Road 'V' Hybrid performance/clique.

[Shrim]

I'm thinking about joining a road cycling club and have been trawling though countless websites to try and decide which one would be best for me.

The main points to consider from my point of view were that I did not want something too serious (due to work and home commitments) and that I could turn up when I wanted to take part in the organised rides.

I think I have found the one that I am looking for which ticks all the boxes but I have noticed that the majority if not all the members have dedicated road bikes (drop bars) whereas I have a hybrid bike. I have contacted the club and this doesn't seem to be a problem but the lack of hybrid bikes within the club does worry me in that maybe hybrid bikes could not keep the pace or there is a "clique" if you like concerning the two different bike types.

I am sure everyone will be friendly enough as a lot of the posts on here say as such but I would like everyones opinion with regards to road and hybrid bike performance and generally acceptability of the two types within one group.

Thanks.

 

[BSRU]

You will probably find the only difference between your bike and the "road" bike are the handlebars and tyre size. It is not the bike that makes it go it is the rider.

 

[lukesdad]

It will depend on how serious the group within the club you are going to ride with is. If they re worth their salt they will let you go for a ride with them to see how you get on before joining.

 

[NorrisCole]

The honest answer is unless you're superfit, I doubt you would be able to keep the pace.
If they're a nice club they will wait for you.
I should point out that because I don't know you or the club you plan on riding with I am just speculating, but there have been a few times where people have turned up on my clubs club run on hybrid/mtb and they haven't been able to hold the pace.
Maybe time to get a road bike?

 

[BSRU]

I have had no problem going past a roadie or two on their "racers" while I'm on my hybrid road bike, despite it weighing almost three times the weight of a decent racer and having the aerodynamics of a brick wall.
A Specialized Secteur is a racer type but it is similar to a similarly priced hybrid Specialized Sirrus.
If you have a decent hybrid speed should not be the issue just how comfortable you will be if they ride for a long time.
The last time I went on a club run, along time ago that is, there were people of various abilities on various types of bikes, there would be regular points where we would all stop to allow everyone to catch up before setting off again.

 

[HLaB]

What type of hybrid have you got Shrim?

I say that because when I first joined a club I did so on a hybrid (aka a flat bar road bike, the Spesh Sirrus). I had a few comments at first but nothing really negative and within a few weeks I was dropping those folk and any comments turned into positive ones. Having said that it would have never coped with the faster groups although the frame has after I converted it to drops.

 

[adscrim]

The honest answer is unless you're superfit, I doubt you would be able to keep the pace.
If they're a nice club they will wait for you.
I should point out that because I don't know you or the club you plan on riding with I am just speculating, but there have been a few times where people have turned up on my clubs club run on hybrid/mtb and they haven't been able to hold the pace.
Maybe time to get a road bike?

Nonsense - Shrim, unless you go you won't find out. Lots of clubs will have multiple rides catering for different types of rider, you certainly don't need to be super fit before joining a cycling club. Go along and see what's on offer. If the first club doesn't suit, try another. You've nothing to lose.

 

[HLaB]

Nonsense - Shrim, unless you go you won't find out. Lots of clubs will have multiple rides catering for different types of rider, you certainly don't need to be super fit before joining a cycling club. Go along and see what's on offer. If the first club doesn't suit, try another. You've nothing to lose.

I'd definitely agree with that, I had similar doubts to Shrim initially, I wish I had ignored them and joined a club sooner.

 

[vorsprung]

I used to go on club runs on a heavy touring bike with 28mm tyres

I was usually at the back and often got dropped

Being a beginner and having a slow bike as well was all a bit much

I am much fitter now and have faster bikes but club runs aren't for me. I went out with the nearest couple of clubs and the other riders were mostly interested in racing or time trialling which doesn't float my boat.

My local CTC does a run to the pub every Wednesday night which is more my kind of thing. I could do that on any bike. Usually I use a heavy bike with 28mm tyres

So, to summarise if you want to play with the racing people get a racing bike. If you want to go to the pub any bike will do

 

[Shrim]

Thanks for your positive comments. I have a Specialized Sirrus Sport and I understand the gearing is very similar to road bikes anyway. I'm riding now at approximately 14 - 15 mph average and hope to improve this as my fitness and technique improve so hopefully I won't be too far behind them.
I'll think adscrim and Hlab are right, i'll give it a try. I can always get a roadie or continue to ride alone.

 

[Paulus]

The gearing is similar to that of a road bike, but the tyres are a bit fatter 28mil if I am correct. You should be ok on a club run with this bike.

 

[steve52]

i tagged on to a ride with some old boys , the leader turned up on a mountain bike with fat tyers muddgaurds and a rack so i though mmm should be a doddle, WRONG 60 miles and 18mph avg later, after they waited for me and even gave me a push as i rode up one hill, i crawled home to lie in the bath thinking if only i could talk and laugh while doing 12 mph up a fair hill !!!! maybe when im 60 and grown up ?

 

[Shrim]

You never know, I might surprise myself. I'll make the arrangements with the club and let you know how it all went. I'll get in some extra training too just to be on the safe side. Thanks.

 

[NorrisCole]

Nonsense - Shrim, unless you go you won't find out. Lots of clubs will have multiple rides catering for different types of rider, you certainly don't need to be super fit before joining a cycling club. Go along and see what's on offer. If the first club doesn't suit, try another. You've nothing to lose.

Think you missed my point. I'm all for people going and trying out clubs and I said that no-one could could give a definitive answer. But in my opinion, as a newbie to a club, you don't need a heavier slower hybrid bike counting against you as well. Nothing sucks like being spat out the back of the group or feeling like you're slowing everyone down - speaking from experience!

 

[HLaB]

Think you missed my point. I'm all for people going and trying out clubs and I said that no-one could could give a definitive answer. But in my opinion, as a newbie to a club, you don't need a heavier slower hybrid bike counting against you as well. Nothing sucks like being spat out the back of the group or feeling like you're slowing everyone down - speaking from experience!

The OP's not on a heavier hybrid, he's on a spesh sirrus, aka a flat bar road bike, not a heavier bike at all. OK its not perfect Aerodynamically but its a great entry to the club scene and speaking from experience you slow nobody down.