Hybrid bike for the daily commute

wannabe7a

brian77 wrote: »

Hi Mate,

I just bought a La pierre sharper 700 2011, great great great bicycle!

My budget!

tomasrojo

Civilian_Target wrote: »

I was on an upright hybrid as a commuter for years, and moved to a tourer with drops... what a difference! Far from being fragile, the tourer is a much harder bike, and more comfortable too. The rims are narrower, so it takes 28mm instead of 35mm tyres, which means it feels a bit bumpier on the road, but overall, I wouldn't switch back to upright handlebars.

Get a bike with drops, you won't regret it!

I'm very glad I got a tourer. Great for carrying loads, more comfortable than a hybrid and tougher too, as you said. Hybrids really don't carry loads all that well (though better than racing bike).

You can fit larger tyres to most tourers. Mine came with 700x32, I think, but I switched to 700x28.

The wheels are tough too, with 36 spokes instead of a hybrid's 32. (I think I'm correct in saying that. Someone will correct me, I'm sure!)

wannabe7a

Okay. I made the decision and I am going for the Specialized Sirrus Elite.

Probably a road bike would be the best for the serious commute but I only need to do 22km a day. Beside I will need to have the pannier and bags hanging from the bike. I did not come across many road bikes having this on the bikes. I did not see many brands: only saw Trek which is not really appealing, Giant, Felt, Form. Though the Trek 7.5 looked okay enough but that was a bit on the expensive side for almost EUR 1,000. I saw one particular Giant which seemed okay but in the end I went for the Specialized Sirrus Elite. It has enough speed and is comfy enough. I hope it will meet my expectations on durability/reliability.

Thanks for all the feedback.

wannabe7a

blorg wrote: »

The Sirrus is a nice bike, I had one myself but eventually converted it to drops. I wouldn't rule out drops, my point is you can get a drop bar bike that will take wide tyres, mudguards and a rack, and will as or more durable than any hybrid. While also being faster and more comfortable over longer distances. Skinny-tyred racers are not the only drop bar option.

I changed my mind and I will go for a road bike. I got the point! Just looking for a bike that takes wide tyres and a rack. Do you think the Giant Defy 3 is okay? I want to stay below the 1,000 euros all together. Thanks all for convincing me!

DonalK1981

wannabe7a wrote: »

I changed my mind and I will go for a road bike. I got the point! Just looking for a bike that takes wide tyres and a rack. Do you think the Giant Defy 3 is okay? I want to stay below the 1,000 euros all together. Thanks all for convincing me!

Friend is selling his Defy 4, for 450. Think it's a large one!

wannabe7a

DonalK1981 wrote: »

Friend is selling his Defy 4, for 450. Think it's a large one!

Thanks for letting me know, but the Defy 3 will be cheaper than that with the bike to work scheme.

Black Bloc

Hard to find a road bike that will take wide tires. One of the reasons I like the hybrid and cyclorcoss types. The Lapierre hybrid (Onyx) comes with mudguards and back spring rack. Good solid bike. I have one.

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=38653

wannabe7a

Black Bloc wrote: »

Hard to find a road bike that will take wide tires. One of the reasons I like the hybrid and cyclorcoss types. The Lapierre hybrid (Onyx) comes with mudguards and back spring rack. Good solid bike. I have one.

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=38653

Yeah, I noticed. I went yesterday to one of the bike shops to inform about the Defy 3, but the widest tyres it takes was 25 mm (I think, I am not familiar with tyres). For me it did not seem that much different compared to normal road bike tyres.

droidus

You should look for something that takes 28 or higher. Maybe a tourer as Blorg mentioned? If I was getting a second bike thats what Id go for.

Lumen

Most 28s seem to be a good bit narrower than 28mm, at least the racy ones do. Haven't measured the height, maybe that varies more.

I don't think 28s feel that much different to 25s, not night and day anyway.

28 to 32 is a much bigger step up.

smacl

blorg wrote: »

Note many cross bikes will come with two sets of brake levers so you still have them with your hands on the tops.

A drop bar bike will be faster due to the position of the rider- by far the greatest force you have to overcome on the road is air resistance. But obviously you would need to be comfortable with that position.

Any recommendations for a drop bar bike with two sets of brake levers that would also hand light off road / forest track cycling? I've been using a Kellys flat bar hybrid for the last year, and like the wider tyres and general versatility, but would like to transition to drops for greater comfort on longer spins and maybe a bit less wind resistance.

Lumen

smacl wrote: »

Any recommendations for a drop bar bike with two sets of brake levers that would also hand light off road / forest track cycling? I've been using a Kellys flat bar hybrid for the last year, and like the wider tyres and general versatility, but would like to transition to drops for greater comfort on longer spins and maybe a bit less wind resistance.

I cycle on the Phoenix Park "trails" on a road bike, with anything from 23 to 28mm tyres. That probably classifies as "light off road" - just a few smallish tree roots to negotiate. I'd no doubt be faster on a mountain bike (which I don't have) or cross bike with 35mm tyres (which I do have, but don't want to commute on 35mm tyres and can't be bothered swapping all the time), but it's not safe to go at race pace there anyway.

Black Bloc

smacl wrote: »

Any recommendations for a drop bar bike with two sets of brake levers that would also hand light off road / forest track cycling? I've been using a Kellys flat bar hybrid for the last year, and like the wider tyres and general versatility, but would like to transition to drops for greater comfort on longer spins and maybe a bit less wind resistance.

I bought a Giant TCX2 on Tuesday. I have only knocked up 60km but it seems OK. In an ideal world I would have afforded a Ridley or similar. I am riding country roads - some of the bohereens are more like tracks than asphalt. Mine came with Kenda brand tires. They seem a bit more 'rubbery' than Schwable tyres but get good reviews on the web. What swung me behind the Giant was the width of the bars. I am broad shouldered and heavy and a wide bar was a must (I reckon they are 44cm).

Bray Header

Hey all -

I've just bought this bike (on a bit of a whim really,on bike to work), because I've always wanted a hybrid and fancy cycling to work (about 15k).

I haven't cycled regularly in about 10 years, and am completely out of touch with developments, and was wondering can anybody help, and advise if I should be looking to upgrade any of this kit?

SKU:
Brand: Giant
If you are looking for a fast moving. sporty bike, ready for the cross town commute then look no further.
Frame: AluxX SL aluminium
Fork: Carbon composite, aluminium steerer
Handlebar: Giant Sport aluminium low riser
Stem: Giant Sport aluminium ahead
Seatpost: Giant Sport Aluminium
Saddle: Giant Cross Trail D2
Pedals: Resin anti slip, steel cage
Shifters: Shimano Alivio 27 speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano Alivio
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Brakes: Shimano M422 V Brakes
Brake Levers: Shimano Alivio
Cassette: SRAM PG950 11-28
Chain: Shimano HG53
Crankset: Shimano Alivio 26/36/48
Bottom Bracket: Shimano ES25 Octalink
Rims: Giant CR18 DW Aluminium
Hubs: Shimano RM30 rear Formula front
Spokes: Stainless steel
Tires: Maxxis Columbiere 700x32mm anti puncture

Cheers

ps - I've already upgraded the tyres to Michelin Pilot Trackers, what with the bad weather on the way.

wannabe7a

Bray Header wrote: »

Hey all -

I've just bought this bike (on a bit of a whim really,on bike to work), because I've always wanted a hybrid and fancy cycling to work (about 15k).

I haven't cycled regularly in about 10 years, and am completely out of touch with developments, and was wondering can anybody help, and advise if I should be looking to upgrade any of this kit?

SKU:
Brand: Giant
If you are looking for a fast moving. sporty bike, ready for the cross town commute then look no further.
Frame: AluxX SL aluminium
Fork: Carbon composite, aluminium steerer
Handlebar: Giant Sport aluminium low riser
Stem: Giant Sport aluminium ahead
Seatpost: Giant Sport Aluminium
Saddle: Giant Cross Trail D2
Pedals: Resin anti slip, steel cage
Shifters: Shimano Alivio 27 speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano Alivio
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Brakes: Shimano M422 V Brakes
Brake Levers: Shimano Alivio
Cassette: SRAM PG950 11-28
Chain: Shimano HG53
Crankset: Shimano Alivio 26/36/48
Bottom Bracket: Shimano ES25 Octalink
Rims: Giant CR18 DW Aluminium
Hubs: Shimano RM30 rear Formula front
Spokes: Stainless steel
Tires: Maxxis Columbiere 700x32mm anti puncture

Cheers

ps - I've already upgraded the tyres to Michelin Pilot Trackers, what with the bad weather on the way.

I bought a Giant Defy 2 recently myself. I put a rack on the bike and using a pannier to carry some of my stuff for my commute. It is much better cycling this way without having to carry a backpack.

You got 32 mm tyres: that is well enough for slippery roads. I only tested my bike today cycling in the rain (25 mm). Was ok enough but then again I didn't had to use the brakes much.