Why buy a hybrid?

soundninjauk

I'm relatively new to commuting (been going for a couple of months in London, only 6 miles each way), but I am most definitely not new to cycling. I would count myself as an MTBer first and foremost, and I have racked up many many miles abusing my Orange P7 (wide riser handlebars, hydraulic discs, XT groupset) around the Lake District and similar terrain.

I have also racked up quite a few miles riding a Cannondale touring (drops, cantilever brakes, Campag groupset of some description) around the Hertfordshire countryside.

So when it came to buying a bike for commuting, I felt I was experienced enough to make a well informed choice. I bought a Cannondale Bad Boy Solo, which has flat riser bars (though narrower than the P7), hydraulic disc brakes and a 3 speed hub. I picked this bike because having run Avid Juicy 5s on the P7, normal cable brakes are not something I felt like going back to. I'm sure it's a fallacy that all cable brakes don't feel as good as hydraulics, but given what and where I was going to be riding with this bike I wanted good brakes that I personally felt comfortable with. The riser handlebars for the same reason, I feel comfortable on them, have quick access to the brakes at all times, and they afford me plenty of control and precision. Hub gears for ease of use, lack of maintenance and general survivability over the potholes.

It does have narrow tyres (700 x 28 Conti 4 Seasons at the moment, handy for the rain) and no mudguards, but yeah it's a Hybrid. And those are the reasons why I bought one. And for London, I don't regret this decision at all.

wizzlebanger

wizzlebanger wrote:
Quote:
Also whenever you see a pious no-nothing tw@t on a bike they're invariably on a hybrid


And when you see an ignorant know everything ar$ehole on a bike they're invariably on a road bike.



yes! you forgot pompous

Ha ha....at least some of us have a sense of humour about it all!!

roger_merriman

Why Hybrid well, my "big Green" is a big stable platform, with very good clearances so.

I have a bike that is almost impossible to fluster, even wet metal work are fine.

it's a utility bike, cheap enough to leave in town with out worry, some thing that is hard to find with drop bars.

road bikes older name "racer" fits better to be honest.

but the main issue is price, hybrids start at a lower price point. you can commute on any bike lets be honest.

thelawnet

biondino wrote:

Who are all these people who couldn't possibly ride a road bike because it can't kerb-hop? You're not allowed on the pavement, get off it!

Yes you are. Lots of shared paths.

shouldbeinbed

lots to read and not much time before out so my 2 penn'orth - sorry if others have said similar.

does it f'ing matter what people ride as long as they do ride and like it.

look at any station or similar daily mass dump of bikes and see how many flat to drop bars there are. flats outnumber drops 10's to 1.

The drop bar fans on here I would suggest are a small minority of the wider cycling population they're just lumped all together in one place so seem to be more numerous and more vocal in their advice.

Drops aren't for everyone and a £2000 drop bar dream machine could be just as likely to put someone off riding as a £60 Asda pig iron BSO if they really can't hack drops or get it for the wrong type of riding.

I broke my neck in 1997, ever since nearly a year out of cycling to recover, drops hurt me to ride much more than flats and Bad backs/necks are one of the most common aliments in the UK - not all of us are malingerers, so there could be many people out there who are just as real cyclists but without the option of a drop bar bike.

supersonic

Some very good responses - makes you womnder if the thread should have been titled and argued: Why buy a road bike?

wgwarburton

supersonic wrote:

Some very good responses - makes you womnder if the thread should have been titled and argued: Why buy a road bike?

Umm, I have to say (as the OP) that it doesn't make me wonder that at all!!

I haven't got beyond my recent post- the best reason to buy a hybrid at the moment seems to be because that's what you're being sold, so it's where the value is to be found.

Nothing that's been posted suggests (to me) that hybrids are a "better" answer- there are a few folk who are clearly passionate about defending them and a few folk who have compelling reasons for choosing them, but really, it's just that you will be hard pressed to find a sensibly priced, sensibly specced road bike in today's market. They are effectively niche products.

Hopefully that will change. I won't be holding my breath, though.

Cheers,
W.

supersonic

Better is subjective, so better for you may not be better for someone else. Just so many nuances with bikes, and how people weigh things up, so that the choice we have is a good thing in my book. People can get a bike that suits them and they can enjoy, even if it is not the fastest method from A to B. And if it was fastest people wanted, then surely tri bikes?

I like gears, and prefer flat bars. But is your bike 'better' than mine? Better for you, and mine is better for me!

roger_merriman

WGWarburton wrote:

supersonic wrote:

Some very good responses - makes you womnder if the thread should have been titled and argued: Why buy a road bike?

Umm, I have to say (as the OP) that it doesn't make me wonder that at all!!

I haven't got beyond my recent post- the best reason to buy a hybrid at the moment seems to be because that's what you're being sold, so it's where the value is to be found.

Nothing that's been posted suggests (to me) that hybrids are a "better" answer- there are a few folk who are clearly passionate about defending them and a few folk who have compelling reasons for choosing them, but really, it's just that you will be hard pressed to find a sensibly priced, sensibly specced road bike in today's market. They are effectively niche products.

Hopefully that will change. I won't be holding my breath, though.

Cheers,
W.

well to put it another way, there is little if any advantage for drop bars on a commute. so why go for a road bike?

Jay dubbleU

Simple answer - tried drops - don't like them. I find flats more comfortable over distance.

Prefer flats for better view of road and control weaving through traffic.

On average road bikes are more expensive than hybrids - most people just want something to get them to work without spending a fortune.

Personally I ride a 29 MTB on semi slicks - more robust than a road bike - probably better equipped than a hybrid as far as far as drive, brakes etc - 28 wheels make it faster than most MTBs - works for me

wgwarburton

roger merriman wrote:

well to put it another way, there is little if any advantage for drop bars on a commute. so why go for a road bike?

There's more to "road bike" than drop bars, though. To quote: "don't pretend you don't understand" :-)

Cheers,
W.

waddlie

WGWarburton wrote:

supersonic wrote:

Some very good responses - makes you womnder if the thread should have been titled and argued: Why buy a road bike?

Umm, I have to say (as the OP) that it doesn't make me wonder that at all!!

I haven't got beyond my recent post- the best reason to buy a hybrid at the moment seems to be because that's what you're being sold, so it's where the value is to be found.

Nothing that's been posted suggests (to me) that hybrids are a "better" answer- there are a few folk who are clearly passionate about defending them and a few folk who have compelling reasons for choosing them, but really, it's just that you will be hard pressed to find a sensibly priced, sensibly specced road bike in today's market. They are effectively niche products.

Hopefully that will change. I won't be holding my breath, though.

Cheers,
W.

It's not just about value. The spec diiferences between hybrids andd roadbikes at the £600 - £1000 price range are not so great that many people would decide to choose the hybrid even though they wanted a roadbike for a similar price.

Trek, Specialized and Giant all believe there's a market for £1800+ hybrids. Evidently you're happy with drop bars, but you can't seem to accept the fact that they're not for everyone.

I'm not sure what it is youre disagreeing with here. If you go back through the "what hybrid" threads, you'll find that the most common bikes mentioned tend to be Boardmans, Trek FXs, Specialized Sirruses and lately Giant Rapids. These are all down the "flat bar road bike" end of the spectrum. My Rapid is 4 lbs lighter than a tricross and 6 lbs lighter than my girlf's tourer.

I'm babbling because I've just got off my bike and had a beer and it's gone right to my head. But having re-read the whole thread I can't see why it began in the first place...

supersonic

WGWarburton wrote:

roger merriman wrote:

well to put it another way, there is little if any advantage for drop bars on a commute. so why go for a road bike?

There's more to "road bike" than drop bars, though. To quote: "don't pretend you don't understand" :-)

Cheers,
W.

And those things some people don't like.

roger_merriman

WGWarburton wrote:

roger merriman wrote:

well to put it another way, there is little if any advantage for drop bars on a commute. so why go for a road bike?

There's more to "road bike" than drop bars, though. To quote: "don't pretend you don't understand" :-)

Cheers,
W.

compared to some hybrids, there really isn't as they are just flat bared road bikes.

most if not all bikes are fine for the commute, some have some advantages over others, but for most part it's minor.

BOYDIE

I prefere my hybrid for commuting because:-

*I can use full mudguards,not these half sized race guards ( which are ok) and keep dry through the winter months.
* I can run wider tires,which means that the rubbish roads where I live are a touch smoother on my way to work.
*I have braze on's etc for luggage,.
*The relaxed geometery of a a hybrid doe's not kill my back.
* I find the hybrid more robust I can nip down back streets and dirt roads,if I need to take a short cut.

I also own a road bike and a mountain bike,I did have to use my MTB for some days in the winter because of the hardpack snow,I was able to runs low tire pressures for more grip.

Clever Pun

biondino wrote:

Who are all these people who couldn't possibly ride a road bike because it can't kerb-hop? You're not allowed on the pavement, get off it!

you can curb hop on a road bike no problems... err from what I've been told

biondino

Clever Pun wrote:

biondino wrote:

Who are all these people who couldn't possibly ride a road bike because it can't kerb-hop? You're not allowed on the pavement, get off it!

you can curb hop on a road bike no problems... err from what I've been told

Yeah I was well cocky with all my bunny hops up kerbs and that until I misjudged one, did a somersault and the bike landed on me and broke a rib!

On the other hand, if I'd been riding a hybrid it would have crushed me to death so +1 for a road bike

Hybrids: bikes for people who don't like bikes. There, I think we can all go home.

El Diego

BOYDIE wrote:

I prefere my hybrid for commuting because:-

*I can use full mudguards,not these half sized race guards ( which are ok) and keep dry through the winter months.
* I can run wider tires,which means that the rubbish roads where I live are a touch smoother on my way to work.
*I have braze on's etc for luggage,.
*The relaxed geometery of a a hybrid doe's not kill my back.
* I find the hybrid more robust I can nip down back streets and dirt roads,if I need to take a short cut.

I also own a road bike and a mountain bike,I did have to use my MTB for some days in the winter because of the hardpack snow,I was able to runs low tire pressures for more grip.

You can get road bikes that tick all of those boxes.

Blacktemplar

notsoblue wrote:

iPete wrote:

Discs and better access to brakes. Apart from that, I can't see many reasons.

+1

Also, I can see where WGW is coming from with this post. So may people buy a hybrid to commute, get really into cycling and then buy a road bike anyway.

+2

Exactly wot I did

I agree a road bike is nice to occasionally commute on (on a nice sunny day, which is frankly VERY occasional in Glasgow), but given the parlous state of our roads I would fear for my wheels..... my hybrid is more robust - if a "bit" heavier but given all the muppets in tin cans on the road these days, better brakes and a more upright riding position for visibility is not a bad thing.

As ever it comes down to personal choice...

wozzerwozzer1

As a newbie to cycling and commuting by bike I've plumped for a hybrid initially, but two months in, I've got a hankering for a road bike.
I've got a Ridgeback Bullit with carbon forks/bars/seat post. I can't find out how heavy it is, would a road bike be lighter, would it drag my 19 stone/6'3 frame to work quicker than I'm doing it at the moment (1hr 20 mins/18 miles). Will I be amazed at the difference ?

Cheers

WS

EssexCyclist

Surely the answer is "because that's the bike I want" ?

No one bike suits everyone, there are pros and cons to all. As the OP stated a hybrid is a compromise, why is that bad? I think he's extrapolated their use a little

it's a compromise design, too heavy & upright for road use, too light and stiff for proper off-road use.

Really? I've ridden mine on the road an averaged 19mph over a 16 mile commute... I've ridden mine around the Dengie Peninsular with no road in sight....

As for the comment

Fear of roadies is pandemic

LMAO.

BiggerBoat

I have been riding bikes almost all of my life from BSO's to high end carbon racers. When I look for a commuter, or any bike for that matter, I write a specification (just like at work). Then I find the bike that best meets the spec. And to my surprise I chose a hybrid (Shock Horror! OMG!). There is one factor that some of you seem to have missed… TIME. Sure a drop/roadie can do quite a bit. But a suitable commuter bike (for me at least) needs to do the job every f-ing day, all f-ing year for several years without major fail and only standard maintenance (I do not own a car).

rick_chasey

It isn't just a choice between 'hybrids' and 'road' bikes, nor are 'hybrids' the only bikes designed for pootling around in the city.



Is the solution to all your non ADP problems.

wgwarburton

BiggerBoat wrote:

... There is one factor that some of you seem to have missed… TIME. Sure a drop/roadie can do quite a bit. But a suitable commuter bike (for me at least) needs to do the job every f-ing day, all f-ing year for several years without major fail and only standard maintenance (I do not own a car).

I'm an IT contractor. If I don't turn up to work I don't get paid, so reliability is a factor for me, too. My fixed gear road bike ticks that box.
I don't have access to a car, either, for my commute. Nor a bus AFAIK, so I'm on the bike every working day.

I'm currently concluding that the issue here is my understanding of current terminology.
It would appear that what I picture as a sensible "road bike" might better be described as a "drop-bar hybrid". "Road bike" seems to mean something rather different!

Cheers,
W.

the_hundredth_idiot

baronsouthside wrote:

or an uni-cycle being used by someone other than a CLOWN?

Actually, that last one does annoy me. I saw a guy cycling through Brum on a unicycle one morning recently (I was up there on business). He genuinely seemed to be commuting on it and it didn't half look like hard work. I am tempted to buy a unicycle just to see if I could ride it. But it's a ridiculous choice for a commute.

wgwarburton

The Hundredth Idiot wrote:

baronsouthside wrote:

or an uni-cycle being used by someone other than a CLOWN?

Actually, that last one does annoy me. I saw a guy cycling through Brum on a unicycle one morning recently (I was up there on business). He genuinely seemed to be commuting on it and it didn't half look like hard work. I am tempted to buy a unicycle just to see if I could ride it. But it's a ridiculous choice for a commute.

Maybe he often uses the train or bus and didn't want the hassle of a folder :-)

Cheers,
W.

biondino

Unicycles are bigger than you think!

wizzlebanger

Would the ultimate choice be a tandem?

Imagine if bike sharing was feasible and there were dedicated lanes??? Of course this would be a hybrid tandem and not a drop barred road one!

t0pc4t

I like to have all 3

My Trek road bike is for lunchtime and weekend spins. I like to keep it clean and 'just so' and so I would not appreciate riding it to work and giving it day in, day out punishment, although it does feel great to ride. It also means I can run tyres that I don't mind if they have short longevity and full on clipless pedals.

My Anthem MTB is for off roading, love the suspension, proper off road tyres but impractical for riding to work due to the suspension, the knobblies and again I like to clean it down after every ride and keep it tip top

My cube hybrid is what I ride to work. It's built like a tank so I don't worry about it getting daily pothole abuse. Fat tyres and disc brakes for easy traffic dicing. Wide flat bars so I can see stupid joggers with their stupid ipods. And luggage racks for all my rubbish which I don't have to sully my lovely road bike with.

But it's each to their own, my mate Tony had a hybrid but found it too heavy so went back to his road bike.

MarkW100

I have a 13 mile each way commute and couldnt find a hybrid that fitted the bill. My journey is 9 miles on road/cycle paths, 4 miles off road (nothing too XT) The road bike end of the hybrids were all too flimsy for the off road bits and the MTB end of the hybrids were.... well just half arsed Mountain Bikes. I settled for a Cannondale SL2 which gave me the lightest MTB that i could get for the money (£900). I can do the 13 miles in 40-45 mins without pushing it (not much slower than doing the same distance on my Felt AR4 ). For me it's about horses for courses and theres nowt wrong with hybrids, they are cheaper than road bikes and mountain bikes but you need to be buying the best tool for the job.