| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required 13:18 - Apr 29 with 2736 views | OsborneOneNil |
Just wondered if there is an answer to my query, although I am starting to think I may be caught between 2 options, a Hybrid and a Mountain Bike.
I've got a road bike, decent Carbon Orbea. Hardly ever used it, and I know I'm never going to get into road biking. An expensive mistake. What I initially thought I would like is a Hybrid, a bike that can be used on tarmac and is still relatively pacey, but can be used around town, on tracks etc.
My dilemma comes in that I have been haking around, of late, on a old (but good quality when bought) Mountain Bike, and I'm keen to explore off roading as a hobby/exercise moving forward. I wouldn't been downhill racing through forests but mainly off road, bridle paths, tracks. I anticipate 20/30 mile rides. So this may be a tad too much for a Hybrid.
Basically, is there a bike that can handle going off road, that is relatively quick with minimal drag (sometimes associated with a MTB) . So, a sturdy Hybrid, or a lightweight MTB.
TIA |  | | |  |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 08:30 - May 1 with 552 views | KelvinGrovelBlue |
Have you looked into gravel bikes?
They look like road bikes but have a more relaxed geometry and often have racks for mounts / mudguards etc. Have space for wide tyres (up to about 40mm)
From you're original post it seems one of these would be perfect, as long as you don't plan on doing any jumps
What Orbea do you currently have? |  | | |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 08:41 - May 1 with 552 views | hampstead_blue |
I'm very new to this but have just bought this; https://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=35837&Item=%27M
I bought on a budget but I've had a few rides on stuff mountain bikes would love and it chew it up.
The only problem was the shop didn't set it up properly but that doesn't detract from the concept.
This is a base model so won't be as slick as most but I love it. The drop handlebars are great, cable discs not so as my wife's bike has hydraulic which are lovely.
Gravel bike would be my choice but as I said it's my first bike for a while.
Edit: As a road bike, I've only had a few rides but can say it's really comfy. The tyres are more compliant so give you a touch of softness. Speed isn't my priority so can't talk about the compromise but it made a 10 mile ride with some nice hills seem comfy and smooth.
The gearing is good for hills as well. [Post edited 1 May 2020 8:45]
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| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 09:17 - May 1 with 541 views | KelvinGrovelBlue |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 08:41 - May 1 by hampstead_blue |
I'm very new to this but have just bought this; https://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=35837&Item=%27M
I bought on a budget but I've had a few rides on stuff mountain bikes would love and it chew it up.
The only problem was the shop didn't set it up properly but that doesn't detract from the concept.
This is a base model so won't be as slick as most but I love it. The drop handlebars are great, cable discs not so as my wife's bike has hydraulic which are lovely.
Gravel bike would be my choice but as I said it's my first bike for a while.
Edit: As a road bike, I've only had a few rides but can say it's really comfy. The tyres are more compliant so give you a touch of softness. Speed isn't my priority so can't talk about the compromise but it made a 10 mile ride with some nice hills seem comfy and smooth.
The gearing is good for hills as well. [Post edited 1 May 2020 8:45]
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That Cross bike is a good shout. I think they are kind of between road and gravel bikes in that they have an aggressive road bike geometry but with slightly narrower tyres than a gravel bike has. Typically no mounts either and also 1x that I like too. A good choice for the OP I think. | | | |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 11:06 - May 1 with 524 views | ChiefXL |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 14:16 - Apr 29 by SaleAway |
A little bit of input from me - as I know a bit about where you're coming from - but I'm going to suggest something that some people ( especially those of a road persuasion) might take issues with.
I've got a road bike ( Trek 1000) - its old, but it does a job. I also have a hard tail 29er ( Specialized Rockhopper comp)
I do about 90% of my riding on the 29er... some of the roads around manchester are pretty ropey, so I've got a bit fed up of damaging the roadie on potholes.
The 29er is bomb proof... I've taken it out on some of the big welsh MTB trails, and also regularly just run it round the bridleways and local paths near where I live, as well as going on on the roads with the wife. Its brilliant.
Now - the controversial bit - you mention " relatively pacey". Why? unless you're using your bike to commute, in which case I understand the need for a bit of efficiency, then it really doesn't matter. YOu're not racing anyone except yourself, so absolute pace is irrelevant. If you're just out for exercise, then get a bike that is comfortable and reliable, and go from there. If you want to "race" yourself, you still can.
I'm constantly amazed by people, particularly roadies, that seem to think that splashing thousands on a light, quick bike makes them quicker. Don't focus on the absolute speed that you go - just get out on your bike, enjoy the process, and if you want to get quicker, you can compare yourself against previous runs.
In terms of hybrids, you can either buy a "heavy road bike with chunkier tires" or a "lightweight MTB with slicks". They're both pale imitations of the real thing, and don't really help you much.
To sum up - get a hard tail MTB and get out and play. You can take it anywhere without worrying about it. If you find yourself on the tarmac alot, by all means swap out the tires for something slick, but I really wouldn't bother going down the hybrid route. |
As someone of a 'road persuasion' I would wholeheartedly agree.
The only reason to upgrade is really if you're spending a considerable amount of time on a bike and want the improved experience a carbon frame brings.
Ave. speed measured against anyone but yourself is really irrelevant. |  | | |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 12:47 - May 1 with 515 views | OsborneOneNil |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 08:30 - May 1 by KelvinGrovelBlue |
Have you looked into gravel bikes?
They look like road bikes but have a more relaxed geometry and often have racks for mounts / mudguards etc. Have space for wide tyres (up to about 40mm)
From you're original post it seems one of these would be perfect, as long as you don't plan on doing any jumps
What Orbea do you currently have? |
Hi Kelvin - I wasn't considering a gravel bike, but it's in my thoughts now. It seems a toss up between a hardtail MTB or a gravel. Tbh, I'd be tempted to go flat bar if it was a gravel...I never felt 100% comfortable on the Orbea.
I have the Orbea Orca Bronze. Their tour bike, comes in Gold, Silver or entry level Bronze. Carbon frame, but not as stiff as the other two.
https://www.thebikelist.co.uk/orbea/orca-blt-2013 | | | |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 12:48 - May 1 with 514 views | OsborneOneNil |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 08:41 - May 1 by hampstead_blue |
I'm very new to this but have just bought this; https://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=35837&Item=%27M
I bought on a budget but I've had a few rides on stuff mountain bikes would love and it chew it up.
The only problem was the shop didn't set it up properly but that doesn't detract from the concept.
This is a base model so won't be as slick as most but I love it. The drop handlebars are great, cable discs not so as my wife's bike has hydraulic which are lovely.
Gravel bike would be my choice but as I said it's my first bike for a while.
Edit: As a road bike, I've only had a few rides but can say it's really comfy. The tyres are more compliant so give you a touch of softness. Speed isn't my priority so can't talk about the compromise but it made a 10 mile ride with some nice hills seem comfy and smooth.
The gearing is good for hills as well. [Post edited 1 May 2020 8:45]
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Looks lovely......just not sure on the drop bars....think I fancy a more upright position with flat bars. | | | |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 14:32 - May 13 with 444 views | OsborneOneNil |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 14:53 - Apr 29 by TIB |
I have had my Felt Nine 80, a hardtail 29er mountain bike for near on 10 years. It's been around Norway and Iceland, chucked about by BA, ridden on tarmac, gravel, lava field, through snow, wind and rain and it's still going strong. I've clocked up 1200 miles on it so far in 2020 and was tempted to get something else but it ticks all the boxes and still has life in it so am sticking by it. A hardtail is deifnitely best option. Vitus Nucleus by all accounts is bang on for the sub-£500 mark. [Post edited 29 Apr 2020 14:55]
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Thanks to you guys who helped out on this, and TIB, I did indeed grab the Vitus Nucleus, but the VRS, so one up. It's just arrived today!
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-nucleus-29-vrs-bike-deore-1x10-2020/rp | | | |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 14:40 - May 13 with 436 views | nodge_blue |
I rode my fairly cheap specialized hybrid bike through Scotland last year. I was on road and off road. Off road included a lot of heavy gravel. And I had no problems. I would say you just need to get good puncture proof fairly wide tyres. I prefer it to a mountain bike as 80 percent was still on road and I think hybrids are better on the road. |  |
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| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 15:31 - May 13 with 425 views | TractorWood |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 14:40 - May 13 by nodge_blue |
I rode my fairly cheap specialized hybrid bike through Scotland last year. I was on road and off road. Off road included a lot of heavy gravel. And I had no problems. I would say you just need to get good puncture proof fairly wide tyres. I prefer it to a mountain bike as 80 percent was still on road and I think hybrids are better on the road. |
Or go tubeless. |  |
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| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 15:34 - May 13 with 424 views | OsborneOneNil |
| Cycling Experts - Bike Advice Required on 14:40 - May 13 by nodge_blue |
I rode my fairly cheap specialized hybrid bike through Scotland last year. I was on road and off road. Off road included a lot of heavy gravel. And I had no problems. I would say you just need to get good puncture proof fairly wide tyres. I prefer it to a mountain bike as 80 percent was still on road and I think hybrids are better on the road. |
Yeah, grabbed a lightweight Hardtail in the end bud. Post just above. | | | |
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