Herrick

I'm looking into getting a hybrid bike for exercise. I'm not sure what my long term goals are. Going on long rides (or very long rides) appeals to me or maybe riding with a group one day. So I'd like to get a bike now that would be good for those potential long term goals.

I don't know if a carbon bike would be absolutely necessary for that kind of riding. I've been looking at the Trek FX Sport 4 which is aluminum & the FX Sport 5 which is carbon. I've also been looking at the Specialized Sirrus Elite Carbon & Elite Alloy. So do you fine people here think I would need a carbon frame bike or should I not worry about that as I'm not looking to break any speed records? If I were to ride with a bike club or something (one day maybe) would I be able to keep up with an aluminium frame bike? Going by the listed weight on Trek's site, the FX Sport 5 doesn't seem to way that much less than the FX Sport 4.

Also, I don't know much about bike gears & brakes so how do the Sirrus bikes stack up to the Treks? That Trek FX Sport 5 is the most expensive out of the ones I'm looking into but I'd like to spend less....so I'm leaning towards the Elite Carbon or the Elite Alloy. I have a couple bike shops not too far from me so I do plan on going there and checking the bikes in person but I'd like to hear what the members here have to say.

puma1552

Herrick

Thanks a lot for the help

Why would I need a road bike for group rides?

puma1552

Herrick

Yikes! So much for the claims on Trek's site about the FX Sport 6 being able to keep up Oh well.

travbikeman

There are casual group rides or even Sojourns that don't require drop bars. If you are looking at fast and long riding, then yea, you may want drop bars. But if you are looking at casual riding, then hybrids are fine.
I've been on several group rides in the DC area and plenty of riders on hybrids, mountain bikes and road bikes. These are no drop rides.

Neither frame material is faster than the other. The major difference in material is strength and comfort. Try riding both to get a feel for what they are like.

desmodue

Ask yourself why are you buying a hybrid instead of a drop bar bike?
For me it was because I'm not as flexible or conditioned as I was years ago. a hybrid works for me a drop bar bike would sit unused.

I'm still new to my reintroduction to biking, but I can see a light in the tunnel. Step one will be to invert the stem on my flat bar as the pounds (belly inches) drop, +6° to -6° will be the halfway point to a drop bar bike. If I can justify buying a drop bar bike in a year or two, I'll add one if not, keep spinning pedals.

I bought a carbon framed Sirrus because I wanted one, but truthfully...it doesn't matter buy an aluminum framed FX or Sirrus and ride it. In fact there are several reasons why an aluminum frame is better, like beating the crap out of it on unpaved paths. A ding in an aluminum frame is just a chipped paint job, on carbon it can be the start of a frame failure. I helicopter taped my downtube as a precaution, because I ride on some sketchy surfaces at times. I like to keep my equipment in good condition, but I'm going to use it.

Herrick

When I used to ride my dad's bike, I would always hold on to the top of the handle bars instead of sides. This was over 20 years ago and it was an old bike. I'm sure road bikes are more comfortable these days but I'd rather have a bike with flat handle bars. I like the riding position better...and I like how they look.