I am a complete beginner looking to buy a decent bike which I would use on the roads to get fit and to also commute to work. There is the odd occasion where I might take it onto mud tracks, but not often. I like the Claud Butler Chinook or Levante (both road bikes) or a Claud Butler Urban 100 (a hybrid bike).
Apart from the obvious (road bikes being faster and unsuitable for off-roading and hybrids being abit of everything) whats the difference? And which would you reccommend??
Any advice on this would be really really appreciated! Thanks!!
2007-08-02 05:57:43 · 5 answers · asked by Jostar 1 in Sports ➔ Cycling
I started the same way, and went for a hybrid with smooth tires (slicks). They have much less rolling resistance than knobbies. Your bike shop should do the switch, or you can do it yourself for not much $. I used by hybrid for several distance rides (Boston to New York) and did just fine. Hybrids are a good way to start.
I strongly dislike using my road bike for commuting. Road bikes get beat up on city streets with pot holes and debris. Sooner or later, a rim gets bent. Of course, they can't do mud or trails.
That having been said, once I tried a road bike for distance rides, I never went back. The road bikes are lighter, faster, and require less work per mile. I recently gave away that 7 year old hybrid, it served me well, but got forced out of the garage by my four road bikes. (That's another story.)
2007-08-03 12:34:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I stay in Brazil and had the adventure of possessing the two varieties of bike: highway motorcycles and hybrid ones. I basically bought the line bike at present. I very own an hybrid Trek 720 mannufactured on 'ninety one and took numerous bike journeys with this bike and likewise use it for commuting. So, I evaluate that the Trek series 7000 would be an incredible decision.
2016-10-01 06:28:31 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont like hybrids or even mountain bikes if i am putting any amount of miles in. you have few hand positions to use and a lot more rolling resistance. i have commuted, and i always use a roadbike. the dropped bars are more efficient in various winds, allow a wide range of hand positions so you dont get numb hands, and the lower rolling resistance means doing less work over a given distance. i believe in the right tool for the right job. i have a mountain bike. it is fun come winter when i can't get out on the pavement. when i'm on trails there is nothing better, but when i am riding stictly asphalt, i want my road bike.
2007-08-02 06:47:36 · answer #3 · answered by ohiojeff 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seeing as how you're a "complete beginner", I would go for a hybrid because of its upright position. You will probably feel better being able to see traffic more easily on your commute. I started with a mountain bike in the beginning and then upgraded later to a road bike. Although the road bike is fast and light, in traffic, I feel much better on my mountain bike. I feel like I can see cars better, and maybe be seen better (as opposed to being hunched over the handlebars).
2007-08-02 06:19:30 · answer #4 · answered by m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure about the brands you are talking about. But, by and large hybrids are boat anchors.
A road bike can be set up for comfort - shorter & higher stem and wide tires. If you have to have one bike to do everything, than a cyclocross bike is the way to go.
2007-08-02 09:20:11 · answer #5 · answered by spay&neuter-all-republicans 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋