Road bike or Hybrid?

[emily_in_nc]

Lots of good points here. My point was really that Lakerider is already riding her mtb exclusively on the road. She could change its tires to city slicks (1.5") and use that as her hybrid bike if she wants a bike for errands and utility rides. The thinner, slick tires would be faster than what she has now, and quieter for riding on the road (no need for knobbies on the road!) But if she wants to be able to ride faster and longer on something a lot lighter than either a mtb or a hybrid, and if she doesn't have the money or the interest in two (new to her) bikes, then I'd go with the road bike!

[Cataboo]

I'm sort of a have one of each type of person, but not everyone has that budget.

For a century ride, I wouldn't want to do it on anything other than a road bike, because you're working too hard on anything else and road bikes give you so many more hand positions.

I have a flat bike road bike that I use for errands/commuting.. things I don't want to leave my road bike chained up for.

[Jolt]

I'm sort of a have one of each type of person, but not everyone has that budget.

For a century ride, I wouldn't want to do it on anything other than a road bike, because you're working too hard on anything else and road bikes give you so many more hand positions.

I have a flat bike road bike that I use for errands/commuting.. things I don't want to leave my road bike chained up for.

Definitely not everyone can do the "have one of each"--if you can, great, but if not I think a touring bike is a good all-around bike. I just recently picked one up (used) because I was riding a hybrid and was getting annoyed with the inefficient riding position and resulting slowness but still needed to be able to carry loads when doing errands. It's definitely a step up in terms of efficiency and speed; not a super-fast bike but much nicer to ride around town and get things done. It also isn't "twitchy" like road bikes can be, which makes it nice for riding in traffic where you have to frequently look over your shoulder without swerving. I've found that I like the drop bars better than flat bars now, so don't be scared of that part. Anyway, if you just want to have one bike that does everything you might consider looking for something like that (and you could go for an older one to avoid attracting the wrong kind of attention when you have to lock it up outside).

[Lakerider]

I know many of you ride your bike for errands. Since I live out in the country on a winding narrow road where cars go too fast and I don't want to bike on - I keep my bike in my van and take it places to ride. I always ride where there's not much traffic. (I'm chicken!) I rarely have to lock up my bike - I just put it back in my van and lock it.

I want a bike that will go faster and is lighter than my mountain bike. I'm thinking a road bike would work best for me.

I welcome more comments from you ladies. I value your advice more than what I got from the bike shop guy the other day. Thanks!

[Lakerider]

O.K. I've decided to go for the road bike. What advice do you have about being sure they fit me right? I'm 5'9".

[BalaRoja]

I love the versatility of a good road bike and especially that of drop bars.

Back in the day I had a hybrid and while I went on long rides, it was never as comfortable as a decent road bike.

About fit-size - it really depends on your build. I'm a tiny bit taller than you and find I can fit comfortably on most unisex/men's bikes. That said, I actually have a women's bike.

If you have a long torso/long waist, then a men's bike might be better and vice-versa, short torso/short waist might be a better body type for a women's bike. Usually the top tube on women's bikes is a bit shorter but as with most things, you can mess around with different stems/handlebars to customize the fit for you.

I'd watch the shoulder/upper arm angles you have when trying on bikes - you don't want to be uncomfortably stretched out. Some of it is a matter of flexibility and getting used to riding with drop bars, but in other cases, it just might mean a bad bike fit.

Tell us what you buy

[aeiea]

O.K. I've decided to go for the road bike. What advice do you have about being sure they fit me right? I'm 5'9".

Yay I'm so excited for you! It really does feel so different than my mountain bike, which I am sure is very lonely right now. And many LBS people have said that long commutes are better on a road bike, even though I kept asking about a hybrid. I do not regret it one bit -- I was ready for a major change in biking style.

I don't have any fit advice (and I'm sure other posters will have tons) other than go to as many local bike stores as you can and try out the different bikes. You ask for a test drive, they ask for ID/credit card, and you go around the block. Take as much time as you can testing the bike if you feel good about it, and ask the LBS people to make any adjustments (such as to seat height) so you can get a proper fit. The LBS people will (should) tell you what to look out for in terms of comfort and fit, and specifically tell them you are used to a mountain bike so they can let you know the differences and what to watch out for when road bike testing.

It might help to take your own measurements, like inseam, arm length, etc. to see if WSD are right for you.

Bike shopping is so much fun! I ended up with a Bianchi She Ultegra (loved the color and style, good price, friends had good experiences with Bianchi, and it felt good riding it). I looked at the WSDs for (these are brands because I don't remember the details) Trek, Cannondale, Litespeed, Specialized (Ruby I think). I should have given Giant and others a try but by then I was heart set on Bianchi.

[Lakerider]

Thanks for all the advice. I can't wait to go shopping tomorrow!

[uforgot]

I know many of you ride your bike for errands. Since I live out in the country on a winding narrow road where cars go too fast and I don't want to bike on - I keep my bike in my van and take it places to ride. I always ride where there's not much traffic. (I'm chicken!) I rarely have to lock up my bike - I just put it back in my van and lock it.

I want a bike that will go faster and is lighter than my mountain bike. I'm thinking a road bike would work best for me.

I welcome more comments from you ladies. I value your advice more than what I got from the bike shop guy the other day. Thanks!

I have those narrow, no shoulder roads when I get outside of town and you aren't chicken, but smart. Cars take those corners fast and drive crazy on them!

I agree that we want to know how it goes today! Have fun!

[Lakerider]

I rode 101 one day, on my mountain bike, on the road. I can't wait to find out how different that will feel on a road bike! What can I expect?

[Cataboo]

I rode 101 one day, on my mountain bike, on the road. I can't wait to find out how different that will feel on a road bike! What can I expect?

There was a thread on here last week, it mihgt be in the new rider section, called something like, ohmigod, just tried a road bike.... Where a bunch of people were talking about their first road biking experience or test rides recently. There's actually been 3 or 4 threads like that lately. Stacysue is the author of one, Aeiea is another...


road bikes (unless you're going up hill) are going to seem effortless as compared to your mountain bike...

[Lakerider]

There was a thread on here last week, it mihgt be in the new rider section, called something like, ohmigod, just tried a road bike.... Where a bunch of people were talking about their first road biking experience or test rides recently. There's actually been 3 or 4 threads like that lately. Stacysue is the author of one, Aeiea is another...


road bikes (unless you're going up hill) are going to seem effortless as compared to your mountain bike...

Yes, I read those other threads. Very helpful - Thanks!

Sounds like a road bike will feel like flying! I can't wait! I'm hoping to check out a couple of bike shops later this week.