What Next

[Catrin]

Yes, it's addicting. (And I hear you on the champagne taste/beer budget thing...I've managed to fall in love with the Specialized Ruby Expert. Oh dear...)
Have fun!

Tell me about it - I went from 0 bikes to 3 (one of which is full custom) in about 1.5 years. NO MORE BIKE STUFF until my finances recover - but as it turns out I don't need anything more and as long as I can avoid more over-use injuries have nothing preventing me from riding to my hearts content

[grey]

Before I got my roadie, I was riding 45 miles on a mountain bike a few times a week. It had nicer gears for hills - I'd pass everyone then, but those big tires make downhills slow & everyone would pass me.

Anyway - you definitely can ride a hybrid on long rides- and you have the hill advantage!

Oh yes, champagne tastes here also. *I will not look at other bikes... I will not look at other bikes*

[luv2climb]

I take long rides on my hybrid all the time. I did get rid of the heavy power-robbing suspension seatpost though. I also swapped the uncomfortable "comfort" saddle for a regular women's road saddle with the cutout in the middle (a Serfas Terazzo Select). Because the original riding position was too upright, I lowered the adjustable stem as far as it would go. I put bar ends on for additional hand positions, especially while climbing, and I always keep the tires inflated to the max pressure of 80 psi.

[Catrin]

You can always put skinnier tires on the hybrid which would help - or try a lighter wheelset? My assumption is the wheels on that bike are pretty heavy, though you may not want to go this route.

Others have already mentioned that the weight of the bike is only one component in speed and climbing. There are just so many dynamic factors contributing to this. For example, I am slower downhill on my beloved Gunnar - for the very reason why it is a little easier climbing hills on her. She is 10.5 pounds lighter than my LHT, which helps going uphill but hurts on the fun side - less weight pushing me down that hill.

As far as my overall speed is concerned, my average speed really hasn't changed much. It is a little higher, but not significantly different. What IS different is my quads burn less when climbing, and I am a little slower on the other side - but I can go longer before I start getting tired.