Spitchips - BANNED

cjcp wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

Dude Football is ghey. I couldn't give a damn what footwear, the overpaid ponce traitor wears on his feet.

Golden.

Dont encourage him. :roll:

whyamihere

Spitchips wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

You wear football boots to play football in.

You ride a road bike on the road

Perhaps you are the stupid one?

So with your opinion people who actually wear the correct clothing and have the right footwear and accessories to do the particluar job on hand are stupid are they? :evil: Your logic is unreal. :roll: So everyone from boxers to golfers who have the right gear are stupid? Yeah right. You would be the stupid one if you ever done anything and were not equipped or prepared to do the job. :roll:

So lance armstrong was stupid was he for having look shoes was he when riding his bike? So Baordman is stupid is he for having the tools for the job (lycra, cycle shoes, correct bike for the job on hand etc)? I think not. I think he planned out his rides very well and as such done well in the sports he was involved in - the same applies to footballers, golfers and any other sport , wether you like the sport or not.

I can not believe how off-key you are and totally imcapable of not understanding people are gearing themselves up for success, preparation is the key to success and having the right tools for the job!!! :shock:



:twisted:

You might want to read his post again, because he's actually saying the opposite to what you think he is...

Slow Downcp

Road bike is a better option IMHO for all road and light trail riding - if it's too rough for a road bike then a cross or MTB would be the option to go for. Hybrids serve neither purpose properly, but they are a marketing departments dream - sell a bike that's neither a road or off road bike to someone who will then come back later and buy the right one for the riding that they do. If you have a medical condition (back problems etc) then a hybrid may be better though.

Braking on a road bike isn;t an issue - most of my time (and all of it if in traffic) is spent riding on the hoods where I can brake from without having to move my hands.

Re the sperm issue - been riding for 20 years+, 2 kids and no issues. If your bike is the correct size and set up correctly it makes no odds what bike you've got.

Spitchips - BANNED

well i like a hybrid bike which has upright riding position, is light, has large wheels good for speed (unlike 26" MTB), something with skinnies but not to skinny and can take it along canal paths, bridleways, cross country and more. I feel its quiete a versatile bike anyway. you are also riding with tyres which are less likely to get puncture than the 700-26c road bikes - i can put 700-32c on my hybrid so nice comfortable ride.

i now allot of hybrids you see in shops are naff but the boardman performance hybir pro is real cool and i have no complaints.

so slowdown i have been riidng mtb for 15yrs now and have now got a bike which is excellent for commuting and leisure use (hybrid) I am actually glad they have now brought out good quality top spec hybrids. Its is my preffered choice of ride.

In fact I am so happy with hybrids and versatiltity, comfort, riding positiion, design, geomwmetry, the sppeds you can travel with them that i doubt I would ever want to ride a road bike for commuting.

If I was out for a London to brighton then yes it would have to be a road bike as is 54m ride.

prj45

I've ummed and arred about a road bike, and my current steed is all but one ('cept it's got v brakes and flat bars), however, reading about how crap caliper breaks are and how a road bike might not be manoverable as a flat barred bike I've pretty much decided to stay flat.

CiB

Cycle Guy in this week's Sunday Times was of the opinion that no-one should have a road bike; usual args about using a Ferrari for day to day use, uncomfortable, all wrong etc. My own tuppence worth is that my current road bike - alloy frame, carbon forks & bits, Shimano 105 group set, long narrow saddle, ultra-thin tyres etc - is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden. It floats along, esp with the tryres at the right pressures, the brakes are magnificent, gear changes are a joy [click -> new gear, click -> new gear...], the riding position is bang on - I just love riding it, and often do so just for the fun of it. 20 miles on that is just a load of pleasure rolled up into an hour of being out & about.

Each to their own but this myth that road bikes are uncomfortable hard to ride beasts that are best suited to a track or a Tuesday evening time trial is just nonsense. You have to try different bikes and find what fits. For OP's suggested 20 mile commute a road bike should near the top of his list though.

chuckcork

Actually Spitchips I'd say it depends on what ind of riding is being done. The flat bars and linear pull brakes of my Specialized Sirrus were brilliant for riding about SW London, I was happily doing a 6 mile commute every day on it, upright position for viewing traffic, good and quick braking for stopping quickly, made the morning ride I think just that bit safer. It otherwise had a road bike frame and wheels so I wasn'r riding a heavy clunker (did have the sissy mudguards and panniers on though)

But then I moved to doing a 14-mile commute, mostly on country roads, and found the road bike much better for longer distances with its slightly more aerodynamic and comfortable riding position, and climbing particularly out of the saddle is easier. Braking however is not that quick, but then again road bikes are designed to be moving not braking a lot.

If you were in a lot of traffic I'd recommend a bike like the Sirrus, doing a lot of open road a road bike/light tourer (tourer for its mudguards alone).

As for the saddle / testicular damage thing, can I say your arguments are bollocks?

Spitchips - BANNED

OVERVIEW - This is a fantastic all round low maintenance bike. For the cyclist who yearns for simplicity, the Tricross is a lightweight but sturdy bike to use on the road or for lighter off road rides. It has a more upright position compared to normal road bikes to put the rider in a more commanding position for use in traffic or on tracks.

the above is a overview for the SPecialised Tricross - notice the bit about upright riding position - same applies for hybirds - alright.

prj45

Guys, admit it, if cycling were a religion (...) roadies with shaved legs would be the fundamentalists!

ris

i am largely in agreement with chuckcork; for my short, more urban, commute my flat bar airnimal is a little more appropriate, but for the longer rural commute i prefer my allez sport 'road bike'.

i find it much more comfortable for longer rides, i have more varied hand positions, a smoother rde (although the airnimal is a folder so to be expected), and i find it more responsive.

i think the tricross is a bit like the allez range - compact frame which means you ride a bit more upright. i looked at them pretty hard before getting the allez - i'd only have gone and changed the tyres to skinnies, maybe the brakes and wheels eventually as well!

cheehee

Reet.........to the chap thinking of getting a Road bike. My advice would be to get one, I have been riding bikes since I was about 4-5 and not really stopped. I'm now 31.

I have mostly owned MTB's, but I have recently bought a BeOne Storm 1.0 and am very pleased with it. Prior to this I had been using a 1999 R'hopper shod with slicks. My commute is 10 miles all on the roads.

I have done this in a best of 35 minutes on the BeOne, on the R'hopper my best was about 42 minutes (ish). (30 minutes is my target )

IMHO a hybrid is a compromise, a bit of a jack of all trades......... A road bike is for the road, where it excels. A MTB is for off road again where it will excel. You can of course ride a Road bike off road and a MTB on road, but these are not the designed purpose of the respective bikes. You could commute on a BMX for instance, but unless you are going less than a couple of miles, it isn't gonna be much fun

My point? er ..................... I suppose it is about choosing the right tool for the job.

Road bike = Road
MTB = Mountains/Off Road
Hybrid = OAP's (only kidding BUT my dad rides one )

Cheers

Cheehee

Spitchips - BANNED

cheehee wrote:

IMHO a hybrid is a compromise, a bit of a jack of all trades......... A road bike is for the road, where it excels. A MTB is for off road again where it will excel. You can of course ride a Road bike off road and a MTB on road, but these are not the designed purpose of the respective bikes. You could commute on a BMX for instance, but unless you are going less than a couple of miles, it isn't gonna be much fun

Cheehee

I love hybrids because they are middle of the road bikes. They are neither road or mtb bikes. I would be better off on a hybrid because if iwanted to take it offroad onto canals, footpaths, bridlways, gravel paths, and every other surface thrown at you the hybid can take it in its stride, tarmac in all. A hybrid does not complain about the surface you are on. A hybrid is verstaile. Road and MTB bikes are not versatile.

A road would struggle off roads, yes it can do off raod but its not for its intended purpose and would not perform 100%. The same with a MTB - it would not perform 100% on the roads - they are designed for,well........ MTBing.

personally speaking I have settled for nothing les than top range, top spec hybrid.

another thing you can do with hybird is stick on some 700*32c continental city ride tyres. Great for NOT getting punctures, still get minimmal friction and great for wet weather riding. The largest tyres might be 700*28c for a racer/road which is good but the extra 4cm offers that more cushoined ride and less prone to being a right 'bone shaker'.

Thats just my little 2cents worth.


Check out the http://www.boardmanbikes.com/hybrid/hybrid_proltd.html - you will not be disppointed by the spec of bike and I doubt any ghey OAP would be going to Bingo on!

Rich158

So what you're saying is that you prefer the mediocre middle ground rather than the right tool for the job. I've been riding all types of bikes for years, and have tested everything from low end hybrids to top of the range road and mountain bikes.

If I'm riding on the road I'll choose a road bike every time, in fact I had trouble seeing any difference between a Giant hybrid, and the equivalent road bike last summer. Both had exactly the same frame and wheels, and the riding position was virtually identical. In fact the hybrid was the lesser option as it had fewer hand positions and was therefore less versatile. A road bike is also just as capable as a hybrid on a tow path, and I dispute that a hybrid would be fine on a footpath or bridleway unless you put knobbly tyres on it, in which case you might as well get a MTB.

Likewise if it comes to MTB's, a hybrid will never compete with a proper MTB unless you're doing anything other than pootling along at 5mph on a perfectly smooth towpath.

Hybrids do have their place, and give a slightly more elevated riding position on the most part, which can be easier on the back. However a badly fitting hybrid will be just as bad on the back as a badly sized road bike.

Spitchips - BANNED

Rich158 wrote:

So what you're saying is that you prefer the mediocre middle ground rather than the right tool for the job. I've been riding all types of bikes for years, and have tested everything from low end hybrids to top of the range road and mountain bikes.

If I'm riding on the road I'll choose a road bike every time, in fact I had trouble seeing any difference between a Giant hybrid, and the equivalent road bike last summer. Both had exactly the same frame and wheels, and the riding position was virtually identical. In fact the hybrid was the lesser option as it had fewer hand positions and was therefore less versatile. A road bike is also just as capable as a hybrid on a tow path, and I dispute that a hybrid would be fine on a footpath or bridleway unless you put knobbly tyres on it, in which case you might as well get a MTB.

Likewise if it comes to MTB's, a hybrid will never compete with a proper MTB unless you're doing anything other than pootling along at 5mph on a perfectly smooth towpath.

Hybrids do have their place, and give a slightly more elevated riding position on the most part, which can be easier on the back. However a badly fitting hybrid will be just as bad on the back as a badly sized road bike.

for my commutes and leisure rides I need a hybrid.

I suppose it depends where you live and what yuor likes and dislkikes are. And what sort of bike you need or want. Personally, hybrids are right up my street at moment. Myabe not yours, but mine yes. I cant even see myself switching to either a road or MTB in future for same rides. In fact i cant beleive it has taken me so long to settle for a hybrid.

Anyhow, better dash now before I get labelled a troll!!!

cheehee

Spitchips wrote:

Check out the http://www.boardmanbikes.com/hybrid/hybrid_proltd.html - you will not be disppointed by the spec of bike and I doubt any *ghey OAP would be going to Bingo on!

............looks quite smart. Not really my cup of cha, but courses for horses and all that.

* My old man may ride a hybrid, but I don't think he's a gay - grey yes.......

R34PER

well i got one and i'm happy with it. seems to accelerate quicker than the mtb by far and its smoother than i thought it would be on rough roads. its on the FCN7/8 link in my sig.

itboffin

R34PER wrote:

well i got one and i'm happy with it. seems to accelerate quicker than the mtb by far and its smoother than i thought it would be on rough roads. its on the FCN7/8 link in my sig.

Good for you, I'm very happy with my switch from Halfords MTB to MTB to Hybrid to Road to Single to Cross

The hybrid is still super fast and easily matches most road bikes, ducks and runs for cover

lost_in_thought

Excellent! Enjoy!