Hybrids?

Ray said:

Is there a hybrid good for some distance riding as well as being good on
gravel and dirt roads? I'm looking for that perfect bike that can do paved
roads with large hills, dirt roads and trails, and where I don't have to
worry about a gravel patch where those skinny tires are so hazzardous. Is
there such a bike, hybrid or other?
Ray

Myself, I'd just take a conventional road bike with 'cross tires. The patches of
sand disappear under the tires and I never really feel them much less fear them
anymore. I'd see what size tires you could fit to your present bike first. Let
me suggest Ritchey Speedmax, with those in 700-32 my road bike handles
everything short of single track MTB trails.

A lot of people are using a cyclocross bike as that sort of all-rounder. In
terms of geometry and fittings cross and touring bikes often have a lot in
common. Differences in gearing with the tourer having the lower range.

Ron

Ray said:

Is there a hybrid good for some distance riding as well as being good on
gravel and dirt roads? I'm looking for that perfect bike that can do paved
roads with large hills, dirt roads and trails, and where I don't have to
worry about a gravel patch where those skinny tires are so hazzardous. Is
there such a bike, hybrid or other?

You've pretty much described a cyclocross bike. Almost any bike shop
would be able to order you a Surly Crosscheck since it's in the QPB
catalog. It can take up to 45mm tires and still mount fenders. And of
course there are scads of other companys willing to sell you cyclocross
style bikes as well.

The one thing that concerns me is that you mention "hybrid" and
"distance riding" in the same sentence. Hybrids almost all have flat
bars, which are not a very good choice for long distances given the
lack of multiple hand positions and ability to tuck in if you are in
a bad headwind.

Of course, I suppose it depends on what you mean by distance riding. If
to you that means a 10 mile ride, then you should be fine. If it means a
century, you might steer towards something that does not have a flat bar.

--
Dane Jackson - z u v e m b i @ u n i x b i g o t s . o r g
Ever wonder if taxation without representation might have been cheaper?

Ray said:

Is there a hybrid good for some distance riding as well as being good on
gravel and dirt roads? I'm looking for that perfect bike that can do paved
roads with large hills, dirt roads and trails, and where I don't have to
worry about a gravel patch where those skinny tires are so hazzardous. Is
there such a bike, hybrid or other?
Ray

I ride on light patches of dirt, sand and gravel on my 32mm tires just
fine. In fact, I've not had any problems on my 26mm slicks either. Part of
it is bike handling, maybe.

What is it you find hazardous about skinny tires? Are you thinking they'll
sink into the dirt and not be able to turn, causing a fall? I try to always
be going more-or-less straight when I enter the sandy spots, just like when
I'm riding a wet section. If you go too slow and then try to turn by
turning the wheel when in soft deeper dirt, it can block the tire.

IMO, it's much harder to ride knobby tires for a 20-30mile ride than it is
to cope intelligently with patches of dirt or sand or gravel on a road
bike. Basically you figure out what the hazards are and then try to use
good bike handling to get through them.

jj

"Dane Jackson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ray said:

Is there a hybrid good for some distance riding as well as being good on
gravel and dirt roads? I'm looking for that perfect bike that can do

paved

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

roads with large hills, dirt roads and trails, and where I don't have to
worry about a gravel patch where those skinny tires are so hazzardous.

Is

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

there such a bike, hybrid or other?

You've pretty much described a cyclocross bike. Almost any bike shop
would be able to order you a Surly Crosscheck since it's in the QPB
catalog.

I recently test-rode a Surly Crosscheck on a lark. The store gave it to me
to ride when I said I wanted a commuter bike. It was OK on the road, but
when I came to the end of the lane and saw a gravel path, I decided to check
out its off-road capabilities. This is where that bike really came to shine.
I took it first down the gravel path, and then down a muddy side trail until
I came out on to the street again. My vote: fine on the street, nothing to
write home about, but not bad; a fun little bike off the pavement.

I got the impression the bike shop was not all that pleased when I came back
with the bike splattered in mud, but really, what do they expect when they
give someone a cross bike to test ride?

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
Home of the meditative cyclist:
http://home.earthlink.net/~cpetersky/Welcome.htm
Personal page: http://www.geocities.com/cpetersky/
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Thanks to all. After checking out cyclocross everywhere because of what was
posted here, I'm leaning hard on the Bianchi Axis. Sounds perfect for what
I need. Supposedly can do a century well with some trails and dirt road
along the way if you wanted to. Appreciate the advice.
Ray
"Bonehenge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ray said:

Is there a hybrid good for some distance riding as well as being good on
gravel and dirt roads? I'm looking for that perfect bike that can do paved
roads with large hills, dirt roads and trails, and where I don't have to
worry about a gravel patch where those skinny tires are so hazzardous. Is
there such a bike, hybrid or other?
Ray

Cyclocross with city tires and possibly a swap of the chain rings.

A 32 mm tire works great for me @ 225 pounds, smaller folks would
probably be fine with a 28. This is what I use as a winter road bike,
commuter, etc...

My carbon road bike will only accept up to a 25mm tire.

Barry

Claire Petersky said:

I got the impression the bike shop was not all that pleased when I came back
with the bike splattered in mud, but really, what do they expect when they
give someone a cross bike to test ride?

An LBS declined to allow me a test ride a while back because it had
rained before I arrived, and the roads were wet. (I didn't buy from
them, but for other reasons.) Of course, in the PNW, you might have
to wait a while to arrange for dry roads...

Pat

Email address works as is.

A 'cross bike is the best all around "Almost" as fast as a race bike
plus can handle minor trails etc . Mant cross bikes have provisions for
mounting racks etc that others dont have.

Quoted message said:

A 'cross bike is the best all around "Almost" as fast as a race bike
plus can handle minor trails etc . Mant cross bikes have provisions
for mounting racks etc that others dont have.

With the same tires and gearing they're just as fast as a road bike. In fact
there's hardly any other difference except cantilever brakes.

Speaking of which, a minor point -- unless you need the clearance for fat tires
and/or fenders, regular road calipers may be better because they need less
maintenance. Cantilever brakes' geometry changes with pad wear, while calipers'
doesn't. These days with cartridge style pad inserts for both kinds of brakes
it doesn't matter as much, but it's a minor point worth noting. If you ride
mostly on the road, you might look for a road frame which takes "standard reach"
(vs. short reach) caliper brakes instead, and enough clearance for the tires you
plan to use. 30-32mm cyclocross tires may fit.

Matt O.