KneesUp
Guru
It depends on the surface, surely?
Hybrid vs Road.
- Thread starter Racing roadkill
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Surely were talking about surfaces that both bikes can actually use, or it's pretty obvious that you can't compare?
KneesUp
Guru
I've ridden on tow paths and The Middlewood Way on road bikes (at a time when the hire bikes on The Middlewood Way were Raleigh 20s) and I'd be quicker on a hybrid. I'm also quicker on my commute on my hybrid because the roads are so awful it genuinely feels like you are losing control of the road bike on the fast downhill bits, plus there is a hige power loss because of the vibrations. The wider tyres at lower pressures (70psi in my hybrid) are much better.Surely were talking about surfaces that both bikes can actually use, or it's pretty obvious that you can't compare?
You might find these interesting.
http://janheine.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/science-and-bicycles-1-tires-and-pressure/
http://janheine.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/tires-how-wide-is-too-wide/
Of course a hybrid will tend to weigh more, but you feel that mainly on uphill bits. If it's flat where you ride it won't be such a big factor.
@KneesUp i am aware of the gains of lower pressure on wider tyres. I run 25's on my roadies as a result.
The returns from wider tyres are significantly diminished by the weight of the hybrid bike and its heavier wheels mind you.
Only you know how this affects your riding in your local area, I acknowledge that.
The returns from wider tyres are significantly diminished by the weight of the hybrid bike and its heavier wheels mind you.
Only you know how this affects your riding in your local area, I acknowledge that.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Hybrid or Road? Why not give a roadster a go? Basically a road bike but slightly wider tyres to soak up the bumps and North Road bars for a variety of relaxed positions. Could be fastest of them all in typical non-race riding conditions... well, as long as the hub gearbox doesn't outweigh the benefits or something. ;-)
As usual, there seems to be some comment on lack of hand positions on hybrids. Other handlebars than flats and risers can be fitted there, you know?
As usual, there seems to be some comment on lack of hand positions on hybrids. Other handlebars than flats and risers can be fitted there, you know?
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
My commute times on my slick shod rigid mtb were nearly identical to the sportive bike I replaced it with. The sportive feels a lot quicker, it just ain't.
I seem to remember reading somewhere that Specialized did exactly that with their Sirrus model, and called it a Secteur. Not sure that a Secteur qualifies as a proper road bike though, as the geometry gives a more upright riding position (that being the reason why I bought one!).
andyfraser
Über Member
- Location
- Bristol
My road bike is 2 - 3 mph quicker on my commute. That's not a lot but it makes a little difference. Moreover, my road bike is much more fun to ride. I like the position and find it comfortable. I'm one of those people who genuinely can use several different bikes.
Accy cyclist
Legendary Member
- Location
- The hills of Accrington
I have three bikes. One an aluminium Scott road bike with 23mm tyres. an aluminium Ridgeback audax bike with 25mm tyres and one an old Carrera chromoly with a 28mm on the front and a 32mm on the back,all with drop handlebars. The Scott is considerably lighter than the Carrera but there's very little in speed between the two, they just give different rides. The Ridgeback has a little more relaxed position than the others. The main thing is that all three are different so i can choose what kind of ride i want to experience that day,instead of having the same pure roadies like some have. I wouldn't have a bike with straight bars though. I like the 6 or 7 positions offered by drops,although i spend most time on top of the bars.
OP
OP
Racing roadkill
Guru
The hybrid is a cheapy Riverside 3 from Decathlon. The current roady is a MY 14 Boardman pro Carbon. Over a 170 mile ride, on back roads, main roads, paths, tracks and urban, the Boardman was only about 45 minutes quicker (over 10 and a bit hours). The Riverside is running M+ (700*35c) the Boardman was on 700c*23c Aksion slicks. There was a difference in speeds on the hilly bits, but it was cancelled out by being able to barrel along on the Riverside without having to constantly avoid the rubbish bits of road. The opportunities to stretch the legs of the Roady properly are so few and far between, and the costs are so different, I find it difficult to justify the Roady now.
They've changed the name of the hybrid, but it's the same bike.
Which part are you referring to?
MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
Well I'd dispute that, not the different frame design but that it would outweigh benefits from tyres. You could easily make a frame that had the same angles, you'd need to lengthen chainstays, maybe front centre and ensure width and height clearance. Bung some 32/35 slicks on and I doubt that you'd get a marked difference in performance between the two. Depending of course on what you class as a marked difference.
But this only matters if you are racing or have some sort of Strava style fetish, barring that ride whatever gets you from A to B with the maximum level of enjoyment.
Stop trying - appreciate the fact you have it and relish the days you can get out on it.
and put some clean bar tape on it
Mugshot
Cracking a solo.
Stop trying - appreciate the fact you have it and relish the days you can get out on it.
and put some clean bar tape on it
But if you're thinking of throwing it away, don't let me stop you, just let me know which hedge it's going in
