Hybrid? Riding Position?

safers

Was running out of time to get Halfords Cycle to Work so decided to get 600 pound and decided after a bit of Web research to go for flat barred hybrid Trek 7.5fx Gloss Black 2010 then went for test ride and now really confused.

I currently have a heavy steel 100 quid Raleigh Spirit MTB with semi slick tyres front and seat suspension that I've used for a 6 mile each way communte and done C2C twice and Hadrians Cycleway. I really wanted a new bike for commuting and thought the Trek or similar would be the right option.

After a quick test ride on two sizes (17.5 and 20, I'm 5 9) I couldn't get the hang of it.I think I felt more comfortable on the smaller one with a high seat but I'm really not sure. I felt really upright different to how I normally ride on my MTB. What size and position can I try?

I wanted a flat bar cause I use a rucksack and thought it would be fast commute and inbetween Road and MTB. I think the short wheel base really through me should I go just go with it. Any advice on other commuting bikes for 600?

dilemna

Welcome.

I have a 17.5cm sized Trek 7.5FX. I'm 5'8"/5'9". It fits me perfectly. They are excellent bikes. I have fitted a rear rack and use panniers. I don't carry anything on my back.

geordiefella

I rode a one of those at evans last year and didn;t get on with it at all. far too upright. couldn't get comfortable getting out the saddle to ride, had to stay seated. decided on a bad boy frame type which felt a bit more MTB shape to me. They start about £400 ish i think. I found it a better angle. less acute that a road bike but much better than the trek geometry. evans stock them. have you tried the halfords flat bar boardman. might be similar if you're shopping there. really happy with the bad boy though. its got the angles just right.

jetsstar1

I got a 20" 2009 Trek 7.5FX in June. It does come with a steep short stem on it. Before the bike even got out of the bike shop I changed the stem from (+15 degrees, 100mm) to (-10 degrees, 110mm). 1000 miles later and I am still really pleased with the bike and the ride position.

Photo of my bike here (Please bike photo police, I understand the faults with this picture)
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4 ... 1022188942
I also have some Ritchey small comp bar ends on now too.

Compared to photo of bike as supplied here
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4 ... 1022188942

biondino

"I wanted a flat bar cause I use a rucksack"

Eh? I use a rucksack and both my bikes are drop bars. It's not a problem.

NGale

I have the 7.5 wsd and love it. as for a ruck sack, any type will go with it so that isn't a problem. I would just suggest for comfort that it should be something with a waist strap for stability.

As for putting a pannier rack on...personally I think that's just criminal.

jetsstar1

NGale wrote:

I have the 7.5 wsd and love it. as for a ruck sack, any type will go with it so that isn't a problem. I would just suggest for comfort that it should be something with a waist strap for stability.

As for putting a pannier rack on...personally I think that's just criminal.

I quite like my pannier rack
It's certainly better than having the load on my back for my commute. But we'll leave that for another thread.

El Diego

I currently use panniers on my hybrid and enjoy the fact my back doesn't get really sweaty but I am about to buy a road bike and don't want to ruin the aesthetic. Bit of a dilema - sweaty back or look like a dork?

AndyManc

El Diego wrote:

I currently use panniers on my hybrid and enjoy the fact my back doesn't get really sweaty but I am about to buy a road bike and don't want to ruin the aesthetic. Bit of a dilema - sweaty back or look like a dork?

Dork ... I've got one on my Tri-cross , not really a proper road bike I spose , but they look similar. :roll:

If you plan using your road bike over the winter , then definitely a pannier for all the gear you need to carry.


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safers

Thanks for all the feedback. Thanks to Jetsstar1 about the advice for the stem this makes sense now that I've had a think and imagined the ride. The setup you have looks pretty good and really helps.

After riding the bike I had doubted my decision about what sort of bike I wanted for my commute. It's not necessarily the use of a rucksack more I'm used to a MTB and want something more roadey without the posture I'm currently not use to.

The use of a rucksack is (as always) a personal preference. I believe if you carry your gear on your back you pick your bag up and feel the weight you don't overload yourself. It's also really convenient off your bike to hang up when changing. This is not to say I won't use panniers in the future is I use this type of bike to go further with more.

And what's with all the Tricrosses? First post but I've quickly surfed through the forum and there is a definite Tricross segment out there.