not sure what to purchase re hybrid

[tired legs]

hi all currently have old appollo m/bike 21" frame 26"wheels 21speed suntour 48 tooth crank wheel ,find this a bit harder than older racing style bike to ride (legs rotating a bit faster)m also want somethig a bit more comftable to ride a hybrid cycle was suggested.

have looked at the likes of raliegh explorer/falcon adventurer/c/butler classick but found they have simular sized chainwheels 48 teeth/racing bikes seem to have 52 it seems if i want something to get up hills m/bike has been suggested comfort =hybrid although the hybrids do seem to offer a bit more comfort.

the avenger/c/butler have larger dia wheels 700cm but i do not know if a larger dia makes things easier or harder???
i do not want end up with a cycle that i find just as hard to ride as what i already own, having simular gearing there does not seem to be a modest priced hybrid with larger crank size

cycle is not for work just a bit of enjoyment and exercise

thank you

 

[gclark8]

Have a look at the 2007 rane of Giant CRX bikes: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?year=2007&range=169 The CRX 3 is a good entry level bike.

 

[RickF]

they have simular sized chainwheels 48 teeth/racing bikes seem to have 52 it seems if i want something to get up hills m/bike has been suggested comfort =hybrid although the hybrids do seem to offer a bit more comfort.

It is true that most hybrids have a 48 tooth large chainring, and most road bikes have 50, 52, or 53 tooth large chainring; however, most hybrids have an 11 tooth cog on the casette, while the smallest cog on most road bikes is 12 or 13 tooth. The 48/11 combination is actually slightly higher than (although for all practical purposes the same as) the 52/12 combination (4.36 versus 4.33).

The other factor to consider is that road bikes and most hybrids have 700cm tires, while mountain bikes (and some hybrids) have 26 inch tires, so each revolution of the wheel is approximately 110 mm (4.3 inches) farther on a hybrid with 700x35 tires than on a mountain bike with 26x1.9 tires. Also, 700x35 tires, which are common on hybrids, travel approximately 71 mm (2.8 inches) farther per revolution than the 700x23 mm tires that are common on most road bikes.

Your pedal cadence should be in the 80 to 120 rpm range. At 100 rpm on a hybrid with 48/11 gear combination and 700x35 tires, the speed would be approximately 56.8 KM/hour (35 mph). The same cadence on a road bike with 52/12 gear combination and 700x23 tires would be approximately 54.5 KM/hour (34 mph). The pros use the same gear ratios - they just pedal faster to achieve higher speeds.

If you are looking for a hybrid, consider the Specialized Crossroads Elite (48/38/28 chainrings, 11-32 casette/ 700x38 tires). If you want something closer to a road bike, but still with the upright, mountain bike-like posture, consider the Specialized Sirus Comp (52/42/30 chainrings, 12-26 casette, 700x28 tires). The Trek 7xxx series is similar to the Specialized Crossroads series. Since you already have a mountain bike, I would avoid the Specialized Expedition series and the Trek Navigator series. They are much more like light weight, hard tail mountain bikes than are the Crossroads or 7xxx series.

 

[tired legs]

thanks rickf your info is very helpfull , no dealer near me stocks the (giant range of cycles) having phoned a giant dealer he recomended the specialised crossroads hybrid,

having looked at the some of the specialised cycles at local dealers (but not ridden) i was still a bit doubtfull re these cycles 48 teeth chainring etc i find the amount of rpm is what makes my legs ache.

went for a ride saterday/sunday the first time for 4 years road and canal path it was not my legs that gave me problems but my backside. very sore due to my cycle having hard saddle no suspension of any kind.

also realised that i have a tendancy to use the largest chainset 48 t rather than using the alternative chainset /rear cogs properly making things harder than they should be..

from dealers and certainly the internet it seems 2005 model specialised are avalible at far less cost than 2006 vertions.

would a specialised with front suspention be an advantage over a cycle without, not sure if specialised do a hybrid with front suspention???

your info re gearing if i follow it correctly choosing the right combo 48t and correct rear sprocket would virtually be simular to road bike with larger chain wheel which is exactly what i am after.

it seems if i go for older model 2005 i can purchase a higher quality cycle recomendations would be most welcome

thank you very much

 

[RickF]

The Specialized Crossroads does have a front suspension and a suspension seat post. They are helpful on rough surfaces, especially with aluminum frames. I have a 2004 Specialized Crossroads Elite, and it is very good on gravel paths. It is not for stump jumping, but it is ideal for riding on a tow path. I believe the Elite is the lowest model in the Crossroads series that has adjustable suspension on the fork. If you weigh more than about 180 pounds, then it is important that the suspension be adjustable. Otherwise, you will bottom out the suspension, and it will not provide any benefit. In the Trek 7xxx series, the 7000 has no suspension, the 7100 and 7200 have a suspension that is not adjustable, and the 7300 and higher models have adjustable suspension.

As far as legs getting tired and the backside getting sore, it is a matter of conditioning and proper positioning on the bike. When I first started, I could not go longer than about 10 miles on the road or 20 minutes on the trainer before my butt got too sore to continue. Now I routeinly go 30 to 40 miles on the road and an hour on the trainer, and I stop becuase I am out of time - not because my butt is too sore or my legs are too tired.

At first, pedaling at a high cadence is difficult and feels awkward, but that is the first thing that will improve. In the long run, you will last longer at a higher cadence in easier gears than at a low cadence in higher gears. Try to stay above 60 rpm in the beginning, and keep increasing the cadence until you can maintain 100 rpm. You will feel short of breath at that cadence, but your legs will last much longer. The first thing to improve will be the legs, then the breathing, then the butt.

 

[RickF]

also realised that i have a tendancy to use the largest chainset 48 t rather than using the alternative chainset /rear cogs properly making things harder than they should be.

On Saturday, I road 14 miles with my daughter and her fiance on a rails-to-trails path. I never went out of the 38 tooth (middle) chainring, and even though they are in their mid twenties and I am 53, they could not keep up with me. My advantage was all in technique. They are in much better shape than I am, but they were trying to push hard gears, and I was using lower gears to better advantage.

 

[tired legs]

hi rickf i have a catologue of specialised range (not sure wether its latest vertion 2006) having looked in local dealers the cross roads basic model does not have seat post suspention or front suspention and costs £260 sterling 2006 model,

having looked on the internet 2005 models are slightly cheaper to buy online from specialised dealer but not local £219 for crossroads 21 speed , there is also a crossroads sport £239 which has 24 speed gearing ,adjustable suspention seatpost ,not sure about front suspention though,

incedently i phoned specialised for info , i am 6ft tall and inquired about frame size large was suggested for myself but that seems to equte to 19"

rick i am 57 so its nice to know its possible to beat/equal the yongsters

thank you

 

[RickF]

i am 6ft tall and inquired about frame size large was suggested for myself but that seems to equte to 19"

That sounds about right. I am also 6 feet tall, but my inseam is only 30", which is on the small side for my height. I have a 2004 Crossroads Elite 18.5" frame. I know that the frame geometries have changed somewhat since 2004, but 19" sounds like a good starting point.

Since you quoted prices in pounds sterling, I assume you are in the UK. If the Specialized web site is correct, none of the 2006 Crossroads models available in the UK have a suspension fork.. The Crossroads Sport, Elite, and Comp have an adjustable suspension seatpost, but the other models do not. This is different from what is available in the US. All Crossroads models in the US have suspension forks and seatposts. The seatposts are adjustable in all models. The forks are adjustable on the Elite, Comp, Expert, and Pro, but not on the Sport.

You can find the specfications for each model on the Specialized web site: http://www.specialized.com/ Click on "Bikes", then "Comfort & Ergo" on the side bar on the left. To find the specifications for 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 bikes, click on "Bikes", then "Archive", then on the year. There are minor differences from year to year, but until now, I did not realize that there are major differences from region to region. If you can still find a 2005 model, it will be discounted. I am not sure of the schedule in the UK, but in the US, the 2007 models come out about the first of August, so the 2006 models will be discounted beginning in mid-July.

 

[RickF]

rick i am 57 so its nice to know its possible to beat/equal the yongsters

It is nice. Last year, I could not keep up with them, but I have been riding regularly since Christmas and have lost 50 pounds. My daughter has been in Pharmacy School, and her fiance has been in Law School, so they have not had time to ride. This was only their second time out this year, and I have been riding about 50 miles per week on the road since the beginning of May, and about 60 miles per week on a trainer from Christmas through April.

 

[duskins]

hi all currently have old appollo m/bike 21" frame 26"wheels 21speed suntour 48 tooth crank wheel ,find this a bit harder than older racing style bike to ride (legs rotating a bit faster)m also want somethig a bit more comftable to ride a hybrid cycle was suggested.

have looked at the likes of raliegh explorer/falcon adventurer/c/butler classick but found they have simular sized chainwheels 48 teeth/racing bikes seem to have 52 it seems if i want something to get up hills m/bike has been suggested comfort =hybrid although the hybrids do seem to offer a bit more comfort.

the avenger/c/butler have larger dia wheels 700cm but i do not know if a larger dia makes things easier or harder???
i do not want end up with a cycle that i find just as hard to ride as what i already own, having simular gearing there does not seem to be a modest priced hybrid with larger crank size

cycle is not for work just a bit of enjoyment and exercise

thank you

Buy a light-weight single speed mtb. It's not hard if the gear ratio is on. You'll ride all day and never get tired, no maintenance, super fun, commuter, trails, etc. . .

 

[chitownbiker18]

hi all currently have old appollo m/bike 21" frame 26"wheels 21speed suntour 48 tooth crank wheel ,find this a bit harder than older racing style bike to ride (legs rotating a bit faster)m also want somethig a bit more comftable to ride a hybrid cycle was suggested.

have looked at the likes of raliegh explorer/falcon adventurer/c/butler classick but found they have simular sized chainwheels 48 teeth/racing bikes seem to have 52 it seems if i want something to get up hills m/bike has been suggested comfort =hybrid although the hybrids do seem to offer a bit more comfort.

the avenger/c/butler have larger dia wheels 700cm but i do not know if a larger dia makes things easier or harder???
i do not want end up with a cycle that i find just as hard to ride as what i already own, having simular gearing there does not seem to be a modest priced hybrid with larger crank size

cycle is not for work just a bit of enjoyment and exercise

thank you

I'd buy this:
http://www.chooseyouritem.com/autos/files/119000/119340.html

Looks nice!

 

[tired legs]

hi all thanks for your help decided to buy local rather than from internet ,due to support and service.

was going to lash out and purchase specialised crossroads 2006 but dealer did not have my size in stock and i could not negotiate a descent discount.

he did however have a new DIAMONDBACK MARAVISTA 2006 which is hybrid style 700 wheels in stock at reduced price 48/38/28 front 24 speed 11-32 rear cassette suspention seatpost ,and front fork suspention , had a very modest ride around the block seemed ok so purchased and got some nice gel type handlebar grips thrown in.

not had a really good ride yet but to be honest i think it will suite my needs .

thanks all

 

[RickF]

I think you made a wise decision to buy locally. In addition to the support and service, you got to test ride before you bought. I do not know much about the bike you bought, but at that price point, there is almost no difference among the brands. The features sound similar to the US version of the Specialized Crossroads Elite, and slightly more than the UK version. I am sure it will serve you well.

 

[tired legs]

hi rick i believe in origin the diamandback is either usa or canadian in origin there a pic/info at www.diamondback.com hybrid/marivista.

its just occured to me this afternoon after purchase that i completly forgot to ask what frame size the cycle was?? whoops , measuring from center of chainwheel to seatpost tube top its 18" which i believe this is how frames are measured these days, did not seem much if any differant from the short spin i had , from my old cycle , although saddle was set approx 6-8 " from top of the support tube.


just done a check on online prices which ranged from £220 -£259 for this cycle i paid £190 , and managed to wangle some nice gel typle handlebar grips.and its a local dealer so quite happy on the price point and the dealer set up and checked brakes/gears etc prior to me riding cycle.

they also do a free check up /adjust 6 weeks after purchase
thanks again