Townies, Hybrids, etc.

[pooks]

In the MRI thread the question was raised whether a townie was sufficient for hard riding. I'd like to know more about that. What would you consider hard riding, re: a Townie?

I have a hybrid but it looks so much like a Townie that I wonder what it would really be classified and if that should effect my expectations as to what I can do on her. I'm fitting her for utility riding but I'd like to be able to do some longer rides, too. 30-40 miles?

[KnottedYet]

I'd say try some longer rides and see how it goes.

Everyone is different. I've come to the conclusion that if the bike works for you, ride it!

(I did centuries on a bike that other folks told me shouldn't have been doing long rides on. I was happy and I felt good, so there you have it!)

Think of those guys who do long rides (like the STP) on fixies. Now, I could never do that. If it works for them, who am I to judge?

I always get a kick out of pics of your bike, Pooks! When my brain finally gets the message that there is NO CHAIN, it's startling! I think your bike is very cool.

[mimitabby]

and then there's Kit that just did 100 miles on a mountain bike. As long as you are happy with and comfortable with your bike, honestly, it can do anything you want it to.
ON THE OTHER HAND, if you get bike lust, buy a bike that is made for the kind of riding you hope to do.

[Grog]

I'm the one who raised questions about the Townies. However I think I meant "cruisers" more than townies per se. I always get those confused because I'm enamoured with all those beautiful Electra bikes!!!

This being said, what I meant was that I'm not sure "comfort" bike are a good choice to do "power" workouts. This has nothing to do with distance, I'm sure you can ride for days on any bike as long as it's a good fit. However if the goal is to, for example, practice powering up hills, or doing fast intervals at really high cadence,

This is based on nothing but intuition, and I would have liked someone who knows a lot more than me about bikes to respond to this. I'm just thinking that these bikes are meant for "comfort", not for "speed", and that they are fit accordingly on their users. But honestly don't make too much of this. As Knot says, if it works for you, don't worry about it. If you start having pains, check your fit.

[Kitsune06]

and then there's Kit that just did 100 miles on a mountain bike. As long as you are happy with and comfortable with your bike, honestly, it can do anything you want it to.
ON THE OTHER HAND, if you get bike lust, buy a bike that is made for the kind of riding you hope to do.

it was 100 km....

but I really appreciate the faith you have in me

I think if it's comfortable, do it. ...if it's not *made* for the purpose, then try it yourself a few times before the event to make sure you'll be comfortable.

[teigyr]

I did many centuries on a mountain bike! You can do whatever you tell yourself you can do. I was actually averaging 15-something too. To be honest, my average actually went down when I switched to the road bike but I think it was because I wasn't used to that type of bike.

So ride what works for you! I honestly didn't mind the long rides on the mountain bike. I did put road tires on it though, I would recommend that at least.

[Geonz]

I do fairly long rides on heavy bikes... but I worked up to it. Those first metrics on the Giant - at the end of the season - were pretty long & hard... but still fun. Big thing was I wasn't trying to keep up with anybody - our little group was tooling along at 11-12 mph. Rest stops every 10-11 miles.
For me, that was pretty "hard riding" - and there are generally large groups of folks doing exactly that same thing at any of the long club rides.
ON the other hand, lighter bikes *are* easier and faster to get going over long miles.
On the third hand, those heavier bikes are **great** for training - when I've been haulin' around the big bikes then those rides on the Trek are sweet.
I think, too, that Townies have a specific geometry so you can put your feet down... and yea, I would want to try it on short and medium and sort of long rides before I took it long just to k now I won't have a killer backache at the end (or chafing or whatever).

[Offthegrid]

When my brain finally gets the message that there is NO CHAIN, it's startling! I think your bike is very cool.

OK, I give up. How does this bike work?

I have a hybrid type bike I got for commuting. I just wanted something inexpensive that I wouldn't be heartbroken if it got stolen. It is a LOT toughter to ride than my road bike. But if I stick with commuting I'll upgrade.

I guess my point is that you can build up to doing the mileage on these types of bikes. But it will be easier to go farther and faster on a road bike.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It's not "just" distance, but also the size and number of hills you want to do will effect your choice of bike for the job. Gearing is just as much of a factor as weight, comfort, distance, etc. Unless you live in a really flat area- in which case a single speed is fine for everything.

[mimitabby]

exactly OTG

I get on my Worksman bike and I can't go 15 mph without a most extraordinary effort. If I ride at about 9mph I am getting a darn good workout.
If i had to power that thing up a hill, it would be really really tough.
How is that NOT a workout? how is that NOT getting me stronger?
Let's face it, it's more fun to get on my Bianchi and zip around at 14mph without much effort, but I'd be a fool to suggest that a heavy one speed bike is not a valuable tool for getting fit.

[Grog]

Wait, Pooks' bike is not a one-speed.

The gears are in the hub (or hiding somewhere else). (!!!)

Unfortunately I can't explain to you how it works.

My point about the comfort bikes is not that they're heavy or anything. It's about the geometry of those bikes and the position they put you in, and how this position may (or may not) be compatible with recruiting your strongest muscles for effort (either for going up numerous steep hills fast or training at a high cadence).

My concern is not about the bike not providing a workout, quite the opposite. I also have two hybrid bikes and they sure make me work harder than my road bike!! I'm just concerned about the effects on joints and on the back of repeated muscular efforts on a bike of that geometry.

But I will say it again, if pooks (and whoever) is feeling fine on their bike, and have no issues whatsoever, then there is nothing to worry about. If someone starts having knee, hips or back issues, then I wonder if the bike (and its fit) corresponds to the use they make of it.

And it's not about hybrids in general but about the so-called "comfort" bikes which have a very specific, very upright position.

[mimitabby]

Well, even better that they are not heavy bikes (but some ladies write in who do have heavier 1 speeds) so maybe the position isn't optimum. She'll still get a workout. I sit pretty upright on my road bike. my handlebars are higher than my seat.
I think you're right about the fast cadence stuff. I try to do that on my worksman and it is very very hard to do.

[RoadRaven]

In the MRI thread the question was raised whether a townie was sufficient for hard riding. I'd like to know more about that. What would you consider hard riding, re: a Townie?

Can someone please explain/define "hard riding" for me??

[maillotpois]

Great question, RR!!

My bet: For 10 responses you'll have 10 different answers.

[pooks]

Okay, so what is the difference between a townie and a cruiser?

I do not speak bicycle. I dabble in it a bit, but the language still eludes me.