Did you change from Hybrid to Drop Bar Bike

[macp]

Not quite.
You tend to find the hybrids from around £800 upwards are sleeker and more like a road bike but with flat bars and the carbon forks as you mention.
The Halfords Carrera BSOs you mention with pointless front suspension are hybrids but I would class a 'normal' hybrid as something like my current bike:- View attachment 517102
It has no front suspension but the front fork is alloy as it is a little cheaper than when the carbon front fork becomes de regeur.
(This cost £700)
Or something a bit more bog standard like this:-
View attachment 517103

Liking the orange bike what make & model is it ?

 

[SuperHans123]

Liking the orange bike what make & model is it ?

It's a Cannondale Treadwell 2.
I changed the pedals to DMR Vaults and got some thinner 32 Continental tyres. (As well Giant grips with bar ends and mudguards)

9 Speed, no triple chainwheel hassle, I absolutely love it.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcnQ0Z44xoE

 

[DCBassman]

And now I'm about to un-modify it...back to drops.

Now fully reverted to drops after much modding and messing about.
View attachment 516901

View attachment 516902

I don't like taping bars...

Aaaaaand...back to flat bars. I'm done with drops for good.

 

[Twilkes]

Have done a few A/B tests between my road bike and my commuter hybrid (including front-mount child seat and Marathon Plus tyres!), and I found I can generally go just as fast on my hybrid, but it takes more energy so it's not as sustainable. I guess this might be to do with air resistance, i.e. in any given conditions there is a limit to how fast I can go, and the road bike lets me go at that speed more efficiently. And possibly the tyres, but I think the difference in speed between tyres is overrated, lots of times I've matched road bike speeds on my hybrid and it never FEELS as fast, so perception is a big part of this.

The road bike is a Cannondale Optimo with low handlebars, and I actually find it easier on my back then the hybrid when trying to go fast, maybe because I keep trying to lean forward on it, although the hybrid is more comfortable at a slower cruising speed, i.e. canal towpaths.

I avoided drop bars for a long time but very glad I chose them for leisure/fitness cycling. For commuting and family rides I'm not really fussed either way, there is minimal difference between them on a 5 mile commute, although the road bike is more fun.

 

[SteffieLou]

Very newly taken up cycling. Currently riding a Boardman Hybrid but expecting delivery of a road bike with drops next week.

 

[smoggie]

Hi all! First post on this forum!!

I bought an Orbea Hybrid late last year - mainly as a form of low impact exercise - Since then I've cycled daily and I love it.
However, after seeing my general fitness improve drastically the next step was always going to be a road bike - waiting for my Ribble 872 Disk in the next month or so.

 

[Baldy]

I've always had drop bars on my bikes except for my latest one, which has butterfly bars. I realized that I don't actually go down onto the drops anymore so not really worth having.

 

[mustang1]

I didn't vote because I started off on a drop bar bike and continue to do so, but added a flat bar bike to the collection.

 

[Shropshire65LW]

A interesting thread I’ve bought a giant anyroad that has been converted to flats . It came with the original drops .im considering converting back . But hesitant 🤔

 

[vickster]

A interesting thread I’ve bought a giant anyroad that has been converted to flats . It came with the original drops .im considering converting back . But hesitant 🤔

Why hesitant ?
How does it fit you as a drop bar? If spot on and you go back to drops, it may be too big

 

[Shropshire65LW]

Why hesitant ?
How does it fit you as a drop bar? If spot on and you go back to drops, it may be too big

only every rode mountain bikes in the past to so used to flats I guess , I don’t think it will be to big I could swap the bars I guess to try the position without disconnecting anything 🤔

 

[robertwiltsher]

So often we see people who come on the forums here who are complete beginners, at least during adulthood, who are looking for a new bike. Often they feel intimidated by drop bars thinking that they aren't good enough for one or just think they look strange. They then set their mind on a hybrid or flat bar road bike.

Just wondering about those people that first bought a hybrid/flat bar road bike and how many of them have since converted to a drop bar version (for the purposes of the poll anything which isn't a drop bar counts as a hybrid ie slicked up moutain bikes, etc which are used primarily on road or towpaths - no mountain biking country included as that takes a much more specialised bike)

I have always had a(n unreasonable) fear of not being able to get to the brake levers in time if I need to in a hurry ! Daft I know but welcome to my head.....which is why I have always stuck to non-drops. Discuss....

 

[Binka]

have always had a(n unreasonable) fear of not being able to get to the brake levers in time if I need to in a hurry ! Daft I know but welcome to my head.....which is why I have always stuck to non-drops. Discuss....

You could get secondary top bar brake levers added to drop bars.

 

[Zigzak789]

When I was younger I always had flat bars, used basically a MTB for everything and flat bars is all I knew and I never thought I could change.

However about 3 years ago got a Boardman CX Comp with drops but it also had a secondary set of brakes on the flats which was useful in me gaining confidence using drops. Now I only use drops and haven't been able to go back to flats, I enjoy the nimbleness of drops too much and the different hand positions they provide. I use trains a lot and having narrow bars make it easier to get bikes on and off.

I'd recommend anyone trying drops, once you're used to them they're very comfortable and have a lot of upside.

 

[youngoldbloke]

If your bars (drop) are set up properly, with the levers in the correct position and the reach adjusted (if possible), and your brakes are of reasonable quality you should be able to brake perfectly well with your hands on the lever hoods. I can't remember when I last braked from the dropped position as (like many others using dropped bars) I ride with hands on the tops or hoods 95% of the time.