Hybrid or Cyclocross? -- from a newbie

[velogirl]

Sounds like you want to do a lot of very different things with one bike. A hybrid definitely isn't your answer. For one thing, you mention road racing, and a hybrid will typically have a flat bar (not a drop bar). You can race with a flat bar bike (it's against USCF rules). Also, a hybrid isn't meant to ride off-road except on the mildest trail conditions.

A cyclocross bike is a can-do bike! If I had only one bike, it would be a cyclocross bike. For the road, throw a set of slicks on it and you'll keep up with the road bikes, except maybe on descents (depending on gearing). Want to commute? Many cross bikes come with braze-ons for racks. A little off-road riding? Cross bikes can ride most mtn bike trails, with the exception of the very steep (the gearing is more like a road bike than a mountain bike) or the very technical (no shocks and the tires aren't as wide as mtn bike tires). Loaded touring? Probably, again depending on gearing -- might not be enough to carry lots of weight.

Cross bikes rule!!!

[miffy'sFuji]

A cyclocross bike will also be a lot lighter than a hybrid, possibly by a few to several pounds. That will help if you do any hill climbing. Velogirl gave some great examples of why cyclocross bikes are fun. I've taken mine on mtb trails, and while there aren't any nice shocks to absorb the bumps, the bike is so limber that it is a whole different beast on the trail. For commuting, I'd look at the terrain you'll be doing. I can climb short distances at 15% on 38-26 on my 'cross, but I can't do any of the steeper hills in my city with it (yet anyhow). I like the wider tires when commuting too. I haven't put any road tires on there yet, but I have a plan to at some point.

If you find that you're going to do a lot of trails and commuting with the bike (and not races) you might want to look into a model with disc brakes. My only complaint about my cross is the brakes. I don't feel too safe descending in the city..but I have a lot of hills to contend with and you might not.

[Bad JuJu]

Bianchi makes their Volpe, which they advertise as a cross/touring bike, in some pretty small sizes, with proportional geometry and proportionally downsized components such as shorter cranks and narrower bars. Check it out:
http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_volpe.html

Also, I've noticed that some LBSs now have 2005 models on sale--always a plus!

[trailrunner]

Thank you all...I was leaning toward a 'cross, so the positive responses made me feel much better!

Here's a question from an obvious newbie : how are disc brakes different from conventional brakes? I definitely don't have the mega hills that SF has, that's for sure!

[WrensMom]

Here's my obvious newbie answer to your obvious newbie question --disc brakes stop NOW! I tried out a bike when I was test riding a bunch of different ones that had discs on it, and WOW, they were really different. I squeezed the brake levers with the amount of force I would have for regular brakes, and nearly went over the handlebars. Ok, that is a bit of an exaggeration, but those puppies really worked, that's for sure, and I did pitch forward some. I kind of liked them, once I got used to them, but the bike I ended up with has regular brakes on it.

[uk elephant]

Definitely go with the cyclocross bike. I have one and have taken it on and off road. One of the reviews I read had taken in through a tough mtb trail and said it handled really well. And of course it does great on the road. I only have one bike and use it for everything from a two mile ride to the pub to a 40 mile sunday ride. The plan is eventually to use it to ride the CA Aids Ride which means I'll be doing century rides on it.

As for the breaks, what I've been told is that disk breaks work much better in wet conditions than normal breaks. I've never had disk breaks and I've never had any trouble stopping regardless of road condition (sleet, rain, snow, dry, mud) but they may let you stop quicker than normal breaks.

[miffy'sFuji]

I have disc brakes on my mtb and really appreciate them in city riding. I can stop on a dime. My 'cross usually skids to a stop, and sometimes never a complete stop and I have to put a foot down if I really need to stop (at stop signs, etc.). Part of this might be the brake pads? I'm not certain, but do know that I feel so much more secure riding with disc brakes. Lemond, for one, makes a cross model with discs. A negative point is that they are heavier than cantilever brakes, and might not be legal in some races. I don't know how they compare in terms of getting clogged with mud. It's never that muddy here....oh, but it is wet due to the fog sometimes. The cantilevers will slip in moist conditions and the discs will still work well.

[spokewench]

If you can only afford one bike get a cyclocross bike. It is the most versatile bike. Let the shop know that you might want to race it as a road bike and they can set it up with the proper gearing for riding road; but, be certain what you want to do with this bike - If road racing is just a thought in the back of you mind and you intend to take it off road a lot, tell them that and don't try to gear it for the road.

It will never make a GREAT road race bike. So if you get into road racing you will inevitably buy another bike.