Upgrade Hybrid or go Road?

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M

Min

New Member
Hi all,

I currently own a Ridgeback Velocity, a mountain-city hybrid to commute back and forth from my college, which is about 7 miles in total. I've had it for about a year now, but I'm now having to do a lot more travel (as I moved, got a part time job etc, maybe 10-15miles in total) and finding the heavy ridgeback (700x37mm tyres, 27.1 lb) a bit taxing to use, especially on hilly places and windy conditions! and would like to cut travel time as well.

So I was wondering whether it would make sense to upgrade to an entry level road bike? Some bikes I looked at are the Specialized Allez or Secteur models, and also the much cheaper Dawes Giro 500. These weigh about 2-3 pounds less than my current hybrid, and got 23-25mm tyres.

But then the shopkeeper at my LBS also suggested I could instead opt for replacing the tyres on the Ridgeback to a skinnier, road-bike style ones and that would add a lot of speed and cut some weight? I was thinking maybe 25-28mm?

My budget for a new road bike is about 500-600 pounds. The latter option of replacing tyres would be a lot cheaper, but not as ideal. The thing with road bikes is though, I want something I can use all year around in all weather conditions since I will be selling my hybrid (so needs to deal with lots of rain, some snow etc) and some light off-road use (for the towpath that has some light gravel). Would road bikes be able to handle these or would that be too much abuse and break them apart?

What do you think would be the best option to get the increase in speed and cut down travel time? Replace my tyres or get a lighter and more aerodynamic road bike? Or if there is a road bike you know which can deal with lots of conditions any recommendations?

Sorry for the long post and thanks!
 
slowmotion

slowmotion

Quite dreadful
Location
lost somewhere
I had a Dawes 501 hybrid until two years ago when I bought a Specialized Secteur Elite in an end of season sale. I have never ridden the Dawes since the day I bought the road bike. It took a while to get used to the riding position, but now I love it. Commute everyday on it, winter and summer, go for a few 60 milers, put a rack and panniers on it and do some very light touring, and bimble down the Thames path ( light gravel in some places). I use 23mm tyres. It's great fun. Lots of people will sing the praises of other road bikes and that's all good. I guess all that I'm suggesting is that you don't have to have velodrome-like surfaces or environmental conditions to enjoy a road bike pretty much all the time.

Good luck!
 
K

Kies

Guest
A couple of options ....
1. A cx bike. Essentialy a road bike with drop bars,700c wheels but fat tyres (change tyres for summer/winter/snow)

2. A road hybrid with 700 x 28c tyres such as a specialized sirrus elite. Carbon front fork. A road bike with flat handlebars. I have one. Use it to commute. Stick rack/panniers on it, when i need to take lots of gear with me. Mudguards in the winter. Have done muddy canal paths,and mild off roading on the stock nimbus tyres. This summer i plan to fit 25c road tyres,making the commute a little faster . It's not much slower than my road bikes even now. I bought it for better visibility in central london traffic over my road bike .... My go to all rounder :smile:
 
SquareDaff

SquareDaff

Über Member
Location
Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Kies said:
A couple of options ....
1. A cx bike. Essentialy a road bike with drop bars,700c wheels but fat tyres (change tyres for summer/winter/snow)

2. A road hybrid with 700 x 28c tyres such as a specialized sirrus elite. Carbon front fork. A road bike with flat handlebars. I have one. Use it to commute. Stick rack/panniers on it, when i need to take lots of gear with me. Mudguards in the winter. Have done muddy canal paths,and mild off roading on the stock nimbus tyres. This summer i plan to fit 25c road tyres,making the commute a little faster . It's not much slower than my road bikes even now. I bought it for better visibility in central london traffic over my road bike .... My go to all rounder :smile:
Click to expand...
+1 to this. Have "done" both options. Changed tyres in the winter - tread in the cold - slicks in summer.
Now on the CX - same tyre strategy. Difference=not a lot. I'd have still happily used my hybrid had it not been stolen - hence the decision to give a CX bike a go.
 
helston90

helston90

Eat, sleep, ride, repeat.
Location
Cornwall
Go for the N+ 1 then upgrade your hybrid as and when you can afford it.
You don't have to go full road if you want to stick to a hybrid type- as Kies mentions the sirrus is popular, and my giant rapid 4 is road gearing but with flat bars eyelets for guards and 25c wheels and easy in your budget!
 
I like Skol

I like Skol

A Minging Manc...
Location
Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
Stick with the hybrid. I have a choice of roadbike, rigid hybrid and front sus MTB and the 10 mile each way commute takes pretty much the same time regardless (MTB runs 2.1" slicks when on road duties).

The flexibility of the hybrid just can't be beaten and shaving a few pounds off a commuter is IMO irrelevant, how much junk do you carry to work? Clothes, tools, lunch, panniers, mudguards, lock, etc all makes the bikes weight a lot less important. The main thing is to use the right tyres at the right pressure. I run THESE 700x35c tyres at around 60-70psi and they seem to roll as well as the 23c roadbike tyres but without the worry of having to dodge the potholes. You could downsize a bit, maybe to a 28c tyre but I wouldn't recomend you over do it on a commuter.
 
wiggydiggy

wiggydiggy

Legendary Member
Just to mention as well, without being insulting, can you lose any weight/quit smoking/get healthier (not the same as fitter BTW)?

7 months into non smoking, a diet change to mostly salads during the day and cutting out most of the junk food I used to eat means peddling in general is a bit easier. I've not suddenly got fit(ter), that has to be worked on, but having a healthier lifestyle can help.

Healthier doesnt mean a cellary only diet BTW I still enjoy my booze and the odd kebab, I just cut down on the junk.
 
OP
OP
M

Min

New Member
I am quite fit actually, I'm a lightweight rower for my college and have a body fat % of 11%, on a strict high-protein and no-junk/alcohol diet (well maybe except the occasional pizza over weekend), almost underweight actually due to the constant training. So there isnt any weight I can lose on myself, so need to fix up the bike to go faster or get a roadie.

I tried the sirrus elites, but those arent proper road bikes and are more like a hybrid - I didnt quite feel a huge difference when I tried them. The Giant Rapid 4 did feel faster though - maybe because of the 25mm tyres instead of the 32 on the sirrus? So I'm thinking, if I get 25-28mm tyres on my ridgeback I could achieve the same effect? But would going so thin be pushing it? My Ridgeback currently has a 37mm.

Otherwise I could just get a roadie and own both, but I was hoping to sell my hybrid if I get a road to redeem the cost a little bit. The main thing I'm concerned about is the suitability of road bikes like the Specialized Sectuer for using all year round - i.e. all weather conditions and light offroad towpath riding. Someone above mentioned its fine, but I have been warned by several friends that road bikes are really only meant for the road and if I use it outside of that things will start wearing out fast and i'll rack up huge service/repair fees?

The CX idea is very nice actually - its a road bike but can take on light offroad and bad conditions like the hybrid can. Unfortunately the entry level CX from specialized (tricross) at my LBS is at £725....:sad: Anyone know of cheaper CX models?
I would really like to cycle faster everywhere, but the hybrid's upright position doesnt help especially on windy days, but then again road bikes arent as versatile...hmm tough call.
 
Sittingduck

Sittingduck

Legendary Member
Location
Somewhere flat
Just get a road bike, man. You can commute on 23mm tyres fine (even loaded). You can get Crud mudguards or race blades, if the bike doesn't have clearance or braze-ons for full guards. Pannier racks can be installed with p clips, if really required.
 
Cyclist33

Cyclist33

Guest
Location
Warrington
Piemaster said:
You already have a bike. There is only one option
n+1
Click to expand...

Agreed

I got a road bike - same sorta budget as you - just the other week. Until last night I had a road wheel setup which was quite fancy (by my standards!) on my hybrid. Last night I put the posher wheels on the new road bike and the stock wheels onto the hybrid. Result: One superfast road bike, one fast and slightly more comfy hybrid, both essentially road-tuned.

Still ride both/either, depends how I'm feeling. Road bike today!
 
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