Hybrid V's Cyclocross V's Road

[Wigsie]

Cheers ppl, seem to have stirred a few emotions, I do love the 'idea' of a cross bike but again I have been wondering whether or not its just the industry creating a bike that fits tightly into a minorty niche more appealing to the masses or whether they are actually a good idea.

I am not too worried about racks etc as long as I can get a bottle cage on its fine. I am yet to have a go on a 7.6 or a tricross as every LBS near me that stock Treks or Spesh bikes dont have the larger sizes, so an element of guess work will have to play a part! Back to work monday when I have to spec the bike out for purchase.

Part of me is going for comfort but have another baby on the way & I wont be able to afford to buy a different bike 6 months down the line once my arse is used to riding again so i am tempted to get something that may punish me for a few months comfort wise but in the long run wont leave me wanting more....

 

[mickle]

16 posts and no-one has mentioned Touring Bike?

 

[MePower]

Use my cyclocross as a tourer, doing W to E coast of Spain in June. ......sorry, coat is on, and am now shutting the door behind me..

 

[Wigsie]

Touring bikes? I had not been thinking about them as I understood they were for loading up and hitting the road for many miles? I need something reasonably quick, would like to get the 18 mile commute done in as close to an hour if not under an hour.

How fast are touring bikes considering I wont be carrying anything other than a bottle?

 

[Randochap]

16 posts and no-one has mentioned Touring Bike?

I sorta did by default, and linked to my Bleriot page. My Bleriot is esentially set up as a light touring bike.

Anyway, agreed; other than a hybrid, tourer would be the way to go.

I'm amazed how many people (look at other recent threads) ask for advice about commuting bikes, but have already convinced themselves they are racers. Just watch how it goes:

Newbie: "Hi, I haven't ridden a bike in 30 years, could I get some advice on a good bike for riding 5 miles to work. I've seen a carbon fibre racing bike at my LBS."

Insert various advice from the "experts" -- from "Yeah, go for the Cervelo" to "Wouldn't it be prudent to buy a cheap hybrid and see if you'll stick with riding?"

Newbie: "After considerable thought, I've decided the best bike to ride to work on will be a Colnago CX-1. I might even join the Tour de France."

 

[Randochap]

How fast are touring bikes considering I wont be carrying anything other than a bottle?

How fast are you, would be the question.

On edit: You've been off the bike for 12 years and you want to average ... or surpass ... 18mph over a hilly route? You need a moped.

 

[Wigsie]

Touche! I understand what you are saying, Intially I wont be as fast as more seasoned riders, but I understand certain bikes have limitations due to weight, geometry, aerodynamics/riding positions etc unfortunately, I cant afford nor can I spare the room to get more than one bike so the more advice I get the better.

Thanks for the info so far though.

 

[mickle]

Check out some of the prose on this site Wiggers. I'm a big fan. Although I don't agree with everything they do talk a lot of sense. I promise that if you spend more than five minutes on there you'll come away having learnt something useful.

http://www.rivbike.com/

 

[Wigsie]

How fast are you, would be the question.

On edit: You've been off the bike for 12 years and you want to average ... or surpass ... 18mph over a hilly route? You need a moped.

Well I did it on a small (I am 6ft 4) Bianchi Dos 6400 with knobblies in 1 hour 30 minutes so shaving 30 minutes off the time with a bit of kit that does not fit me like a circus monkey bike, is lighter and thus considerably faster should not be a problem. ok i have not seriously ridden for 12 yers but i swim 1.5 miles a day and play squash 2-3 times a week so fitness hould not be too much of an issue.

unless I am being unrealistic?? I have been told 20-22mph as an average is reasonable on fast road biased hybrids and road bikes or is this nonsense?

 

[Wigsie]

Check out some of the prose on this site Wiggers. I'm a big fan..

Prose?

 

[mickle]

Words.

 

[RedBike]

unless I am being unrealistic?? I have been told 20-22mph as an average is reasonable on fast road biased hybrids and road bikes or is this nonsense?

On a flat road with nothing to slow you down (junctions, bumps, traffic, wind, etc) then most reasonably stong cyclists can maintain 20mph. However, this isn't the same as averaging it over a ride. Very few cyclists can average 20mph on a hilly route.

If you look at the times finishing times for various Sportives events then you'll see exactly how fast most good riders are. Their times are nothing like 20mph on a hilly route!

 

[Wigsie]

Ha Ha thanks for this, i did think it was a bit swift! but is it reasonable to assume i could shave a significant amount of time off the 1.5 hours i do it on the tiny bianchi MTB ona mor suitable bike yes?

 

[RedBike]

Oh yes. You should be noticably quicker on a good road bike than an ill fitting MTB.

I test road the Tri-cross.
From what I can remember it had braze-ons galore so it should take mud-guards racks, bottles etc. The bottom bracket, while higher than a race bike was still lower than most MTBs.

The gears were lower than you'd get on a standard double chainset road bike.

The brakes, as with all canti-levers, were complete rubbish.

The bike was remarkably comfortable

I was put off by the weight / sluggish (but stable) feeling ride.

 

[Wigsie]

Thanks for this Red, Back to work tomorrow, so have to phone around and try and find a shop with some larger frames available to test ride... none of the LBS within 30 miles dont have any!