Is a Hybrid kind of a cross between MTB & race bike ?

[Big.Wayne]

As discussed about a billion times previously, riding up on the hoods is a better position anatomically and hence more comfortable.

Really?

It doesn't matter how many times something is discussed does it? whats important is the best reason that emerges from these "billions" of chatters.

I've never heard anyone say "riding up on the hoods is a better position anatomically" . . . can you elaborate a little please, what is it that's anatomically better about sitting more upright with the arms supported on the handlebars?

 

[FrenchTart]

I don't think it's a case of one being "better" than the other in absolutely all cases, it's more a personal choice to make based on uses, budget and experience, or trying different things out in the shop. Especially for short distance commutes flat bars can be a good trade off for many as they really reduce the cost of the bike, you're not going to notice much discomfort over a short (sub 30 minute?) ride and the more upright position can help you to see over traffic or to be seen by traffic if you're riding at peak times.

The cost thing is possibly a fair point - plenty of flat bar bikes are quite cheap.

I'd say that flat bars for commuting suck personally. You've got a wider profile so filtering is a pain and in a lot of situations cars will be closer to your hands (and hence feel closer). Being more upright is something you can do with drop handlebars too - you just get a tourer rather than a racer.

I used to commute on a hybrid and I'd regularly get discomfort on my very short sub 4 mile commute. Not every ride but generally whenever riding over rubbish bits of road. That could just be due to me being a lot newer to cycling then I guess. Obviously more variables have changed than me simply moving from flat to drop handlebars.

 

[FrenchTart]

Really?

It doesn't matter how many times something is discussed does it? whats important is the best reason that emerges from these "billions" of chatters.

I've never heard anyone say "riding up on the hoods is a better position anatomically" . . . can you elaborate a little please, what is it that's anatomically better about sitting more upright with the arms supported on the handlebars?

Just search this sub forum for the previous discussions. It has been talked about to death.

I wasn't complaining about it being discussed again - simply pointing out that we've had this discussion before. Apologies if it came across that way

 

[Big.Wayne]

I'd say that flat bars for commuting suck personally. You've got a wider profile so filtering is a pain and in a lot of situations cars will be closer to your hands (and hence feel closer). Being more upright is something you can do with drop handlebars too - you just get a tourer rather than a racer.

Nope, just nope!

I believe Flatbars are superior for commuting, obviously you never realised how easy it is to cut flatbars down eh?

You end with with a narrower profile therefore allowing you to filter like a ninja, sitting upright and all your controls are right there at your fingertips, its a no brainer that flatbar trumps racebars for commuting lol!

Just search this sub forum for the previous discussions. It has been talked about to death.

I wasn't complaining about it being discussed again - simply pointing out that we've had this discussion before. Apologies if it came across that way

If its been talked about to death and you were privvy to that talk you should know the "reason" . . . if you don't know the "reason" then you just don't know what your talking about right?

 

[FrenchTart]

Nope, just nope!

I believe Flatbars are superior for commuting, obviously you never realised how easy it is to cut flatbars down eh?

You end with with a narrower profile therefore allowing you to filter like a ninja, sitting upright and all your controls are right there at your fingertips, its a no brainer that flatbar trumps racebars for commuting lol!


If its been talked about to death and you were privvy to that talk you should know the "reason" . . . if you don't know the "reason" then you just don't know what your talking about right?

I've seen some people with super narrow flat bars yeah...though I guess I was under the assumption that the OP isn't likely to be going that kind of route and would be more looking at off the shelf stuff (i.e. low-mid range bikes which tend to come with wider bars in my experience).

Edited in your second bit.

You seem overly defensive about this. I don't fancy re-typing the same thing that has been typed before and I'm about to go AFK for a bit so...if that makes you feel like you're "winning" or something, enjoy the feeling

 

[touch]

I don't agree with you when you say " Building your own bike costs a hell of a lot more than buying a spec bike, before you even factor in the cost of tools and labour". What exactly do you mean by a "spec bike" and why are you assuming a custom cycle costs a "hell of a lot more"?

By "spec bike" he means pre-built, off-the-shelf.
There's no way you'll ever be able to source the parts yourself to build up a bike to the same spec as you can buy pre built.

Here's a random example: Canyon endurace di2 £2149
See if you can find me the individual parts cheaper, I want:

• Any carbon frame you choose
• Ultegra 11 speed Di2
• DT Swiss wheels
• Fizik Aliante saddle
• any carbon seatpost you choose

 

[Big.Wayne]

Part of the problem is likely my small hands,

You should be able to get that sorted even with hobbit hands, I never heard anyone say they have trouble changing gears on the drops!

This suggests that not only are your frodo fingers causing the problem but its likely the cycle is not a correct "fit" . . did you spend some time choosing your current cycle or was it a quick buy? . . . You may be able to swap-out your stem to bring the STI levers a little closer. A stem can be had for £15-£25 and just needs a set of allen keys to swap over . . .

 

[PermaBanned]

None of this is helpful to the OP, can we just drop it?

 

[Big.Wayne]

I've seen some people with super narrow flat bars yeah...though I guess I was under the assumption that the OP isn't likely to be going that kind of route and would be more looking at off the shelf stuff (i.e. low-mid range bikes which tend to come with wider bars in my

No, most cycle shops will chop down handlebars for free if your buying a new cycle but if not you can beg/borrow/loan a simple pipe cutter which you just clamp onto the bar and keep turning it, takes about 2 mins per bar.

I've yet to work out the exact bar to shoulder ratio but at present I have my bars about 2cm narrower than my shoulders, reason being I would prefere my shoulders get jammed instead of my bars

You seem overly defensive about this. I don't fancy re-typing the same thing that has been typed before and I'm about to go AFK for a bit so...if that makes you feel like you're "winning" or something, enjoy the feeling

Nope thats not quite what is happening here? . . . you stated "riding up on the hoods is a better position anatomically" and when I asked you why, what is the reason you said " It has been talked about to death"? . . . It's a little annoying when somebody states something but doesn't actually know if what they are saying is correct? . . if I ask you a question either give me the answer please or just say "I don't know" . . . don't start making this personal please, if you don't know something just say it but please don't say "Just search this sub forum for the previous discussions"

Enjoy the afk!

 

[Big.Wayne]

None of this is helpful to the OP, can we just drop it?

Drop what, the drop bars?

How dare you state what is and isn't useful for the O.P, I'm offended that I'm pounding away on my keyboard in an effort to help chaparral think for himself and you state its not useful!

Going back to my computer analogy, I wonder back in the days when you was a noobling using a prebuilt computer what happened that made you switch from buying off the shelf to building your own machine . . that was quite a leap but your taking it for granted . .

It's the same leap for specc'ing/building your own cycle but you haven't made that same "leap" yet in the cycling world . . .

 

[PermaBanned]

For the record, yeah, I've built up several bikes from scratch. Largely because I'm in the lucky position of already having tools, spare parts, and actually enjoying the challenge of bike mechanics. It is not something I would at all suggest to the vast majority of cyclists who are in any way budget conscious and just want something to ride.

 

[UTmaniac]

I recently chose to get an extreme hybrid (fat bike) because of lower back issues and wanting to be able to comfortably see ahead while commuting. Speed was not high on my agenda, comfort; fun; confidence inspiring after an accident were.

 

[Armageus]

You should be able to get that sorted even with hobbit hands, I never heard anyone say they have trouble changing gears on the drops!

Claris 2300 I think (the one's with the thumb buttons to shift, in addition to the brake level tilting) - my thumbs aren't long enough when in an otherwise comfortable position on the drops.

Yes I could "get that sorted", likely by changing to the newer dual action shifters, but as I said I spend most of the time on the hoods anyway, so not a huge issue for me.

This suggests that not only are your frodo fingers causing the problem but its likely the cycle is not a correct "fit" . . did you spend some time choosing your current cycle or was it a quick buy? . . .

Ignoring my apparently deformed hands for a second, the cycle is a decent fit, as I spent a fair amount of time at a reputable cycle shop, trying what they had available and taking their advice (Rather than ordering online, saving a bit of cash but taking a gamble as to whether I had ordered the right size etc)

You may be able to swap-out your stem to bring the STI levers a little closer. A stem can be had for £15-£25 and just needs a set of allen keys to swap over . . .

Not everyone has money to keep throwing at getting everything completely custom or a 100% perfect fit. In the scheme of things my bike cost around £550, which is still a fair chunk of money for me.

Going for a completely custom bike is ridiculous advice, both from a cost perspective, but also from a not being 100% sure what you want from a bike (i.e. a prebuilt bike will normally be fairly balanced in terms of components, and have a solid foundation to make changes to)

 

[randomshenans]

Who is this big wayne and what is he doing in here?

 

[FrenchTart]

For the record, yeah, I've built up several bikes from scratch. Largely because I'm in the lucky position of already having tools, spare parts, and actually enjoying the challenge of bike mechanics. It is not something I would at all suggest to the vast majority of cyclists who are in any way budget conscious and just want something to ride.

Agreed. My current bike is built from scratch but I'd already been through 3 or 4 off the shelf bikes over the years and I had some very specific requirements in mind.

 

[Big.Wayne]

By "spec bike" he means pre-built, off-the-shelf.

thank you, I thought thats what he meant . . .

There's no way you'll ever be able to source the parts yourself to build up a bike to the same spec as you can buy pre built. [at the same pricepoint]

Corrected as a courtesy, otherwise your sentence makes no sense. Your point however is debatable. I'm not against someone buying a prebuilt cycle or computer but if you don't find a prebuilt that floats your boat why not build your own?

Are you suggesting that you only buy off-the-shelf cycles because you think its better value for money?

Here's a random example: Canyon endurace di2 £2149
See if you can find me the individual parts cheaper, I want:

• Any carbon frame you choose
• Ultegra 11 speed Di2
• DT Swiss wheels
• Fizik Aliante saddle
• any carbon seatpost you choose

The question is not can I find the same parts for identical price (or lower) but can "you" find these extremely expensive items of hardware. What is the best price you can find these pieces for?

if you can find a prebuilt bike which you love and you think every single piece of hardware is ideal for your needs then I can't think of a good reason not to buy it if the price is competitive . .

However the main point I was making is that for those of us who want something that is not "off-the-shelf" then specc'ing and building your own machine is not as hard as some are making out and not as expensive as some are making out. I've done it myself and I'm telling you from firsthand experience the end result is custom perfection . .

Please note I am not suggesting the o.p build his own frame, or build his wheels himself but rather if he doesn't see a pre-built that fits his needs he should make that leap to create his own custom cycle-machine, in exactly the same way as he builds his own computer-machine.

A little research, some time window shopping at auction, wiggle, CRC, Merlin, yada yada and a custom machine is yours. Hand built wheels made to his exact specification, perhaps a used component or two and a bung to a friendly wrench. The end result will be better and maybe cheaper if your any good at procuring hardware at a decent cost . . .

I still hold my position that if you are smart enough to build your own computer then you are smart enough to build your own cycle. I understand this suggestion may seem overwhelming because I found the same suggestion overwhelming but having been through the process its definitely a lot easier than you think.

I suppose the best way to start is to buy a used bike then slowly upgrade the pieces one by one to gain an understanding, eventually once you worked your way through your first bike like this you realise it's not rocket science!

 

[Big.Wayne]

Not everyone has money to keep throwing at getting everything completely custom or a 100% perfect fit. In the scheme of things my bike cost around £550, which is still a fair chunk of money for me.

Don't be daft, if your bike doesn't fit you correctly to the point where you can't operate your controls there is nothing wrong in the suggestion to improve it. In this example of swapping out your stem you can either buy one new or used then you sell back the piece of hardware you don't need, doesn't need to cost much at all? . . . you just need to be a little into your machine and enjoy pushing for perfection, its very satisfying feeling but obviously not everybody can be arsed . .

Going for a completely custom bike is ridiculous advice, both from a cost perspective, but also from a not being 100% sure what you want from a bike

No sorry I don't agree. Just because you don't understand the cycle machine yourself doesn't mean my advice is ridiculous? I know my bike cost me around £660 and people think its a £1500 beast.

Your lacking imagination maybe? . . . Is building a custom PC ridiculous advice? I guess it depends who you are talking too, if its your 90 year old granny then sure that would be pretty a ridiculous suggestion but we are talking about smart, tech savvy, bargain hunting gentlemen here.

It just doesn't make sense that some of you build your own computers and freak out that people build their own cycles? It's the same difference.

If chaparral can't find what he wants in a prebuilt then don't put him off by making out its such a big thing to go the custom route. Personally I've never seen a prebuilt that I like hence I had my own built . . . am I ridiculous for doing that?

 

[Big.Wayne]

My current bike is built from scratch but I'd already been through 3 or 4 off the shelf bikes over the years and I had some very specific requirements in mind.

Awesome!

What were your "very specific requirements"? . . . and you couldn't find a prebuilt eh?

 

[FrenchTart]

Awesome!

What were your "very specific requirements"? . . . and you couldn't find a prebuilt eh?

I wanted a carbon frame with support for disc brakes and mudguard mounts. I also wanted hydraulic discs. At the time I was looking (around Nov/Dec 2014) there were very few options on the market that offered that combo and the only real one that was suitable was approximately £1000 more than the build cost of my bike. It was definitely worth it for me but I don't think that I'd have made very good choices if I'd tried the same a few years back and didn't know what I wanted from a bike as much.

 

[Armageus]

Don't be daft, if your bike doesn't fit you correctly to the point where you can't operate your controls there is nothing wrong in the suggestion to improve it.

In all other aspects my bike is fine for my needs - the cost to fix this relatively minor inconvenience is too much from my point of view.

In this example of swapping out your stem you can either buy one new or used then you sell back the piece of hardware you don't need, doesn't need to cost much at all? . .

Except a stem wouldn't fix it - I would need a pair of new shifters, in which case I may as well get a better groupset, which with all my other entry level components means I would likely be better off getting a better bike.

No sorry I don't agree. Just because you don't understand the cycle machine yourself doesn't mean my advice is ridiculous?

For someone who doesn't know exactly what bike he wants i.e. the OP, then it is ridiculous. When I bought my road bike I didn't know what I wanted, other than I wanted a Bike that would be better for commuting. I certainly didn't know what Groupset I needed, how many and what gear ratios I would need, or indeed any other component that I would need to choose if building a custom bike.

Having owned a road bike, and knowing more about what I want and what to look for (and what is wrong with my current bike), yes I probably could build a custom bike if I really wanted to.