Road Bike or Hybrid

T4 Mark

Hi,

I know probably quite a lot of people have asked this question, but here it is again.

I commute to work every day, all on road, the round trip is only about 14 miles.
I am currently using an old MTB, that i fitted semi slicks to, but i'm fed up of the slow speed and weight (30+lbs). I only ever use 2 front rings and the 4 cogs on the rear and never drop into the granny ring.

I am looking at buying a more dedicated bike for use on the road, but what should i go for should it be a road race bike or a hybrid. I do intend to use the bike for longer road rides 30+ miles, when i cant get to the hills.

HELP ADVICE PLEASE. :shock:

blu3cat

T4 Mark,

Hi, if the bike is to be used for Road use only, then a Road bike will be typically lighter and faster, although you can get flat bar road bikes.

The drops will offer more hand positions than a flat bar handlebar. If you are worried about long distance comfort you could look at a sportive geometry that is not quite as aggressive as a full race bike, and allows a more upright position, while still retaining the lightness and advantages of a race bike.

keef66

I fitted my old but very light steel rigid mtb with slicks for road riding, but as you say the gearing's rubbish, and I got fed up with having only one and a bit hand positions on the bars.

I got a drop barred road bike and love it. It's designed as a winter trainer, so it takes full mudguards which was important to me. I also specced a triple chainset so I can have a closely spaced cassette and maintain a comfortable cadence whatever the road's like.

It's so much faster and more comfortable over distance than the mtb was.

Just out of curiosity I weighed them both the other day (inc pedals, pumps, cages etc): road bike 10kg, mtb 12.5kg, so not much difference in absolute weight, but the experience of riding them is completely different.

I think a hybrid might end up being the worst of both worlds

T4 Mark

Thanks for the advice so far.
The last bike i rode with drop bars was when i was 14 and that was a Raleigh Winner.
I think that i may be giving my age away.

blu3cat

Don't let the time difference between road bike riding out you off. I last had a road bike over 20 years ago, felt very twitchy for the first hour or so, now totally used to it.

I should warn you I am a total convert to road bikes from a hybrid, and for balance there are an equally fanatic, yet ever dwindling number of "Hybrid fanciers".

C'mon Cafewanda, where are you?

wombler

Same here. I stopped riding for many years (after doing lots of road biking in my teens). Nearly bought a hybrid, but thought "I wonder if my old road bike would still work..." Got it fixed up and started riding again - rode it for a few months, got bitten by the road riding bug and bought a new road bike this week.

Hybrid would have been a huge mistake.

But then it depends what you want to do. I can't help wanting to go as fast as I can...

kozzo

Road, just road.

keef66

I rode a Raleigh 10 speed Tour of Britain racer till it was nicked about 25 years ago. 10 years later I bought a cheapo mtb but got fed up with the weight and bits breaking / dropping off. Replaced that with a decent mtb which I still have (mentioned above) but treated myself to a new road bike last year at the age of 51. Loving it and not ridden anything else since. You're never too old for a road bike.

T4 Mark

The decision has nothing to do with my age, but i know a lot has changes since i last rode a road bike.
I think that all your comments and by my bit of searching and reading articles, its definately going to be a dropbar, but now the next decision Road Race, Sportive or Cyclocross, Arghhh i think my head might explode. :roll:

keef66

Only you can decide what kind (s) of riding you want to do.