[email protected] (George R) wrote in message
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[email protected]>...
> I currently ride about 60 miles a week from spring to early fall on a 1988 Schwinn Traveler. I'm
> now debating either a road or hybrid bike in the $800 range. I currently ride on the road only but
> with my kids getting bigger I may be moving to bike paths soon. Any ideas?
I have an older Trek road bike that I love dearly, but last spring, I bought myself a hybrid and it
changed my life. I ride more now because I am more comfortable. With the more up-right position, my
hand numbness problems are greatly reduced. Sure, I can't go as fast, but that's OK with me. Also, I
don't worry about getting a flat on bad city streets, gravel roads, dirt roads, and trails, so I go
more places then before.
I do like to tinker as well as to ride, so I've built my own extra set of wheels. If I know that
I'll be riding on good pavement, I put on a light-weight wheel / tire set. For rides on unknown
surfaces or dirt rides, the heaver and wider (35mm) wheel / tire set goes on. Of course, this wheel
swapping can be done with road bikes, but the width of the tires will be limited, perhaps to as
narrow as 28mm max. If a road style is more appealing to you but you want the option for cross
country travel, consider a cyclo-cross or touring frame. These types have greater tire clearance
than racing frames.
If you buy a hybrid, the rear spacing is likely to be 135 mm. This means that you will have mountain
bike hubs and a chain line set up for a 3 speed crank. It's just me, but I like mountain bike drive
train parts better than road. But, certainly, you can have a 3 speed crank and mountain type gearing
on a road bike having 130mm rear spacing. No big deal. The hybrid will probably have v brakes. They
work great and are easy to maintain. I can't comment on how good or durable two pivot road brakes
are. No experience. My hybrid came with a suspension (RockShox) fork. It does not do much but it is
heavy. If I had it to do again, I would get a non-suspension fork first, ride for some time, then
decide if I wanted a suspension unit.
I'd suggest the following:
1. The most important thing is to find a local bike shop willing to take the time to talk, answer
your questions, and fit you carefully. If your bike fits, you will ride it and smile.
2. Spend money on the parts that touch you: seat, shorts, handlebars (correct width) gloves shoes
and pedals. Eschew super-fancy wheels for now. I'll guess that if comfortable, you will be happy,
no matter which kind of bike, road or hybrid, you select.
I almost forgot to mention the hybrid I bought is a Marin, San-Anselmo. Nice frame with low end
components the worst of which I quickly replaced (because I wanted to, not because I had to.) But,
for $800, with any brand name, you should get very servicable components on your new bike.
Good luck, Steve Shapiro