What do I need to know about road bikes?

[SystemParanoia]

GHW said:

prand said:

Personally - unless you are going to get into time trials, triathlons etc, I would get a lightweight hybrid/flat handlebar road bike. They are more comfortable to ride and usually a bit more robust than an out and out racer. They are great for fitness training, and you can put good mudguards on them for winter/wet use, and the bigger, slimmer wheels make for faster riding. You can often take them on dryish trails too.

All the major manufacturers, Specialized, Marin etc make them now.

Damn you. I didn't want to spend money on a new bike.

http://www.marin.co.uk/2008/bikedetail.php?ModNo=3...

£899 for a MTB with no susp ? whaa?!

[GHW]

SystemParanoia said:

GHW said:

Damn you. I didn't want to spend money on a new bike.

http://www.marin.co.uk/2008/bikedetail.php?ModNo=3...

£899 for a MTB with no susp ? whaa?!

I was talking about the £350 one..

With some slightly more agressive tyres it'd be perfect for my commute to work (at least, much better than the long-travel bruiser hardtail I'm using at the moment).

It's singlespeed and a 29er. If I were a STW regular I'd be creaming my pants by now...

If only I hadn't missed the cycle2work window for this year

[Saddle bum]

prand said:

Personally - unless you are going to get into time trials, triathlons etc, I would get a lightweight hybrid/flat handlebar road bike. They are more comfortable to ride and usually a bit more robust than an out and out racer. They are great for fitness training, and you can put good mudguards on them for winter/wet use, and the bigger, slimmer wheels make for faster riding. You can often take them on dryish trails too.

All the major manufacturers, Specialized, Marin etc make them now.

IMO, flat bars are a waste of time on any machine other than one used to pop down to the shops. If you wish to engage in some recreational cycling or do for health and fitness, for the longer rides necessary the normal bendy road bars are essential. They offer many options for holding the bars or brake hoods. Climbing out of the saddle (or "honking" as it was once known) can only be done properly with road bars. fast decending using flatties is positively dangerous.

[AbarthChris]

SystemParanoia said:

£899 for a Marin ? whaa?!

EFA