straight bar road bike

jagonz456 said:

Every Major Bike manufacturer makes a straight bar road bike. Trek, Giant, Fuji and Cannondale all see a market selling straight bar road bikes. Fitness bikes or fast hybrids these bikes are attractive to a lot of people that otherwise wouldn't be interested in biking. So why is it that every time some one talks about them its look down as they shouldn't waste their money they should go for a road bike? If you don’t ride a road bike are you still a serious rider?

Are you asking whether a person can-be-or-is truly a wannabee if s/he doesn't have a fancy-schmancy bike?

Or, are you asking if there is an apparent caste system amongst cyclists?

Personally, I think the Hybrid frame with a RIGID fork is an excellent choice ... however, I think a Hybrid frame with a suspension fork is a poor choice ...

BUT, I'm apparently one of the few people who thinks that the frame may be the least important part of a bike OTHER THAN FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS as long as the parts & rider are oriented properly AND the fork, headset & head tube angle are suitable for the type of riding the person is doing.

BTW. A Hybrid with a rigid fork is basically a "touring" frame with a sloping top tube instead of a horizontal top tube + MTB bars instead of ROAD bars -- a Touring bike is "a good thing."

The disadvantage of a Hybrid or (more so) a Comfort bike is that the upright position is a real hinderance in medium-to-long distance riding because the lack of multiple hand positions means that riding the longer distances can often be less comfortable ... and, the non-aerodynamic position results in slower speeds for a given amount of effort (i.e., the rider has to expend more effort to achieve & maintain any speed).

Being a "serious rider" is relative. Some people train 50+ miles a day, 5-to-7 days a week ... how do many of the riders might consider themselves to be "serious" who populate this Forum compare?

Having a fancy-schmancy bike (or, one that is fanicier than the next guy's) doesn't necessarily make one a serious rider, either ...

Don't worry about what you ride or what OTHERS may think of what you ride OR if others think you are-or-are-not a serious rider ...

Because the point of riding shouldn't be to achieve an arbitrary classification from people whom you barely know ...

And, if the people you know don't like what you ride, then you'll just have to ask them why they drive the car they drive, read the books they read (i.e., instead of the so-called Classics, unless they've already read all of them), or listen to the music they listen to, etc.

I agree with you in a number of points. Biking is the only sport where you have a class system. When your a runner your a runner no matter how much you run. if you run 5k every morning, your training for marathons or your just doing laps in the park you are a runner. In The Bike world that is not the case I can't count the number of bike shops that have rude people that don't want to help you unless your buying carbon or better. look at every post in this forum about Hybrids or flat road bikes and some one will always recommend a road bike. I am not worried about what i ride. I grew up in NYC where messengers blow right by guys in 10k bikes and they are on a fixie lol. I was also under the understanding that the reason road bikes have all the different positions is because its uncomfortable to ride a road bike. Hybrid being a more natural feel for your arms taking the weight off your hands. That why you will never see a stationary exercise bike with road bike handle bars.

I put slicks on my mountain bike, effectively turning it into a straight bar road bike. By the standard of a converted mountain bike, it's awesome.

But by road bike standards, it simply leaves a lot to be desired: the gearing is simply not optimal, and of course, I'd love to be able to tuck down with my hands in the drops for a more aero position.

Riding a bike is fun, period. I don't look down on anyone who rides a bike, but to max out the fun factor on the road, you will want multiple hand positions for climbing, cruising and enjoying downhill speeds.

jagonz456 said:

Every Major Bike manufacturer makes a straight bar road bike. Trek, Giant, Fuji and Cannondale all see a market selling straight bar road bikes. Fitness bikes or fast hybrids these bikes are attractive to a lot of people that otherwise wouldn't be interested in biking. So why is it that every time some one talks about them its look down as they shouldn't waste their money they should go for a road bike? If you don’t ride a road bike are you still a serious rider?

This is true but I am talking about bike manufactures that have engineers on staff to build the best bike for fitness and they came up with these bikes giant Rapid, Trek FX, Fuji Absolute these bikes are build for fitness and people are buying them if not they would just build road bikes and thats it. some of these hybrid bikes have the same components as road bikes and if you want more positions you can add bar ends. I have owned road bikes in my past and the ride was good I just don't think the riding experience was that much greater than a Hybrid. Road bikes and city riding don't mix. even in a open road you enjoy your surrounding more in a upright position. I just don't get the whole bike culture you have guys that are over weight by like 60lb worrying about 3lb on a bike it just kills me.

I'm not really sure who you're arguing with. Buy and ride and enjoy the bike you want. Who cares what anyone else thinks. Stop trying to please people and just ride.

This is a discussion not an argument anybody can post their opinion thats the purpose of a forum. If you don't agree thats ok you can start your own thread.

Re-read what you wrote. You imagine that people look down on you. You are worried about being considered a "serious" rider. NO ONE cares what kind of bike you ride! If you have fun riding, that's all that matters! Don't worry or concern yourself about what other people think of you, or your bike!

jagonz456 said:

Every Major Bike manufacturer makes a straight bar road bike. Trek, Giant, Fuji and Cannondale all see a market selling straight bar road bikes. Fitness bikes or fast hybrids these bikes are attractive to a lot of people that otherwise wouldn't be interested in biking. So why is it that every time some one talks about them its look down as they shouldn't waste their money they should go for a road bike? If you don’t ride a road bike are you still a serious rider?

jagonz456 said:

Biking is the only sport where you have a class system.

There is no class system. There are only some riders that are arrogant and ignorant, and they are the minority.

Quoted post said:

I can't count the number of bike shops that have rude people that don't want to help you unless your buying carbon or better.

There are crappy bike shops. Again, they're not the majority.

Quoted post said:

I grew up in NYC where messengers blow right by guys in 10k bikes and they are on a fixie lol.

This statement is meaningless as it presumes that a given messenger rider and roadie on a "10k" bike are willingly competing in a competition. It says absolutely nothing about the function or intent of either bike, nor does it say anything at all about either rider. It only says that for whatever reason, a person on a messenger bike passed a person on a "10k" bike. Be careful about generalizing from passing observations.

Quoted post said:

I was also under the understanding that the reason road bikes have all the different positions is because its uncomfortable to ride a road bike. Hybrid being a more natural feel for your arms taking the weight off your hands. That why you will never see a stationary exercise bike with road bike handle bars.

This is far from true. Whether a bike is comfortable or not depends entirely on the bike fit, which itself depends partly on the condition of the rider. If road bikes were uncomfortable not nearly so many people would be riding them. People wouldn't do 70 mile weekend rides on 'em, wouldn't do centuries or double centuries on 'em, and so on.

jagonz456 said:

This is true but I am talking about bike manufactures that have engineers on staff to build the best bike for fitness and they came up with these bikes giant Rapid, Trek FX, Fuji Absolute these bikes are build for fitness and people are buying them if not they would just build road bikes and thats it.

Your presumption here is completely wrong. Hybrid bikes aren't the only bikes built for fitness, nor are they built only for fitness themselves. Many, many roadies buy their "10k" bikes for fitness. Many hybrids are bought for commuting or around town errands. Likewise, some hybrids are bought because of the physiological needs of the rider (more than you might think).

Quoted post said:

some of these hybrid bikes have the same components as road bikes and if you want more positions you can add bar ends.

Most bikes of any sort allow for multiple hand positions. It's a necessity, whether you're on a hybrid, roadie, commuter, or MTB, for any extended riding. Hybrid bikes, though, most often do not have the same components that an average road bike does.

Quoted post said:

Road bikes and city riding don't mix. even in a open road you enjoy your surrounding more in a upright position.

That's your opinion, your experience. That's in no way a general statement of fact.

Quoted post said:

I just don't get the whole bike culture you have guys that are over weight by like 60lb worrying about 3lb on a bike it just kills me.

This is just a generalization that is wrong in the vast majority of cases. In fact it's such a bad generalization, such a biased generalization, it casts your opinions of road bikes in an entirely different, less subjective, and highly biased light.

jagonz456 said:

So why is it that every time some one talks about them its look down as they shouldn't waste their money they should go for a road bike? If you don’t ride a road bike are you still a serious rider?

You're hanging around the wrong sort of bike people. At our shop we sell more Trek FXs than any other line of bikes, and we all love them. In fact, I love the FX so much I got my wife one (a 7.2 WSD).

Fitness bikes are the most fun you can have on pavement and two wheels, without buying all the accouterments, and still have your clothes on.

But you're going to have to pry the drop bars of my road and track bikes from my cold, dead fingers.

first let me star by saying i am not looking for approval of any kind.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jagonz456
This is true but I am talking about bike manufactures that have engineers on staff to build the best bike for fitness and they came up with these bikes giant Rapid, Trek FX, Fuji Absolute these bikes are build for fitness and people are buying them if not they would just build road bikes and thats it.

Your presumption here is completely wrong. Hybrid bikes aren't the only bikes built for fitness, nor are they built only for fitness themselves. Many, many roadies buy their "10k" bikes for fitness. Many hybrids are bought for commuting or around town errands. Likewise, some hybrids are bought because of the physiological needs of the rider (more than you might think).

Giant makes the Rapid line as a fitness bike. Fuji sell its absolute as a fitness bike and trek says the FX 7.7 is the best fitness bike on the planet.
Quote:
some of these hybrid bikes have the same components as road bikes and if you want more positions you can add bar ends.
Most bikes of any sort allow for multiple hand positions. It's a necessity, whether you're on a hybrid, roadie, commuter, or MTB, for any extended riding. Hybrid bikes, though, most often do not have the same components that an average road bike does.
check the spec or here i post them for you

Giant rapid 0 fitness hybrid

color White/Red/Black
size XS, S, M, L, XL
frame ALUXX-Grade aluminum
fork Advanced-Grade Composite, Alloy OverDrive Steerer
handlebar Giant Contact, flat 31.8
stem Giant Connect SL
seatpost Giant Connect SL Composite, 30.9
saddle Selle Royal Seta W or M
pedals Shimano PD-M505 Clipless
shifter Shimano R770
front derailleur Shimano R440
rear derailleur Shimano 105
brakes Shimano Dual Pivot, Long Reach
brake levers Tektro Alloy
cassette Shimano 105 12x25, 10-speed
chain Shimano 105
cranks Shimano 105, 34/50
bb Shimano, external
rims Mavic Aksium Race
hubs Mavic Aksium Race
spokes Mavic Aksium Race
tires Michelin Lithion, 700x25 Folding
extras Alloy bar-ends

Giant defy Road bike

color Red/Brushed/Black
size XS,S,M,M/L,L,XL
frame ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum
fork Advanced-Grade Composite, Alloy OverDrive Steerer
handlebar Giant Connect, 31.8
stem Giant Connect
seatpost Giant Connect SL Composite, 30.9
saddle Selle Royal Seta M
pedals Not Included
shifters Shimano 105
front derailleur Shimano 105
rear derailleur Shimano 105
brakes Tektro Giant specific TK-R710, Dual Pivot
brake levers Shimano 105
cassette Shimano 105 12/25, 10-speed
chain Shimano 105
cranks FSA Gossamer MegaExo, 30/39/50
bb FSA Mega Exo, External
rims Mavic CXP22
hubs Formula sealed Cartridge Bearing 24/28h
spokes SAPIM Race, 14/15g
tires Kenda Kriterium, 700x25

Quote:
Road bikes and city riding don't mix. even in a open road you enjoy your surrounding more in a upright position.
That's your opinion, your experience. That's in no way a general statement of fact.

[I am from NYC not Arizona don't talk to me about city riding. I have ridden bikes in NY and in Paris not Arizona and i can tell you that a road bike is not comfortable when you need to stop every few feet.

Quote:
I just don't get the whole bike culture you have guys that are over weight by like 60lb worrying about 3lb on a bike it just kills me.

This is just a generalization that is wrong in the vast majority of cases. In fact it's such a bad generalization, such a biased generalization, it casts your opinions of road bikes in an entirely different, less subjective, and highly biased light.

[dude they sell pedals that are 50 grams lighter for $200 more than the regular pedals you can lose 50 grams by pissing before you ride.you are being pimped by the bike industry

jagonz456 said:

first let me star by saying i am not looking for approval of any kind.

So what can I do or say for you?

jagonz456 said:

first let me star by saying i am not looking for approval of any kind......a bunch of undecipherable [censored].......

Wow. Clearly you must be superior. Just as clear is the fact that you seem to confuse your opinion as fact. Opinion's fine. Pushing your opinion as indisputable fact is pretty lame.

Carrying on all aggressive like you are just means there's no reason to give any credibility to what you say.

Enjoy pumping yourself.