Which Type of Bike?

Gambler

I'm having problems trying to choose which type of bike is right for me. I have until 30-Sep to choose a bike through a cycle to work scheme.

I have read various guides about how to choose but still can't decide.

I started cycling to keep fit about 6 months ago when I started to pick up more injuries from running. My usual route is about 13 miles which I complete in just under an hour. I try to do this 2/3 times per week which I alternate with going for a run. The route is nearly all country lanes so the surface is not great.

I am currently using an old full suspension mountain bike with big knobbly tyres which is hard work but I am burning more calories and enjoy working up a sweat.

Initially I didn't know whether to go for a hybrid or a road bike.

I popped into Halfords after work the other day and have to admit I preferred the look of the mountain bikes !!

I keep reading people referring to their ‘winter’ bike. Is it the wrong time of year to buy and use an expensive bike?

A few weeks ago I went to a forest and absolutely loved it. My 7 year old son found it hard going but as he gets older I’m sure we will be doing some off roading together.

Pros of mountain bike:
1. Comfortable upright position.
2. The lanes I use are not great and full of holes etc. so the suspension helps here.
3. I can also go off road.
Cons:
1. Hard going when riding into the wind.
2. Slower than a road/hybrid.

I had been looking at road bikes around the £600 mark, Defy 5, Specialized Allez etc. Then I thought about the the Carrera TDF and Vulcan from Halfords, hence having two bikes for roughly the same price.

Now I’m wondering whether I should just try and fix my current bike, (needs new pedals and the gears don’t work properly) and maybe use thinner tyres?

I could then maybe use the scheme next year when I’ve had more time to decide what I really need.

Apologies for the long post, any advice much appreciated.

arran77

Seeing as you asked this in 'road buying advice' you'll probably get more people suggesting a road bike over a mountain bike even though there are some of us who ride both

A mountain bike will no doubt be more comfortable but you do get used to the road position and you can get a bike that has a more relaxed geometry.

It depends a lot also on where you think you'll do most riding really, you say that the roads around you are country roads which are not very good, that's the case for me too but I'm happy to ride a road bike along them, even my best bike People refer to 'winter' or 'wet' bikes because many people who have expensive road bikes would simply rather not ride them during the worst of the weather and so have another bike for this reason but that's not to say that a road bike is only for good weather.

If like you say though you think a lot of your riding in the future will be forest type roads then a road bike will not be best suited.

You really need to decide which type of bike is best going to meet your needs as unfortunately one bike is unlikely to do all

simonhead

You may want to consider a CX bike, possibly the closest you are going to get to a compromise.

Wheelspinner

Alternative suggestion: get a second set of lighter wheels for your MTB, and fit slicks, or at least light tread skinny tyres. You should get a set with brake disc rotors in same size and a (similar) cassette already fitted so it's a 30 second swap for your off-road wheels. I'd recommend Continental Sport Contact tyres, 26*1.4 or similar width. Fast rolling rubber for an MTB.

Stans rims are a good choice, from Merlin or somewhere, can be quite reasonable for good quality wheels you can keep even if you upgrade the MTB later on.

Run those tyres at 60 - 70 PSI and you'll be surprised how much quicker it is. No, it won't be as fast as a proper road bike, but should be a lot better than grinding away on your current one.

maddog 2

My advice is to get one bike for the road, and a different bike for off-road.

If you try and get one bike that can do both it'll be fairly rubbish at both.

As for a 'road' bike or a hybrid, it depends what ergonomics you prefer. Boardman do some decent flat bar and drop bar options (road and CX versions)