Lee wrote:I will have to take a look at the cyclocross bikes, the XO1 is out of my price range though, especially after an extra set of slicks. I really do like the idea of having a bike I could take down dirt roads/trails too. Ugh, after pretty much deciding on the Pilot or Sequoia, you guys are making me doubt again! Maybe the Trek SU200 with an extra set of rims is the way to go? It wouldn't be as fast, but it would be better than a normal MB on pavement.
Don't go with the SU200. Trust me. As a perfect example, when my wife and I were shopping for new bikes a few years ago, I wanted a road bike with some off-road capabilities (hence the XO1), and she wanted a "comfort" bike. She now detests her choice. People think that a hybrid gives you the best of all worlds, off-road capability with on-road comfort. In actuality, hybrids suck at everything. They are unstable off-road, and the air resistance from the upright riding position and the drag from the bike's weight and wider tires make for a slow, tiresome ride. Plus, anything over 20 miles and my wife can no longer sit down on the saddle. It may sound counterintuitive, but a
thinner seat is more comfortable on longer rides than a wider seat because you have less surface area in contact with the seat, less rubbing, etc. Thinner seat, lighter bike, thinner tires = more fun in the long run.
My wife is currently just waiting for me to buy my next bike so she can inherit the XO1. After five minutes on it and she was hooked. At first people think road bikes aren't comfortable, but it just takes time to get used to. If your riding position is correct, it should be
very comfortable, especially over longer distances. Your weight is divided across your body, instead of pressing straight down on the seat when in an upright position. Appropriate body positioning is like squatting down, your butt goes back, your hands go forward. If you're on your bike correctly, you shouldn't be leaning much on your hands, and your center of gravity should actually be centered for good balance, control, and comfort. You're not putting all of your weight on your butt like in an upright riding position. The more your weight is spaced out, the less pressure on your butt, and the less discomfort. Your bike shop should be able to help you find your optimum riding position.
The Pilot has 52/42/30 and the SU200 has 48/38/28. I really don't know what this means to me though.
The Pilot has a chainring set geared for more pedaling efficiency (downward force transformed into forward mobility), whereas the SU200 is designed for easier pedaling (less force to translate into forward mobility, but less efficient in turning force into speed).
Oh, and padded bike shorts are a must. I go spandex, but there's tons of baggy mountain bike shorts with pads. And clipless pedals (the kind where you wear a special shoe with a cleat attached that clicks into the pedal [think downhill ski bindings]) are a must in my book. Get power out of the upstroke as well as the down...
I can't picture me wearing spandex bike shorts, so I hope those baggy ones work good.
It's silly to be self conscious about bike shorts. They are definitely a must. Baggy shorts work ok, but on longer rides you have a lot of rubbing and inevitable chafing. Plus, with padded bike shorts there is a chammy between the part of your body in contact with the saddle to whisk away sweat and minimize chafing. Baggy shorts don't have that shammy right up against your butt. Plus, tight clothes are more aerodynamic, and you'll find on a windy day that every last bit of loose fabric makes a difference. With baggy clothes you're like a big sail, completely negating the efficiency of an aerodynamic riding position. Granted, you won't be racing, but you will find over time that it makes a difference.
Aren't clip pedals a pain in the ass? I will be using them if I get the Pilot, and it just seems they would be a problem for traffic riding. Not that I plan to do much traffic riding, but I will have to do some getting to some of the better areas of town to ride.
Clipless pedals are not a pain in the ass, but keep in mind
there is a learning curve. Practice getting in and out of them, over and over and over and over and over again. And then practice some more until it becomes second nature. Learn to keep from panicking and pulling up on your feet when the only way out is by twisting them. But, once you get the hang of it, you will appreciate them. They help to make your pedaling more efficient, you are forced to buy clipless shoes which have firm soles (soft soles on regular sneakers tire out your legs and feet because you have to exert energy to keep your feet flat - ever climb a ladder while barefoot? Your feet get tired). I've been riding for years, and even I on occasion have been known to tip over when I brain fart and pull up on my foot instead of twisting, but now that I've ridden with clipless pedals, I can never go back. It makes riding so much more efficient.
And when you're riding greater distances, it is important.
Anyway, I will probably buy something Friday or so. The LBS encouraged me to try a few different bikes. I am worried that the SU200 will be more comfortable to me just because that is more of what I am used to. I have never ridden a road bike so I fear I may be put off by it initially and not give it a chance.
I can see a road bike on a good road really being a blast. But then again a hybrid or MB would be so nice for the versatility.
Jeez I thought I had my mind made up. I wish someone could decide for me!
Trust me, people mistakenly think a hybrid is good for all aspects of cycling, and it's actually good at NOTHING. They're too big and glunky for road riding (not to mention the upright riding style = wind sail), and they're too unstable and upright for off-road riding. How do I know? My wife has one and detests it. The SU200 may be more comfortable to you right away, but as you gain enjoyment out of riding and try to ride farther, you will get to a point when the comfort bike stops being comfortable and starts in the opposite direction. The seat is too wide for distance riding, the tires too wide, the bike to heavy, and the riding position too upright. You will find that you have to fight just to keep moving forward. Whereas on a road bike, when I'm riding next to my wife, especially into the wind, she's pedaling like mad to keep moving, and I simply coast along with a forward pedal every so often to keep moving. Just coasting you will see such a difference in riding efficiency.
If you want versatility, go with a cyclocross. If you don't plan to ride off road
ever, then go with a road bike. But please, DO NOT BUY A HYBRID. They don't do anything well. They're good for riding on the boardwalk at the beach for a few minutes to buy an ice cream. If you plan to do any serious riding at all, you'll hate it within a week. I know, because my wife went through the same stuff you are right now.
She wanted comfort over performance, and she never realized how comfortable a road bike can be if you're positioned correctly, and anytime the wind kicks up, you'll thank me for suggesting moving away from a hybrid. They're slow, upright, unstable, and inefficient. All the things that typically discourage a person from sticking with it. You won't ride if you don't like your bike, and it sounds like you won't like a tank of a bike. Plus, the reason her butt gets sore is because she's riding upright, and gravity is pulling all her weight down onto her butt. When you get down in an aerodynamic position your weight is spread out across your form. Try squatting down in your office and gently resting your butt on your office chair. You can stand right up from that position, sit down, and your not putting much pressure on your butt. Now, sit upright in your chair and see how much more pressure is straight on your butt. Imagine riding for four hours with all of your weight on your butt. Sound comfortable? Nope. Add into that slow tires, a heavy bike, and added wind resistance (and that's without factoring in baggy clothes), and soon your bike will be a coat rack collecting dust.
I just don't want to see that happen. You sounds genuinely interested in getting into cycling, and a hybrid is the kiss of death because they don't do anything right. They're for parents to ride with their kids around the park. After 30 minutes you're done. You want something better, and that won't discourage you from riding. In the long run, you'll be happier.
If you decide to look into a cyclocross, you'll find they range in price from $800 to $2000, so you should be able to find something in your price range. I think Redline makes a cyclocross for under $900.