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Commuting times and bike choice
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21-05-2012 5:11pm#1
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for a 10k ride, is there any main advantage to getting a roasd bike over a hybrid.
as a rule of thumb when riding over acertain distance is it better to switch to X or Y types of bikes?
It's not quite about the distance but more about the terrain and surface (tarmac, mud, gravel etc.) that gives one type of bike an advantage over another.
If the 10k is all tarmac then drops would be just the quickest and most comfy way to do it.
If it's all mud and gravel with the odd rock and tree root thrown in, then the MTB is your best friend (some might argue that a cross bike is an option, haven't tried one myself therefore can't comment on it).
The hybrid is a bit of an oddball, locks you in one hand position with a rather narrow bar as opposed to an MTB but doesn't have the durability or tire clearance for doing proper trail riding. And instead of putting you in a road-ish position it's a lot more upright therefore making it slower than a proper road bike.
The advantage though is that the flat bar shifters and brake leavers are way cheaper than drop bar specific STI ones.
And if we throw in some gradient then we'd also have to talk a bit about gearing. Pushing a 39/23 up a 17% gradient wouldn't be much fun I imagine
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Most people on here will recommend a road bike for that distance. Lots of people start out buying a bike for commuting and end up getting bitten by the bug, joining a club etc. I know i did. In this instance, a road bike will serve you for years, while if you get a hybrid you will need to upgrade.
Over your 10km commute, the difference in time between a road bike and a hybrid won't be huge, so if you don't see yourself being bitten by the bug, go with the hybrid
not sure ill be biten by the bug....i could be but im more of a runner and was thinking id alternate runing/riding to and from work but prob mostly ride this summer.It's not quite about the distance but more about the terrain and surface (tarmac, mud, gravel etc.) that gives one type of bike an advantage over another.
If the 10k is all tarmac then drops would be just the quickest and most comfy way to do it.
If it's all mud and gravel with the odd rock and tree root thrown in, then the MTB is your best friend (some might argue that a cross bike is an option, haven't tried one myself therefore can't comment on it).
The hybrid is a bit of an oddball, locks you in one hand position with a rather narrow bar as opposed to an MTB but doesn't have the durability or tire clearance for doing proper trail riding. And instead of putting you in a road-ish position it's a lot more upright therefore making it slower than a proper road bike.
The advantage though is that the flat bar shifters and brake leavers are way cheaper than drop bar specific STI ones.
And if we throw in some gradient then we'd also have to talk a bit about gearing. Pushing a 39/23 up a 17% gradient wouldn't be much fun I imagine
good news is that this city is flat as a pancake, and in relation to being arunner i dont like that its so flat!!Not likely to. And a hybrid/flat bar is ideal for that distance. You're not on the bike long enough to need to change hand position, so comfort isn't much of an issue. I had a 7.1 and it's a good bike, if a bit heavy. Fine over 10-20k, and ideal around town.
This is where the flat bar bike fails. If it's something you genuinely think you may want to do then don't consider anything other than a drop bar bike. Changing hand position is something you'll want to do on longer rides. Moving down onto the drops makes headwinds easier to battle as well. I found the hybrid very hard going in strong winds. Now that it's gone I can't see myself ever owning another one tbh.
for now it should be commuting but maybe a bit longer...cant see myself going for 2hours + though...or even 1hour if im running well as ill be running long this summer too.another consideration is the weather....whats the winter like, ice/snow? Im going to the states to live next month and winters there are severe.....a cyclocross would be a good option but expensive for a 10k commute. Id agree with the rest, 10k only and snowy winter - get the hybrid
yup, weather here sucks in winter...it will be below zero for 5+ months of the year....thats another thing driving the price, i wont actually get much time use out of it as ill just drive to work in the winter...
cheers for the replies anyway all....0 -
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ive had bikes with alu, carbon and steel forks. I think you would do well to tell the difference on a short commute, biggest influence is the wheels. Why did you rule out the 7.1? Thats what ive been looking at for the US. The benefit of a hybrid for me is that I can ride through the winter, something you couldnt do on a road bike
Really? I've been doin it for years! why didn't anyone tell me this?
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ive had bikes with alu, carbon and steel forks. I think you would do well to tell the difference on a short commute, biggest influence is the wheels. Why did you rule out the 7.1? Thats what ive been looking at for the US. The benefit of a hybrid for me is that I can ride through the winter, something you couldnt do on a road bike
i rode it and i didnt like the riding position, i felt it was shorter from the seat to the bars.07Lapierre wrote: »Really? I've been doin it for years! why didn't anyone tell me this?
would generally be -20 here in winters and can get down to -30 for a few weeks....they also salt the roads a fair bit here.I do a 30KM round trip. Days when I'm carrying lots of stuff I take a mountain bike. When it's just the lunch and a fresh shirt I have a steel road bike.
The MTB is a leisurely spin in jeans and a t-shirt. The road bike is lycra and aiming for personal bests!
Either is suitable for 10KM. Depends how you'd like to arrive and if you're going to be carrying lots of stuff.
If I wanted something to do both I'd ride something like this
I suppose it also depends on what the parking facilities are like...
seems like for my commute there is not much to gain from going to an all bells and whistles roadie.....maybe my decision should be based on comfort and price as what im looking at is generally the same range for the most part.0 -
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07Lapierre wrote: »You intend cycling when its -20??? :eek:
I don't know if I could even walk at those temperatures... 0 -
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Not unless you plan on getting the miles in over the weekend, then I'd be looking at a second bike.
What sort of budget had you in mind?
budget was $500-600CAD. this was driven by the fact that i can only use it 5-6months of the year due to weather conditions. i never really cycled before so i could use it a few times then it would be hung up in the garage.if you're planning at going out with a bike with -20 or -30 then you can do everything... with every sort of bike I reckon
Personally I wouldn't go out with -5, but that's just me
ive ran in -20 but dont plan on riding in it!07Lapierre wrote: »You intend cycling when its -20??? :eek:
nope, see above...I don't know if I could even walk at those temperatures...
i see people cycling in it and they wehre ski goggles and face masks(like dirt bike helmets)....but ive ran in it but no way im riding in it.For the proper winters (been there done that) you will want/need some decent tires with spikes. At -20 and below even the softest mtb compound will become no different to a wooden wheel.
Also, when the temps get that low you'll want some winter specific grease in the rear hub at least otherwise you might end up with a constant freewheel bike (when the ratchet thingies sieze up in the grease).
I'd go with two bikes for this or something that has very good tire clearance (not all hybrids have that). Also the snow tends stick to the tires and frame therfore tire to frame clearance becomes important. That salted slush is a nightmare in that regard. It almost starts to feel like you might be sorted with an mtb that has a rigid fork built for very fat tires. and a second set of wheels for the winter months.
ive heard about the grease but not about the tyres....cheersI'd use a roadbike in the summer and a rigid singlespeed MTB in the winter, assuming you have no massive hills.
You don't want to be cleaning jockey wheels in the freezing cold.
Also, 10km is a long way in deep snow.
no hills here, might be good for riding but not for running! somedays ill have wind to contend with thoughI have a Rapid 3 with bar ends and find it very comfortable - the longest spin I've done to date is only 55km and had no issues with the flat bar for that time. The only thing I find is that riding in the wind is a pain - hence I'm planning to change to drop bars.
What about buying a 2nd hand Rapid and if you do get bitten by the bug then you can simply change to drop bars.
Oh, one more thing, the Rapid can take bigger tyres and has eyelets for proper mudguards and a rack should you wish to carry stuff.
i rode it tonight...was above budget so decided against it....Andy-Pandy wrote: »Steel framed light tourer, with panniers, for a 50k round trip commute, works a treat.
my 10k seems insignificant!
anyway, cheers for the info/feedback. i decided to buy the specialized sirrus, got 10% off for having an NHL ticket so it was the cheapest and most comfortable flat bar i rode...although giant seemed the same tbh.
got it for $642 incl helmet so imready to roll, wish me luck!0 -
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