Road Bike or Commuter/Hybrid Bike

matt@theforce

The fitter I'm getting from riding my MTB's the more I want to ride to work more than I currently do (approx once a month), I would like to get to a point where I'm cycling once a rotation to work which will more than offset the purchase of the bike against Fuel & Parking Costs.

My commute is approx 17-18miles each way from a village called MIllhouse Green to the centre of Sheffield. I have 2 routes available,

Route1, Penistone/Wortley/Chappletown then A61 into Sheffield
or
Route2, Over the hills to Stocksbridge and stay on the A6102 into Sheffield

I currently ride Route1 but use the TPT from to/from Wortley/Home and average 13mph & complete the ride to work in a little over 1hr 12min but coming home it takes me approx 1hr 45min due to the journey climbing over 500ft from work to home (and being tired from a 12hr shift).

I've never ridden a Road Bike or Commuter bike before but plan togo and have some test rides in the coming weeks.

Will there be a significant difference between a Road Bike/Commuter/Hybrid Bike in terms of Comfort/Speed/Stability? I'm after some advise from those who have tried both style of bikes on a commute

I will probably also use the bike on my days off when I fancy a change from my MTB's.

Matthew

saladdays

Alot of people recommend cyclocross bikes over racers as they can take racks, mudguards and wide tyres. Cyclocross bikes have better brakes and also have wide gear ratios for those lovely hills!

I personally would go for a hybrid; safer (upright and allround visibility) and more stable/manouverable.

My next bike: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 320/49837/

matt@theforce

I've just popped out on my lunch break to have a look at a few bikes

Road Bikes
B'TWIN Triban5 - £449
Specialized Allez - £575

Hybrid
B'TWIN Formes5 - £449
Cube SL Cross - £768

The specs accross the B'TWIN bikes looks to be identical except for the handlebar/brake levers/gear shifters & I must say I was very impressed with how they looked/felt. Alu Frames/Carbon Forks/Sora or Deore/Sora setup

The Specialized & Cube I expected to look nicer and the Cube certainly didn't dissapoint however seeing what the Decathlon Bikes offered I've decided to keep looking upto £500 and will draw up a proper shortlist ready to try.

I'm still not convinced I'll be happy with a Road bike with dropped bars after 20years of riding MTB's so I'm going to have a look to see if I can loan one for a weekend to try one out properly.

Matthew

supersonic

Route 1 is flatter until you hit the bit of Halifax Road at the Jet garage before Greno - climbing back up from Hillsborough is evil! But would be the route I'd go. Bizarrely though I'd probably take route two back home, as the slog from Hillsborough to Wortley is a 4-5 miles uphill all the way grind, as you know! At least the other way is a bit more rolling lol.

Best 'sporty' hybrid I have seen for around this cash is the Boardman Urban Team:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

matt@theforce

While I agree with route2 being a little more rolling I'm left with a big climb out of Stocksbridge and over the hills to Millhouse, unless I go from Deepcar to Thurgoland and through Oxspring/Penistone and making the journey a little longer but avoiding the big climb, I really need to try it out one day.
I actually like riding route1, especially with all the road works as I can cycle to work quicker than I can drive as I don't get held up with the long queues 8) and coming home, whilst the Hillsborugh to Wortley strech is a killer it isn't at the end of the ride leaving me time to re-couperate once back on the TPT enjoying the steady ride back.

I'm looking at using the cyclescheme to buy this bike and from what I can see they don't cover Halfords, which is a shame as that Boardman looks really smart, that said if I stayed with an MTB on slicks I could fit a rigid fork and slick tyres to my Marin for much less cost.

saladdays

I forgot to ask; do you hit 30mph? If so then look for a bike with a road chainset, eg, 30, 42, 52.

matt@theforce

saladdays wrote:

I forgot to ask; do you hit 30mph? If so then look for a bike with a road chainset, eg, 30, 42, 52.

Only if its downhill, there are very few flat areas around here to get a constant high speed.

The bike thats winning it for me is the Forme5, new to the UK and not yet on Decathlon UK's website. Google translation show it having 50/39/30 12x26 so that should offer me a big enough spread to start with bearing in mind I rarely use the 44t 11t on my MTB's

Forme5 translated page
http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.decathlon.fr/velo-route-btwin-forme-5-id_8188896.html&ei=NRqDT9ijIIyMswakmp3GBA&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CFEQ7gEwAw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Db%2527twin%2Bforme5%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1360%26bih%3D513%26prmd%3Dimvns

Initialised

I'd go road as I miss drops. I currently ride a commuterised rigid MTB and find 28/38/48*12-34 limiting somewhat on downhills and rarely need the granny ring. 30/40/50*11-32 would give all the range you need.

supersonic

matt@theforce wrote:

saladdays wrote:

I forgot to ask; do you hit 30mph? If so then look for a bike with a road chainset, eg, 30, 42, 52.

Only if its downhill, there are very few flat areas around here to get a constant high speed.

The bike thats winning it for me is the Forme5, new to the UK and not yet on Decathlon UK's website. Google translation show it having 50/39/30 12x26 so that should offer me a big enough spread to start with bearing in mind I rarely use the 44t 11t on my MTB's

Forme5 translated page
http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.decathlon.fr/velo-route-btwin-forme-5-id_8188896.html&ei=NRqDT9ijIIyMswakmp3GBA&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CFEQ7gEwAw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Db%2527twin%2Bforme5%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1360%26bih%3D513%26prmd%3Dimvns

Looks very good. 44/11 on an MTB with 120rpm is nearly 40mph anyway!

matt@theforce

I've just got back from having a test ride of the Forme5 & Triban5, the Forme5 is so different from my HT but not too different for it to feel alien like the Triban5 did.

The Forme5 is well finished off and looks mint in the flesh, it certainly wont look out of place with higher end bikes yet doesn't stand out from the crowd looking too flash.
As a Commuter bike only time will tell but you cannot fit mudguards and the widest tyre you can fit is a 28c so might limit winter weather riding.

I'm now looking forward to my request being approved so I can collect it and start riding it

As its not on the UK Decathlon Website yet here is a rundown of the spec for the £449.99 price tag



Efficiency
aluminum frame with carbon seatstays, carbon fork with scabbard.

Ease of use
The flat handlebar ensures greater comfort and steering easier.

The optimized posture more upright position reduces pressure on shoulders and wrists.

5 year warranty on frame and 2 years on parts. (Excluding wear parts such as tires, coasting, skating)

sizes
51 - 54 - 57 to 60

weight
10 kg in size 60

Informations techniques Technical information

Frame: Aluminum with carbon seatstays
The sloping aluminum is very solid and easily.
Its geometry shortest provides a comfortable position.
The tube shapes to optimize performance.
The Shrouds carbon filter vibration.
The shapes of the bases and Shrouds increases lateral rigidity.

Fork: Carbon
It combines strength, lightness and precision.

Stem: JD 362 to 10 ° (90 to 120 mm) Handlebar: MTB JD 500 to 540 mm
The flat handlebars allow a more upright position, but also more reassuring.

Selle Royal Viper; Seatpost: 27.2 mm diameter aluminum
The seat allows comfortable long rides.

Shifters: Shimano Deore Trigger,
Front Derailleur: Shimano R453;
Rear derailleur: Shimano Sora;
Cassette: FCC MICHE 9v 12X26;
Crankset: Shimano FC453 50/39/30;
Chain: KMC Z9000
Controllers "trigger" for ease, speed and accuracy.
27 speed perfectly calibrated to help even the beginner cyclist to find their rhythm without forcing.

Pedals automatic.

Rims: Flat; Hubs: Aero 32; Rays: round 32; Tires:
All
Btwin
wheels + tires ensures excellent road holding.
Tires in section 25 provide more comfort.

A powerful progressive braking and reassuring.
Appropriate levers allow a good grip and a mix of easy braking.


Matthew

Initialised

Nice but...

Does it come with drops and discs?

matt@theforce

By drops do you mean quick release wheels? If so 'yes', discs 'no' its an entry level road bike with flat bars rather than a hybrid. It suits me as when I use it for my commute I rarely see much ttrtaffic as I leave home at 5am and don't set off home until 18:30-19:00.

bigchiefally

I am seriously looking at the Forme5, was very set on a Giant Rapid till a rubbish experience in my local bike shop and a lack of responses from triton cycles online has made me think about looking elsewhere. (BTW any opinions on the validity of getting a Forme over a Rapid are welcome)

If I do I am going to be fitting a rear mudguard to the post, is that not a simple solution to the mudguard problem or am I missing something?

Also - regarding the wide/narrow tyres thing, very newbie question here, but does the fitting of a 28c tyre really limit winter weather riding? I am not venturing out if there is ice on the roads anyway.

matt@theforce

bigchiefally wrote:

I am seriously looking at the Forme5, was very set on a Giant Rapid till a rubbish experience in my local bike shop and a lack of responses from triton cycles online has made me think about looking elsewhere. (BTW any opinions on the validity of getting a Forme over a Rapid are welcome)

If I do I am going to be fitting a rear mudguard to the post, is that not a simple solution to the mudguard problem or am I missing something?

Also - regarding the wide/narrow tyres thing, very newbie question here, but does the fitting of a 28c tyre really limit winter weather riding? I am not venturing out if there is ice on the roads anyway.

Clamping a mudguard to the seat post is an option.

The Rapid3 looks to be of comparable spec to the Forme5 but more money. Your best bet is to get to the shops and try them for size as they probably feel different to ride as the geometry is probably different.

Road tyre's is a new area for me and as I understand it a 28c tyre is wider than a 23c and will allow you to get something the a few more grooves for getting rid of rainwater therefore giving you better traction in the wet weather. You might be able to buy a more multi purpose tyre in the 23c but I've not got around to researching tyres yet.

matt@theforce

Bit of an update

This morning I picked up my Forme5 and after a few tweaks I was out on my maiden voyage. It feels so light compared to my MTB's and is very comfy ride (even on 23C tyres).

My biggest shock was my 1st climb, I do this route regulaly on my MTB and never have any issues with the climb's however with this bike's lowest gear 30 - 25 it was tough and I had to stop several times on my ride during the climbs as my legs were burning and my asthma was out of control but I made the 16mile route in the wind 8) . Its taking a bit of time getting to grips of not having hydrolic disc brakes but these have supprised me how well they work.

I'm looking forward to getting out on it again tomorrow and then a day of rest before I commute to work and back on saturday.

I've commuted in both directions a few times now on my hardtail mtb and much prefer the route home through Outibridge as its a bit more sheltered and a little quicker than the other route but with a commute time of 1h 28m on the mtb I'm not sure just how much more I can knock off my route (especially with this gearing and the stops on the hills).

The bike itself is very well put together and I'm chuffed to bits with it and have lowered the handle bars since the below pictures, I've not yet fitted my Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres and will continue to run with the current slicks for a little while.






If you are considering a road bike and coming from an MTB I highly recommend one of these and since I first looked at the Forme5 they have reduced its price again and its currently £399 which IMO is an absolute bargain
Matthew

MichaelW

Can you fit Marathon Plus and mudguards under those brakes?

matt@theforce

MichaelW wrote:

Can you fit Marathon Plus and mudguards under those brakes?

Time will tell. I plan to fit the Marathon Plus next week sometime (only going upto a 25C) I was advised by the Decathlon Bike Mechanic that the widest tyre you can fit is a 28C and mudguards would be difficult to source but I shall be buying some later in the year to continue commuting into/through the winter when possible.
I'll either keep this thread updated or will start a new build thread to keep track of any changes which will be found in my signature with what fits & doesn't fit

Matthew

graeme_s-2

matt@theforce wrote:

Road tyre's is a new area for me and as I understand it a 28c tyre is wider than a 23c and will allow you to get something the a few more grooves for getting rid of rainwater therefore giving you better traction in the wet weather. You might be able to buy a more multi purpose tyre in the 23c but I've not got around to researching tyres yet.

You don't ever want grooves or knobbles on a road bike tyre (unless you're using it off road). Grooves on car tyres are to stop a car aquaplaning in the wet, a bicycle cannot aquaplane (the tyres are too high pressure and too narrow for aquaplaning to be an issue at the relatively low speeds a bicycle travels at). Grooves simply reduce the amount of rubber you're putting on the road for a tyre of a given width, this will reduce your grip in both the wet and the dry.

For more info, read this:

http://sheldonbrown.com/tyres.html#tread

Hope you enjoy your new bike, very nice looking for the money .

matt@theforce

MichaelW wrote:

Can you fit Marathon Plus and mudguards under those brakes?

I've now fitted my Marathon Plus 25c tyres and they are a tight fit but only when removing/fitting the rear wheel as the wheel skewer gets stuck on the rear mech.
Mudguards, I'm not sure I'll find any to fit, I shall keep looking but I think for now I'll use my Hardtail for commutes in the rain

Graeme_S wrote:

matt@theforce wrote:

Road tyre's is a new area for me and as I understand it a 28c tyre is wider than a 23c and will allow you to get something the a few more grooves for getting rid of rainwater therefore giving you better traction in the wet weather. You might be able to buy a more multi purpose tyre in the 23c but I've not got around to researching tyres yet.

You don't ever want grooves or knobbles on a road bike tyre (unless you're using it off road). Grooves on car tyres are to stop a car aquaplaning in the wet, a bicycle cannot aquaplane (the tyres are too high pressure and too narrow for aquaplaning to be an issue at the relatively low speeds a bicycle travels at). Grooves simply reduce the amount of rubber you're putting on the road for a tyre of a given width, this will reduce your grip in both the wet and the dry.

For more info, read this:

http://sheldonbrown.com/tyres.html#tread

Hope you enjoy your new bike, very nice looking for the money .

Thanks, that makes sense as I've never seen any road racing done with tyres like the Marathon Plus's.
I've done a few rides on the standard slicks (even in the rain) and found there was nothing wrong with them, my problem is confidence on riding such a narrow tyre, upto now the narrowest tyre I ride on is a 26x1.95.
Having said that I have fitted a set of 25c Marathon Plus tyres as upto 10miles of my 17mile commute can be along the Trans Pennine Trail (un-surfaced & surfaced) so having a little extra protection etc is worth it while I get used to how/where I intend to ride

ps.. I'm enjoying it so far but I do find myself riding past bridleways where I would normally turn onto and thinking about getting offroad and muddy

Gizmo_

Crud Roadracer guards might fit. I'm going to get a set on my CAAD8 at the end of summer.

legacydan

Rather than start a new thread on same topic i thought i would chime in here. I have a Cube hardtail currently and its only used off road, maybe the odd quarterly "cycle to work" day commute. I would like to be able to commute to work on a regular basis(2-3 times per week when possible) to save on fuel costs and keep up the fitness regime. Everyone in work is recommending me to get a road bike and i can easily get one on the bike to work scheme. My main question is, is there any point in getting a hybrid bike if i already have a dedicated mtb. Or is a road bike such as Cube Pelaton, which i have taken and interest to,be the best option for 30km round trip commute and the occasional recreational cycle up some mountainous tarmac roads. Ill be checking out the various options in a local bike shop tomorrow but a lot of the time the don't have one my size(6'4") available to try out.

I know it will probably take a bit of getting used to coming from only ever owning MTB's but i think the road bike would be better option. Or is there any advantages of the hybrids over road bikes?

matt@theforce

IMO a Hybrid seemed like a heavy (flat bar) road bike with the ability to load it up with panniers/mud guards etc etc. I chose a road bike as I don't have much to carry to work as I have a locker and bring my clothes in for the following week when I drive on a night shift.

Since using my road bike I cut my Home to Work commute 8mins and my Work to Home commute has been cut by 20mins (all uphill going home).

Road bikes are vastly different to ride compared to an MTB and I was dissolutioned expecting to be able to ride faster & have higher top speeds but I've found my MTB's still offer me the highest top speed but as the rolling resistance is less on a road bike your average speed is quicker.
I've fitted 25c Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres to my road bike and still take it on some light trails (supprisingly more comfortable than riding on some roads due to poor conditions) and so far without a puncture.

legacydan

so did your B'Twinne come with the flat bars or you changed to them afterwards. Is there anything else you changed on it?

matt@theforce

legacydan wrote:

so did your B'Twinne come with the flat bars or you changed to them afterwards. Is there anything else you changed on it?

Mine came with Flat Bars. The only difference between the Fitness3/Forme5 and the Triban3/Triban5 are the bars, the Fitness/Forme have flat and the Triban's have drop bars.

My only changes to my Forme5 are 25c Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres and a Shimano HG80 11-28t cassette. With commuting around Sheffield and weekend runs into the Peak District I struggled having a 12-25t cassette and find the 11-28t much better for my needs/fitness.

This morning I also altered my route to work slightly and did 7miles on the Trans Pennine Trail (3miles unsurfaced trail and 4miles surfaced trail) and the bike flew along 8)

With 4 weeks of commuting now done and the last 2weeks on the road bike my commute to work time has now dropped by 10mins (as of this morning) now down to 1hr 4min and my commute home is approx 15min quicker down to 1hr 19min although I find it difficult togo straight home without wandering onto a new route for a different ride

scgf

I also have the Forme 5 and am loving it! I have a decent hub-geared mountain bike so was going to keep the Forme 5 for nice weather, but the rain we've been having over the past few days forced me to look at mudguards - otherwise the bike would be very under-used! I had noticed in Decathlon they had a Triban 3 fitted with Crud Raceguards and it looked pretty good. The Raceguards are so slim they don't detract from the lines of the bike. I bought a set from Halfords and fitted them. Had no problems, there's enough clearance with the stock tyres, don't know about the Marathons. Went out for a ride in the rain and got no spray from the tyres at all. Was well pleased :-)