Advice-buy road bike or hybrid

dinneenp

Hi,
thinking of buying a new bike for road cycling (mainly leisure but also the odd 'long/charity cycle' (<100km). Budget undecided but probably max €500 or so (is flexible though).I don't cycle much these days (have family, baby, lazy etc.)

Choices are either a sporty hybrid (something like the Specialized Sirrus http://www.bikescene.co.uk/moreinfo.php?variation=1266&sale=0 ) or a proper road bike (haven't even looked at particular models yet). I'd consider new or 2nd hand, internet purchase etc. (bought from Edinburgh Cycles before and very happy)

Deep down I know that a road bike is probably the proper choice BUT my heart says a hybrid. My logic is that a hybrid is still light but has a more comfortable riding position, has brakes&gears on handlebars so it's easier for leisure cycling.Just to clarify (added after a few replies)- I know a road bike has gears/brakes on the 'drop' area of the handlebar but a hybrid will have them on the horizontal area. As far as I know only cyclocross or very cheap road bikes have them on horizontal and drop area)

Any advice? If I get a road bike will I become use to it within a week and love it- what experience do ye have?



Cheers,
Pa.

penexpers

On the longer cycles you'll appreciate the extra positions that road handlebars offer. Or you could try moustache handlebars.

kenmc

I convered my 'hybrid' (road bike with skinny tires, road drivetrain, flat bars - giant FCR) to drops, as I'm doing the W200. Loving it. Loved it as a flat bar beast too though.

Morgan

A road bike with drop bars will also have brakes and gears on the bars. It'll also be perfectly comfortable if it fits you properly, particularly on long spins.

I did the Maracycle and the Border Trex, on a hybrid, and finished it, no problem, but was also completly wrecked afterwards,
it's a hellava lot easier on a road bike.
The main difference, is you can tag along at the back of a group, and get pulled along, and do a good speed, I found it impossible to keep up on the hybrid.

blorg

A road bike is more suited to the longer cycles, but <100km is certainly do-able on a hybrid. There are the extra hand positions and also the ability to get down low in the wind which is certainly useful in this country. You can make good progress in the sort of headwinds you would be killed by on a flat bar.

Regarding the brakes/gears, the default riding position for most is "on the drops" (see this for an idea) and the drops are not used as often as you might think. You can shift and brake fine from this position, you don't need to be in the drops. I know I am more comfortable with my hands spending most of the time in a palm-vertical position rather than horizontal, and three of the four positons on drops are so.

But ultimately a hybrid is a perfectly valid choice for what you describe above; honestly you need to test ride to see which you are most comfortable on. Moustache bars are certainly an option but again make sure to try them; I did and didn't like them at all. If you do get a hybrid get bar ends which will give you more hand positions and are particularly good for climbing.

The Specialized Sirrus is a very nice hybrid, I have one myself which I eventually ended up converting to drops (note don't buy with this plan in mind, the conversion was not cheap.)

€500 would not buy a lot in terms of a road bike, you would need to go second-hand or online (you could get a decent entry-level machine at this price second-hand, or just about, online.) Aim for Sora and STI levers as a minimum. Things like the Giant SCR 3 or Trek 1000 would be good options.

kincsem

I have a Specialised Sirrus and two road bikes (bought later). Road bike!

milod

kincsem wrote: »

I have a Specialised Sirrus and two road bikes (bought later). Road bike!

Me too (Sirrus) and now thinking of a road bike... The Sirrus is great for commuting, but I only do short runs (30k-ish) and even that can be hard on the back/hands - the riding position and frame geometry isn't designed for lengthy trips - I'd get a proper road bike if you're thinking of doing any sort of distance.

dinneenp

What would ye think of these- as bikes, value?

Trek 1000, 3 years old for €300
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=48770&cat=52


(this one don't think I'll bid for but just out of interest like to know what people think)
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=49741&cat=fav

The Sirrus seems very hard to get 2nd hand; anyone know where's best place to look?

blorg

There is particularly nothing wrong with the frame geometry on the Sirrus for longer cycles, if anything it is more relaxed than a road bike. The flat handlebars will present more of an issue.

That Trek 1000 is very good value indeed if it fits you.

franglan

Just bought the trek 1000 now,

blorg

You got a cracker of a deal, I would have been going for that myself had it not been in Galway.

franglan

Ya he wanted 350,gave him 330, the bike is very clean, also selling this to a bike shop for 200 quid tomorrow,


http://cgi.ebay.ie/VENTURA-ROAD-RACING-TRI-BIKE-LIGHTWEIGHT-24-Spd-54cm_W0QQitemZ130212025361QQihZ003QQcategoryZ33503QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem