Moving to Hybrid

poddy

Just had my Specialzed Allez Sport 2010 stolen! Anyway, when I look to replace it I will probably go for a Hybrid as I tended to ride with my hands on the top of the bars anyway and I'm more into fitness riding rather than joining any clubs to race etc. I already have a full on MTB so don't want to use that on the road but looking for some suggestions for a good Hybrid, something fairly light, preferably with disc brakes but no suspension. Would be using it for 40-50 miles fitness rides but also intend to do longer, more relaxed day rides as well.

Budget about £650 max.

drays

Boardman Hybrid Comp!

jonomc4

specialized sirrus - I converted mine back to a road bike though

poddy

jonomc4 wrote:

specialized sirrus - I converted mine back to a road bike though

Why was that then?

jonomc4

The only reason was I hate headwinds! - On a hybrid (I have the Sirrus expert) it is a lot more difficult going into winds in my opinion. I get half the amout of resistance with the drop bar - for this reason I wouldn't go for a hybrid again - unless it was just for a quick pop to the shops type bike

GordonH

You need to think carefully about moving to a hybrid. Following an argument with a car, which resulted in my road bike being destroyed, I decided to buy a hybrid (Ridgeback Genesis Day 01), as, like you, I tended to ride with my hands on the bar tops and rarely went into the drops. I found that I just couldn't get used to straight bars, even though I rode the bike for a couple of years. I sold the hybrid and went back to a "proper" bike.

pompeygreg

I have a Sirrus Elite which I was using for short commutes into work, and then tried it on a couple of 50 mile rides. I hated it, and the same as Jonomo4 it was riding into the wind that made it hell. I've bought myself a road bike now and absolutely love the rides.

ForumNewbie

Despite never going on to the drops I think you'll still find a hybrid slower than your road bike, and probably not as comfortable for 40/50 mile rides. Saying that I'm a big hybrid fan and have a Specialized Sirrus Elite, which is a really good hybrid, but I also have road bikes which I prefer for longer rides.

bendertherobot

British Cycling Discount.

Boardman CX

bendertherobot

Hmm, scrub that, they've put them up a lot!

A cross bike would be the better option though, imo.

poddy

Thanks for advice all. Decided to play it safe and have ordered the 2013 Allez Sport. Has different shifters, which was part of the issue with the 2010, when you wanted to shift down you had to us a small lever on the side of the brake lever, the 2013 model is all incorporated in the brake lever/gear change mech.

Thanks

high tower

I have the Boardman Hybrid Comp, good light bike for the type, I run the tyres at 100 psi and find the ride quite smooth unless on really pitted roads when it really does become a bone shaker. In terms of quality this is a really good bike, good brakes they just need adjustment every few weeks nothing major though a little annoying.

The other posters are correct about the wind resistance with the upight position, on a ride of more than an hour and a half I start to get knumb fingers and hands from the crap Edinburgh roads, you may consider a set of bar end extensions which give you a second hand position on the bike and allow a slightly tucked position when battling against the wind. These are also handy for hill climbing. I cannot stress enough how the bar ends add to the comfort and the ability to ride for 2 to 3 hours compared to starting to get uncomfortable after the first hour.

I used to run a lot before taking up cycling about 2 months ago, with the gearing on this bike I have not come across any hills that I have not been able to climb quite easily. As for the general speed take off of the bike it can fairly get cracking straight brought rough the gears to an impressive speed with minimal effort. You will be very surprised.

I thought about changing the tyres, mine are the Vittoria ones, they have been very good in the current bad weather we have been having in Edinburgh, may be not the best but certainly serviceable. Iam up to 1000 miles and no punctures as yet fingers crossed.

apreading

high tower wrote:

I have the Boardman Hybrid Comp, good light bike for the type, I run the tyres at 100 psi and find the ride quite smooth unless on really pitted roads when it really does become a bone shaker.

You should see the roads in Berksrhire - they all make it a bone shaker! I got the team version with carbon forks which helps but also run the tyres a little lower to make things better.

high tower wrote:

The other posters are correct about the wind resistance with the upight position, on a ride of more than an hour and a half I start to get knumb fingers and hands from the crap Edinburgh roads, you may consider a set of bar end extensions which give you a second hand position on the bike and allow a slightly tucked position when battling against the wind. These are also handy for hill climbing. I cannot stress enough how the bar ends add to the comfort and the ability to ride for 2 to 3 hours compared to starting to get uncomfortable after the first hour.

As well as bar ends for a change, if it is that bad after just an hour and a half, I think you should look at your weight distribution and change the grips. The grips that came with mine were very harsh and transmitted all the road buzz to my hands - got some Specialized ergo grips and they are fantastic - the softer rubber cuts out alot of that buzz and the ergo rest for the wrist is really good. But if your hands are that bad so quickly then you might want to shift your saddle rearwards to better distribute your weight - you might be putting too much on your hands and not enough on your seat.

high tower wrote:

I thought about changing the tyres, mine are the Vittoria ones, they have been very good in the current bad weather we have been having in Edinburgh, may be not the best but certainly serviceable. Iam up to 1000 miles and no punctures as yet fingers crossed.

4000 miles on mine and still loving it - also still using the original vittoria tyres - I bought some Conti GP 4 seasons to replace them as I thought they would be poor, but I have got on so well withthe vittoria's that I havent yet gotten around to changing them - no need to...