Newbie needs some advice!

[essexcycler]

Hi Everyone

Hopefully you can help me out with some questions that I have as a new cyclist.
I have a mountain bike which is in good condition and about 5 years old its a 'Saracen Rufftrack Hardtail XC' if that means anything to anyone?

I have used the mountain bike in the past to ride through Epping Forest which is near to me and the bike is fine for that, but I do find the bike quite heavy and when riding on the road which I have attempted to start doing recently although still a little nervous, the bike is not that fast or nimble if thats the right word..?

So I am now thinking of maybe keeping hold of my mountain bike as there is nothing wrong with it but investing in a bike to use on the road.. I have been to my local bike shop who was trying to steer me (excuse the pun) toward a hybrid but he also said that road bikes were the most popular type of bike sold these days but that you could never use a road bike on any terrain other than a road.

I am now in a quandary about road bike v hybrid bike. I think I am more interested in a road bike (not sure why but just am?) and perhaps its because of seeing all those healthy fit people on the tour de france!

So whats your views on all this and if I was going to go for a road bike what should I look for with a budget of say £500 to £700.. would I get a carbon bike for that??

I guess my only negative comment after test driving a hybrid v a road bike is that I am used to the structure and positioning of my mountain bike, so when I went on a road bike the way you sit so low down is not as comfortable as on a mountain or hybrid.

All your comments and advice will be really appreciated!!

Thanks

Mark

 

[raleighnut]

Change to thinner, higher pressure (rated) slick tyres on the MTB instant (near) Hybrid. By the way

 

[Cycleops]

It seems you find the riding position of a straight barred bike more comfortable and familiar than the drop bars on a road bike. No, you're not going to get a carbon framed bike for your budget! Maybe carbon forks. You can get some fine hybrids with narrow fast tyres so performance shouldn't suffer at all. I prefer the road bike layout but it's a very personal thing. Recently picked up this Bianchi down here for thirty quid.

 

[raleighnut]

It seems you find the riding position of a straight barred bike more comfortable and familiar than the drop bars on a road bike. No, you're not going to get a carbon framed bike for your budget! Maybe carbon forks. You can get some fine hybrids with narrow fast tyres so performance shouldn't suffer at all. I prefer the road bike layout but it's a very personal thing. Recently picked up this Bianchi down here for thirty quid.

View attachment 56052

30 Quid have they never heard of fleabay.
Seriously though, nice one

 

[Cycleops]

30 Quid have they never heard of fleabay.
Seriously though, nice one

Supplied through a dealer in Hamburg. It's hardly been used, the rims are not even marked. Tyres are the originals. Unfortunately it's far too small for me, but just lovely to ride.

 

[Bryony]

 

[Ern1e]

Hi @essexcycler it doe's seem you are in a bit of a dilema lol,and just to add my bit and a +1 to ralieghnut's post on the thinner tyres would be a good in between option ! A road bike is a far better tool if this is all you are going to do is cycle on the "road" but the hybrid is a kind of 50/50 of each so light of road work and better (than the mtb) on the road.So you will find that at some piont you WILL end up with more than the one bike so just go with what you feel and enjoy riding which ever you get.

 

[MikeW-71]

So whats your views on all this and if I was going to go for a road bike what should I look for with a budget of say £500 to £700.. would I get a carbon bike for that??

I guess my only negative comment after test driving a hybrid v a road bike is that I am used to the structure and positioning of my mountain bike, so when I went on a road bike the way you sit so low down is not as comfortable as on a mountain or hybrid.

If you are buying new at £500 - £700, you'll be looking at an aluminium frame with carbon forks (at the higher end of that) and an entry level groupset.
For example:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.4/19187/77297/

You can also get a flat-bar road bike using the same frames, tyres and gearing, but without the drop bars.
For example:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/rapid.3/19205/77301/#specifications

Both of those types will be much quicker and more nimble on the road than the MTB. The main advantage of drop bars is the variety of hand and body positions available and you will be more aerodynamic than on a more upright hybrid. It is quite a difference, and will need some getting used to, but it should be more comfortable over distance in the end.

I began riding again on a hybrid I'd bought years before and never used, then went to a road bike and I haven't looked back since

 

[Markymark]

Sirrus sport. Fast hybrid in yiur bracket and a great ride.

 

[jnrmczip]

My giant defy 5 which is an entry level road bike is excellent and is now cheaper than £500 online if you decide to go for a road bike

 

[Louch]

@ShooglyDougie shows the cc Ecosse road riders up with slicks on his mtb. two new wheels, tyres and cogs cheaper and easier to store than a new bike

 

[cardiac case]

My advice would be buy second hand, something fairly modern.
That way if you don't like it you can sell it on at what you paid, or at least close to it.
When your happy with your hybrid/road bike you can go out and get the all singing & dancing new one.

I've owned all sorts including a Defy 2 road bike (payed £401 - sold £400) but now ride a Cannondale Quick 4.
Light aluminium frame, carbon forks, 32mm slick tyres, and flat bars. Top gear is the same as my sons Trek
road bike and it has a granny ring for the hills and the odd light off road stuff.
When I bought this new from a LBS (Revel Outdoors) at least I was confident this was the bike for me.

Cheers
Paul G

 

[Big Nick]

I first off bought a hybrid and whilst it rekindled my interest in cycling with hindsight it would of been better to get a road bike in the first place.
I still use my hybrid though for pottering around on short cycle rides with the missus on hers but I have a road bike now for 80% of my cycling

 

[jnrmczip]

Just to clear things up a little you will end up on a road bike eventually so save some cash get one now. Seriously though best advice I think could be given is go try some out and go with what feels right to you. I had never ridden a road bike until a few months ago and was worried I wouldn't like it because of the position but I am hooked and didn't take long to get used to it. You can still also sit up when riding no need to be completely bent over. Hopefully this helps

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi and Mark.

If you want a road bike but also want it to handle off road too have you looked at Cyclocross bikes?