Road or Hybrid

[Jasey]

Hi all I need your expert opinions on what bike to buy.
I currently do three spinning classes a week and have decided that I would also like to do some proper cycling. I have an old Montain bike but it doesn't perform that well on the road. What are the pros and cons with both bikes.
Many thanks
Jason

 

[MissTillyFlop]

I started on a hybrid then got a road bike. I prefer the road bike as the ability to vary the position of your hands makes it way more comfy to ride.

But if you want to go on unpaved places, a hybrid or cross bike.

 

[Peteaud]

I went down the Hybrid route because my local cycle route is a fair mix of surfaces inc some muddy bits, so a roadie was out of the question, although i do hanker for one. having said that, i do love the Hybrid for being so prctical and comfy.

 

[Fran143]

I'd say road bike for getting some serious miles in. I use my hybrid for commuting and a wee pootle into work, Wiggles got a Giant Rapid 2 at the moment which is a cracking road bike with flat bars. Happy shopping!

 

[NormanD]

Go for a cross bike .. the best of both words in one

 

[jowwy]

I have both a road and hybrid bike - and they both get used for different purposes

The roady is the summer bike were it does 50 mile trips and the commutes into work

The Hybrid gets used during the colder, wetter winter months on muddy towpaths and safer cycle tracks around the hills of south wales valleys.

now for the roadies to tell me to unretire the road bike and get back on the roads.

 

[I like Skol]

Right! My opinion for what it is worth. I have an MTB for mountain biking and that is great. I have a recently purchased good road bike for summer and forum rides and that is great. I have a hybrid that does everything else and that is brilliant! The hybrid does a 20 mile round trip commute a couple of days a week. It also does the forum rides when it is wet and I want mudguards and panniers with dry clothing/supplies, it does shopping, it does family cycle trips, it does the school run with the kids. It will be the bike I take when I do the planned 160 mile trip (hopefully in one day!) to my dad's in south Wales in the summer.

I used the MTB to commute before I bought the hybrid. I used the road bike to commute recently when the hybrid was out of commision for a few weeks. Both bikes were good commuters but I still choose and prefer the hybrid for most things except...... The road bike feels like a leaping stallion compared to the other two. Stamp on the pedals and it responds wonderfully. Don't be talked out of a hybrid, a good hybrid, well chosen is a thing of wonder!

 

[BigTam]

Both if you can afford it, gives you many more opportunities to enjoy cycling

 

[MattHB]

I have a hybrid, but want a roadie, but there of plenty of rides I'd not be able to do on a roadie! So it's a tough one. It'll depend loads on where you live and what the terrain is like.

 

[mickle]

What is a hybrid?

 

[Jasey]

Thanks guys for your help. I think I will probably go with a hybrid, I can then get the best of both worlds until I have enough funds for a roadie.

 

[mickle]

Put slicks on the mountain bike and save up for a road bike.

 

[MattHB]

I really am starting to wonder if a hybrid is something you buy before you know what type of cycling you're going to do. I wish I'd bought a roadie.

 

[vickster]

I have both (and am now considering an MTB too). My flat bar is for commuting and going to the shops, the road bike is for nice summer days when I don't have a specific plan. I couldn't commute on drop bars with clipless and skinny tyres, just don't find it as comfortable in traffic, the dark, the park which is on my commute etc (this may have something to do with the fact that it cost 3x as much as the hybrid and is made of carbon I guess)

It rather depends on uses, confidence, local environs etc

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Spruce up the mountain bike: in broad terms, the only difference between a mtb and a hybrid is the tyres.

Flat bars - check; robust frame - check; broad range of gears - check; utilitarian, multi-purpose workhorse - check.

£50 will get you some mudguards, road tyres and, if needed, tubes plus a once-over from your local bike shop.

Put the, say, £250/300 you've saved on a hybrid towards a road bike in the Spring and you're laughing.

"Hybrid", "mtb", "road", "touring" etc are all labels imposed by businesses in an effort to convince us that we need evermore specialised kit and equipment to do what we do and take our hard-earned off us for the privilege.