Hi, I rode with my brother and his group of friends last year, they all used road bikes except for me, I used a comfort bike and stood out like a sore thumb. Last month my dad say's that we are moving to my brother's community so I'll be riding with them again. I recently bought the Scott Sportster P6 2010 and am now wondering should I trade this in for a road bike Felt F95 to blend in with the group?
you will never be able to keep up with them on the hybrid. So if you are able to trade it in for a road bike and you plan on riding mostly on roads then you should go for it. You will need additional gear on the road bike. you can get way with out padded shorts on the hybrid but your going to need it on the road bike.
Yes, if you want to ride with the big boys, get a big boy bike so you can keep up. If you want to just tool around easy with friends, any bike will work. There is a definite advantage in the road bike geometry and racing handlebars. I posted some great online road bike deals on my site Gordon Harris www.bikenewengland.com
Is riding with the group the only riding you will be doing? If so then yes switch to a road bike. Do you ever go off on light trails? If so you won't be able to with the road bike. It is all about the type of riding that you want to do and will do the most of. Another option is to get a set of raod tires and swap them out for the group rides. It won't automatically make you keep up with them but it will help.
Have 2 bikes for 2 different types of riding! I ride occasionally with a shop bunch and often the shop guys will be on mountain bikes to "get a bit more of a workout" - while I struggle to keep up, they cruise at the front As the others have said a hybrid will be more work. I wouldn't worry about standing out, I'd be looking at enjoyment/comfort and keeping up with the bunch.
hybrid vs roadbike Thanks for all the answers, I think I will stay with the hybrid I have at this time and later on down the road I will get myself a road bike. I have been thinking about switching my 37c tires to either 30c or 28c not sure which though.
Replaced my 37c with a set of Gatorskins (28c)..change towards the performance side was incredible. Even on a hybrid.
Ride what you feel comfortable on,i"m not a fan of road bikes as i dont like the riding position but ironically i prefer riding on the roads so i bought a hybrid which i find extremely comfortable, i do most of my cycling solo as i go out at the break of day and my mates all think im mad but its quiet and i love it,i wouldnt be overly concerned about standing out either,comfort over anything else for me any day.
Mickeyb same here I ride alone and early, and lately I have bin doing 25 miles a day 7 days a week I realy like being on the bike. I ride a Fuji Absolute 1.0 with 700 x 28c tires 3 x 10 gear set I have over 2000 miles on it, got it March 1 2010. I wish I could find a saddle I liked for it then I could put some miles on it I have 2 outher bikes I ride some times. I am 65 years old so I might have to lighten up on the miles or ride every outher day
