Hybrid bikes and road bikes

[JT77]

Hey folks just looking some info from any cyclists there.
I currently have a hybrid bike mx race boardman that was bought for getting to work, I have started to use it more for fitness with friends doing around 20-25 miles at present.
Would a road bike be that much different?
Thanks

 

[DaveL]

The short answer is yes, it will be faster and probably slightly less comfortable at first and a bit more twitchy than your used to.

 

[JT77]

Thanks Dave.
What makes it quicker is it just tyres or the gearing etc?
Thanks

 

[DaveL]

As a general rule from road bikes £500+ they will be a lot lighter thinner wheels much more aggressive riding position. I went from a mountain bike to a road bike and I couldn't believe how much quicker it was and it was quite light for a mountain bike. If you know some one with a road bike see if you can have a go on theirs.

 

[JT77]

A few friends have them. My frame looks similar but is prob diff. But handle bars are obv different I can change tyres, my rims will support thinner, and I can get them free don't really wanna spend another lot of money on a bike, it's not golf clubs after all lol

 

[Foxholer]

I have a mountain bike and a town bike!

While the town bike is heavier, it's also quicker and a much better riding position for road work (not that I do anything like those sort of miles! Thinner wheels/tyres (and the different function) and that aggressive riding position mean higher gearing works! Was really after a town bike all along, but it was only after giving up at the price I was prepared to pay and getting the mountain bike that one came along - typical!

Proper Road bikes - especially at the high cost end are hugely more efficient!

 

[TopOfTheFlop]

As Dave said and it'll be a big difference going immediately between the two. Try it out if you have the chance.
Just getting my ready for the bay (Not had chance to use it with the new baby and its virtually brand new, rode once)
PM me if your interested
Cheers
Not actual bike but same model

 

[JT77]

Thanks folks. Not sure if it's worth selling mine and getting a road bike or not if I'm honest, not sure it will get the use.
I am going to check out the aggressive riding position as I don't really understand what you mean.

 

[JT77]

This is the bike I have here.

 

[bluewolf]

In all honesty mate, unless you're looking at doing some real significant distances then you may as well just change some of the componentry and save the cash. It's not worth looking at saving a few kg's on the frame unless you're already the build of a racing snake.
Oh, and make sure you lock your front forks out if you aren't doing already. Might seem obvious, but I watched one guy lumber up a grade 4 while his forks bounced around like Zebedee.. Was fun for the 10 seconds he was in view before I left him behind me..

 

[la_lucha]

Boardman hybrids don't have suspension. I think that's a CX bike, which is essentially a lightweight mountain bike. The difference between a boardman hybrid and road bike is pretty much the brakes and handlebars. I had a boardman team hybrid and the top speed I could get on it was 2mph more than my ten year old road bike. I'm just about to swap to a trek 7.3 hybrid for my commute as the upright position is far better in traffic.


Ps if your doing it for fitness why would you want to make it easier? Just get fitter to go faster.

 

[Fish]

About time we had cycle lanes everywhere, I hate (maybe harsh), I truly dislike cyclists, there a pain in the butt, they want everything their way yet there happy to ignore red lights, jump on & off the pavements when it suits them, cycle with headphones in so they are totally oblivious to everything that's going on around them, is that legal?

I've seen a huge surge in Lycra wearing wannabes cycling to & from work in all the gear and quite honestly I find them hilarious, and then when I think I'll take a drive out into the country to a pub for some food, I end up disturbing a nest of them and suddenly there bloody everywhere!

I'm truly in the anti-cyclist brigade, nothing personal, I just don't like you on MY roads :smirk:

Oh, and what's with wearing camera's now, is it because you upset that many motorists the "thump a cyclist today" is now no longer a calendar date to look forward to....

 

[JT77]

Lol
I drive so I pay my road tax, twice actually as we run two cars!!
But I agree 100% about cycle lanes as in ballymena we have around 1 mile in total, lots of country roads and some total idiots!!!
The mx race has suspension forks but I have them locked. Main reason for change is that I thought about doing the lap of the loch which is 80+ miles so thought it may help

Thanks again folks.

 

[USER1999]

I have swapped from a scandium framed road bike, To a boardman hybrid, with carbon forks. It weighs similar, has shimano 105 components, same as my roadie, is pretty much as fast, and has a way more comfortable riding position. Also, due to having disc brakes I'm less worried about buckling the rims riding through pot holes. I found with my road bike that I was never on the drops anyway, and find bar ends more useful.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Hey folks just looking some info from any cyclists there.
I currently have a hybrid bike mx race boardman that was bought for getting to work, I have started to use it more for fitness with friends doing around 20-25 miles at present.
Would a road bike be that much different?
Thanks

There are differents styles of frame geometry on road bikes. You have 'race' style which is more aggressive and 'sportive' which is slightly more relaxed. If you do consider a road bike, look at a sportive frame. A decent bike shop will be able to advise you :thup:

Alternatively, just look at putting thinner tyres on your current bike, that will make quite a noticeable difference.

About time we had cycle lanes everywhere, I hate (maybe harsh), I truly dislike cyclists, there a pain in the butt, they want everything their way yet there happy to ignore red lights, jump on & off the pavements when it suits them, cycle with headphones in so they are totally oblivious to everything that's going on around them, is that legal?

I've seen a huge surge in Lycra wearing wannabes cycling to & from work in all the gear and quite honestly I find them hilarious, and then when I think I'll take a drive out into the country to a pub for some food, I end up disturbing a nest of them and suddenly there bloody everywhere!

I'm truly in the anti-cyclist brigade, nothing personal, I just don't like you on MY roads :smirk:

Oh, and what's with wearing camera's now, is it because you upset that many motorists the "thump a cyclist today" is now no longer a calendar date to look forward to....

Robin....please don't put 'cyclists' and 'bike riders' in the same category. I'm a cyclist, I obey the rules of the road, don't ride on pavements or jump lights, NEVER ride with headphones, cut up car drivers etc etc

Two very different types of people :thup:

 

[la_lucha]

About time we had cycle lanes everywhere, I hate (maybe harsh), I truly dislike cyclists, there a pain in the butt, they want everything their way yet there happy to ignore red lights, jump on & off the pavements when it suits them, cycle with headphones in so they are totally oblivious to everything that's going on around them, is that legal?

I've seen a huge surge in Lycra wearing wannabes cycling to & from work in all the gear and quite honestly I find them hilarious, and then when I think I'll take a drive out into the country to a pub for some food, I end up disturbing a nest of them and suddenly there bloody everywhere!

I'm truly in the anti-cyclist brigade, nothing personal, I just don't like you on MY roads :smirk:

Oh, and what's with wearing camera's now, is it because you upset that many motorists the "thump a cyclist today" is now no longer a calendar date to look forward to....

So when you were a kid riding to your mates house, you never rode on the pavement, through a park or jumped a red light?

 

[patricks148]

how old are you, could factor in as well.

I used to be a very keen road cyclist and was a Cat1 road racer. i could not get on a road bike set up like one of my old ones now, my back and neck would not take it.

Mountain Bike is ok, like sitting in and armchair by comparison.

 

[Fish]

So when you were a kid riding to your mates house, you never rode on the pavement, through a park or jumped a red light?

I'm talking about adults who should know better, hence me stating I come across all this when their on "there way to & from work"!

 

[la_lucha]

i'm talking about adults who should know better, hence me stating i come across all this when their on "there way to & from work"!

AGEISt!!!

You won't be anywhere between Binley and Bedworth around 7 and 4.30 on weekdays will you?

 

[Fish]

AGEISt!!!

You won't be anywhere between Binley and Bedworth around 7 and 4.30 on weekdays will you?

I could be anywhere at those times, usually papping my horn, swearing and avoiding cyclists weaving around in the road, think it would be just easier to knock them down, think they'd learn quicker!