1st bike - do you think it's a bad idea to go straight for a road bike

[Andrew_P]

Anyway a good excuse to repost this! Martin Ashton and a 10k Dogma (beefed up wheels I suspect)

 

[Venod]

Cross bike with a decent set of wheels ( not radial spoked ) tough enough for the bad roads fast enough to push on should you feel the need, I rode a local hospice ride on mine with mudguards and 30mm tyres keeping up with guys on pure racing bikes, but I also take it down bridleways where I would never take the road bike, it also has rack mounts if you want to do a spot of light touring or carrying stuff on the commute.

 

[potsy]

Like a lot of others I started out on a hybrid, within 6 months had bought my first roadie, the hybrid has hardly been touched since (though it was briefly my studded tyred winter bike)

Just make sure you can get on with the different riding position of drop bars, though there are more 'relaxed' road bikes available which might be a better option.

 

[Kies]

Riding trails in winter time away from salt covered roads on my hybrid is brilliant. I remember going back to road cycling (roadie) and thinking I don't miss those pesky cars.
The OP really needs to be honest with himself about what sort of riding he will actually do - then pick the bike type.

 

[HLaB]

If you already got the inkling for a road bike now, definitely go for a road bike, you'll just end up with the 'what if scenario' if you go for a compromise 'hybrid'.

 

[Cyclist33]

Best go to a bike shop to try different types out and see how they feel.
I have commuted on a "hybrid" flat bar bike but now commute on drop bar bikes as they have an aerodynamic advantage especially into head winds.

Not really appreciable unless you're going over 30mph on a regular basis. As most road bike riders spend 90% of the time on the hoods, the aerodynamic difference between that and an extra 4 inches either side and flat bars is negligible for the average Joe.

It's a myth that drops are inherently faster than flat bars for normal riders - the supposed aerodynamic advantage in headwinds is an "optical" illusion, so to speak. The weight difference and wheels are what make the road bike easier to go quickly on, and you can get some very light flat bar bikes these days, like the Whyte that Vickster has for instance.

Flat bars are easier to control and brake better too!

 

[vickster]

I can go quicker on my carbon roadbike than the Whyte, but that is probably down to slick 23mm tyres, not having a rack and the fact that I think I should go faster on the Pearson so I push harder!

However, my strava averages on my 3 bikes for my 10 mile circuit aren't actually that different and more down to traffic conditions than anything else!

OP should go to a shop, testride a few bikes and see what he likes. There's always N+1 next time the C2W window opens

 

[HLaB]

When I converted my Sirrus (Flat bar to Drops) IMO there was a difference and I wouldn't classify myself as a pro. I think drop bars even on the hoods offer a more aerodynamic position (narrower and less upright).

 

[BSRU]

Not really appreciable unless you're going over 30mph on a regular basis. As most road bike riders spend 90% of the time on the hoods, the aerodynamic difference between that and an extra 4 inches either side and flat bars is negligible for the average Joe.

It's a myth that drops are inherently faster than flat bars for normal riders - the supposed aerodynamic advantage in headwinds is an "optical" illusion, so to speak. The weight difference and wheels are what make the road bike easier to go quickly on, and you can get some very light flat bar bikes these days, like the Whyte that Vickster has for instance.

Flat bars are easier to control and brake better too!

Untrue, as a former(less than three months ago) hybrid rider I know there is a marked difference as I alternated between different bikes.
I am just commuter and the aerodynamic benefit is noticeable, the stronger the headwind the more noticeable the difference, even on my heavier drop bar tourer.

 

[Cyclist33]

Ditto me, I ride both and there isn't an appreciable difference beyond the illusory one that you're getting your head down like you would if walking through a storm.

 

[HLaB]

Untrue, as a former(less than three months ago) hybrid rider I know there is a marked difference as I alternated between different bikes.
I am just commuter and the aerodynamic benefit is noticeable, the stronger the headwind the more noticeable the difference, even on my heavier drop bar tourer.

Definitely on my heavy steel fixie, even just on the hoods its quicker than my old lighter hybrid

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Anyway a good excuse to repost this! Martin Ashton and a 10k Dogma (beefed up wheels I suspect)

I couldn't do that commute everyday.......

 

[Markymark]

There's a guy on my commute I regulalry see. I keep up on the roads even when they're clear. When we get to Victori Park (c1.5 miles), he moves down to drops and leaves me behind on my hybrid.

He doesn't cycle like he's dawdling on the roads and it could be that he cycles harder when he adopts the position but I am sure it is mostly that he's creating less drag.

 

[swede54]

Think about what you might want to carry with you.Not many road bikes will panniers and a rucksack can be pain on a road bike. Also think if you need mudguards when the weather changes.

 

[Rob3rt]

Not really appreciable unless you're going over 30mph on a regular basis. The aerodynamic difference between that and an extra 4 inches either side and flat bars is negligible for the average Joe.

It's a myth that drops are inherently faster than flat bars for normal riders - the supposed aerodynamic advantage in headwinds is an "optical" illusion, so to speak. The weight difference and wheels are what make the road bike easier to go quickly on.

Bollocks!

Note: I edited the above to remove the parts I don't necessarily disagree with.