Did you change from Hybrid to Drop Bar Bike

[Doc333]

I was a mad keen MTB 18-years ago, but since those days I haven't done any cycling. A couple of weeks ago I went out and bought a road bike and am hoping to get fit again, and I have to say that I love cycling again. However the difference between my old downhill bars and the drop bars is huge and takes a lot of getting used to. I seem to spend most of my time, except when going fast downhill, on top of the bar or hoods. It means that steering is not as easy as I imagined it would be as my hands are closer together and even when I'm down on the drops the bar isn't as wide as my old MTB.

 

[Prando]

I moved from a hybrid to my first Carrera Virtuosa drop bar road bike some 3 years ago. This year I upgraded the carrerra to a defy 1...fantastic.

I 'suffer' from carpel tunnel and end up shaking out my one hand quite frequently during my typical 40 mile ride. I use an angled stem, extra gel gloves and tilt the bars. Nothing will really resolve the issue other than surgery (eventually)

Now, the drop bars do allow more options for differing hand positions. So my left hand is constantly on the move !!

PS I think I will sell the Virtuosa. Anyone interested :-))

 

[Eagone]

With the introduction of c2w I decided to get back into cycling, I've bought a hybrid specialized sirrus comp disc , ditched the golf clubs (cancelled my membership) and am getting out at weekend burning some calories. (And on the turbo during the week)

Being 5 stone overweight the hybrid gives me the confidence to wear the Lycra under some baggy shorts and a loose wind proof.
I used to cycle many years ago and know the 5 stone will start to dwindle down, the bike is my best ever investment, a drop bar would have given me self conscious issues, although I have already planned a drop bar purchase when I reach my target.

Just need to move country now to get some better weather!

 

[Richard F]

Im waiting for the shop to call me to pick up my first road bike after owning a hybrid for two years. Just worried about balance and getting used to it
Any experienced tips would be welcome
Thanks
Rich

 

[inkd]

Picked up my new Defy 3 a few days back and went out for a quick ride yesterday, I cant believe the difference. The geometry is going to take a while to get use to compared to my hybrid.

 

[Piemanpaul]

In the process of buying my first road bike, I'm currently on a hybrid, bought it virtually new from eBay from a guy who had a nasty crash on his previous bike and never got his confidence back.
I'm 44 and probably getting far too excited about owning a road bike. I too have cancelled the golf membership and the clubs are gathering dust in the garage, funny how this cycling lark gets you!!

 

[Eagone]

In the process of buying my first road bike, I'm currently on a hybrid, bought it virtually new from eBay from a guy who had a nasty crash on his previous bike and never got his confidence back.
I'm 44 and probably getting far too excited about owning a road bike. I too have cancelled the golf membership and the clubs are gathering dust in the garage, funny how this cycling lark gets you!!

I know - I've been asked to play golf for the past 3 weekends, and offered one corporate day all of which I've declined and gone cycling.

 

[Bromptonaut]

Apart from a step through shopper in my early teens my first proper bike was a 'racer' ( though I added mudguards/rack and treated it as a tourer).

Next purchase was a Brompton and only then a flat bar 'urban' MTB.

 

[Licramite]

my hybred won't take drop bars so I put horns on facing downward which give a similiar riding position.

 

[Billy Wizz]

I just bought a Hybrid,i am already looking for a road bike to use at home,the hybrid has got me back into bikes,its been a while.

 

[Licramite]

and there are such sexy bikes about to - honest luv I'm looking at the bike!.
I keep lusting after them , but I couldn't justify it.

 

[Cold Snail]

I've restarted cycling with a Giant Escape Hybrid that has been great (but needed that gel cover, otherwise it would have never been used).

And a few weeks back, I went all retro with this Raleigh Magnum (sharing the same gel cover).

Back before I had a motorcycle licence and when I also had hair, I used to have a 1980's Raleigh Winner in this size (25"), I was looking for another of those, but this came up and all it needed was a rear brake cable, some brake blocks and a slight truing of the rear wheel. The 27 1 1/4 Schwalbe Marathon's were on it when I bought it.
I added the rack for my army backpacks, but it's coming off as the centre pull brakes don't leave much room, so I'll have to find somewhere else to store my stuff.


As for the riding difference, the hybrid will make it uphill in it's comedy first gear, but I've had to bail on the similar hills on the racer. On the flat, the racer feels more faster to ride, but on downhills, I would prefer to be on the hybrid as the steering is a bit twitchy on the racer as the upper brake levers only work about 2/3 on, so I have to be lent over the front to cover the brakes and it's still a bit odd at the moment.

 

[Jenjam]

I asked the question because this was exactly where I started. When I started cycling 4 years ago everyone told me to get a racer however I just thought they looked strange and awkward and that I would be too slow on them and embarrass myself on it. If I had a flat bar at least I could say well they are all aero

A couple of years after it as I had got much more confident in my cycling and started to find performance gains harder to come by I started to wish I had gone down the drop bar bike though I would always deny that to anyone that recommended them before

I am in the process of buying my drop bar and just wondered how many had gone through the same process and it seems to be a quite a common route for older people (in other words not someone who has cycled right through from childhood) coming into cycling to progress through their cycling.

I just can't wait to get out on my new bike. Hopefully in the next week and bring an end to my interminable wait

If I get on well with my drop bar then my next purchase will be a drop bar winter/commute bike on cycle to work but we'll see.

I started cycling with my partner last year having not ridden a bike for nearly 40 years. It was a struggle but I eventually got used to my hybrid which I named Jessica, and progressed on to buying a road bike last week. I sorely wish I hadn't as I just cannot get on with it. Apart from the handle bar thing, I just don't like the tiny tyres that im wobbling along on .
Im going to keep trying as I spent £500 on this Broadman bike which was highly recommended to me, and just hope and pray for the best.

 

[Cantcatchmyoldman]

All depends on what you want/need. Flat bars for power and control, drop bars for the OPTION of speed and aerodynamics. Personally I own a full suspension for the mountains (flat bar) and a gravel road bike for the city/commute/long distance well everything really (drop bars with the extra brake levers). Don't be intimidated by drop bars they give you the option and they are making more and more bikes with the second set of brake levers. This gives you all the confidence in the world especially if your new to road bikes just like me. Besides theres no other feeling like flying threw traffic at a bazzilion miles an hour low on your bars, makes you feel cool. So rejoice my drop down brothers, say no to flat bars and long shirts, drop down on those bars and let the plumbers crack fly after all whatever is in front of you will soon be behind. If you get going too fast well come back up, use those second brake levers and remember you bought a hybrid for just such an occasion. To stay in control.

Signed Giant Revolt 2 best bike ever

 

[morrisman]

Just gone from a Dawes Kalahari Hybrid to a Giant Defy 2 and have so far reached the following conclusions:

• Fast down hill I'm more confident on the hybrid as the Defy is twitchier (Dawes is ~35lb and the Defy ~18lb) but getting used to it
• Up hill I prefer the Defy and have yet to run out of gears, but I find that really low gears kill my lungs before my legs give out. Today's ride may change this view!
• On the flat it's the Defy every time
• Still working out the set up of the Defy think the seat is now right and have flipped the stem for a more upright stance for the time being
• Main comfort thing on the Defy is to wear gloves with no padding for some reason that I can't explain.