Hybrid vs MTB with lockout suspension

Shy Ted

What are your thoughts on mountain bikes or hybrid bikes with lockout suspension?
I don't know much about bikes, but I'm interested in getting one for doing a bit of everything from general cycling on the road to possibly dirt track cycling.
I thought the lockout suspension would be handy for getting a best of both worlds, but I'm not sure what the difference is between a hybrid or a mtb when fitted with it. Could someone possibly enlighten me on this?

Colonel Panic

Depends on the hybrid, but gearing, frame geometry, handlebar width would all be different for an MTB.

If you can only get one bike, then commuting on a hardtail MTB wouldn't be so bad if you fitted it with slick tyres and locked out the suspension.

Borderfox

You still have to carry all the suspension gubbins around when your not using it. Cyclocross bike?

kneemos

Hybrid is way more comfortable,can be fairly slippery on loose ground though.
Always had the impression suspension was only useful for serious off-roading otherwise just a gimmick.

smacl

I have a hybrid bike with lockable suspension, bought with very much the same ideas in mind. The suspension hasn't been unlocked since last Christmas taking it down ticknock, which it wasn't really up to. I don't bother unlocking it on Coilte tracks and unpaved boreens. On a small budget, a rigid forked hybrid would be a better bet, and can handle most terrain other than actual mountain bike tracks pretty well. If you're planning on going mountain biking, get a proper mountain bike, a hybrid will get shaken to bits quite quickly.

Shy Ted

Thanks for all the advice. I know i could get chastised for this, but I'll be buying from halfords as they're the most convenient bike shop for me & they're open Sundays. I was thinking along the lines of a carrera vulcan, but the nearest hybrid is a carrera crossfire 3 which carries an additional €100 on the price tag.

.ak

Get a hardtail MTB. Most come with a lockout now. And if you ever want to do some off-road stuff you have the equipment. Hybrids do rough roads really, that's it.

kneemos

If it's mostly road cycling you're planning then a hybrid,it'll handle the odd track well enough.Wouldn't bother with suspension though it's just extra weight to carry.

desertcircus

Shy Ted wrote: »

What are your thoughts on mountain bikes or hybrid bikes with lockout suspension?
I don't know much about bikes, but I'm interested in getting one for doing a bit of everything from general cycling on the road to possibly dirt track cycling.
I thought the lockout suspension would be handy for getting a best of both worlds, but I'm not sure what the difference is between a hybrid or a mtb when fitted with it. Could someone possibly enlighten me on this?

Unless you're fully expecting to do plenty of riding on dirt tracks, I'd be very wary of getting anything with suspension. It adds a lot of weight (and a huge amount of cost if it's in any way decent), and it makes for a less pleasant ride almost everywhere other than on trails.

As for the difference between a hybrid and an MTB with suspension fork: the hybrid will have a different seating position, narrower handlebars, bigger wheels and different gearing. A hybrid with suspension will still be very rough on off-road, and will be front-heavy on the road. An MTB will handle well on dirt, but will be slow and mushy on roads.

.ak

Yeah not going to lie, I use my MTB to commute, and she's a bit of a beast, so it's certainly not zippy. But on the flipside you'll be building some serious strength. After a few months you can move about relatively sharpish, so long as you keep your gear clean and dirt free.

Budawanny

Unless you actually want to go proper Mountain biking just get a hybrid without suspension.

if possible rent a mountain bike for a day up in Ballinastoe or where ever,
see if you like it. even if you dont you will get a feel for fire roads and it its actually of interest or not if nothing else.
Then you can say bugger mtb and get a more sensible bike.

I have a hybrid for commuting , i also use it for spins from work in IFSC up Killmashogue and offroad to Ticknock satellites without any bother.

I have hybrid for commuting, and a couple of mtbs for MTB..

So many people buy mountain bikes and never use them for what they are meant for. try before you buy!

Shy Ted

Unfortunately I won't able to commute with the bike. 150km per day would be a hefty trek on the legs. I think I'll prob use the bike on the road mainly with an occasional spin offroad.

smacl

What's your budget? Something like a Giant Escape 3 is a solid piece of entry level kit for €375, though a bit under-geared.

Shy Ted

Thanks for all the advice guys. I ended up going for a Boardman race hybrid. Lovely bike but unfortunately it was setup arseways.
I had a kickstand installed at the shop and when I went for a spin at home, the pedals kept hitting it at every rotation. So, I bent it back a bit and that solved that issue.
Then the steering became loose, and I was able to turn it away from the front wheel completely by hand (Bit awkward trying to cycle with the handlebars at 90 degrees :mad:).
And finally, the chain was rattling off the front derailleur most of the time, and the rear derailleur was set halfway between two cogs and it was automatically changing gears by itself.
Oh, and my girlfriend got a bike as well and the chain kept coming off the front ring gears on it.
Its sad really, as they did an inspection of both bikes while were watching them.

So, now I'm trying to learn the art of setting up the bikes myself.
Having mixed results. I'm struggling to avoid the chain rubbing off the front derailleur when cross chaining (I know I shouldn't cross chain but I want to setup the bike as best as I can).
Is it normal for the chain to be rattling at certain gears?
Also, there are two chain rings on the bike, but the front gear shifter goes to 3. Does that mean that there is the potential of adding another chain ring?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I don't want to go back to the shop to have them "fixed" :rolleyes:.

kneemos

Shy Ted wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice guys. I ended up going for a Boardman race hybrid. Lovely bike but unfortunately it was setup arseways.
I had a kickstand installed at the shop and when I went for a spin at home, the pedals kept hitting it at every rotation. So, I bent it back a bit and that solved that issue.
Then the steering became loose, and I was able to turn it away from the front wheel completely by hand (Bit awkward trying to cycle with the handlebars at 90 degrees :mad:).
And finally, the chain was rattling off the front derailleur most of the time, and the rear derailleur was set halfway between two cogs and it was automatically changing gears by itself.
Oh, and my girlfriend got a bike as well and the chain kept coming off the front ring gears on it.
Its sad really, as they did an inspection of both bikes while were watching them.

So, now I'm trying to learn the art of setting up the bikes myself.
Having mixed results. I'm struggling to avoid the chain rubbing off the front derailleur when cross chaining (I know I shouldn't cross chain but I want to setup the bike as best as I can).
Is it normal for the chain to be rattling at certain gears?
Also, there are two chain rings on the bike, but the front gear shifter goes to 3. Does that mean that there is the potential of adding another chain ring?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I don't want to go back to the shop to have themr "fixed" :rolleyes:.

Was it a local shop or a chain store.No shop should be giving out a bike in that condition

Shy Ted

It was a Halfords store.

kneemos

Shy Ted wrote: »

It was a Halfords store.

Thought so.

Divisadero

Sorry to hear of all the problems but for peace of mind you might want to consider bringing the bikes to a decent bike shop and have their mechanic check them for you. Yes Halfords should resolve this for you but if their staff don't know what they are doing and you are not experienced enough yourself it may be the best option. You can always lodge a complaint with Halfords if you really want to as well.

Shy Ted

Yeah, its a bit crap. I genuinely don't trust them to have another go at the two bikes.
As for putting in a complaint. Is it really worth it, and what can they do other than offer to repair the bikes?

I probably will have to go to another bike shop, but I'd like it if I could get them working reasonably well myself.

Is it normal to have the chain rubbing against the front derailleur in certain gears or should it be running smoothly regardless of the gearing?

Lumen

Shy Ted wrote: »

Is it normal to have the chain rubbing against the front derailleur in certain gears

Yes, when cross-chaining (Google it). Some shifters have a trim function to help with this, though it's better to not do it.

Divisadero

Yes I agree. That's why I said if you really want to. They might offer you a voucher or something if you complain to the head office. But then again they might not and life probably is too short!

kneemos

Shy Ted wrote: »

Yeah, its a bit crap. I genuinely don't trust them to have another go at the two bikes.
As for putting in a complaint. Is it really worth it, and what can they do other than offer to repair the bikes?

I probably will have to go to another bike shop, but I'd like it if I could get them working reasonably well myself.

Is it normal to have the chain rubbing against the front derailleur in certain gears or should it be running smoothly regardless of the gearing?

There's probably a screw or two on the derailleur to adjust in or out.Chances are it's badly adjusted.

Budawanny

I think your mad not to bring it back. Not screaming or shouting but just to get it done right.
I know lots of a few people who have great luck with boardman from Halford.
Seriously, it was probably one lazy arse.
It's not good enough to accept it. Some kid will there without brakes and end up under a lorry or something.

Shy Ted

There was two guys setting them up. Bringing both bikes back would be more of an inconvenience for me as its a 90 minute spin in the car.
I think its important to know how to fix the equipment yourself, in case it breaks down on the road.
I was working on them this evening and they're running good now. There's some great videos on youtube that helped a lot.

Took a bit of trial and error, but the rubbing only occurs when the chain is crossed at the two extreme cogs (i.e 8&9 with low gear, 1&2 with high gear).

Budawanny

Shy Ted wrote: »

There was two guys setting them up. Bringing both bikes back would be more of an inconvenience for me as its a 90 minute spin in the car.
I think its important to know how to fix the equipment yourself, in case it breaks down on the road.
I was working on them this evening and they're running good now. There's some great videos on youtube that helped a lot.

Took a bit of trial and error, but the rubbing only occurs when the chain is crossed at the two extreme cogs (i.e 8&9 with low gear, 1&2 with high gear).

That's a good spin alright. Well I think a boardman was a good choice.
Good bang for your buck with those guys.
And you got it sorted so good luck with it.