Home Chat General Chat

Hybrid or Road?

Hi all,



I've recently been training for my first tri on a big hefty mountain bike that ive had for years. Loads of things have been going wrong on it, and so i think its time for a new bike.



I dont really want to spend too much, but i'm unsure what to go for. I like the idea that I can take a hybrid on paths, trails etc. But i just have a few questions:



- What is the weight difference between the two?

- Can you put aerobars on a hybrid?

- What would you go for?



Comments

  • BlurredgirlBlurredgirl Posts: 292
    Just a thought - but if you like the idea of taking your bike onto trails etc, why not think about cyclocross bike? They look like road bikes, but are more robustly-built and can take big tyres. You could fit it out with aero bars and skinny tyres for tri and then take it out on the trails for fun too. Here's one:



    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Focus_Mares_Disc_2009/5360037601/



    Have a look around Wiggle - you should start to get an idea of weight differences by comparing hybrids, road bikes and cyclocross bikes.



    My husband sys that my company should just my wages directly to Wiggle, thereby bypassing the middle-man (woman).



    blurredgirl

  • danthemandantheman Posts: 15
    That looks like an interesting option, ill have to have a browse around my local bike stores rather than online though as i'm a bit unsure about sizing and would like to actaully 'feel the fit' so to speak..
  • BlurredgirlBlurredgirl Posts: 292
    Absolutely. Whatever bike you decide to go for, you should get a proper fitting done in a shop.



    blurredgirl

  • pigsy65pigsy65 Posts: 25
    Exellent advice from Blurredgirl.

    Another option is to keep your MTB and get it fixed, then you can use it off road..change the tyres to slicks for training when the weather is poo on road. Then you can buy a lighter weight road bike for Tri's and higher milage. I use my MTB for training because it is heavy. Then when you get on your road bike it absolutly flies! I get about 5/6 mph higher speed and hills are much easier(I do have a compact chainset) 40/100k on the road bike is easy. may be harder on a heavier cyclocross bike, and a pain in the ar*e on a MTB. I'm planning lots of off road riding on my MTB this year at Cwn Carn and Afan Forrest (Xterra) to improve my fittness this year.

    I personaly think this would be a good option.



    Pigsy
  • danthemandantheman Posts: 15
    Right, well i had a slight rush of blood to the head about an hour ago, and made a visit to halfords as its around the corner from me. After looking on the net and reading some reviews, i thought i'd go and see about the "carrera virtuoso" for £300 which is about the amount i was looking to spend. After talking to the bloke in the shop, i ended up going for the "carrera valour" which he said was older but had better components for an extra £20. Like you said pigsy, i will get the MTB fixed and use that for hard training.



    Having bought the bike i now have some new food for thought. Is there anything I should be changing/adding? For example, the peddles. Do people use the clip in style ones for tri? Or do they use standard ones?

  • pigsy65pigsy65 Posts: 25
    The only thing I think you need at the moment are:

    Clip in peddles (will give you a better and more efficient peddle stroke.you will need the shoes too)

    Cycle computer(with cadance)

    Water bottle and holder.

    Other than that..just ride the bike.

    I am assuming you have a cycle helmet.



    Pigsy
  • danthemandantheman Posts: 15
    Awesome, thanks for the help and advice [:)]
  • puddlespuddles Posts: 37
    Hi dan, i started off doin a fun tri in july last yr on my mountain bike, loved it and bought an 07 specialised allez sport for £550- which i still love! Did a couple of sprints and now i'm in training for more sprints and if my swimming improves enough, olympic tri's. i've entered a 100 mile cyclosportive ( www.northcornwalltor.co.uk ) for a laugh as well.

    I wish i spent a bit more to get a really decent bike first time but didnt realise how much i'd enjoy riding.

    I thought £1000 was a lot to spend on a bike but you can get a really competitive bike for 1k and 0% finance from places like Certini in Plymouth and other bike shops. They'll advise you on fit and maintenance too.

    Once i got my bike i spent loads on wiggle gettin all the bits i 'really needed and couldnt live without' like tights with padded ass and pumps, tubes, shoes and pedals- went for look keo classic. Google them to get reviews and prices.

    New tires, rear cassette and camelback, list goes on.



    Basically tho u dont need alot other than a bike, helmet and trainers to compete in triathlon.

    I just buy bits coz i like shiney new stuff and i found wiggle. I'm sure i'm not the only 1 tho.



    Anyway take it easy and hope u enjoy your training and racing! : )







  • GGBGGB Posts: 482
    dantheman wrote:


    Right, well i had a slight rush of blood to the head about an hour ago, and made a visit to halfords as its around the corner from me. After looking on the net and reading some reviews, i thought i'd go and see about the "carrera virtuoso" for £300 which is about the amount i was looking to spend. After talking to the bloke in the shop, i ended up going for the "carrera valour" which he said was older but had better components for an extra £20. Like you said pigsy, i will get the MTB fixed and use that for hard training.



    Having bought the bike i now have some new food for thought. Is there anything I should be changing/adding? For example, the peddles. Do people use the clip in style ones for tri? Or do they use standard ones?





    I nearly did the same - but the other Carrera I looked at was only available in small ... so I ended up with the Virtuoso (£50 cheaper when I bought it though ;) ) - I am really happy with it - I am no great athlete and for now it does the job for me - and ultimately for the cost of it when I do upgrade its not a waste of money and can be used as a winter bike or commuter.



  • treefrogtreefrog Posts: 1,242
    BUY A ROAD BIKE YOU WILL GO FASTER
  • danthemandantheman Posts: 15
    GGB wrote:
    ORIGINAL: dantheman



    Right, well i had a slight rush of blood to the head about an hour ago, and made a visit to halfords as its around the corner from me. After looking on the net and reading some reviews, i thought i'd go and see about the "carrera virtuoso" for £300 which is about the amount i was looking to spend. After talking to the bloke in the shop, i ended up going for the "carrera valour" which he said was older but had better components for an extra £20. Like you said pigsy, i will get the MTB fixed and use that for hard training.



    Having bought the bike i now have some new food for thought. Is there anything I should be changing/adding? For example, the peddles. Do people use the clip in style ones for tri? Or do they use standard ones?





    I nearly did the same - but the other Carrera I looked at was only available in small ... so I ended up with the Virtuoso (£50 cheaper when I bought it though ;) ) - I am really happy with it - I am no great athlete and for now it does the job for me - and ultimately for the cost of it when I do upgrade its not a waste of money and can be used as a winter bike or commuter.







    Defo, that was my thinking exactly. I hope to get a few races under my belt with this bike (providing i survive the first!) and then I can always upgrade in the future and not see my first purchase as a waste of money.

  • bennybenny Posts: 1,314
    You'll probably end up buying a race/tri bike within 2 years, but of course a cheaper one, cause you've already spent some money on the bike you'll buy now.

    The hybrid would be ok for your first tri, but you'll be hooked, train and compete more. You'll want a 'decent' race bike; That I promise you!!!!

    Seen this a lot before, it's been said here lots before, but still people fall in the same trap.



    My 2 pence: borrow a friends race bike to do a tri and save for the best bike you can afford![image]http://forum.220magazine.com/micons/m8.gif[/image]

Sign In or Register to comment.