Upright to road bike

[Willow]

Willow, I have just changed from Hybrid to drop bar and I have to say the transition was a cinch, i was quite worried about it but i got used to it very quicky, what i noticed most other than lightness and speed is how sensitive they are as opposed to my Claude Butler (which now feels like I am riding a brick when i go on that) and yes you do have to much more considerate of crappy roads so i tend to ride further out now which i am just getting used to but has been a bit nerve racking at times.

i do think you should consider what you want it for though, road bikes are better looking but they come at a price, personally i don't think its worth it for short commutes (under 5 miles) unless you plan on going on some longer weekend rides to get the best out of it. only an opinion though.

I'm not in the market yet just curious, was thinking that in a year or so when boys are at senior school I could extend my commute into the surrey hills and avoid the A roads, it would add extra couple of miles and would be useful to be quicker. I'm sure the idea will pass just like for the moment clipless has - don't fancy getting through some of the tight spaces without being able to put feet down quickly.

 

[fossyant]

Just as easy to ride as any other bike, but it's twitchier/faster......although arse up head down takes a bit of getting used to - watch your back !

 

[Priscilla Parsley]

I'm not in the market yet just curious,


It is fun to look, and if your not desperate then at least you will be prepared when your ready, I must say though, once you start trying for size it gets exciting and money starts burning a hole in your pocket! if you not a midget like me then you can have a try on boys bikes and see how you like it. I recommend it though x

 

[Iainj837]

I did have a hybrid, then I got my touring bike (with drop handlebars) and took to it really quickly, I went back on the hybrid and didn't like it one bit so i am sticking with drop handle bars now

 

[Sittingduck]

I am also tempted but think I would need something able to sustain my not inconsiderable chunkyness

Thinking about some kind of tourer with slightly fatter types - maybe 32 or something. Would only use it at weekends on on nice sunny days I think and just stick with the hybrid for the daily commute, which is an 11 mile round trip.

Hmm... this cycling lark really is addictive, and potentially v expensive

 

[gratts]

Rode mine for the first time yesterday I have to say the transition was much easier than I thought!
Strange handlebars, gears and brakes, but they all just seemed to, well, work!
The impossibly thin tyres didn't even enter my mind and they were no harder to keep balanced on!
Go buy

 

[jimboalee]

I have three bikes with flat handlebars, and three with racing drops. I have no problem switching round any of the bikes.
The major concern when switching from a 'street' bike to a 'roadrace' bike is 1/ the fork rake. The distance the front hub is ahead of the steerer centreline, and 2/ the head angle.
On a Street bike, the head angle and the fork rake are more relaxed and the bike keeps itself going in a straight line ( try no-handed ). On a roadrace bike, these features are more upright and cause the bike to be 'twitchy'.

About tyres, I'm a hefty 190lb bloke. I ride on 26 x 1 3/8 and 700x22 contis ( not on the same bike ). The contis have a much smaller area of contact. This can be deduced by the contis being at 120 psi ( 0.8 sq in per tyre ) and the Raleigh Records being 60 psi ( 1.6 sq in per tyre ).
Per contact area, the thin tyres at 120 psi have a greater force against the tarmac, so adhere better. The fat tyres, I'm afraid to say, will lose adhesion first.

For this reason, Rally drivers use thin tyres in the snow rather than the usual wide ones.

 

[HelenD123]

This is all really interesting and encouraging guys as I've been considering making the transition as well. I even went to look at some yesterday. Enjoy the window shopping Willow!

 

[Tynan]

it's a no brainer, just do it, really

might feel a bit/very twitchy and odd for a ride or two, thereafter it's sweeeeet

 

[roshi chris]

I second that. Honestly no offense but the amount of discussion that goes on with people considering buying road bikes to ride on the road is bonkers.

Ride on the road? Ride a road bike then. A real no brainer.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

I have a Claude Butler Urban Hybrid and a Giant SCR3 road bike - I alternate in a two weekly pattern and look forward to the roads bike as it's faster and much better in headwinds (sidewinds are a different matter).

The road bike can be skittish and a little harder manouvreing through traffic compared to the hybrid, but each has it's pro's & con's.

Finally - thin tyres at 100psi and you feel every little bump or piece of grit - padded shorts abound

TonyEnjoyD