Hi and oh is that a hybrid!

[Tyla1073]

Hello All,


Thanks for letting me join.....


From the age of 3 to about 25 I cycled everywhere and could not get enough of bikes and then I met my wife. Now I don't regret meeting my wife but I became more involved with other things like kids!


I am 37 now and have decided to get back onto my bike, partly because I want to get fitter and partly because its something I have always loved.


To the point: I have instigated a cycle with 3 of my friends who are much in the same position as me, we are to do the Ty Hafan Taff Trail Challenge... a mere 55 miles.


First bike I started looking at was a mountain bike until a colleague told me its 95% tarmac and I should look at a hybrid....I nearly choked " A Hybrid"?


So I started looking and in amongst the city dwellers I found the Cube Cross, very nice but at £700+ that would be hard to hide.


And then I found this http://www.all-about-the-home.co.uk...2011-hybrid-bike---fully-assembled-5475-p.asp

The Schwinn Searcher Sport, don't know them and if you look for a review...well it seems very popular in India.


After all that I have a question:


Should I even consider this bike?


I feel slightly let down in that the bike that appeals to me the most visually could be the best or worst hybrid in history and I am none the wiser!


Let's hope you all are.

 

[Furkz]

if your riding on the road i wouldnt buy anything with a suspension. Makes them heavy and slower.

Welcome BTW

 

[Paulus]

That bike has 700c wheels, but is more of a MTB. +1 for not getting suspension for road work, quite a bit of your effort will go into the suspension and not the rear wheel.

Have a look at something like this----http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/sirrus-elite-2011-hybrid-bike-ec023998

 

[jugglingphil]

Hi and welcome.

A bike last a lot longer than the one ride. What sort of riding are you going to do in the future? What will get you out of bed and onto the saddle? Road, path, track?

I have no experience of the taff trail, but it's possible you could do it on any bike. So think about the future, and buy a bike that will rekindle your joy of riding.

 

[Spy]

Hi and welcome.

A bike last a lot longer than the one ride. What sort of riding are you going to do in the future? What will get you out of bed and onto the saddle? Road, path, track?

I have no experience of the taff trail, but it's possible you could do it on any bike. So think about the future, and buy a bike that will rekindle your joy of riding.

I agree, you need to think past the Taff Trail Challenge and think about where you will be riding after that.

My take is:

99% on tarmac - get a Road/Racer bike
about 80% tarmac + well worn trails/cycle paths - Hybrid bike
about 75% tarmac plus + trails/cycle paths + off-road - Cyclocross bike
less than 50% tarmac + trails/cycle paths + off-road - Mountain bike

Good luck with the hunt

 

[Furkz]

i have taken my hybrid off road also and wasnt too bad, the slick held up very well even when it rained they was fine, not great as there was some slipping but fine

 

[Turtle Dude]

+1 for not a mountain bike.

Hybrid is a really nebulous, wide ranging term usually meaning just about anything with flat bars that is not a MTB.

If it was me thinking about your challenge, and general riding fun and commute after, I would look at a good cyclo-cross bike. Light enough and a reasonable bit of flex/comfort in the frame and fork. Which make/model would depend on my budget and the position that suited me the best.

 

[threefingerjoe]

My take is, I MOSTLY agree with SPY...except for the first suggestion: "99% on tarmac - get a Road/Racer bike".

I would suggest for 99% on tarmac, a TOURING bike. It's more relaxed geometry and fatter tyre capabilities, and ability to fit mudguards and rack would most likely be a better choice. I would suggest ONLY going with a road/racer if you MUST...meaning, you are actually going to enter races and MUST ride this kind of bike.

That being said, I will also state that IMHO, many people are riding the wrong bike for their needs. This is one of the factors that lead many people to conclude that the bicycle is impractical, uncomfortable, etc.