Hybrid V's Cyclocross V's Road

[MacB]

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."

Rando, you do have a point and your pages are useful, I have followed the link and browsed. But I do feel you're being a little harsh to us newbies here. I am attempting the same distance commute as Wigsie though without any bad hills. I'm also nowhere near as fit so plan to build up to it over 8 months. I finally settled on a Giant CRS Alliance hybrid/fast commuter/fast leisure/city, depending on where you're reading. I hope that I've selected a frame that is worthy of upgrading bits on in future, but if not, I've not broken the bank for the 08 model. I've actually spent as much just on basic kit, panniers, lights, clothes etc, though I accept the Rapha stuff was an indulgence Sorry, rambling a bit as usual, the main point I wanted to make was the confusing/conflicting advice, here's a selection of what I've come across:-

I've visited 7 bike shops, travelling a fair way for 3 of them, and been given 4 different bike sizes, and 5 different bikes as my 'ideal'. I even had one where the guy had to refer to the catalog for any information and couldn't even tell me the most basic info without it.

I've trawled so many websites, review sections and forums my head's spinning! I've made a point of familiarising myself with terminology that I'd never heard of a couple of months ago. I'm even picking up some of the acronyms now.

I've read that aluminium, steel and titanium are the best materials for commuting frames. The fact that I've selected an alu/carbon mix just leaves me with a sense of dread now

I've read drops are the only way to go and bar ends or trekking(butterfly/mustache) bars are rubbish. Then read that, unless you plan on riding the drops a lot, the opposite is true.

I've read very differing views on pedals and footwear.

I've gradually managed to get over the shock of finding that my regular hobby, golf, is vastly cheaper than cycling

The array of advice on tyres, tubes, tubeless, tubeless conversion kits, puncture prevention, pressures to run at, sizes, styles, is truly mind boggling. Am gradually narrowing it down, now thinking 700x28mm upwards and have my eye on 32 or 35 Schwalbe Marathon plus and thinking of giving them a go with the Stans notubes conversion. Sort of belt and braces approach. But can't even seem to work out which, if any, of the Stans kits would fit.

So we do listen and we do try to research but often there is a time constraint to our decisions. We need to meet some form of deadline and there is just too much information to absorb. I don't think this is unique to cycling, I've seen the same on golf forums. Newbies can't help but repeat boring old threads and questions. But cycling does seem to be extremely complex and offer many routes to the one solution.

 

[Wigsie]

Thanks for that Mac, it is difficult and by nature I like to do a lot of research before making any decisions.

I know it must be kind of frustrating for those experienced ones among us and to be honest if they are frustrated with the usual Newb post of 'what bike for X pounds etc' then dont go in the beginners forum, like in many sports/hobbies there seems to be a mix of helpful guys/girls and cycling snobs that cant help but be condesending and patronising (I dont mean specifically on this site, just generally) and they really dont need to be, we are intelligent people (we are starting/returning to cycling after all).

There are bound to be loads of the same sort of posts as everyone is different, with varying tastes and varying riding styles preferred varying routes etc. Similarly to choosing cars, clothes or golf clubs (anything really). Everyone has their own idea of what they would like and/or aspire to and would therefore want to start a forum topic to answer their specific question and to ensure they are not going to waste a pile of money on a crazy choice.

After a fair bit of research and receiving a massive amount of wildly varying advice for the same scenario, I think its fair to say that people/experts give advice based on their own experience and preferences and there is no right or wrong answer like buying cars, you may not need the speed of a Lambo but you may prefer the way it drives and the look of it over a Porsche.

IMO any descision any newb makes should be inspired by advice (as i investigate and read all that is given) but the final say should come from themselves and whatever you feel comfortable with.