Sssshhh, it's the new guy!

rubertoe

get a CX bike.

cyclingprop

rubertoe wrote:

get a CX bike.

But don't forget to budget for a cape.

tailwindhome

cyclingprop wrote:

rubertoe wrote:

get a CX bike.

But don't forget to budget for a cape.

Jimmy Saville wore a cape (allegedly)

rubertoe

So did Christopher Reid - worked out well for them both.

rubertoe

So did Christopher Reid - worked out well for them both.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Where'd the OP go? He's got questions to answer, and the townsfolk are gettin' restless...

UndercoverElephant

Greg66 wrote:

Where'd the OP go? He's got questions to answer, and the townsfolk are gettin' restless...

*Slowly sharpens pitchfork.*

Anonymous

mtb general

supersonic

Many seem to be pigeonholing hybrids - they vary so much that you have to look at the model in question. I can quite understand why some people do not want drop bars, I use a flat barred bike on the road and I am no slower than an equivalent weight road bike (especially with bar ends set in the centre) and much prefer the handling.

If you do not want a road bike, but do want a light, well equipped sporty hybrid that is designed more towards the road then for a good price then consider the Carrera Gryphon:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65534#tab2

This is only 0.2kg heavier than the Carrera TDF.

tailwindhome

Was wondering when the hybrid apologist would turn up.


Any thoughts on Decathlon's lower priced stuff?

supersonic

Lol, the Forme looks really good, but not seen many in the UK. The on the UK website looks a bit poor.

http://www.decathlon.fr/velo-route-btwi ... nformation

bigmat

supersonic wrote:

I am no slower than an equivalent weight road bike (especially with bar ends set in the centre) and much prefer the handling.

You might be no slower, but most people would be - otherwise you'd see flat barred bikes in road races. Still, speed isn't everything (apparently...)

supersonic

Road races are somewhat different, they don't use tri bars, which is the more aero position. With my own bike, with centre tri bars and/or bar ends, I get the opportunity for a very efficient position when needed, and the improved handling of a wider bar through traffic.

UndercoverElephant

supersonic wrote:

Road races are somewhat different, they don't use tri bars, which is the more aero position. With my own bike, with centre tri bars and/or bar ends, I get the opportunity for a very efficient position when needed, and the improved handling of a wider bar through traffic.

But you don't have brakes/gear shifters on Tri-bars, nor really on bar-ends. That would make it worse in traffic than any road bike to me.

supersonic

Depends on the traffic, I get on the bars for longer stretches, and for tight busy areas, back on the normal flats. When I need to be quick I can be, and at lower speed through busy congested areas where aero is not as important I can handle the bike nicely. Works well for me, and have seen it replicated quite a bit! I like the option of a wider bar, plus I have extra hand positions.

bigmat

supersonic wrote:

Road races are somewhat different, they don't use tri bars, which is the more aero position. With my own bike, with centre tri bars and/or bar ends, I get the opportunity for a very efficient position when needed, and the improved handling of a wider bar through traffic.

I can see how that might work.

rjsterry

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

Where'd the OP go? He's got questions to answer, and the townsfolk are gettin' restless...

*Slowly sharpens pitchfork.*

I think us lot revisiting the hybrid vs. road bike 'debate' - we're like a couple having a row in front of the new next door neighbour who's just popped round to introduce himself; "no *darling*, I *think* you'll find that hybrids..." - may have scared him off.

bigmat

Spot on RJ, but I've missed these kind of pointless debates! Back in the day it was all we ever talked about, well that and red light jumping...

Kieran_Burns

BigMat wrote:

Spot on RJ, but I've missed these kind of pointless debates! Back in the day it was all we ever talked about, well that and red light jumping...

and helmets....

Hey who was that knobhead apologist who came on here pretending to be his daughter?

DonDaddyD

Now most have been there. Your first bike, you dip your toe. You've got no concept of the thousands you'll be spending in a years time so you spend £300 on a hybrid because right there and then that's a lot of money - even more so when you realise its not a lot of bike - and your new, young, and a virgin.

You ride it, you like it and cycling becomes your thing. You've had a bike between your legs so now the die is cast: MTBer, Roadie, both or a CXer (which can be found in the specialist section of Soho's Harmony).

Asexuals choose hybrids. Who opens the bike magazine and flicks past road bikes, MTBs and the 'specialist/alternate section' and onto Hybrids?

You do that because...

You're the type of person who hates his Step Dad because at night he makes your Mum scream in a way that you Dad never could. You don't like the smell of petrol and don't get excited about putting premium hi-octane jungle juice petrol into your car. You don't feel slightly aroused at the words 'hi-octane jungle juice'. You're the type of guy who slows down when approaching lights even though they are clearly green. You've never been above 70mph. You actually believe slow and steady wins the race. You think Han Solo didn't shoot first. You go to bed next to your girlfriend/boyfriend/partner/bike wearing a vest and PJs. The words 'big ring' has no hidden meaning to you. You buy 'Extra Safe' condoms (possibly even hi-viz) as oppose to 'Rough Rider', 'Ribbed', 'Featherlight' or banana flavoured 'Buck Wild Joe'. You don't find the words 'Buck Wild Joe', in the context of sex, even remotely funny. AND Its not that you like the wife going on top but that you like being underneath her all the friggen time.

That's why Hybrid's exist, for the wrong'uns in this World.

There its been said.

I don't see Robin Moore making a song about Hybrids

Performance

Or

Get Dirty

Or

Le Velo

You choose.

gerroffandmilkit

Greg66 wrote:

Where'd the OP go? He's got questions to answer, and the townsfolk are gettin' restless...

Still with you guys, small matter of having to go to work!!!

Thanks ever so for the many replies. I think I struck a nerve and reopened (unknown to me) a touchy subject. Sorry!!!
Reading the many replies there is argument for both. Must admit, the road bike argument is certainly worth considering, especially as it opens up the weekend longer run opportunities.
The hybrid argument wins on the short commute situation but I was a bit concerned to read about wrist ache on longer rides.

About me:
Mid 40's, short arse with a 29 - 30" inside leg. Love handles but not much overweight. Quite fit and flexible for age. I'm a 2 to 3 stairs at a time fella and always run up 'em!
Budget wise. This is where it gets difficult. The missus reckons I'm having another mid life whim and is very loathe for me to spend anything if it was up to her. Gotta admit, I intend getting into cycling for the ride to work and relatively shortish rides on the weekend (20 - 30k)
Liking the idea of 2nd hand just in case it doesn't turn out to be as much fun as I thought it would. Therefore, looking at as low as possible to try before I buy an upgrade. Is there anything available worthwhile around the £100 to £200 mark to get the ball rolling.
To settle both sides............ road or hybrid bike.

DonDaddyD

Massive Edit: I just did an e-bay search and at a glance seems to be quite a few bikes from the 2008 - 2010 (the golden era) going for that price. At £200 most anything new is going to feel like a pig in iron.

If you got 500notes (£500) a new Specialized Allez would be a good starting point.

Failing that if you can up the budget to the £320 - £350 mark a Carerra Subway would be your hybrid option. BUT for £200 more you would get so much more bike with the Specialized Allez. And if you've got a mate who knows bikes a secondhand one may also be a better option.

Or even this: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_ ... ctFeatures (look how much more bike you get - Carbon fork, carbon... mmmmm.

dhope

How short a short arse?

Okay, so road bike, upto £200. £300 at a push (sorry, did I make that up? You'll save it in a month on travel).

Anonymous

An old steel beater from ebay. Do it up as you go, you'll learn a lot and its perfect for your needs.

flimflam_machine

gerroffandmilkit wrote:

The hybrid argument wins on the short commute situation but I was a bit concerned to read about wrist ache on longer rides.

Bar ends will help. I'd also add that since your commute is uphill all the way back, you may appreciate hybrid gearing on the way home. Road bike gearing may be a bit to long when you're getting into cycling, give it a few months and see whether you think you can switch.

The missus reckons I'm having another mid life whim and is very loathe for me to spend anything if it was up to her. Gotta admit, I intend getting into cycling for the ride to work and relatively shortish rides on the weekend (20 - 30k)
Liking the idea of 2nd hand just in case it doesn't turn out to be as much fun as I thought it would. Therefore, looking at as low as possible to try before I buy an upgrade. Is there anything available worthwhile around the £100 to £200 mark to get the ball rolling.

Like I said, a second hand, decent quality hybrid will be a good taster, you'll have to hunt on eBay since many are pickup only and I have no idea where you live (for example you could put a more sensible stenm on this and it would be fine - probably). I'd then put all the money that you save on buses or petrol (or whatever you currently use to get to work) in a savings account and, if you enjoy it, sell the hybrid in the spring and put all the cash towards a nice new bike of your choice.

...and ignore the bizarre ramblings of DDD.

DonDaddyD

flimflam_machine wrote:

Like I said, a second hand, decent quality hybrid will be a good taster, you'll have to hunt on eBay since many are pickup only and I have no idea where you live (for example you could put a more sensible stenm on this and it would be fine - probably). I'd then put all the money that you save on buses or petrol (or whatever you currently use to get to work) in a savings account and, if you enjoy it, sell the hybrid in the spring and put all the cash towards a nice new bike of your choice.

...and ignore the bizarre ramblings of DDD.

What would be the point of that if he can simply buy a second hand road bike or an OK road bike from £300 (note the link to the Decathlon bike).

Why go through the hassle and cost of time of buying a hybrid only to sell it 6 months down the line for probably less than half the money he bought it for. That's hybrid logic right there. It is not a prerequisite that to enter the cycling world you must first buy a hybrid.

supersonic

Nor is it that you must have a road bike.

pangolin

DonDaddyD wrote:

flimflam_machine wrote:

Like I said, a second hand, decent quality hybrid will be a good taster, you'll have to hunt on eBay since many are pickup only and I have no idea where you live (for example you could put a more sensible stenm on this and it would be fine - probably). I'd then put all the money that you save on buses or petrol (or whatever you currently use to get to work) in a savings account and, if you enjoy it, sell the hybrid in the spring and put all the cash towards a nice new bike of your choice.

...and ignore the bizarre ramblings of DDD.

What would be the point of that if he can simply buy a second hand road bike or an OK road bike from £300 (note the link to the Decathlon bike).

Why go through the hassle and cost of time of buying a hybrid only to sell it 6 months down the line for probably less than half the money he bought it for. That's hybrid logic right there. It is not a prerequisite that to enter the cycling world you must first buy a hybrid.

+1

Although more likely it will end up just sitting in a shed / locked up outside than being sold, so even worse.

DonDaddyD

supersonic wrote:

Nor is it that you must have a road bike.

No you could go MTB. Or if you want to be a proper 'Dutch' commuter a Brompton if you must.

Having owned a hybrid I don't see the point of them. My Giant Escape M2 - had the Giant XTC (I think frame). The cromloy fork made it fairly stupid to ride on anything but light trails - where the slick road tyres were no good and no fun. I could feel the vibrations through the whole bike.

The bike was ok on the road but not as effective as a road bike. Up Denmark hill was bitch. I tried the FCR, the flat bar version of the SCR, but the upright position of what is an upright frame meant the bike was great in a straight line but not as nimble or as sure footed when filtering as the road bike version.

Hybrids are a compromise and the things they strip away to make the compromise (suspension/drop bars) are IMO essential to truly enjoy that type of riding. And there are better utilitarian bikes.

roger_merriman

gerroffandmilkit wrote:

said stuff

I'd try to raise the budget at tad to maybe £300-£400 since the £200-£300 new will be vering closer to the cheap/nasty end of the market. ie cheap lumpy drive chain etc

30 to 20 miles would be quite doable on any bike.

Flat bars need not be hard on your hands rather depends on well stuff, the biggest being your self, most folks are fine, some are though not.

this said for most folks drops are more fun/comftable for a road going bike.

In spite of being a MTBer if your aspiration is for 20/30 mile road rides then i'd suggest looking at some road bikes.