Hybrid vs Flatbar Road Bike

While I don't yet have a bike, I am doing my research as I wait for the annual March big sale at our LBS. It is certainly well worth waiting for, and as I have a 1-bedroom apartment, I see no reason not to wait.

Right now I am leaning heavily in the direction of the Trek 7300 hybrid. I like the lowstep, upright design, and I've been told it is a good bike for the money. I intend to do most of my riding on country roads, bike paths, and prepared surfaces, though hitting off-road trails is also attractive. I do plan on going on longer rides, probably no more than a half-century (at least next year).

My spinning instructor has suggested that I might also want to look at the flat-bar Trek and Specialize road bike models, though they are more expensive. I do know that I prefer a more upright design, so I guess the flat bar would help in that department. I must admit, however, that the thought of that high bar that road bikes have does make me nervous. Perhaps this makes me a wimp, but that is something for me to consider :o

Will the Trek 7300 serve my needs? I have noted that some people really like hybrids, and others do not... of course we all have different needs and goals, for sure.

See http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=35408

I used to worry about the high bar on road bikes too because as a kid I always road step through bikes, but really it's not a big deal because you don't buy a bike that you cannot stand over. It occurred to me that I probably got the impression that it was an issue because when I road other peoples road bikes as a kid, they were always to big for me. But in the real world, when they fit you for a bike, you should be able to jump right off and have plenty of clearance. And also when you stop you lean to one side and you get even more clearance that way. :-)

I, personally, wouldn't want to do a half-century on a Trek 7000 series bike. I'm sure it's possible but the body position and the wide tires are really working against you over a long distance. And I find that shocks on the seat and fork distracting. But if that's the furthest that you will go, it should work.

You should probably test ride the Trek FX series, the Specialized, and the Giant Dash series just to see if the flat bar road type bikes really feel all that different from the 7000 series for you. You might be surprised by how comfortable they are in the body position. You really aren't (don't have to be) as hunched over as you would be on a road bike where you have to go into the drops to pull the brake levers. The height of the handle bars can generally be adjusted to give you the body position that you want.

Good luck!

Again,

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Originally Posted by Zen

See http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=35408

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Thanks hall monitor, but she asked different questions.

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Originally Posted by carinapir

I used to worry about the high bar on road bikes too because as a kid I always road step through bikes, but really it's not a big deal because you don't buy a bike that you cannot stand over.

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This is a good point, I hadn't thought about it. This is probably because the only bike I've "ridden" so far in my bike lessons is a Giant Suede that has a flat-foot, low-step design. I've asked my instructor to see about checking out one of the Trek hybrids and, hopefully, one of the flat-bar road bikes for future lessons. Thankfully bike-rental is included in my instruction fee, so we just have to wait for a warm spell :)

I have noted that the several in the FX series are close to the same cost of the Trek 7300, and someone else has suggested I also check out the Specialize bikes as well. Thanks for your comments, that gives me more to consider!

There are many bikes to choose from in this (flat bar road bike) category. The Trek FX series is a very nice line of bikes, as are the Specialized Sirrus, Fuji Absolute and Jamis Coda Sport. I recently chose the latter, but the Fuji was a close second...and I liked the FX 7.3 as well. (I couldn't find a Sirrus at the time, but have been very happy with Specialized bikes in the past.) Of course, there are others. I've heard good things about Marin, Giant and Masi.

Try lots of bikes and wait for one that makes you feel like you are 'home' when you ride it. If you are planning to do half centuries, I think the flat bar road bike might be a better choice overall. However, there are many people who do the same with hybrid/full suspension models. I found the suspension fork and seat a bit annoying after a while-but that doesn't mean it won't work for you. As for the bar, I am in my mid-50s and do not find it intimidating at all. As long as the bike is a good fit for you, it should not be an issue.

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Originally Posted by carinapir

Thanks hall monitor, but she asked different questions.

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That type of comment is rude and uncalled for. This is not that type of forum.
Yes she did ask several different questions but the exact same points are being discussed. If both threads are merged it will give better results to both posters.

Happy Thanksgiving.

I have evolved thru several bikes in a short time. The Specialized Hybrid Globe lasted about 3 months. If you live in an area that is flat and you plan on riding about 10-15 miles, it's just fine (forget half a century). It was comfortable and very stable, but I could not keep up with other riders. It is heavy and slow. I outgrew it very quickly. I am 57. I wish I had skipped that one, but I hadn't ridden in 25 years and wanted the least intimidating bike I could find.

Then I bought a Specialized Vita Sport (which is the women's version of the Sirrus) flat bar road bike. This bike I would recommend. It did not feel any scarier than the first bike, and weighed about 23 lbs. instead of 35 lbs. That weight difference really is important. You would not grow out of this bike as fast and regret the purchase. I wish I had bought this one as my first bike.

But, I live in a very hilly area - nothing is flat - and I started to ride with a club. A few days ago, I was casually looking thru craigslist and I saw a brand new (2 year old had not been used) Specialized Ruby road bike for a very good price. I actually bought it and went for my first ride today. I never thought I would get a road bike. It sounded like way too much bike for me. But after about 9 months, I was ready. I can go faster on this bike and it felt great! But this bike would probably not have been a good first bike. I could have ridden the Vita longer if this bike wasn't so cool. I may sell the Vita to a friend or put it up on craigslist. I am in central CA.

One thing about the Specialized brand vs. the Trek brand bikes. The Specialized bikes seem to have higher handlebars and give a slightly more upright position. The center of the crank is more forward so you are not leaning forward so much. The Specialized women's flatbar and road bikes also have a slanted top tube - not step thru, but still easier to get off. So, I would suggest you try Specialized before you buy a Trek.

Gonna second the at least give Specialized Vita a look recommendation. I was looking at the Trek FX series, and also the Vita. After comparing components and price and trying them both, I ended up focused on the VIta - but then went to the shop and did a bit of a left turn

Ended up with a Specialized DOlce Sport (their entry level road bike), but swapped out the tires to 25cc because I was a bit afraid of the skinny road bike.

As mentioned, the top tube on both is quite slanted and easy to get on and off.

Thanks for all of the good suggestions. My spinning instructor, who is going with me in February to the LBS has also suggested I look at Specialized models. I want something that can handle roads as well as bike paths, and what I am getting from this discussion, and others that I've read, that the style of tires really make a difference. This makes sense... and it just means that I have research to do over the winter.

Hi Catrin,

I just ordered a Specialized Vita Comp, and will be getting it in a week or two. I test rode several flat handle bar bikes (fitness style), and narrowed it down to the Vita Comp vs the Trek FX 7.6. I liked them both very much and I struggled over which one to get, before settling on the Specialized Vita Comp.

What convinced me was the Vita Comp had a bit better componentry, and the Vita was $100 less, and I liked the color better..

Good luck with your shopping.
Ciao

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Originally Posted by ciao_bella

Hi Catrin,

I just ordered a Specialized Vita Comp, and will be getting it in a week or two.........What convinced me was the Vita Comp had a bit better componentry, and the Vita was $100 less, and I liked the color better..

Good luck with your shopping.
Ciao

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Congrats on the new bike! If I were to go out tomorrow, I would probably get the Trek FX 7.5 or 7.6, but I have a few months to be before I have to make that decision :p Who can say just what I will finally wind up with :D The research will indeed be fun, for sure.

I have a Fuji hybrid and on the week-end did a two day 133 km ride. The first thing I did on Monday was go to the LBS to look at flat bar road bikes ;)

I'm planning to commute to work sometimes and had planned to do this on the hybrid but the long ride convinced me that a bike that's lighter and faster will meet my needs more effectively.

Try a drop bar bike too. I find them more comfortable. I used to be scared of how uncomfortable I thought they'd be, now I prefer drop bars to any other type. ;)

I started with an entry level Giant Hybrid and it met my needs for a while, but when I took to riding regularly with groups, I was on a heavier bike with fatter tires than everybody else; I had to work a lot harder (and it was like driving a truck amongst sports cars -- accelerations and decelerations required constant attention).
If you're mostly going to be riding on your own, or with some people chatting as opposed to a paceline, you'll probably be happy with the 7300 - though you might want to move to thinner tires at some point if you're on the road.
I went to a 7500FX (now a 7.5, I thnk) when I wanted something lighter and I love it -- the bar isn't that much higher, and it is great for riding reasonably long & hard. However, it's aluminum, so if it's a week of 50+ miles a day, that beats up my butt so I go back to the original hybrid and just work harder :)
When my friend was in a similar situation and was looking at the 7.3, I convinced her to give the 7.5 a spin around the parking lot. She liked it a lot better and got it.
So... bottom line is, what feels good to **you**. Which one do you feel like you could just keep pedaling? THat's what led me to get my first bike, and I still put 5-6000 miles on it every year.

Thanks for the tips and suggestions - I wound up with a Trek 7.6 FX - I mentioned this elsewhere but figured I should post it on this thread as well. I love it, and I am grabbing every warmish moment I can to get out on her and practice - I am also learning how to ride :)

Oh, good. Glad you found something that works for you. Keep on riding! :D