Adding a Road Bike
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jharwell58
Posts: 30 Member
I started riding with a mountain bike about 2 years ago, then bought a hybrid thinking I would be more interested in trails than road biking. After a year of riding the hybrid I find myself wanting a road bike....I did a 75-mile ride this summer and loved it. I see that a lot of people here own several bikes for different purposes and I am curious to know what type of improvements you saw in your riding if you rode a hybrid initially then bought a road bike. In other words, is a road bike worth the investment I think I am about to make?
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I guess I'm one of those that one multiple bikes...while I don't have a hybrid, I have a geared mountain bike, a single speed mountain bike, commuter/cross bike and a light carbon road bike..
The mountain bike and road bike with different geometry and riding position use slightly different muscles.....I have noticed a great improvement in my mountain biking (particularly climbing) from getting hundreds of miles on my road bike. I you did a 75 miles ride on my hybrid and loved it, I would really think you would like a true road bike or touring bike.
What bike are you currently riding? and back / flexibility problems that would prevent you from spending time in a road riding position vs. the upright hybrid position?0 -
I am currently using a Specialized "Aerial" multi-use bike...I hadn't even considered the change of position and how it would affect my back...I don't have any specific back problems but do have to stop every once in a while to stretch out. I think the best thing I could do is maybe rent a road bike for a weekend and check it out. It's interesting that you have found improvements in your mountain biking from spending time on a road bike.0
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I also have multiple bikes, mountain geared with slicks and 2 carbon road bikes. The one I use to commute on.
As CDG mentioned, if you enjoyed the 75 miler, then a road bike or a CX would be definitely what you would need. Either of them will put you into a different position, however as your muscles get stronger holding the position so you riding becomes more efficient and faster. I would recommend doing core exercises which would help strengthen your back and stomach muscles.
Then welcome to the world spending all your time looking at bike porn in one form or another.0 -
I think many people start off this way. I initially got a Trek Hybrid bike as it was fairly inexpensive and not as intimidating as a proper road bike. I was very overweight at the time so core strength, gearing flexibility were also an issue. I quickly progressed and found that the hybrid was really unsuitable for riding with friends who all had road bikes and also the flat bar did not provide the hand position flexibility that drop bars do.
So I bought an alloy Trek 2.1 road bike. I was 240lbs at the time and a bit afraid of buying a carbon bike due to my weight. The Trek was great, very comfortable and with it I was able to keep up with my friends. I lost a good bit more weight and promised myself a carbon bike if I got my weight down below 220. I managed that a bought a Cervelo R3 which I really like. Very light and a comfortable ride.
I did buy a mountain bike too but I don't seem to ride it very much, perhaps I will this winter.
As you can see when it comes to bikes, the n+1 rule almost always applies
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I was the opposite to the 'rule' I guess? I bought a Carbon Roadie as my first bike (on the Cycle to Work Scheme, over here in the UK); although I did have a Hybrid/Commuter bike which was unused and sat gathering dust in the Garage.
I was still 112kg at this point...
I still remember my first 13 mile commute; it took me 1h 06m & I was a gibbering sweaty wreck at the end of it (http://www.strava.com/activities/138567966) which I now do in 35mins! Unbelievable eh?
18 months later I bought (again, through the Cycle to Work scheme), a Cyclocross Bike for Winter Commuting & rides.
So both my 'decent' bikes are 'drop-handlebar' machines...
A Roadie will improve your road-riding no end; speed will improve definitely!
Much like everything else in life, once you've 'got the bug', you tend to 'expand your fleet'.
I don't do MTB's really; my next bike will be either a TT Bike or another lighter, faster roadie
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I have been riding a hybrid- a Globe Vienna II for 5 years. In the last couple of years I've been doing longer rides- 15-40 miles. I've been thinking it's time to get a road bike. I'm 6'4" so I can never find a bike in stock to test ride in my size... just have to pony up the $1600-800 or so and hope it fits!!0
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I was the opposite to the 'rule' I guess? I bought a Carbon Roadie as my first bike (on the Cycle to Work Scheme, over here in the UK); although I did have a Hybrid/Commuter bike which was unused and sat gathering dust in the Garage.
I was still 112kg at this point...
I still remember my first 13 mile commute; it took me 1h 06m & I was a gibbering sweaty wreck at the end of it (http://www.strava.com/activities/138567966) which I now do in 35mins! Unbelievable eh?
18 months later I bought (again, through the Cycle to Work scheme), a Cyclocross Bike for Winter Commuting & rides.
So both my 'decent' bikes are 'drop-handlebar' machines...
A Roadie will improve your road-riding no end; speed will improve definitely!
Much like everything else in life, once you've 'got the bug', you tend to 'expand your fleet'.
I don't do MTB's really; my next bike will be either a TT Bike or another lighter, faster roadie
^^^ this (only substitute around 10 drop bar bikes, 3 time-trial rigs, maybe 4 cross bikes (I kept breaking them) and a couple of MTB's that frankly barely see the light of day anymore. I just don't see the point in giving yourself LESS options for your hand positions, and making yourself sit up like a startled Meerkat rather than tucked in and out of some of the breeze..0 -
Thanks,.....that's one of the main reasons I want to get a road bike...to ride in groups and be able to keep up! I DO like the n+1 theory as well!
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I guess I'm one of those that one multiple bikes...while I don't have a hybrid, I have a geared mountain bike, a single speed mountain bike, commuter/cross bike and a light carbon road bike..
The mountain bike and road bike with different geometry and riding position use slightly different muscles.....I have noticed a great improvement in my mountain biking (particularly climbing) from getting hundreds of miles on my road bike. I you did a 75 miles ride on my hybrid and loved it, I would really think you would like a true road bike or touring bike.
What bike are you currently riding? and back / flexibility problems that would prevent you from spending time in a road riding position vs. the upright hybrid position?
I really need a road bike.0 -
The answer is NEVER a road bike.0
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The answer is ALWAYS a road bike.
Fixed that for you...
Though in fairness, Cross Bikes are cool also.0 -
I like both road biking and mountain biking trails (having gotten into that this year). But I spend more time on the road bike. Just because it is easier to squeeze in a ride from the house "whenever," and the MTB requires more stuff and prep. E.g. Camel-back, more tools and assorted crap in case you break down deep in the forest, bike rack since I have to drive to a proper trail.
Trails are definitely more more interesting to me as I'm developing new skills and trying to keep up with some more experienced MTBers! Also, not worrying about cars and trucks is also a big bonus.
I say, get a road bike and indulge yourself. Don't think you will regret it. And you still have the hybrid for some light trails whenever you like.0 -
I have been riding a hybrid- a Globe Vienna II for 5 years. In the last couple of years I've been doing longer rides- 15-40 miles. I've been thinking it's time to get a road bike. I'm 6'4" so I can never find a bike in stock to test ride in my size... just have to pony up the $1600-800 or so and hope it fits!!
64cm Specialized Roubaix or Diverge will fit you like a glove. I'm your height and ride the 64cm Roubaix...0 -
In other words, is a road bike worth the investment I think I am about to make?
Yes! Just make sure it fits like a glove. I would recommend getting one with a more relaxed geometry (Specialized Roubaix, Trek Madone, etc...). They call those more "endurance" frames because of the taller headtubes which means the drop bars are not so low like the total aero race position (which only the flexible and actual racers need to worry about). That way you sit a bit more upright and can ride for hours at a time without having to worry about comfort issues.0 -
I'm just having this debate!
I started out doing charity rides on a MTB with road tyres and did a few 60 mile events.
Switched to a hybrid and worked up the distance until I completed a century ride.
Current bike is a Boardman Team Hybrid which is at the fast road bike end of the hybrid spectrum - no real off road capability at all.
Just debating whether to use my hybrid on an upcoming 113 mile event or a borrowed road bike (Specialized Roubaix).
See this thread for my musings so far....
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1416332-113-miles-hybrid-or-road-bike?page=1#posts-21433639
The comparison isn't as clear cut as I thought it would be!
Horses for courses seems to be the conclusion so far (which sounds like a good excuse to have a selection of bikes in the garage!).0 -
I like both road biking and mountain biking trails (having gotten into that this year). But I spend more time on the road bike. Just because it is easier to squeeze in a ride from the house "whenever," and the MTB requires more stuff and prep. E.g. Camel-back, more tools and assorted crap in case you break down deep in the forest, bike rack since I have to drive to a proper trail.
Trails are definitely more more interesting to me as I'm developing new skills and trying to keep up with some more experienced MTBers! Also, not worrying about cars and trucks is also a big bonus.
I say, get a road bike and indulge yourself. Don't think you will regret it. And you still have the hybrid for some light trails whenever you like.0 -
I fully intend to keep my hybrid as I live in a very rural area with a lot of unpaved country roads to explore. So here I go on the N+1 rule....0
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My first bike was a roadie as well, an aluminum Specialized Allez. Knowing nothing about bikes at the time, and having received no guidance from the shop I bought the bike at, I ended up with a bike 2 sizes too big. Avoid doing that. Make sure you get a shop that's competent and willing to fit you to the bike you buy, and try a few different ones since geometries vary.
Now, as firm subscriber to the n+1 rule, I own a carbon road bike, a Time Trial bike, a mountain bike, a 'cross bike, and have another, much nicer, 'cross frameset on the way. I love riding the mountain bike, and I believe mountain and road are very complementary disciplines. The road bike builds fitness, power and endurance, the mountain bike does wonders for your bike control, bike handling skills, and comfort level with loose traction. Cross bikes are just great all-arounders, even if you don't want to race. They are much better greenway/dirt road bikes than hybrids. Very versatile, and very similar to the road bike that you should already be spending a lot of time on. :-)0 -
When I got back into cycling 16 years ago, I bought an REI hybrid. It was a good bike for about 10 years. I put a slicker tire on it, since I was doing more road biking than mountain. About 7 years ago, I actually took it to Europe for the summer and 1,000 miles of riding with packs.
Then, 6 years ago, I got a Specialized Roubiax Pro, full carbon bike. Actually, the first two broke and then Specialized gave me the Pro so I would not break them any more. Then, the N + 1 factor came in. For the next couple years, I got a used Trek touring bike and a Trek mountain bike. Now, my old REI is on the trainer for indoor riding.
The one thing I noticed about going with the carbon was no longer dealing with short hills. Because of the gearing and light weight, I move up the hills quicker. Hills that my REI bike did at 6-7 miles an hour I now do at 10-12 miles an hour. But, as my wife tells me, I simply have to ride further to get my ride in. I did an 100 mile ride on the hybrid in about 8 hours. A month later, I did 100 miles on the Roubaix in 6 1/2 hours.
Now, years later, I am glad I got the other bikes. I use most of them, but still do little mountain biking.
One note, if you are buying a carbon, I think it is worth buying new. Companies have lifetime warranties for the original owner, not for secondary owners. When mine broke, it was nice that Specialized replaced it twice.0 -
Rule #12Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
While the minimum number of bikes one should own is three, the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.
The S-1 rule is probably more apt!
http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/0
