Upgrading Hybrid

nacnudsmada
nacnudsmada Posts: 55
edited November 2012 in Commuting general
HI All
I am after some advice please
I brought a Hybrid Carerra off e-bay last year, i've just started to use it after being stored all year! my plan is to get fit enough to start commuting to work - 10miles each way

i need to get it services as the chain keeps slipping but. i am wounding if it would be better to upgrade to a road bike or up date my hybrid.
If i put road wheels on would it be better for commuting/road fitness
adding more gears - would this help?

If you think just an upgrade to a road bike are they any good makes to look out for as i don't have much money to shell out on top of the range

Thanks
Dunc

Comments

  • craker
    craker Posts: 1,739
    Well it all comes down to cash. You may as well start by making the best job of what you've got and then deciding that you're committed to your commute.
    - When you say the chain keeps slipping, do you mean the gears aren't very well indexed (they don't change very cleanly and rattle and jump about) or when you apply some force to the pedals, the chain seems to skip on the gears?
    If the former, it's not too hard a fix (eg http://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html). If the latter, your gears are worn and they need replacing (£75 + on parts and a bike shop will add labour onto that).

    It's not possible to change wheel sizes on bikes, so to make the best of what you've got get some good quality narrow slick tyres and pump them up hard (80 psi or so). That'll make your bike fly along. Not literally, of course. :wink:

    If you decide it's beyond economical repair then .. how much cash are we talking? I do a ten mile commute 5 days per week, mostly on a cheapish road bike with mudguards. For example this dolan comes in at £700. I'm mighty tempted to get one myself.
  • daddy0
    daddy0 Posts: 686
    Wotcha

    I did the same thing as you earlier this year; I bought a second hand hybrid (£150), left it for a couple of months then grew some and started commuting. Very soon after I started I put slick Gatorskin tyres (£70 with new tubes) on it and pumped them up to 120psi - made a massive difference to the ride. MUCH faster, less effort etc...

    Same as you; my chain kept slipping. So I bought a new chain (£8), cassette (£15), cassette removal tool (£5) and chain whip (£5). Fixed it but then the freewheel started going too - took it to the shop for that (£30). Whilst I was changing the cassette I also changed the forks from suspension to some cheap rigid CX forks (£70), and put some new pedals on it (£20).

    After doing all this I had a pretty decent bike, but I'd also spent the equivalent of a brand new bike. Only, there are still parts that will wear out at some point soon - axles, bottom bracket, headset, cables etc etc....

    So if I were you I'd either:
    - spend as little as possible getting your second hand bike working, i.e. new tyres, chain and cassette (say about £100), and then buy a decent new bike as soon as you can afford one - that way you'll have 2 bikes, use the old hybrid for rainy days and your new bike for nice days/weekend rides.
    --Or--
    - sell the old hybrid and use the money to buy a nice new road bike.

    BTW - after a few months of commuting on the hybrid I got the bug and have just bought a proper road bike. If your journey to work is quite flat I'd recommend just going for the road bike asap. If like me you have big hills in your way then riding a hybrid with lots of gears will help you build up some fitness before you attempt a hill climb with a harder gear ratio.
    https://cyclejames.wordpress.com/
  • nacnudsmada
    nacnudsmada Posts: 55
    Hi Thanks both for your replay,
    My gears slip when i apply some force.ill will pop in to my local bike shop and price a few things up.
    Sadly my budget is small less 400 in fact prop less than that. But i think as you both say i will spend a little on this to get me started and then once i have the cash buy a good bike.
    Thanks
    Dunc
  • nacnudsmada
    nacnudsmada Posts: 55
    if i go for new tyres are they ant make you can recommend to buy/keep away

    Daddy0 - would you be able to tell me what bike you when for?

    Ive been suggested to look at a Barracuda any advice?
    Rgds
  • cookeeemonster
    cookeeemonster Posts: 1,991
    if you want a cheap but great new road bike then the decathalon triban 3 comes in at £300 - just do a search on these boards for how highly rated they are for the price
  • daddy0
    daddy0 Posts: 686
    nacnudsmada wrote:
    if i go for new tyres are they ant make you can recommend to buy/keep away

    Continental Gatorskins seem to be pretty tough. Give them a try.
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18800
    nacnudsmada wrote:
    Daddy0 - would you be able to tell me what bike you when for?
    The old second hand bike I got was a 2006 Scott Sportster P4 - reasonably light aluminium frame.
    The new bike I just got is a Felt F5, its loverly:
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f5-105-2012/
    You don't need something this expensive, although if I were you I'd be looking at spending at least £500 to get something good.
    nacnudsmada wrote:
    Ive been suggested to look at a Barracuda any advice?
    Rgds

    Sorry, don't know about Barracuda bikes.
    https://cyclejames.wordpress.com/
  • nacnudsmada
    nacnudsmada Posts: 55
    Nice!!
    Thank you I think I have. Few things to sort!
    Rgds
    Dunc
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    nacnudsmada wrote:
    if i go for new tyres are they ant make you can recommend to buy/keep away

    Daddy0 - would you be able to tell me what bike you when for?

    Ive been suggested to look at a Barracuda any advice?
    Rgds

    get to decathlon and get a Triban,

    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

    Or alternatively have a look at the Carerra in my Signature its for sale if you want. :)
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • nacnudsmada
    nacnudsmada Posts: 55
    Thanks would live to but i dont think i can offred it!
    i think I'll upgrade my current bike until I get into it!
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    Ok,

    Few Questions?

    What bike is it that you bought? Subway? Gryphon?

    What sort of Commute do you have? and do you have any other goals?

    The above will depend on the advise to give.
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • nacnudsmada
    nacnudsmada Posts: 55
    It's subway
    The commute will be about 10mile along canel paths and roads
    I'm trying to loose weight also - but before I start my commute I am aiming to get fit enough to do it in under 1hr!
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    First bit of advice,

    Don't wait, start straight away. Even if it means bike to work, train or whatever home. As winter is drawing in you will keep finding excuses. 10 flat miles will easily be doable in an hour.

    2nd Bit - Sort out the gears yourself youtube is your friend here

    clicky

    Also pretty much everything you need to know about maintenence is here:

    http://sheldonbrown.com/

    3rd - Get some semi - slicks (26" wheels i assume on the subway) this will will help you imensly and will be fine for light trails and road use.

    Something like these Tyres

    If you like it and continue then upgrade as you go. Basically its a money pit...but you'll love it.
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • nacnudsmada
    nacnudsmada Posts: 55
    Thank you I'm working on the gears tomorrow and looking into slicks!
    Looking forward to it!!
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    nacnudsmada wrote:
    Thank you I'm working on the gears tomorrow and looking into slicks!
    Looking forward to it!!

    How did you get on with the fettleing?
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • nacnudsmada
    nacnudsmada Posts: 55
    How did you get on with the fettleing?[/quote]

    Not to bad Thanks, The gears still slip as i apply force but I've only been out for short ride since i fettled and now my back wheel as a wiggle so off to by a spoke key and will carry on.
    I brought some slicks so getting there!

    i am starting to get a little worried as i think i am becoming addicted, i have even started bidding on bikes for my wife and then it will be a seat for my daughter... Then i will have to have a new bike and then............... is there a cure?!?
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    nacnudsmada wrote:
    How did you get on with the fettleing?

    Not to bad Thanks, The gears still slip as i apply force but I've only been out for short ride since i fettled and now my back wheel as a wiggle so off to by a spoke key and will carry on.
    I brought some slicks so getting there!

    i am starting to get a little worried as i think i am becoming addicted, i have even started bidding on bikes for my wife and then it will be a seat for my daughter... Then i will have to have a new bike and then............... is there a cure?!?[/quote]

    There is no cure I am afraid - its a slippery slope now...

    Don't be scared though and embrace it, as to the fettling. Carry on, bikes are pretty simple really, there isn't allot to go wrong.
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • nacnudsmada
    nacnudsmada Posts: 55
    Ill enjoy the rid then.
    Took us a few hours with wife and daughter sat around my back wheel - Its not 100% but better then was...... IS the a new Saturday entertainment...

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