Did you change from Hybrid to Drop Bar Bike

[Phixion]

I've got a rather good Felt QX95 2010 which I picked up new for less than half price at my local bike shop- couldn't be happier as it's dead nippy on the cycle paths for dodging dogs/pedestrians/squirrels/foxes etc... But gets a bit of a drag on the roads even though it's very light at around 10kg- looking for a cheap roadie for the summer to speed up the commute & keep the Felt for bad weather & winter slogs...

Felt make great bikes, I was looking into a Felt QX* bike but went for a CUBE Peloton in the end. I've had it a few months now and have been out on it pretty much every night.

Although I don't use the drops much, I do appreciate them being there on downhills / flats when the wind is blowing at me.

 

[Cosmicned]

Well I bit the bullet & snagged a s/h Boardman comp roadie- whoa! What a difference to the hybrid... Like comparing a Ferrari to a 4x4 - only been for a quick spin & scared myself with how quick it is... It'll take some getting used to but there's gonna be some serious fun to be had I reckon!

 

[Cringles]

I recently changed from a Hybrid to a roadie. Pretty much everything Cosmicned said, goes for me to.

 

[Cosmicned]

First commute in today on the road bike- considering I haven't ridden one since the mid 1980's I got the hang of it pretty quick-Even made it across Swindon's notorious 'Magic Roundabout' with ease- so much quicker- slow turning is a bit twitchy & wobbly - that'll improve I reckon - knocked a couple of minutes off the run time too... result!!! Deffo the Hybrid for wet days & the rougher roads though... The Boardman didn't like some of the wonderful roads we have here...

 

[philk56]

I've also just bitten the bullet, having ridden a Marin hybrid for several years. I did use to have a Peugeot with drops about 20-odd years ago. I've bought a Specialized Secteur Sport - picking it up on Saturday. I'm booked in on my second Friday night ride (to Whitstable) - think I'll need to get a few rides in before then or I'll stick to the Marin for this one!

 

[lynol01]

i have a specialized crosstrail hybrid with front suspension fork which i bought on the cycle scheme last year, i was hoping to use this on and off road but after nearly 10 months of riding i've never been any where near any mud with it so i thought it was time to try a full on road bike.
my brother let me use his colnago race bike for a week and although it did feel a lot a faster and more responsive i found my self having back ache and numb wrists (even with gel pad mitts on) during and after riding.
so when i do change my bike i will probably buy a carbon hybrid with a rigid fork i'd also recommend trying a road bike before buying as the riding posistion is not for everyone

 

[Rayman]

I started off on a mountain bike but it felt too slow and wasn't really ideal for the charity cycles I had lined up. I moved onto a road bike (with drops) after a few test runs down my LBS and bought a Viking Vittoria which was reasonably alright for my first road bike. I managed to get it for less than £300 too which was a big win! I kept that one until it got stolen in town, wasn't happy about this to say the least.
Recently I bought (my current bike) a Merida Road Race 901-18 which is just brilliant. Personally I love the drops on a road bike and they're really good for all the straights/climbs (also they're fast ). Personally, I can't imagine having any other type of bike other than road bikes. I'm looking into buying a single speed road bike (possibly a fixie) for uni but I'm a bit unsure as to what good bikes are out there for my budget (£300> if possible).

I train with my brother quite frequently and he stupidly jumped to a triathlon brike from a hybrid and thus throwing practicality out the window.
Note: He doesn't do any races/triathlons....

 

[lulubel]

I started out with a cheap hybrid from Halfords, which I was supposed to be using to commute (10 miles each way). I soon gave up on that, and it sat in the shed.

Next spring, I decided I wanted a road bike - I really can't remember why I suddenly decided I wanted a new bike when I wasn't even cycling - so I dragged the hybrid out of the shed and started commuting on it to convince my OH I was serious about the commuting. Then, a few weeks later, I mentioned wanting a road bike because it would make my commute faster and easier. Bought a Trek 1.2 shortly afterwards. It did make my commute faster and easier, but it got longer because of all the detours I kept taking! I did suffer from back/neck ache and sore/numb hands a bit for the first few weeks I had it, but that soon settled down.

I do own a mountain bike as well, which I'm supposed to be taking on the mountain trails round here, but I find the flat bar riding position quite awkward and uncomfortable. Maybe that's the excuse I need to buy a cyclocross bike!

 

[Lok169]

I learned to ride 3 years ago on my dad's old 1950's and have since switched to a flat barred bike for easier commuting, not quite sure where I fit in the poll. on a serious note the assumption seems to be that there is a natural progression towards drops, and while they are good for some things, I'd argue they are not the best bars for all purposes.

 

[lulubel]

on a serious note the assumption seems to be that there is a natural progression towards drops

Well, if you look at the poll, the 2 options that have the most votes are flat bar only and flats and drops, with drops only coming 3rd, so I don't think that shows a natural progression.

I wonder if the internet has made road bikes (with drops) more popular. People come on forums like this to ask questions, find loads of people raving about their road bikes, and many can't resist wanting to try it. I think that's just human nature. But drop bar road bikes obviously aren't for everyone, as is made very clear by the results of this poll.

 

[uphillstruggler]

After riding a mountain bike with slicks for a while, I did buy a flat bar road bike which I really enjoy. I have previously posted that I would, in hindsight have liked to have gone for the drop version. I am now in the process of getting drops and the shifters to make that happen although I still also enjoy riding the old mountain bike.

Not sure where that puts me with the vote

I just enjoy riding my bikes.

 

[Rocket]

I am 62, and had my first "racer" for passing my 11+ and have ridden that type of bike ever since,apart from cycle speedway and veteran BMX. I just think that it is far better to be able to change position on the bike by moving your hands around,and also to be able to rest your hands on the brake levers which is my normal position. I think there still seems a progression through to racers for the more serious rider, in spite of the universal appeal of the "mountain bike"

 

[Ace Demon]

I am 62, and had my first "racer" for passing my 11+ and have ridden that type of bike ever since,apart from cycle speedway and veteran BMX. I just think that it is far better to be able to change position on the bike by moving your hands around,and also to be able to rest your hands on the brake levers which is my normal position. I think there still seems a progression through to racers for the more serious rider, in spite of the universal appeal of the "mountain bike"

One of the problems with making comparisons between drops & "hybrid" is that the difference in the majority of set ups is in the riding position, not the bars. Getting a set up with the two types of bar that provides the same nominal riding position (the triangle formed between hand, shoulder, backside) is very difficult. Get it the same and only then can a proper comparison be made.

I have a bike with the normal 560mm top tube and 90mm stem for a drop bar. My "hybrid" has a 600mm frame with 120mm stem. This combination is not generally offered in the mass market where manufacturers just stick different bars on identical frames. Pity.

As far as I am concerned, when a proper like for like comparison is possible, a drop bar has nothing to offer. My drop bar bike is a lovely, responsive thing but is not my default ride. Braking is awkward and the default hand position (on the hoods) is not at all comfortable; no wonder all the other positions are needed.

 

[lulubel]

As far as I am concerned, when a proper like for like comparison is possible, a drop bar has nothing to offer. My drop bar bike is a lovely, responsive thing but is not my default ride. Braking is awkward and the default hand position (on the hoods) is not at all comfortable; no wonder all the other positions are needed.

I totally disagree. When I let my arms hang naturally at my sides, my palms are turned inward. To ride a flat bar bike, I have to twist my arms through 90 degrees to turn my palms down, which doesn't feel comfortable for long periods.

 

[Mark_Robson]

I have both types of bars and I have fitted bar ends to both of my flat bar bikes as I find that I spend a lot of time riding on the "ends"