Newb advice pls. Hybrid vs. Cyclo-cross

[scook94]

Hi, first post here so please be gentle.

I've decided it's time I got off my fat @$$ and got some exercise. I'm therefore thinking along the lines of buying a bike that will allow be to get out and enjoy some of the country side around Stirling.

I've not really had a bike for about 20 years (my old racing bike having rusted away in my Dad's garage in that time)

Things have changed somewhat since I last bought a bike, I've spent sometime perusing the interweb and have been thinking along the lines of a hybrid.

Most of the time I imagine I'll be on road but I want to be confident that should I need to ride over some rough stuff the bike will be up for it.

I'd be happy to spend aound £600-£800 and have been looking at the likes of the Trek Soho 4 and the Charge Mixer (which seems to be hard to come by right now as shops seem to be waiting for the 2009 model)

However, as I've been used to drop handle bars since I was a kid I'm wondering if perhaps I should be looking at a Cyclo-cross? Or even just an out and out road bike?

If so, you're recommendations would be welcome.

So, thoughts and comments please?

TIA Steven.

 

[HLaB]

I prefer drops and you're right to consider them, apart from being more aero dynamic they offer more hand positions on a longer ride. PS The last time I was in your area my route took me to Kilsyth, Torbrex and Bridge of Allan and I was certainly glad of the drops.

 

[RedBike]

A lot depends on where you're planning on riding.

Off-road cyclo-cross bikes don't take any prisonners. They're VERY quick on the smoother stuff but when the going gets tough they soon test your bike handling skills. (Canti-lever brakes are also an experiance!) The gearings often a little high. The theory being that there's no need for low gears as anything steep enough to need them is quicker ran up.

Hybrids come in a range of styles. Some are effectively MTBs fitted with narrow tyres whereas others are more or less road bikes but with flat bars.

Have a look at where this group are riding and what they're using.
http://www.southlakesgroup.org.uk/
They seem to use everything from touring bikes to MTBs.

Assuming you're going to be riding mostly off-road I would recommend a MTB fitted with semi-slick tyres. The bike will be slow on the road but far more sure-footed off-road.

 

[scook94]

Hmmm, I take your point about the gearing on the cyclos. Thing is I think the majority of my riding will be road rather than off-road but I guess I won't really know until I'm out there!

 

[andrew_s]

I'd suggest a touring bike like the Dawes Galaxy or Revolution Country Explorer.
A road bike that is capable of handling anything that would be called a track, and with gears low enough that you don't have to be racing fit to use it.

Whether you use a touring bike or an MTB depends on where you anticipate doing most of your riding. Unless you are going to get into the habit of putting your bike in the car and driving somewhere to do your riding, that's almost certainly going to be on the road.

 

[scook94]

Thanks Andrew, I'm coming round to the idea that a tourer might be the right bike for me. I really like the look of the Revolution (apart from the colour! But I'm sure I'll get over that).

Any other makes I should be looking at? Ridgeback Voyage maybe?

 

[Andy in Sig]

A tourer is the ideal general purpose bike. I second what Andrew S says.