Bicycle...road or hybrid?

[Fayd]

I'm thinking of getting a bicycle in the near future. i have a relatively crappy road bike(it's old..some company that uses a knight's helmet as its logo is all i can remember), and a pretty good mountain bike(trek) that i've set up for road. (the road bike is so crappy i prefer the mountain bike)

the thing is, i'd rather get a new bike for riding around town. (exercise) i dont really like the mountain bike so much for this purpose. among other things, the tires dont inflate high enough for my tastes. also, i *really* want to get some toe-clips, and that kind of thing just doesnt work on a mountain bike.

so i'm thinking a new bike. the thing is, should it be a road bike or a hybrid? i'm not looking to spend a great deal on this... (i'm thinking ballpark $600?)

also, i'm wondering about the durability of road bikes. like.... i go off curbs and stuff on occasion(slowly, kinda forced to it by the roads i ride) and i'm wondering if doing this would damage the roadbike's wheels. (odd fears, i know...)

 

[Eeezee]

On my old road bike, curbs and whatnot were fine.

I prefer a hybrid, but it's really just personal preference. Which do you prefer, gala apples or granny smith apples?

 

[Capt Caveman]

For that price, unless you're going used, a road bike will be over your budget.

I'd recommend sticking with your mountain bike but replace the knobbies with slicks. With slicks you'll be able to pump them up to 90 psi.

 

[esun]

You do not wanna go over curbs on a road bike. Very, very bad for the bike. I bought a road bike over the summer and I love it, but it really depends on personal preferences. Go down to a bike shop and try some out. A road bike will likely be more efficient, but a hybrid will be more comfortable.

 

[bobsmith1492]

I got a Trek 7.3FX hybrid last summer - new for ~$700. It has >5000 miles on it now. I've tried a couple of road bikes but they just don't feel as stable or comfortable.

 

[judasmachine]

right now i'm am looking at either the Trek 7500, or Trek FX7.5 myself. The 7500 is a hybrid, and i really like it.

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
For that price, unless you're going used, a road bike will be over your budget.

I'd recommend a mountain bike but replace the knobbies with slicks.

like i said, i have a mountain bike with slicks.

i'd rather set it back up for mountain biking, and doing some trailing with it. hence why i want a new bike.

and i REALLY want toe clips.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Fayd

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
For that price, unless you're going used, a road bike will be over your budget.

I'd recommend a mountain bike but replace the knobbies with slicks.

like i said, i have a mountain bike with slicks.

i'd rather set it back up for mountain biking, and doing some trailing with it. hence why i want a new bike.

and i REALLY want toe clips.

Buy another set of wheels - one for knobbies and one for slicks. Then buy some toe clips. A hybrid will not be much different.

 

[Fayd]

btw, thanks for the rec on the FX series. for some reason, i was failing at finding it on trek's website :$

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Fayd

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
For that price, unless you're going used, a road bike will be over your budget.

I'd recommend a mountain bike but replace the knobbies with slicks.

like i said, i have a mountain bike with slicks.

i'd rather set it back up for mountain biking, and doing some trailing with it. hence why i want a new bike.

and i REALLY want toe clips.

Buy another set of wheels - one for knobbies and one for slicks. Then buy some toe clips. A hybrid will not be much different.

but toe clips, on a mountain bike.. it boggles the mind!

*pop*

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Fayd

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Fayd

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
For that price, unless you're going used, a road bike will be over your budget.

I'd recommend a mountain bike but replace the knobbies with slicks.

like i said, i have a mountain bike with slicks.

i'd rather set it back up for mountain biking, and doing some trailing with it. hence why i want a new bike.

and i REALLY want toe clips.

Buy another set of wheels - one for knobbies and one for slicks. Then buy some toe clips. A hybrid will not be much different.

but toe clips, on a mountain bike.. it boggles the mind!

*pop*

Are you using clipless now? If yes, I'd want them on the road too.

 

[LS21]

dedicated road bike or cyclocross bike dont get hybrids theyre for dorks

 

[MiniDoom]

I have a cyclocross (salsa la cruz), hybrid (7.5fx) and a MTB and spend 95% of my time on the CX bike. They are more versatile. Drop bars give your hands more positions, racks, fenders, panniers and the ability to run small or fat tires. you can take them on light MTB trails or race them on roads if you want.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
For that price, unless you're going used, a road bike will be over your budget.

I'd recommend sticking with your mountain bike but replace the knobbies with slicks. With slicks you'll be able to pump them up to 90 psi.

There are deals out there on new road bikes in the $600 price range, probably have to go with a 2-yr old model.





As for road bike / hybrid, it probably depends on what you'll be using it for. Road bikes are built to get on it and just pack on the miles. If you want to go on more casual, leisurely, enjoyable rides, then a hybrid is probably more suitable. If you're looking to pack on miles, get a road bike. Road bikes are durable, just don't make it a point to not ride it off curbs at each opportunity.

And please, for the love of all things Holy, screw the toe-clips and learn to ride with clipless pedals.

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
For that price, unless you're going used, a road bike will be over your budget.

I'd recommend sticking with your mountain bike but replace the knobbies with slicks. With slicks you'll be able to pump them up to 90 psi.

There are deals out there on new road bikes in the $600 price range, probably have to go with a 2-yr old model.





As for road bike / hybrid, it probably depends on what you'll be using it for. Road bikes are built to get on it and just pack on the miles. If you want to go on more casual, leisurely, enjoyable rides, then a hybrid is probably more suitable. If you're looking to pack on miles, get a road bike. Road bikes are durable, just don't make it a point to not ride it off curbs at each opportunity.

And please, for the love of all things Holy, screw the toe-clips and learn to ride with clipless pedals.

i'm not looking to pack on the miles (YET), i'm looking more for an exercise bike for getting around town on.

and how much are the special shoes necessary for riding clipless pedal systems?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Fayd

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
For that price, unless you're going used, a road bike will be over your budget.

I'd recommend sticking with your mountain bike but replace the knobbies with slicks. With slicks you'll be able to pump them up to 90 psi.

There are deals out there on new road bikes in the $600 price range, probably have to go with a 2-yr old model.





As for road bike / hybrid, it probably depends on what you'll be using it for. Road bikes are built to get on it and just pack on the miles. If you want to go on more casual, leisurely, enjoyable rides, then a hybrid is probably more suitable. If you're looking to pack on miles, get a road bike. Road bikes are durable, just don't make it a point to not ride it off curbs at each opportunity.

And please, for the love of all things Holy, screw the toe-clips and learn to ride with clipless pedals.

i'm not looking to pack on the miles (YET), i'm looking more for an exercise bike for getting around town on.

and how much are the special shoes necessary for riding clipless pedal systems?

Range from $50 to 200. Clipless on a hybrid would be pretty silly though. I would just stick to platforms.

fwiw - when I was younger and before I had the money, I used to mtb race with toe-clips.

 

[dougp]

I vote a cyclocross with look pedals/clipless system. Check out nashbar.com for older models and good prices. They're having a sale on shoes right now.

 

[MyThirdEye]

Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
I got a Trek 7.3FX hybrid last summer - new for ~$700. It has >5000 miles on it now. I've tried a couple of road bikes but they just don't feel as stable or comfortable.

I have the 7.2, and it is the best bike i've ever been on.

i'd go hybrid.

 

[LtPage1]

I have a hybrid now, and I kinda wish I had a dedicated road bike.

 

[ed21x]

check out bikes by Marin. I had a Marin Larkspur hybrid, and it was a fabulous bike.

 

[TridenT]

bikeforums.net <--- Go there.

 

[Fayd]

haha, i just went out and actually looked at what road bike i have. it's a KRS ultra.... jeez...vintage 1960? haha. shimano 600 shifters....

TBH i'm thinking of tending towards a true road bike, since i like the idea of the drop handlebars.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Buy another set of wheels - one for knobbies and one for slicks. Then buy some toe clips. A hybrid will not be much different.

won't a hybrid frame weigh a lot less?

 

[Turin39789]

Road bike. Ride in the road where you belong.

I've got a nice commuter used Nishiki that I picked up from a courier/bike shop for under $200

 

[TridenT]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Buy another set of wheels - one for knobbies and one for slicks. Then buy some toe clips. A hybrid will not be much different.

won't a hybrid frame weigh a lot less?

Road bikes are usually lighter, I think.