Switching from hybrid to road bike
Discussion
In a new years effort to shed some pounds and also to ride further I've decided I'd like to try a road bike. Currently got a specialized hybrid which brought me back into cycling and has served me very well for the last few years. But now I just want to go that little bit further and a bit faster...
The skinny wheels/tyres on road bikes concern me a little. I live in Surrey and people here drive 4WD's with big wheels for a reason - the potholes are everywhere! I have learned to avoid them on the hybrid but I still wonder how a road bike will cope with the slightly bumpy back roads that I tend to favour? Will I be paying for the wheels to be straightened every few months?
I don't have a huge budget but have just seen this one in the Wiggle sale that looks like it might do the job http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f95-sora-wiggle-exclu... Any thoughts?
Cheers
The skinny wheels/tyres on road bikes concern me a little. I live in Surrey and people here drive 4WD's with big wheels for a reason - the potholes are everywhere! I have learned to avoid them on the hybrid but I still wonder how a road bike will cope with the slightly bumpy back roads that I tend to favour? Will I be paying for the wheels to be straightened every few months?
I don't have a huge budget but have just seen this one in the Wiggle sale that looks like it might do the job http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f95-sora-wiggle-exclu... Any thoughts?
Cheers
Read this
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Saves us going through it another time.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Saves us going through it another time.
That's a very decent bike for £400. Regarding rough roads, road bikes are surprisingly strong despite their fragile appareance. Obviously you can't go crashing through potholes but the occasional impact shouldn't cause any damage other than pinch flats.
Be prepared to become addicted and start looking at upgrades!
Be prepared to become addicted and start looking at upgrades!
CaptainSlow said:
Read this
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Saves us going through it another time.
What he said, but get this one. Easier move from an hybrid to a z95http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Saves us going through it another time.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z95-sora-wiggle-exclu...
Mike
Bikerjon said:
In a new years effort to shed some pounds and also to ride further I've decided I'd like to try a road bike. Currently got a specialized hybrid which brought me back into cycling and has served me very well for the last few years. But now I just want to go that little bit further and a bit faster...
I moved from a Cube hybrid to a Boardman road bike a couple of years ago - wished i'd done it sooner! Last time i'd been on a racer (c.1986) you changed gear via levers on the downtube... anyway, didn't take long to get used to the new set-up. And you will love the bigger gears of the road bike, and the faster average speeds you'll be doing.Don't worry about state of the roads unduly - im in Bracknell and they are just as bad here. The skinny wheels and tyres are surprisingly tough, and on my local rides they are just an annoyance, rather than something that will actually damage the bike or cause a puncture. Obviously avoid the really big ones...
daddy cool said:
I moved from a Cube hybrid to a Boardman road bike a couple of years ago - wished i'd done it sooner! Last time i'd been on a racer (c.1986) you changed gear via levers on the downtube... anyway, didn't take long to get used to the new set-up. And you will love the bigger gears of the road bike, and the faster average speeds you'll be doing.
Don't worry about state of the roads unduly - im in Bracknell and they are just as bad here. The skinny wheels and tyres are surprisingly tough, and on my local rides they are just an annoyance, rather than something that will actually damage the bike or cause a puncture. Obviously avoid the really big ones...
Great, thanks for that. I remember the shifters on the down tube too!Don't worry about state of the roads unduly - im in Bracknell and they are just as bad here. The skinny wheels and tyres are surprisingly tough, and on my local rides they are just an annoyance, rather than something that will actually damage the bike or cause a puncture. Obviously avoid the really big ones...
mikees said:
What he said, but get this one. Easier move from an hybrid to a z95
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z95-sora-wiggle-exclu...
Mike
Yes looked at that one too. Probably makes sense as comfort is more important to me than outright speed.http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z95-sora-wiggle-exclu...
Mike
I went from a Specialized Hybrid to a Giant Defy. I found it no less comfortable on short rides and less wearing on my back and shoulders on longer (3-4 hours with a mid point stop).
I note your comments re speed not being too important but if you currently ride in a group you may find it more enjoyable as you will be able to maintain higher averages for the same effort. (just a guide but on a familiar eight mile route I was four minutes quicker on rides less than two weeks apart)
I had three punctures in a few weeks on the original tyres on the hybrid, only one in six months on the Giant using similar routes
I note your comments re speed not being too important but if you currently ride in a group you may find it more enjoyable as you will be able to maintain higher averages for the same effort. (just a guide but on a familiar eight mile route I was four minutes quicker on rides less than two weeks apart)
I had three punctures in a few weeks on the original tyres on the hybrid, only one in six months on the Giant using similar routes
Bikerjon said:
In a new years effort to shed some pounds and also to ride further I've decided I'd like to try a road bike. Currently got a specialized hybrid which brought me back into cycling and has served me very well for the last few years. But now I just want to go that little bit further and a bit faster...
The skinny wheels/tyres on road bikes concern me a little. I live in Surrey and people here drive 4WD's with big wheels for a reason - the potholes are everywhere! I have learned to avoid them on the hybrid but I still wonder how a road bike will cope with the slightly bumpy back roads that I tend to favour? Will I be paying for the wheels to be straightened every few months?
I don't have a huge budget but have just seen this one in the Wiggle sale that looks like it might do the job http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f95-sora-wiggle-exclu... Any thoughts?
Cheers
Sounds just like me!! I bought a cross trail comp in autumn 2012, thinking a hybrid would be all I needed, however, a friend of mine was selling his 3 year old wilier triestina carbon road bike. I gave him £500 ( a right bargain)... And TBH I haven't looked back. My 6.5 mile commute was 5 minutes quicker the day after I changed:-) I never thought I was interested in speed, but now, I love pushing myself harder and faster...The skinny wheels/tyres on road bikes concern me a little. I live in Surrey and people here drive 4WD's with big wheels for a reason - the potholes are everywhere! I have learned to avoid them on the hybrid but I still wonder how a road bike will cope with the slightly bumpy back roads that I tend to favour? Will I be paying for the wheels to be straightened every few months?
I don't have a huge budget but have just seen this one in the Wiggle sale that looks like it might do the job http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f95-sora-wiggle-exclu... Any thoughts?
Cheers
My advice is to buy the best you can afford. I know I'm lucky with my full carbon wilier, but if you can afford a carbon frame, the comfort is sublime as is its rigidity, far better than the aluminium specialized...
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff