Question re: new bike

DAC17 said:

I currently have a Specialized Crosstrail, which I bought last year to see if I would like going back to a regular cycling regimen. I do!

Now the question is, what would be a good road bike as a step up from the hybrid? I'm not planning to race, I'm 55 (but in pretty good shape, as I've been a lifelong runner), and would value some ride quality issues over absolute speed. Most of my weekend rides are around 30 miles at about 17 mph.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Congratulations at finally seeing the light and not running anymore!!(I was also a runner, beatng the [censored] outta my ankles for 10 years until I bought a bike) BUT

Like the bike you have, often you buy the bike shop more than the bike. Test ride many, hopefully the bike shop can do a genuine bike fit on you and change the bike(stem, saddle height), etc so it fits you. The bike that works is the one that fits. Don't obsess over whizbangery. The frame is the heart of the bike, all the rest are essentially consumables. Often the same frame will have a lower component set for less $.

Bike shops love people like you that get a 'bicycle', then wish to get something more specific to their needs. If the bike shop is an honest one, they won't oversell you on gadgets.

DAC17 said:

I currently have a Specialized Crosstrail, which I bought last year to see if I would like going back to a regular cycling regimen. I do!

Now the question is, what would be a good road bike as a step up from the hybrid? I'm not planning to race, I'm 55 (but in pretty good shape, as I've been a lifelong runner), and would value some ride quality issues over absolute speed. Most of my weekend rides are around 30 miles at about 17 mph.

Any thoughts?

You don't say what your budget is.

Is it the same as what you paid for your Hybrid, or more?

$1000? $2000? $4000? $6000? MORE?!?

If you don't have a budget limitation, have your shop build up a Colnago Master X-Lite frame with some Campagnolo components ...

OR, consider getting a Bianchi Dolomiti if you want a ready-to-ride bike.

Allow $3000+ for either.

Bigger budget?!?

Then, get a Colnago C50 OR a Pinarello Dogma OR whichever frame & components strike your fancy.

Realistic budget? Choose the component group you want (brand AND level) & then shop for a frame AND/OR bike shop whose personality agrees with your sensibilities OR get the bike via mail order if you can't find a shop.

I recommend Campagnolo SHIFTERS ... so, that normally means Campagnolo components, but the Campagnolo shifters can be mated to the derailleurs & cassettes of OTHER companies (e.g., Shimano) ...

I use my Shimano derailleurs with Campagnolo shifters ... and the only Campagnolo derailleurs that I have now are from the Nuovo Record era.

FWIW. A Hybrid may be a compromise for off-road riding, but it can easily be morphed into a ROAD bike by simply changing the tires-and-tubes and/or wheels to "road" tires (e.g., 700x23 to 700x28) which will be suitable for most non-racing riding situations.

700x28 tires-and-tubes should be good-to-go on your current rims.

Several years ago, I laced up a pair of tubular rims to use on a Hybrid frame that I had.

Suspension fork? I don't know why people buy non-MTBs with front suspension forks, but since you have it, remove it and then have a carbon fiber ROAD fork installed on the frame and your bike will probably shed about 3 lbs. ... maybe more, maybe less.

Putting a road fork on a Hybrid will change the geometry AND steepen the head tube & seat tube angles by about 1º ... the net result will be closer to the geometry on a typical road bike's frame.

You'll need to buy a road brake caliper if you change to a road fork.

Drop bars vs. Flat bars? Just change them.

Get a pair of Campagnolo 10-speed shifters ... use the hubbub.com alternate rear derailleur cable anchoring position at 3 o'clock to adjust the indexing.

You could buy some Shimano shifters, but they will probably cost more than the Campagnolo shifters AND you may need to buy a new front derailleur.

If you do install a pair of road shifters/levers, then you can use them with a REAR V-brake, or change the rear V-brake to a set of cantilever calipers if you want a little more lever movement when closing the brake lever.

Ride many, read the reviews of many, and pick the one you like best!