32 miles round trip, Hybrid or Road bike?

Weird_Nev

Another vote for road bike. You're well past the 10 mile threshold where better aero and a range of handlebar positions really helps with speed and comfort. that said, a crosser with disc brakes and a bit more meat on the frame makes a compelling option. Get out and ride some and see what you think.

Throbbe

I commute 21 miles each way on a hybrid (but only once or twice a week), and use it for 50 mile rides at the weekend. It's a Trek 7.3FX, so more road than mtb oriented, but it's still OK for riding gentle dirt tracks with the children.

It's fine for the sort of use you're looking for, although if I'm honest I'll probably get a road bike next year if funds allow as I'm keen to try riding with a local club and increasing my mileage.

A road bike would probably be your best bet, but getting a hybrid won't be 'wrong'.

[Deleted User]

As above I commute 22 miles each way once or twice a week with the remainder of the week being half that.

I use a light Cannondale hybrid which is perfect as most of my miles are on old railway paths/lanes etc. Very little on public roads.

Personally I would tailor your exact choice of bike, as there are so many variations, to the surface/route you will be riding on...

Strider590

Update, have decided to go with a hybrid, one more like a road bike with flat bars, than a mountain bike on road tyres.

Money in the bank, now settled on a Specialized Sirrus OR if I can find a local shop, a Cannondale Quick or Badboy.

I'll probably fit aero bars to it, which means ill have the tucked down speed on the long road sections, but still have the flat bars for when I hit traffic/urban areas. I think this combination (despite looking a tad silly) should prove ideal!!

Cycrow

Depending on how much you are willing to spend, the boardman hybrids are pretty nice too

Strider590

Cycrow wrote: »

Depending on how much you are willing to spend, the boardman hybrids are pretty nice too

I looked at them, good bikes, nice spec, but them being sold in Halfrauds put me off. They're well known by the average high street shopper and massively popular 2nd hand, which makes me worry about theft.

If I bought a used Boardman, i'd be concerned that it came from Halfrauds and wasn't built properly.

Would have loved a Kona Dr Dew as stable mate to the Kikapu, but the new one's aren't as subtle as the <2011 bikes and 2nd hand they're as rare as hens teeth.

Cycrow

its always a concern with halfords, as they tend not too do very good jobs on the bikes.
some halfords stores are actually quite good thou, when i got mine they actually built it properly.

if you do to halfords, i would suggest first becoming a British Cycling member, at £26 for the year, which will get you 10% off at halfords and can be used with other offers, so if you time it right, you can get a hefty discount, when i got mine i got about £200 in total off.

Alot of people who buy boardmans tend to take it to the local bike store to get it checked out, or do it themselves if they know what they are doing.

custardy

I would say road bike too
I do about 20 miles round trip on a Boardman hybrid
I would say thats around the limits

Strider590

Cycrow wrote: »

if you do to halfords, i would suggest first becoming a British Cycling member, at £26 for the year, which will get you 10% off at halfords and can be used with other offers, so if you time it right, you can get a hefty discount, when i got mine i got about £200 in total off.

Worth knowing!!
Even if not for the bike, i'm going to need parts/accessories/etc, which i've noticed they're quite competitively priced on certain things.

Strider590

Right then, got myself a bike!

Hybrid, Specialized Sirrus Elite 2012 model for £270, weighs 25lb, it's better spec than this years, with the carbon/alloy forks, it's properly fast bike and the flat bars make it really responsive when changing direction quickly. The large 700c wheels take a bit of getting used to and the lack of rubber on the ground is quite scary at first.

Needs some money spending on mods now, like bar ends, longer+lower stem and then lights and safety gear. But it's a good start and I think a real money saving bargain for a bike that's only a year old