novice attempt at ring of kerry - Hybrid or racer?

boredatwork82

As the title suggests I will be attempting the ring of Kerry this year. I have never really done too much cycling, but in the last few weeks, I have been doing a few 30-50 km cycles 2 or 3 times a week.

Mainly on a new hybrid I have - Ridley Tempo, 27 speed.
I also own a racer, a trek 1000sl, much lighter, but only 14 or 18 speed not too sure.

Now I now the hybrid is far more comfortable, but I can clock up the miles and get use to it.

But my big problem is that the hybrid, has a smaller chain ring at the pedal, this really makes the climbs much easier.

Does the easier gears outweigh the negative of the upright position and weight of the hybrid?

ford2600

Your trek is probably 16 speed with a 53/39 rings up front.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/sram-pg850-8-speed-road-cassette/rp-prod17901

Chose the 12-26 cassette and 39/26 will do for any climb on ring.

If you have trek set up right(assuming it is the right size for you) no reason it can't be comfortable.

Your doing over 100km/week up that gradually to 150-200km and you'll fly around ring.

People do it on high nellies/an post bike/bso so don't worry too much, but trek woud be my choice.

smacl

The gears you need depend to a large extent on how heavy you are and how fit you are. I've done the WW200 on a hybrid and got through it fine, though it is slower than a road bike for the same effort, and may be less comfortable due to lack of bar positions. I wouldn't fancy a long hilly day on a 53/39 with say a 12/25 cassette, largely down to being a bit overweight and under fit.

I'd tend to do the ROK on whatever bike you do the bulk of your training on before the event. Note that a bike that is comfy for a two hour spin may be a total ball breaker on a six hour or longer spin, so you really need to try a few longer hilly spins on both bikes. For me, the road bike is more comfortable for long days on the bike, though moving over from the hybrid this took a couple of months.

boredatwork82

Thanks guys. I would be overweight and heavy. currently 19stone, down 3 stone in the last few months, but still a lot of excess weight to be carrying around for the day.

I am going to train hard on my racer for the next 2 months so. Did 40km on it last night, felt alright but just have to get the back and shoulders/arms use to it.

Another newbie question, Do those cycling clip on shoes make much of a difference?

cdaly_

With the bit of overweight, it'd be handy to have the lower gears so I'd go for the hybrid for this time. You can work on the road bike later.

Yes, the clip in shoes and pedals are brilliant. You feel more connected to the bike, can put in more power when taking off and climbing. I wouldn't be without them.

Jabel

boredatwork82 wrote: »

Thanks guys. I would be overweight and heavy. currently 19stone, down 3 stone in the last few months, but still a lot of excess weight to be carrying around for the day.

I am going to train hard on my racer for the next 2 months so. Did 40km on it last night, felt alright but just have to get the back and shoulders/arms use to it.

Another newbie question, Do those cycling clip on shoes make much of a difference?

Clip in shoes - oh yeah, you'll never look back

check_six

The Ring of Kerry is a long day in the saddle, but not too tough in terms of hills, so you don't need any super low granny gears, you just need to be able to deal with being on the bike for maybe 7+ hours. I found my neck and shoulders got sore when I got tired late on. Getting happy with and used to the position on your bike is really important.

I saw all kinds of weird bikes on the cycle. There was one guy on a bmx. Another two larger gentlemen were on mountain bikes that were rusting apart before your very eyes. They had their saddles very low and their knees were sticking out as they cycled. Don't know how they managed to haul themselves around.

boredatwork82

Cool, Thanks Guys.
I am going to start training on the racer, and if after a few weeks, I am struggling I can switch to the hybrid.
I will join a cycling club down here and try get some group cycles, hills , and longer cycles under my belt.

And on Saturday I will go into the shop and get me some peddles and shoes.

ford2600

boredatwork82 wrote: »

Cool, Thanks Guys.
I am going to start training on the racer, and if after a few weeks, I am struggling I can switch to the hybrid.
I will join a cycling club down here and try get some group cycles, hills , and longer cycles under my belt.

And on Saturday I will go into the shop and get me some peddles and shoes.

Get shop to fit cleats on shoes and get you set up. Ask them, for a few quid or maybe free if a good customer, to have a look at your fit on bike.

Whatever bike you use getting the basics of fit right is critical.

Good shorts/bibs essential as mileage goes up also. Petroleum jelly/sudocream are your friends

Rock Lesnar

Can i just thank all the above posts, i to am like the above poster, im around 16 stone and 6'2 and this is my 1st ring of kerry, i was told that there was some steep hills in it but after reading some of the posts that doesnt seem to be the case........hopefully.

I'm currently doing roughly 90km over 3 nights a week, but finding hills still a problem, will be visiting the bike shop now to invest in some clip in shoes and pedals.

Thanks again, Much appreciated

Wishbone Ash

smacl wrote: »

... and may be less comfortable due to lack of bar positions...

+1

A road bike has at least 3 basic hand positions whereas a hybrid has one - significant if you're going to be in that position for 6 - 9 hours. Personally I'd find the hybrid position to be too wide compared to the narrower road bike position.

not yet

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

+1

A road bike has at least 3 basic hand positions whereas a hybrid has one - significant if you're going to be in that position for 6 - 9 hours. Personally I'd find the hybrid position to be too wide compared to the narrower road bike position.

100%...
I switched last year from Hybrid to Road bike, first thing I noticed were the different positions and how narrow the bars were on road bike. Much more comfortable.

theKillerBite

Always opt for a road bike. You wont regret the decision when youre leaving kenmare facing the 6k climb up Molls Gap

check_six

theKillerBite wrote: »

Always opt for a road bike. You wont regret the decision when youre leaving kenmare facing the 6k climb up Molls Gap

Just to qualify my statement about the hills; there are two long climbs on the Ring of Kerry, both are about 3km or so, but they are both steady drags. You can easily find a comfortable rhythm on a low gear no matter what level you are at. You may not be going that quickly but you will be able to make steady progress without having any sudden ramps to sap your energy. The steadiness of the climbs means that you will have time to have a look around and enjoy the spectacular scenery!

fabvinny

i have just switched from a hybrid to a new roadbike (defy 2) have found the hand position a huge change! also missing my saddle from the hybrid! after only a few spins on the new bike my arse is killing me! hopefully this will ease with a few more runs! have missed the boat for this years ROK but will hopefully do a few sportives around the place.everyone tells me that the clip on pedals are the way to go so will invest in them too,thanks for the tips.

not yet

fabvinny wrote: »

i have just switched from a hybrid to a new roadbike (defy 2) have found the hand position a huge change! also missing my saddle from the hybrid! after only a few spins on the new bike my arse is killing me! hopefully this will ease with a few more runs! have missed the boat for this years ROK but will hopefully do a few sportives around the place.everyone tells me that the clip on pedals are the way to go so will invest in them too,thanks for the tips.

I'm assuming you are using padded shorts????

If not, you really are asking for trouble on anything over 10k. Got some gel padded shorts a while back and they are worth every penny.

fabvinny

not yet wrote: »

I'm assuming you are using padded shorts????

If not, you really are asking for trouble on anything over 10k. Got some gel padded shorts a while back and they are worth every penny.

oh yeah,using padded shorts,just finding the new saddle a lot harder than the old one! havent tried gel shorts,are they expensive/better than regular pad??

Lumen

IMO shorts should be the icing on the cake as far as comfort goes, most of the comfort comes from saddle choice and position.

If you're uncomfortable in any normal padded shorts the shorts are not the problem. I would almost extend that to unpadded shorts too.

Wishbone Ash

Lumen wrote: »

IMO shorts should be the icing on the cake as far as comfort goes, most of the comfort comes from saddle choice and position.

If you're uncomfortable in any normal padded shorts the shorts are not the problem. I would almost extend that to unpadded shorts too.

+1

You can't make an uncomfortable or unsuitable saddle comfortable/suitable by wearing specific shorts.

Tourman

Rock Lesnar wrote: »

Can i just thank all the above posts, i to am like the above poster, im around 16 stone and 6'2 and this is my 1st ring of kerry, i was told that there was some steep hills in it but after reading some of the posts that doesnt seem to be the case........hopefully.

I'm currently doing roughly 90km over 3 nights a week, but finding hills still a problem, will be visiting the bike shop now to invest in some clip in shoes and pedals.

Thanks again, Much appreciated

Doing my 3rd Rok .I hate hills and still find them difficult but climbs on the Rok not to steep they just go on a bit. Practice climbing low gear try and keep the cadence regular you should be fine. Cleats make a huge difference. And someone going your speed to pace you up. Nothing to fear it great craic loads of encouragement from everyone.

greenrocket

I would go for the racer. Get some time in the saddle to improve the arse. I did it last year overweight with just 400km done. Got to the 50 mark and had to tell the lads I was with that this was the furthest I had ever cycled. Took me 7 and half hour in the saddle. I enjoyed the stops and took my time. Some crack. Great to finish but I was tired. Well worth it though and it made me want to cycle more Which is never a bad thing.

brownian

fabvinny wrote: »

oh yeah,using padded shorts,just finding the new saddle a lot harder than the old one! havent tried gel shorts,are they expensive/better than regular pad??

You could also try a more comfortable saddle. A lot of stock saddles are pretty harsh. Some people (myself included) opt for the slightly less aggressive Brooks leather saddles. While you can get them with high-nelly springs in them, you can also get more 'roadie' shapes. Mines a B17, and it's on a Cannondale SuperSix... the 'look' isn't as 'matching' as you might like, but it's a pretty comfy ride.

Shorts and gloves too, of course