Hybrid or Road Bike?

[Coffey]

Hi. Just after some advice.
Fairly new to cycling and I've currently got a Carrera Subway Ltd Ed Hybrid and have no problems with it, enjoying a regular 25mile Sunday morning ride at an average of 16mph. However I quite fancy testing myself on longer runs (although not on a regular basis).
When I'm out I regularly get passed by road bikes whose riders do not appear to be putting in any more effort than myself.
Would it be in my interest to upgrade to a road bike? - the problem is I wouldn't have a massive budget. For example sticking with Carrera would I feel the benefit over a 40-50 mile ride on their tdf than my current bike?
Thanks in advance.

 

[cosmicbike]

I started riding a road bike this Summer, having done the last few years on a Trek hybrid. The road bike is noticeably easier than the hybrid for a few reasons, it's much lighter, the 23C tyres offer much reduced resistance than the 38C on the hybrid, and the riding position helps. My rides haven't gotten any longer, but they did get easier and as a result, faster.

 

[Kies]

Cosmic beat me to it. Go buy some 23c road tyres for your hybrid and watch the speed and distances increase. I did it to my hybrid that came with 28c tyres and even i felt the difference

 

[evo456]

Cosmic beat me to it. Go buy some 23c road tyres for your hybrid and watch the speed and distances increase. I did it to my hybrid that came with 28c tyres and even i felt the difference

Before the OP does this, best to check whether your rims can support such a narrow tyre

 

[sreten]

Hi,

IMO fit barends or combined grips barends to your hybrid and some nice fast road
tyres, that don't have to be skinny, just faster. 23mm will just look stupid on your bike.

http://dsa.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=ergonomic+bicycle+bar+ends&_sop=15
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/michelin-wild-run-r-mtb-tyre/rp-prod48134

(Despite "common knowledge" skinny tyres are fast, they simply are not on
bad roads, fatter tyres are faster and more comfortable and thus less tiring.)

Drop the bars. Flipping the stem looks like a big change. You could do that
or move the spacers above the stem - more aggressive riding position.

You've got toeclips - they should be fine.

Set up the bike for you for a good long distance riding position - a little more
aero and thus aggressive than for shorter distances, balance comfort/effort.

rgds, sreten.

FWIW my "road bike" has 30mm rear, 32mm front tyres and bullhorns.
The bars are set much lower than if I was using normal dropbars.

 

[BSRU]

Bicycle tyre width does not affect speed if pumped to the correct pressure, I am sure somewhere it has been shown that wider tyres are better because they deform less.

My road bike is quicker than my old hybrid mainly due to being able to adopt a more aerodynamic position which is the main drag on a cyclist over a certain speed.

 

[Coffey]

Thanks Guys for your time and thoughts. Much to think about - tyres, bike set up etc. Will look into all of this but in the meantime I guess it's just continuing to enjoy my time on the road!

 

[jowwy]

the guys on the roadies might just be pushing a bigger gear than you, fitter, stronger - may not be the bike their riding

 

[lee1980sim]

Distance shouldn't matter about the bike you ride I quite happily do 40+ miles I fail to see why everyone needs a road bike its what you're comfy on and happy with, I've got 35s and bar ends, I'd feel so uncomfortably on skinny tyres and drop downs, just pedal that's the key point to cycling IMO

 

[michaelcycle]

Would it be in my interest to upgrade to a road bike?

It would be in your best interests to improve your fitness.

 

[Coffey]

It would be in your best interests to improve your fitness.

Ha ha, yes I would certainly benefit from more time in the saddle to improve my cycling legs although in general I would class my fitness levels as quite good - but there's certainly room for improvement. My body isn't a temple so to speak!
Just posed the question as simply wondered 'how much is it the bike' and 'how much the rider'. As you say much could be down to fitness and being new in the saddle, then again if you sit in the other camp technology obviously plays it's part.

 

[vickster]

I reckon I am maybe 1mph quicker on a 10kg roadbike than on my 10kg fast hybrid

The Subway however is a much heavier beast (14-15kg I think). Stick slicker skinnier tyres on it (I have 28mm on the hybrid) and see how you go. Much cheaper than spending a minimum of £300 on a decent entry level roadbike (get a Btwin Triban not a Carrera TDF)

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Stick slicker skinnier tyres on it (I have 28mm on the hybrid) and see how you go. Much cheaper than spending a minimum of £300 on a decent entry level roadbike (get a Btwin Triban not a Carrera TDF)

+1.

The Subway has 26" wheels, and if it still has the stock CST hybrid tyres then they are fairly heavy (at least 500g, the 2.15" is 1kg each ), and they can't take pressure higher than 65psi. High pressure is a key reason road bikes roll better, since rolling resistance is reduced with pressure on the flat.

Thing is generally allowable pressure is inversely correlated to tyre width, however most 26" rims are too wide for skinny tyres so 26" tyres below 28mm aren't actually available any more afaik. What I would recommend therefore is to measure the width of the rim first, and then pick the narrowest (rim width + 2mm minimum say) and lightest (i.e. pick foldable rather than wire bead within a range), also replace the existing larger tube with a lighter one especially if it is in excess of 150g. The following two tyres are amongst the fastest for 26" wheels on the road: the Panaracer Pasela TG 26x1.25 and the Schwalbe Kojak 26x1.35. They can take no less than 100 psi and the folding versions are under 300g a piece. A pair will set you back probably c£50, and while the ride will be a little harsher, they will transform the slickness and speed of the bike.

 

[vickster]

Ah the subway is on 26" MTB type wheels, not overly helpful as above

 

[Roadrider48]

I reckon I am maybe 1mph quicker on a 10kg roadbike than on my 10kg fast hybrid

The Subway however is a much heavier beast (14-15kg I think). Stick slicker skinnier tyres on it (I have 28mm on the hybrid) and see how you go. Much cheaper than spending a minimum of £300 on a decent entry level roadbike (get a Btwin Triban not a Carrera TDF)

Hi vickster. I have a carrera TDF and I have never ridden the Btwin, so I can't comment on that one. Difference being the carbon forks I believe. I changed the tyres and saddle on mine and it goes like a dream. Gearing is a bit heavy, but not such a problem for me as I have quite strong legs from powerlifting. I have ridden better bikes (price wise) than mine, and I must say that there isn't a huge difference IMHO. I would like to try one day the Btwin just to make a comparison. You look like you have a good collection of quality bikes and are very knowledgeable. I am always learning here....great!