Hybrid or Flat bar road bike for towpaths?

[Clydesider]

Hi all, I'm looking to spend up to £300 on a bike, but I cant decide on a road bike
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/fit-300-flat-bar-road-bike-id_8306479.html
or hybrid
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-500-hybrid-bike-id_8202746.html

I had a little go in the shop and the road bike felt the best but is it up to cycling on towpaths?
The cycle route in question is Glasgow to Loch lomond which I think is partly tarred only, perhaps some hybrid tyres is all thats needed to make the road bike the best choice?

Any advice welcome.

 

[ScotiaLass]

Hi
I don't know that stretch of towpath, but I regularly cycle on the Union Canal/Forth & Clyde towpaths, and although my MTB has front suspension, I've never used it as copes fine when locked out.

 

[MacB]

I'd agree suspension only really needed if serious off-roading or very rough paths/trails expected. At the lower price point suspension tends to add weight and perform poorly. Making sure you can fit larger tyres would provide more comfort and that would rule out a proper flat bar roadbike as they tend to be limited to 700x32-35 at the most and frequently less. Personally I'd also avoid anything with a low spoke count, less than 32, as any spoke problems can be more serious.

 

[Clydesider]

Thanks for the replies, the road bike I have in mind has 32 spokes, what does 700x32-35 mean?

 

[vickster]

700c is the wheel size (29" or thereabouts) - the 32 or 35 is the width of the tyres in mm

 

[ScotiaLass]

Thanks for the replies, the road bike I have in mind has 32 spokes, what does 700x32-35 mean?

That's the wheel/tyre size 700 being the diameter and 32-35 being the width (mm's)

 

[ScotiaLass]

700c is the wheel size (29" or thereabouts) - the 32 or 35 is the width of the tyres in mm

Beat me to it

 

[dawn72]

Someone had asked about the glasgow-loch lomond surface a couple of weeks ago on the forum and was advised against using a road bike on it due to some potholes and slightly muddy sections. If you use the search function for the post you'll see some more discussion on it

 

[evo456]

Sounds like a hybrid you're after, you'll know already if a road bike is doable.

At this price point halfords carerra Rigid fork hybrid are worth a look, especially if you catch it with the frequent 10% discount promos.

 

[Clydesider]

Thanks all, I *think* a road bike is doable so I've placed an order for a flat bar road bike, i'll update later as to whether I made the right choice

 

[Dave7]

Thanks all, I *think* a road bike is doable so I've placed an order for a flat bar road bike, i'll update later as to whether I made the right choice

Just my twopence worth (If its actually worth that )
I know you put the tyre size in the OP but lots of road bikes will only accept 23/25mm tyres which IMO would not be suitable for canal paths. What I am saying is.......just double check that it DOES come with the 28/35mm.

 

[vickster]

Off the peg flat bar road bikes however rarely, if ever, come with 23mm tyres, the high end ones perhaps a 25mm tyre, most have 28 or 32 (or fatter)

 

[Berties]

i had a flat bar road a few years ago ,but as a all round bike for paths and road i have a genisis croix de fer it runs 35 cx tyres for tracks and paths and if i want to use it on road change to 28 and its as quick as you want to put in to it,new they are well out side your budget but ,the tyres it will take is food for thought !!

 

[Clydesider]

Not sure if i've made the right decision yet, a bit gutted the bike has £50 off the week after I buy! that aside and the gears not being set up properly, it felt 'highly strung', which was probably down to the 100psi slick tyres and the rock hard saddle, a seat pad should ensure a more comfortable ride tho and some 28mm tread tyres should make me less vulnerable in the wet.
As for the tow path which was all tarred on the bit I was on, it was actually a lot smoother than some of the main road, so i'm still hopeful that i've made the right choice

 

[david k]

Hi all, I'm looking to spend up to £300 on a bike, but I cant decide on a road bike
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/fit-300-flat-bar-road-bike-id_8306479.html
or hybrid
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-500-hybrid-bike-id_8202746.html

I had a little go in the shop and the road bike felt the best but is it up to cycling on towpaths?
The cycle route in question is Glasgow to Loch lomond which I think is partly tarred only, perhaps some hybrid tyres is all thats needed to make the road bike the best choice?

Any advice welcome.

considered the carrera cx bike?