Originally Posted by
Helderberg
If this is a big concern than I would suggest you have two bikes. For me I really don't care what others think but then again I am old and can be considered a grumpy old man so I get away with a lot.
Seriously though if you want to ride a road bike with the road guys then you will need to keep one of them in your stable and consider a allaround for the rest of your time. For me, the top end flat bar/Hybrid bikes are so sophisticated these days that anyone that looks down there nose at them is uninformed. Get what you want and just go have fun and ride.
Frank.
That's probably the best advice I've heard yet. I agree about the flat bars too. For some reason, I find putting my hands on the metal close to the stem very comfortable and efficient. I used to do this a lot when my only ride was a single speed mountain bike.