New bike advice needed, choice of 2...

greendom

I've been looking to get a bike on the cycle to work scheme and I've whittled it down to 2.

One's a hybrid, the Boardman Hybrid Sport which is quite close to a road bike in some regards, except for the bars and the 32mm width tyres. It's priced at €380 down from €515 as it's last year's model.

Alternatively a local shop is offering a Merida road bike with carbon forks and about 2 kgs lighter than the Boardman. About €300 more expensive too.

I probably do about 20kms a day for the commute and 30 to 50kms at the weekend, but that is on a heavy Raleigh Hybrid and I'm hoping to increase my weekend riding.

Would I notice much benefit in going for the more expensive bike or would the difference be negligible and be better off using the additional outlay for something else. All advice welcome

smacl

See if you can take a short test spin on both to see if you prefer one to the other. The road bike will undoubtedly be the better choice for the weekend spins, particularly if you up the distances or go into the hills, and drop bars are often a requirement if you decide to join a club in the future. In terms of performance, once you get used to the drop bar position the road bike is much easier going into the wind and more stable descending at speed. (Smaller profile / lower centre of gravity). The lighter road bike will also make climbing hills easier. That said, some people prefer the more upright position of a flat bar hybrid in traffic.

greendom

Thanks for the replies. I did notice that the road bike only had brake handles in the drop position.

Would this be a danger if you're cycling in traffic in the elevated position?

jon1981

greendom wrote: »

Would this be a danger if you're cycling in traffic in the elevated position?

No, if the bike fits perfectly you will reach the brakes from the hoods. It's normally the most common position, the drops are really more used in racing, descending at speed or into strong winds.

greendom

Weepsie wrote: »

Get the best you can afford. Keep Raleigh for the commute maybe.

The Raleigh is on its last legs (spokes?) so the bike I go for will need to be an all rounder.

smacl

greendom wrote: »

The Raleigh is on its last legs (spokes?) so the bike I go for will need to be an all rounder.

Definitely take both bikes out for a spin before making a decision so. The road bike will feel very different to the Raleigh, more so than the Boardman hybrid.

10 Carrolls

If you really wanted the shop could put extra brake levers on the tops of the handlebars for you for about 30 quid but honestly I'd say you'd never use them. You'll reach the brakes with your fingers from the hoods no bother except for steep descents. Go for the road bike for the mileage you're talking about doing and before long you'll be doing even more.

jon1981

another point, the bike to work scheme only comes around every 5 years so make the most of it. If you're on the upper tax bracket i'd be inclined to spend the full 1k (if you can afford it). I made the mistake of buying a hybrid first time around for about 600e, within a month I regretted not getting the road bike for the full whack.

Fian

All the time in here you will read people who bought a hybrid and decide they want a road bike. I have yet to read a post from someone who bought a road bike and wished they bought a hybrid.

I use a hybrid to commute and a road bike at weekends. If I could only have one it would be the road bike and it would be such an easy choice.

The biggest difference is likely to be the gear ratios. My hybrid doesn't have anything like as "heavy" a gear as the strongest gears on my road bike. It does have a triple on the front which has not moved out of the biggest ring in years. Though in fairness it has probably not gone up a tough climb in years either - my commute is flat and I use my road bike for everything else.

If you are heading out for 50km spins on your hybrid at weekends you should definitely buy a road bike imo.