Do I need a road bike?

[turbojackie]

Hi ladies! This is my first post, but I have been reading here. I had a 10 year old Trek Navigator that I rode the last 10 years. This year I walked into a bike shop, decided to upgrade, and now I have a Cannondale Quick. I love it. I have decided that I want to REALLY ride.

In the past my rides were 20-25 miles. Most for fitness. After I got my new bike, I decided to ride further. We went ut of town and took our bikes and I rode 44 in one day, 35 the next. When we got home, we went to a local trail and went 48 miles. Last weekend we went back and I went 55 miles. Truthfully, I phoned in the last 5 miles. They were brutal!

Now I have decided that next year I want to ride in a Century ride. Do most people have road bikes for this type of riding? Mine isn't exactly a mountain bike, but it isn't a road bike either. I'm not sure what I would call it. It isn't a hybrid either. I'm confused!

So, I love my Cannondale and will keep it for the trail riding I have been doing. Do I need to look into buying a road bike or will my bike work for me? Thanks!

[Owlie]

You can do a century on a hybrid/flat-bar road bike if you so choose. I would add bar-ends for extra hand positions and change out the tires for slicks if you haven't already. However, if you've got some money to burn, you might consider a road bike purchase. It's lighter and has "zoom" gears (but it won't make you faster!), though you lose some of the climbing gears. (I don't know how your Quick is geared.) If you go that route, I'd look for at least 105 components, possibly carbon frame depending on your budget and road surfaces.

Personally, I'd go with a road bike, because that really upright position probably wouldn't be super-comfy for a really long ride, but that's just me.

[goldfinch]

I've been riding a Cannondale Quick since this spring. I have gone as far as 50 miles. The comfort is okay but I would like more hand positions. Also, my drive train has been quirky and it bugs me. I did put slicks and aerobars on my Quick to help the rides. A road bike with narrower tires should be a bit faster but only a bit.

I am shopping for a road bike. After I get the road bike I am putting tires with more aggressive tread on the Quick, ditching the aerobars, and using it for dirt roads and the crushed gravel MUP that is near my spring home. And I'll use it for hauling gear when I am birding in the winter. The road bike will be for long rides on the pavement.

Welcome to the Forum!

[turbojackie]

Thanks, ladies. My Quick isn't totally upright, like the hybirds. It has a flat handlebar that puts the body partly forward.

I don't exactly have money to burn (wish I did!):D, but I could save over the winter for a road bike and should be able to spend approx $1,000.00 or $1,200.00 on one.

I'm kind of thinking I might like to have both types, depending on the riding I am doing.

This is totally different for me. I am in pretty good shape (I'm a fitness instructor/personal trainer). I run Beachbody Fit Clubs. But, I have always fueled my body to do an intense 1 hour or 1.5 hour workout (Insanity/P90X). Not a 4/5 hour bike ride. It is different and I am learning!

[Owlie]

For $1200 you could get a decent aluminum roadie. Carbon might be harder unless you can get one off Craigslist.

And by all means keep both--if nothing else, you need a backup for when one of them is in the shop. ;)

[amb]

If you save through the winter, you might get a 2011 sale bike next year. I bought a 2010 Trek in March this year with 105 components and carbon fork for ~ $1,200. I love it and it has served me well so far!

On a side note, I was also a fitness Instructor and I have cut WAY back bc I love riding my bike so much. :)

[HillSlugger]

Does yours have the 32mm tires that are spec'ed with it? For a century I'd probably switch it to 28's, or 25's if the rim can take it. You'd have less weight and get less rolling resistance. If you've been comfortable on this bike for your long rides so far, there's no reason you can't do a century on it.

[turbojackie]

Yes, I have the 32mm tires. The 28s might be a good choice for me. Thanks!

[Sky King]

Just a side note about tires and rolling resistance. I think a century on the quick will be fine, unless you have visions of riding with an average speed over 20 mph that would be tough on the quick for 100 miles.

Rolling resistance and tire width is an ongoing discussion but most centuries (especially charity type rides) are held on non-pristine roads and a narrow tire is going to be pretty uncomfortable. I wouldn't consider anything narrower than a 28.

Here is a good, rather technical, article from Schwalbe (http://www.schwalbetires.com/tech_info/rolling_resistance). and one from Jan Heine (http://janheine.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/science-and-bicycles-1-tires-and-pressure/)

Both worth the read! Have fun

[Biciclista]

uhoh Sky King pulled out the big gun (Jan Heine)
while it is nice to ride on 28mm tires, many people do very long rides on narrower tires.
Having said that, I just switched to some 28mm tires myself. :D
there are some REALLY nice bikes in your price range made of Steel. Check out Surly.

[marinerider]

I rode a hybrid when I decided I wanted to start biking to get in shape again. After riding it for about a month, I walked into the bike shop and saw the Giant (Road Bike) that I currently ride. In my opinion, if your riding like that now and its not on a road bike, get a road bike and re-fall in love with cycling.:)

[turbojackie]

Thanks ladies! I will definately check them out.

So, is my Cannondale Quick considered a Hybrid? I wasn't sure.

[carinapir]

I rode a century this September on my Giant FCR3 hybrid (with 28s) which looks similar to the Quick. It's definitely doable as long as you are comfortable on the bike and you do the distance training. The first few 50+ mile rides will tire you out, but after working up to it I can now ride 60-80 on a regular basis without much difficulty as long as I fuel. A road bike would make it all a bit easier but you don't need to spend the money to accomplish your goal. :D