Carbon Roadie versus Hybrid

[J4CKO]

Just interested to get an idea how much different a carbon road bike would feel compared to my Cannondale Bad Boy 700, i am used to drop bars but have only ever had Steel framed lumps.

I am not thinking of changing, I cant afford a grand plus for another bike but would be interested to see how much different it would feel and how much faster it would be ?

Also, how much different would a grands worth of Carbon roadie be compared to the most expensive you can buy, about 5 grands worth in the local bike shop ?

 

[gavintc]

I upgraded my carbon bike this year and noticed an improvement. It was stiffer and I could definitely feel a speed increase, especially on hills. There is a zippiness to my good bike that is not there with the winter/audax Ribble I ride during the week on my commute.

 

[fossyant]

Your bad boy is a slicked up MTB - basically what I did to my old MTB, although lack the advantage of discs.....

Any road bike of a decent pedigree (carbon or not) is faster..... I post 5 minute faster commutes on my road bike over 11 miles...... although, it is sometimes too fast......

A slicked up MTB is deffo slower than a good road bike 1-2 MPH - enough to scare a few of them if you are kicking their ass on a MTB....

My MTB is geared up for every day riding...guards, etc....my roadies for better weather......

Totally upto you, but any 'Urban MTB' will be slightly less sprightly than a road bike, carbon or not........ but the Urban MTB is great on crap roads.....

 

[J4CKO]

Fossyant, where are you from in Sth Mcr ? I am from Wilmslow.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I ride both a hybrid and a carbon road bike. The first impression when riding a carbon bike is the rapid acceleration which is streets ahead of the hybrid. Second is the ease of climbing compared to the hybrid. For example, a local hill I use for training has to be climbed in the granny ring on my rather hefty hybrid, whereas on the roadbike I can stay in the main (large) ring of my compact set up. Third is the ease of maintaining high (for me!) average speeds over a ride. Say 13mph on the hybrid, but 17mph plus over the same route on my road bike.

The downside of a road bike? Well you can't see over the neighbouring farms hedges to check their furrows or see into the gardens of houses I am passing. (I know, I'm a nosey git).

 

[fossyant]

J4CKO - Bredbury/Woodley area mate !