Hybrid or road.

[WeeMansShoes]

I know this mIght sound daft but I currently commute on a hybrid it's 9 miles one way I'm thinking of buying a road bike to use when the weather isn't to crazy. Will this make a great deal of difference to my commute either by making me a bit quicker or making it any easier? Any help or suggestions for bikes would be much appreciated. Cheers

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

Mort - longer on the road bike?

 

[MrJamie]

Id guess its nice those days you find yourself riding into a headwind without time to take it easy.

 

[Gez73]

I'm about to start commuting on a drop bar hybrid-type. It's a Kona Dew drop. Definitely not a road bike though. I've put a rack on it and full mudguards too. I don't expect to be much quicker on this bike but the 11 mile commute might be a little easier. Not used a drop bar for years so will feel different but looking forward to it too. Will keep the true hybrid for the really bad weather and have winter tyres for that too when required. Using it tonight for the first proper distance. Will let you all know. Gez

 

[wisdom]

I have been commuting for the last 3 years on a ridgeback supernova with panniers and a rack bag I travel between 7 and 12 miles each way depending on which site i am working at.Our coastal winds do sometimes slow me down a fair bit.I have just bought a road bike and have nothing on it but a set of lights and a cycling computer.If i choose to use the road bike i condense what i take and stuff it all into a small rucksack.
It shaves a few minutes off each trip every time so i find it quicker.
It is a livlier ride though and i feel will improve my fitness more as time goes on.Its also what i use for weekend pleasure rides and again being much lighter means i can travel faster.
Hope this helps

 

[Berties]

Getting a road bike is just a natural progression of cycling,even if we don't think it is ,does one bike do every thing?no ,it's nice to change around ,a commuting bike ,a road bike ,a off road ,stunt bikes ,I have sheds full on different bikes,on a commute you know your time and are always finding ways to improve on it, well I do any way,you will not regret a new bike

 

[400bhp]

Depends on what hybrid you have and what components you have, in particular your tyres.

I commute on a hybrid and a road bike. Time taken is very similar, although the fastest rides are done on the road bike.

 

[gambatte]

Depends on what hybrid you have and what components you have, in particular your tyres.
I commute on a hybrid and a road bike. Time taken is very similar, although the fastest rides are done on the road bike.

^^Wot he said, especially about tyres^^
Gearing can make a difference as well, depending on your route. Plenty of hills? might be better on a hybrid with a triple chainset, than a road bike with a double.

 

[Mushroomgodmat]

I had a hybrid, but I only used it on the road. Then I borrowed a frends road bike liked it so much (felt about half the weight, felt faster) that I put my hybrid up on eBay and bought a road bike...never regretted it.


If there is one negative - I found my hybrid slightly more comfortable saddle...other than that, in every way my road bike is better.

 

[defy-one]

Road bike with clip less pedals are so much quicker up the hills. I keep my slick shod mountain bike for lazy rides with the kids or when the weather is bad, but you just can't beat a road bike for pure pleasure

 

[400bhp]

Road bike with clip less pedals are so much quicker up the hills. I keep my slick shod mountain bike for lazy rides with the kids or when the weather is bad, but you just can't beat a road bike for pure pleasure

No, depends upon the road bike/the hybrid and the ability to use pedals properly.

 

[Moodyman]

it's not stunningly different over that distance and a lot of people say the same. However, if I had to go 30 miles or 40 miles, there would be no contest - in terms of comfort if nothing else.

I mostly commute on a rigid mtb (mudguards, two panniers,etc) and the difference between it and drop barred road bike (without the commuting paraphernalia) is about 3-4 minutes (12m commute). I reckon the diffierence will be even smaller once I commuterise the road bike.

 

[beanzontoast]

I've gone in the other direction here - changed from a road bike to a hybrid for commuting and find the riding position more comfortable. Speed isn't important to me as my commute is only about 6 miles and I like to take my time. Time of day, traffic volume and traffic lights seem to have much greater effect on the duration of my commute rather than what bike I'm riding.

 

[clarion]

Road bikes aren't great for commuting. They're too harsh on poor roads, badly set up for bad weather, and a PITA if you have any luggage.

I ride touring/audax style steel frames - one fixed; one touring gears. They have racks and guards. Although not an ultra-fit cyclist, I pass an awful lot of road bike riders every day.

The line below suggests that comfort beats the illusion of speed every time.

 

[BADGER.BRAD]

I also went the other way I brought myself a rigid MTB with semi slicks which I found made little difference to my times (all up and down commute!) But made hell of a difference to comfort, I also found that I could see much better in heavy traffic. I doubt very much that a road bike could take the roads around here.