Page 2 - need advice on a new bike

27-05.-2005, 07:01 AM

#16

coolworx

Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2003

Location: Springfield MA

Posts: 280

Re: need advice on a new bike

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidBunchLurker

M2cycler is right - a hybrid is a waste of time for most people. A hybrid is such a compromise that it usually isn't particularly good at anything (unless you spend a lot of money).

I don't buy this at all.

I've ridden both, and am currently touring with a Giant Cypress running armadillo 28's. Now mind you, I changed out the rather upright stem with a long flat stem, and added bullhorn barends (also set at a near flat degree)

This allows me a myriad of hand positions - and one that is particularly comfortable, and unavailable on drops. I usually ride with heel of my palms on the flat bar, all along the pinky sides on the first part of the barends, and my fingers splayed across the curved in ends of the barsends. This spreads the weight across a very large surface area (comparatively speaking anyway) to any hand position you can find on the drops.

Now... this is the key... you need a 0 degree stem to keep yourself from being so upright that you're a piece of plywood in the wind.

Fully packed panniers, (60lbs) up and down the hills of New England, and I can average 15mph for 70 miles a day.

28-05.-2005, 12:18 AM

#17

jsirabella

Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2005

Location: NYC, USA

Posts: 496

Re: need advice on a new bike

I would have to partially agree with most of the people who have posted here that a hybrid is really not very good at one thing. I would say go for a hybrid if you are sure you will never get very deep into riding but for only recreation and work.

From personal experience I bought a Cannondale F600 which is a type of hrbrid that can go easily from MTB tires to road tires. But as a road bike it can not keep up with other road bikes because of weight, gear ratios and many other issues and as an MTB it really is not good if you really want to go into some really hilly roads but it was a good first choice for me for touring and going back and forth to work. I put about 20 miles a day on it and it has a nice ride. I took it all the way from NYC to Boston on a two days tour and it held up like a champ but it can never really be used for any serioues racing or MTB riding.

I now am buying a Trek 5000 because I want to get a serious road bike to get into some races and really move on the road. I know it is a difficult decision but hope this gives you some info to make a decision.

-John Sirabella

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecaroline

i can only afford to have one bike... and if i happened to go out just for fun with friends, wouldn't a hybrid be more versatile? i have one particular friend i'm getting ready to do a 50 mile ride with, but i also have a handful of friends that seem to just be getting back into cycling for fun (guess the joy of cars is dying down finally) ... not only do i want to be able to have a suitable ride for the more serious rides.. but i want somethng that i can just go out recreationally in with friends, when i'm not out just training...

would you still say that a road bike is more appropriate? i'm just curious.. i'm going out to a bike shop today.. I've heard they're helpful and i'm hoping to try out different bikes... so i'll give one a try

29-05.-2005, 09:34 AM

#18

wrench

Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2005

Posts: 18

Re: need advice on a new bike

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecaroline

i need a bike for mostly street driving, and from researching it seems like hybrids are the most appropriate

i ride mostly streets, and will be riding 50 miles in april.... till now i've been riding my dad's giant rincon mtb, which is really heavy, and since it needs to be tuned up, i'm looking to buying something more appropriate for me

concerns from other posters about hybrids are:
that they are too upright because of the shorter post from seat to handles,
that the suspension seat posts can wobble after regular use
and they are to fat and wobbly...

any thoughts on these comments?

also, money is a big big factor

, i'm looking to spend less than $400

so far, it seems that the trek 7200 and the giant cypress dx are the best... but i would love to hear about different bikes, or if anyone has any experience with the above

i looked up the specialized on their website and their hybrids look extremely upright and uncomfortable... the trek and giant seem to have a more traditional setup...

i want something i am comfortable going uphill, downhill in, that will have good stock components (since it will be a while before i can improve my bike) and that will be good for someone who is looking to ride about 15-30 miles at a time, with a goal of that 50 mile ride in baja CA...

also, if anyone thinks that hybrid is totally the wrong way to go, i'm open to thoughts too. i'm a little hesitant on road bikes... i like the hybrids because they're wheels just look safer, but since this is just on my naive opinion i am sooo open to yours..

thank you!!

I've had a Trek 7300 for going on 4 years. I would say the 7200 is a great choice. Anyone who thinks a hybrid is junk is just silly. I keep a rack and panniers on mine and it's a 3 season commuter. I recently put some IRC 700 X 32s on it for kicks. It is faster but doesnt handle gravel as well as it did with the 38s. Unlike skinny tired road bikes, a hybrid can handle mild to medium singletrack as well as touring. You may not be as fast on pavement but you can whoop a Trek Madone on gravel, and you may not be real fast on real rough stuff, but a Trek Fuel doesn't stand a chance on pavement. Some say a hybrid is a compromise, compromise often means versatility. The 7200 would serve you well.

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