Thinking about a hybrid

gs_triumph

Hi,

Last year i started cycling to work on my Carerra Kraken. The first few trips were done on knobbly tyres but i quickly switched to semi-slicks with a lower profile and what a difference. Having managed to commute by bike about 15 times last year (it is 16 miles each way) i have decided i would liket o do it more often.

I have moved house so am now 'only' around 13.5 miles to work. As i intend on doing it more often i would like to get a biike better suited to the job. i am considering a Ridgeback Velocity.

Main point being is that the 700c wheels should be better suited to my on-road commute and i can put my knobblys back on my kraken so i can get back to some off road antics at the weekends.

i realise that the Velocity is a lower end hybird but i have the opportunity to buy one second hand for nearly half price of a new one. will it be up to the task?

gs_triumph

i should probably mention that the reason i am considering a hybrid over a road bike is that i have the otion of usioning a cnal path!

also, the velocity is around 1.5kg lighter than my current bike. how noticable wouls usch a weight drop be?

jonny_trousers

If you have a particularly good deal on the Velocity then go for it. That way you won't lose money when you inevitably decide to sell it on for something better in a couple of months time.

You have to buy the bike for the conditions you experience, but if my commute was as long as yours I would be looking for something light, comfortable and fast.

Cafewanda

My small contribution: Current bike helps develop leg strength which comes in handy if/when you join the SCR community :twisted:

jeremyrundle

Not everyone uses a road bike to commute, my MBT hybrid is just what I want and will not change it, £1600 though.

http://sirpatrickmooresales.co.uk/Ourpage.aspx

Been upgraded again since with shimano SLX crankset and good bashguard

I am more than happy doing 20mph, getting somewhere three minutes sooner is of NO interest to me

desweller

If you want something road-shaped with mild off-road capability then you could also consider a 2nd hand CX bike, although they have been becoming more fashionable over the last few years. Drop bars really do help if you want to get out of the wind.

phillipjohnson

I would second going for a cross bike to commute... will handle canal paths easily and you will be noticably easier/quicker for your commute than an MTB

shouldbeinbed

+1 more for CX, i ride both hybrid & cx, both rugged for trails etc hybrid more comfy, cx faster. Hand position and comfort no great difference, a lot spoken abt the comfort benefits of drops, not really noticed myself with moustache bars on hybrid.

gs_triumph

Thanks,

I am still considering the velocity but keeping an eye out for others for sale in the area.

is there any reason i couldn't/shouldn't put drop bars on the velocity if i decided to go down that route?

gbsahne001

gs_triumph wrote:

is there any reason i couldn't/shouldn't put drop bars on the velocity if i decided to go down that route?

Other than the expense, no.

New Set of bars, cables (outer & inner), shifters + the frames geometry may lead you to messing around with different sets of stems until you hit on the right length.

The Rookie

Except to say that many Hybrids have a longer top tube (for the frame size) than road bikes to make it more 'relaxed', so you may need a short stem which then sharpens the steering.....

Simon