Hybrid?

[Mr Ted]

Hi gang! I was reading with interest the thread Cyclocross V Road as I am looking for a new bike. Here is all my info and I would appreciate some guidance as when I bought the Marin there was only a choice of road bike or MTB

I am riding my old Marin Pine Mountain on a daily commute of 6.5 miles each way of which 1.5 miles are rural road and 5 miles is on NCN 45 which varies between tarmac and compacted gravel with a few patches of surface mud. The non tarmac sections give me quite a shaking which is quite uncomfortable, tyres are 26" X 1.90" off road style, frame is aluminium.

I do find the bike a bit twitchy on the road, I have fitted a shorter stem with upward tilt and that has made the riding position more comfortable for my back.

I prefer a more upright riding position

I am 57 years old, 60kg and 1.7m tall (short!) I had a double heart bypass last year so I appreciate a wide range of gears as I pace myself using heart rate.

A hybrid bike looks the best fit to me provided it was comfortable and also stable, it would need mudguards.

There seems to be a wide range of choices and I have no experience of how the different frame materials perform for instance, just what difference should I expect between a carbon frame and an aluminium frame? I have a budget of up to £1.5k

I apologize if this is a bit rambling but I am somewhat out of date!!

Thanks!!

[cirian75]

1.5k is plenty for a hybrid


http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bikes/hybrid...

30 and 27 speeders above with hydro discs


plenty of choice, some of those above bikes suspension fork, they are not needed if its road riding only, but it seem you do some mild off roading.

Your only 5 foot 5 inches, don't discount the female bikes, some makers have ditched the female tag and say compact rider these day.

Edited by cirian75 on Wednesday 2nd September 07:46

[Magic919]

I can't see the hybrid improving on the comfort of the MTB when non-tarmac sections are too jarring on 2" wide tyres.

We have a guy at work that is late 50s and his prime criterion was to not jar his spine. He bought an old stock FS 29er and uses it as a park bike. He's very happy with it.

I'd need to confirm the model, but something like this one - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghost-amr-lecto...

Forget about frame materials as that's a red herring (largely).

[C0ffin D0dger]

Magic919 said:

I can't see the hybrid improving on the comfort of the MTB when non-tarmac sections are too jarring on 2" wide tyres.

This was my thought too. Regarding frame materials I was always led to believe that aluminium offered the least forgiving ride as it is very stiff. Carbon or steel should be more compliant but views may have changed on this over the years.

As also mentioned a move from a bike with 26" wheels to 29"/700C, which are fitted to most hybrids, will also improve the ride.

I've got one of these although an older model, pleased with it so far: http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/trekking/nature/cub...

[Mr Ted]

Thanks for the advice guys! My local shop has such a huge selection on display I had more questions than answers!! I can see the advantage of 29" wheels in smoothing out the ride so that is my starting point. Thanks also for answering my question regarding frame material, it is very easy to by 'sold up' to a carbon frame and I now appreciate that, for me at least, there probably wouldn't be a real benefit.