Hybrid vs racer
- Thread starter macks
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youngoldbloke
The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
You mean you may be able to give the bike an extra 1.5 mph! Probably true that you would be able to go faster on a drop bar road bike with a similar spec to the 7.6fx, if only because your position would be more aero. A cheaper, heavier bike may not give you much more help.
Andrew_Culture
Internet Marketing bod
- Location
- The People's Republic Of Suffolk.
I'd say you'll probably be able to go down steep hills faster, but with that speed also comes the need to subdue a bit of fear, because with your hands at the bottom of the drops the road ahead becomes a bit more of a rolling mystery!
rollinstok
Well-Known Member
- Location
- morecambe
I'd weigh up the pros and cons
With the 7.6fx you have a good bike with a ( presumably ) comfortable riding position that enables you to see the road ahead better than with drops.
The 7.6fx is probably a lot easier to manouvre than a dropped bar bike. Your bike is a little more suited to cyclepaths and light trail work than an out and out racer. You have lower gears should you hit a stinker of a climb. The brakes are better and conveniently reached.
On the other hand you MAY be able to increase your average from 15.5mph to 17mph by spending a lot of money.
With the 7.6fx you have a good bike with a ( presumably ) comfortable riding position that enables you to see the road ahead better than with drops.
The 7.6fx is probably a lot easier to manouvre than a dropped bar bike. Your bike is a little more suited to cyclepaths and light trail work than an out and out racer. You have lower gears should you hit a stinker of a climb. The brakes are better and conveniently reached.
On the other hand you MAY be able to increase your average from 15.5mph to 17mph by spending a lot of money.
I have a hybrid and a road bike for commuting, for me the the main difference I notice is on the flat, on my road bike I am faster, on climbs and descents there is not that much difference, despite the hybrid being significantly heavier although with lower low gears.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
As folk who has went that way, flat to drops have found (I certainly have with a Sirrus); the flat bar road bike (aka hybrid) is fast and almost there with good wheels and tyres but it loses a bit if you are looking to go further & faster, in to the wind (or drag) or comfort wise on the hand. IMO opinion 1.5mph is a reasonable estimate. From ME when the sirrus was converted from flat to drops, I was averaging comfortably before hand 15-15.5mph (17.5mph with a lot of work on a completely flat course)and after 16-16.5mph (really working in a chain gang, I took it to 19.5-20mph average over 43miles with some undulation) and when I went for a dedicated road bike averages have been higher and distances have been longer, granted I've got fitter but it just wouldn't have been possible for me with a flat bar. So IMO if its speed and distance you want drops are certainly the way to go, good luck 
Fabian Cancellara would beat all of us on here on a rusty old BSO mountain bike. So its not just about the bike.
A road bike would most probably improve your average as you would have to get into a more aerodynamic position (slightly more bum up/head down than your Trek) however what if you didn't like it? it may actually slow you down a bit until you got used to it or you may find it uncomfortable
A couple of spacers off your Trek (if poss) would get you lower and a bit more aero which may increase speed but so would better wheels and perhaps skinnier and better rolling tyres. All At the fraction of the price of a new road bike.
Or are you looking for an excuse to buy another bike and looking towards us to justify that it will be money well spent ??
If that is the case then you should definately keep your trek for a winter/touring steed and buy a flashy new road bike as there would be absolutely no way that your times will come down unless you have a Carbon Frame and Fulcrum 5 hoops at the absolute minimum. You should also get a mountain bike for when the going gets rough oh and you also need a training bike and commuting bike and perhaps a single speed jobbie for the Turbo that should just about see you through until your next upgrade !
A road bike would most probably improve your average as you would have to get into a more aerodynamic position (slightly more bum up/head down than your Trek) however what if you didn't like it? it may actually slow you down a bit until you got used to it or you may find it uncomfortable
A couple of spacers off your Trek (if poss) would get you lower and a bit more aero which may increase speed but so would better wheels and perhaps skinnier and better rolling tyres. All At the fraction of the price of a new road bike.
Or are you looking for an excuse to buy another bike and looking towards us to justify that it will be money well spent ??
If that is the case then you should definately keep your trek for a winter/touring steed and buy a flashy new road bike as there would be absolutely no way that your times will come down unless you have a Carbon Frame and Fulcrum 5 hoops at the absolute minimum. You should also get a mountain bike for when the going gets rough oh and you also need a training bike and commuting bike and perhaps a single speed jobbie for the Turbo that should just about see you through until your next upgrade !
Thanks for all the advice.
It's just that my work are starting up the cycle to work scheme and I'm thinking of getting the Cube Streamer 2011 from Chain Reaction
It's just that my work are starting up the cycle to work scheme and I'm thinking of getting the Cube Streamer 2011 from Chain Reaction
youngoldbloke
The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
Go for it! Good looking bike, good spec, good weight. Let us know if you are faster on it .
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GreenMambaGreen
New Member
- Location
- South London, North Kent
If you can afford it, get that Cube. Keep your hybrid too. Use both, pick one as and when it suits you or the particular time you are riding. I have a Trek 7.3fx and love the bike. I then bought a Boardman Road Comp as a first road bike (drop bars),before spending bigger once I knew what I wanted. I personally love having both!
scotty110788
Active Member
- Location
- Tyne and Wear
my biggest regret bike wise was going the hybrid route rather than the road one, but end of the day its all personal choice 
Andrew_Culture
Internet Marketing bod
- Location
- The People's Republic Of Suffolk.
I solved the problem by find more places to store bikes 
swede54
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Milton Keynes
I've had a Trek 7.5 and then bought a Scott CR1. It's made virtually no difference to my average speed but has made a big difference to my average mileage, probably due to the Scott being 3 kg lighter, and the wider range of riding positions with the drops, as the range of gears is virtually identical.
What about a cyclecross?
Okay, I'm asking 'cos I tooam considering supplementing my faithful old Marin hybrid, and wasn't even aware of that category! Looks like they (some?) have extension brakes on the tops of the basso you can vary position.
Anyone else got a view on these ?
Cheers!
Okay, I'm asking 'cos I tooam considering supplementing my faithful old Marin hybrid, and wasn't even aware of that category! Looks like they (some?) have extension brakes on the tops of the basso you can vary position.
Anyone else got a view on these ?
Cheers!
