Newbie needs advice

AgentBoot
AgentBoot Posts: 7
edited January 2010 in Road beginners
Hello!
At the moment I've got a knackered old Claude Butler MTB that is close to falling to bits, and this year I'm going to be doing a lot of cycling (got a 200km charity ride coming up soon, and more after that) so I'm after a new one.

I don't go off road so I've been looking at a hybrid like the Scott Sportster P55 and similar. I'm not going to be racing either, it's more about endurance and comfort, going to be tackling lots of steep hills and doing many miles per day, not so worried about going as fast as possible.

Is a hybrid right for me, or should I be looking elsewhere? And if it is, would the Scott be any good? Budget is about £400.

Comments

  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    If your doing a long ride then drop handle bars are best because you can change your position on the bike to stretch your back etc

    With a hybrid, you'll be ok, with bar ends. But I think drops are best

    £400, its worth considering a neasrly newbike or looking at the sales.

    IT neeeds to fit you, so don't buy blindly on line, unless you know exactly what you want
    Richard

    Giving it Large
  • AgentBoot
    AgentBoot Posts: 7
    Not sure about drop bars, don't think I'd feel comfortable with them, but maybe I'll give some a try. But as long as a hybrid is the right way to go that tells me what I should be looking for, cheers.

    How about the Scott Speedster S60? That's also available with a drop bar.
  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    Drops are very comfortable, assuming the bike fit is correct.

    You spend most of the time on the hoods, not much in the "race" position.

    Give one or two a try.

    Then decide whether you'd prefer a roadie or hybrid
    Richard

    Giving it Large
  • AgentBoot
    AgentBoot Posts: 7
    Think I've narrowed it down to either the Giant Rapid 4 or Scott Speedster S60.

    The Giant is slightly cheaper and includes pedals and bar ends (though I already have some of my own). Think I'd need new tires though as I've heard bad things about Kenda Kwest.

    Scott is a bit pricier and would need pedals, but is slightly lighter.

    Here are the specs of the two. Can someone more knowledgeble cast an eye over them and tell me if there are any major differences?

    Giant:
    * Frame: Giant AluxX aluminium, Fluid FormedTM
    * Fork: CroMo, OverDrive Steerer
    * Seatpost: Giant Alloy
    * Saddle: Giant Performance Road
    * Pedals Caged w/Clips
    * Shifters: Shimano R221 EZ Fire 24 speed
    * Front Derailleur: Shimano R443
    * Rear Derailleur: Shimano 2300
    * Brakes: Alloy Dual Pivot
    * Brake Levers: Tektro Alloy
    * Cassette: SRAM PG 830 11-28
    * Chain: KMC Z72
    * Crankset: FSA Tempo, 30/42/52
    * Bottom Bracket: FSA Cartridge
    * Rims: Giant Sport Road, Double Wall
    * Hubs: Formula Sealed
    * Spokes: Stainless Steel
    * Tyres: Kenda Kwest, 700x28mm
    * Extras: Alloy bar-ends

    Scott:
    Frame: Hydroformed Alloy Tubing. Road geometry. 7005 Alloy Butted. Integrated Headtube. Fender Compatible.
    Fork: Alloy. 1 1/8 inch Steel steerer. Integrated. Fender Compatible.
    Front Derailleur: Shimano FD - R443 F
    Rear Derailleur: Shimano RD 2200. 24 Speed
    Shifters: Shimano ST - R223. 24 Speed
    Chainset: Truvativ ISOFLOW
    Chainrings: 30/42/52 Tooth chainrings
    Bottom Bracket: Truvativ 07BB 68/113mm shell
    Cassette: SRAM PG-850. 12-26 Tooth range
    Chain: KMC IG 51
    Front Brake: Scott Sport L SCBR 510. A 41-56 mm
    Rear Brake: Scott Sport L SCBR 510. A 41-56 mm
    Handlebars: Scott X - Rod 580 mm
    Stem: Scott Road Team OS. 1-1/8 inch / four Bolt 31.8 mm
    Headset: Integrated Steel Cup
    Rims: Alex Race 24 Aero Profile. 32 Front / 32 Rear
    Front Hub: Scott Comp
    Rear Hub: Scott Comp
    Spokes: 14 G Stainless silver 2 mm
    Front Tyre: Hutchinson Flash 700 x 28 C
    Rear Tyre: Hutchinson Flash 700 x 28
    Saddle: Scott Road Pro
    Seatpost: Scott Alloy 31.6mm
    Weight: 21.81 lbs approx.
  • AgentBoot
    AgentBoot Posts: 7
    Okay. Went into a shop and had a look at some of their bikes, and I'm fairly certain I want a Scott.

    Narrowed it down to either the Sub 30 or Speedster S50.

    Both are the same price. The Sub 30 has Deore gears (and includes pedals...woohoo), and I think is designed as a commuter bike? The Speedster looks really sporty, it is quite a sexy bit of kit. Actually, it's mostly just the looks that are edging me toward that one.

    Which would be better for me, bearing in mind I'll be doing lots km on roads?
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Of those 2 I would definately go for the Speedster S50 with drop bars. Much more suitable for long rides. You can get a much bigger range of hand positions thus body positions. You can find more comfortable climbing positions also. Many other bikes out there but IF it fits you then that is a nice bike.
    My Fleet.
  • AgentBoot
    AgentBoot Posts: 7
    I'm still not sure about drop bars. How expensive is it to convert flat to drop bars if I change my mind later?
  • craker
    craker Posts: 1,739
    new handlebars + shifters (£129 for bottom of the range Sora)

    is this a 200 km day ride? that's a big ride and you may be under budgeting at £400. You'll be the only rider on flat bars, nothing wrong with that if you're comfy but you have to wonder why roadies prefer drops.

    What I'd want from an endurance machine is lightweight skinny wheels, alu. frame with carbon forks. Try and find something under 10Kg and maybe put 23c tyres on it.
  • AgentBoot
    AgentBoot Posts: 7
    It's 100km a day. That's not a frequent thing, though, most of the time it will be less than that. I'm used to flat bars so I should be alright. I've done some long rides on a rickety old mtb (which I discovered afterwards had a wonky wheel and forks that are close to falling off).

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