Townies, Hybrids, etc.

[pooks]

I think having a bike that doesn't fit is a bigger problem for me than having a bike that is heavy. Oh yeah, going up hills is harder, I'm sure. But when I need to lose a lot of weight, myself, it's probably kind of silly to begrudge my bike a few pounds, isn't it?

[Kano]

I think having a bike that doesn't fit is a bigger problem for me than having a bike that is heavy. Oh yeah, going up hills is harder, I'm sure. But when I need to lose a lot of weight, myself, it's probably kind of silly to begrudge my bike a few pounds, isn't it?

Pooks, I sure agree with you -- and I don't begrudge my comfort beast it's many pounds either, but oh MY the difference my new blue bike makes! The other day, one of his friends was asking about its weight -- which had me thinking I should weigh it when we got home, but still haven't done. We joked to him that it weighs "air" -- it feels like picking up a feather! I'm astonished that there can be so much difference, and I'm astonished at the difference in my ability with it!

I'll warn you, though, Pooks -- it DOES feel different to ride in this new position!

Karen in Boise

[pooks]

Do you ever get on your hybrid any more?

[KnottedYet]

I ride my hybrid for "utility" purposes and for commuting and for rain. (it's aluminum)

I love my hybrid nearly as much as I love my road bike. They are different bikes, and excell at different functions.

Today I rode my hybrid (Kona Dew) to and from work. On the way home I stopped at the grocery store to buy a beer. They let me bring the bike into the store. There is something about a hybrid that just makes folks friendly. It's also easier to commute around here with a hybrid. And if my Kona got stolen or damaged, I wouldn't have as much of a panic attack as I would if it happened to my Waterford. And I don't feel l have to baby my hybrid at all. And I'm willing to lend the hybrid out to folks who need a bike.

It's good to have a zoom-zoom bike and a utility bike.

"do I ever get on my hybrid anymore?" Well, I'd say I get on the hybrid more often, but the mileage is probably a tiny bit higher on my roadie. (8 mile commutes 4 days a week on the hybrid, and 35 mile weekend rides on my roadie)

[pooks]

I think whether or not I keep both bikes is dependent upon which new bike I buy. If I go for a lighter-weight aluminum/carbon combo that's a true road bike, I'll probably keep my hybrid. But the more I ride her, the more I think that if I get a bike that truly fits and is comfortable, I probably won't want to ride the hybrid much at all.

Which takes it out of the "do I want/need two bikes" category. Because yes, I'd love to have a utility bike separate from a road bike, but if I'm not going to want to ride it, that kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

[mimitabby]

For me it's a little different. My road bike is campy and my hybrid is shimano.
So It took me MONTHS to get used to the shifting/gearing of my bianchi road bike, and when I got back on the hybrid, it was a nightmare!
It's too bad, because I like the bike and it's very comfy, but I'm almost to the point after a YEAR of riding where I am really feeling comfortable with my gears and shifting. (I never quite got there on the hybrid btw) So when I go back,
it messes with me.
My new bike will have the same kind of gears as my Bianchi, with slightly different ratios.

So, bottom line, I'm probably only going to ride 1 bike. but if i had to ride two, I'd rather they had the same kinds of gears on them!

[pooks]

I think a lot of my decision will be determined by what kind of bike I end up buying.