Topic: So... I want a Hybrid/Road Bike

[1TSX]

So... I have a 05' Giant Boulder SE, shown here:



I like the bike, but I now realize that I bike more on pavement/paths than on trails. Now, when I do ride this bike on pavement, its very inefficient because of the tires, etc... its not designed for it. I get tired very easily.
 I get less tired on my crappy bike from WalMart that has 15 gears, 10 of them not working, and bald tires.

Now, should I get a Hybrid/Hybrid Road Bike (ie. Devinci Sydney) : http://www.devinci.com/9747_an.html

or just swap out my tires on my current bike for ones that are designed for roads/streets?

[Guy]

First swap your tires. It will make a big difference. If you don't like it you can buy a new bike later...The DeVinci you show has pretty big tires as well, 700X32. These tires would do on your Giant: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693841&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442095043&bmLocale=en&bmUID=1179967684400

Read the review, the guy really loves them!

[Wolverine]

If you really like the bike, then do a tire switch.

In case of not being satisfied with the tire switch and going for a new bike, wouldn't it be better to get one with disc brakes?

[Guy]

You don't need disc brakes on a street bike unless your tour and carry a lot of heavy gear, they just add weight.

[Wolverine]

You don't need disc brakes on a street bike unless your tour and carry a lot of heavy gear, they just add weight.

But disc brakes are cool, they are like chic magnets, ahahahahahahahahahah.

[dr_spock]

You could get some slick tires. 

Disc brakes are better at stopping when wet. 

[1TSX]

Thanks for the replies.

Financially, I agree with everyone else. Get new tires.

Guy, will those tires, that tin, fit on my rims?? I don't want to buy new rims! Maybe these are better? 

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441774263&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693841&bmUID=1179970377898

I will occasionally ride on a trail...

[airbalancer]

try a good bike shop in your area they may have the answer you are look for

[HeliDriver]

Chalk up another vote for "just change the tires first".

Back before I bought a road bike, every spring I used to swap the knobby tires on my mountain bike for a set of semi-slicks for road riding before the trails dried up. Tires make a huge difference.

I used to use these, & thought they were great: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693841&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441773511

BTW, I wouldn't be too concerned about having a knobby tread for light trail use. Even the City Slickers that I linked to above will work just fine for the odd bit of unpaved trail.

[Guy]

Thanks for the replies.

Financially, I agree with everyone else. Get new tires.

Guy, will those tires, that tin, fit on my rims?? I don't want to buy new rims! Maybe these are better? 

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441774263&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693841&bmUID=1179970377898

I will occasionally ride on a trail...

Yes they wll fit, you will need smaller tubes also however. The tire you suggest would work as well, probalbly with your tubes also. You wont see as much difference however. The city slickers suggested by SirCivic are another good choice. I've got a couple sets in my garage by the way...

[The Fuzz]

I have a spare set of Bontrager tires for my mountain bike. I can't remember what model they are and I don't feel like going to the garage. They have a slight tread on them but it's for water so it's no where near what my trail tires are like. They are also kevlar lined so they are less likely to puncture. They make a huge difference when it comes to riding on the road. I would do that first as well.

[PJungnitsch]

I've used those Conti Town and Country for years. Work really well. Run them at max pressure, 60 lbs or so and the bike just glides.

[quadzilla]

I'll vote for a new bike but that isn't a huge surprise 

You can change the tires and you will feel a little more efficient once up to speed but by putting on slicks you will not gain in where it matter most for road riding....acceleration and climbing. 

I ride a 25 lb mtn bike w/slicks as my commuter and I also have a 20 lb road bike and I can ride them both around the same speeds (advantage road bike though) but the road bike just leaps away from the mtn bike like no tomorrow and when climbing, those 5 lbs make all the difference. Plus, with no shock you are not losing energy with every pedal stroke.  Also, the frame will feel more stiff which will transfer more energy into the bike moving forward.

I don't know your budget but this is what we did for my parter after finding that most hybrids still weigh in at/over 25 lbs and have slow wheels.

Bought a Devinci Apex (105-9 speed, R500 wheels) road bike and changed out the drop handlebars for flat bars...presto...a sub 20 lb hybrid bike that is much better than anything we could find. I could see the difference in her riding right away, much better acceleration, easier climbing and less energy used for just riding.

There are still last year road bikes available if you look around.  A good shop will change over the bars for zero or little cost.

EDIT: I see you are in London...I have two buddies from there that drove to Toronto to buy a bike and they saved over $500 each.  Might be worth the drive.

[dorin]

First swap your tires. It will make a big difference. If you don't like it you can buy a new bike later...The DeVinci you show has pretty big tires as well, 700X32. These tires would do on your Giant: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693841&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442095043&bmLocale=en&bmUID=1179967684400

Read the review, the guy really loves them!

sort of...

If you can afford it, that Devinci hybrid will be faster, lighter, and have less rolling resistance than a mountain bike with slicks.

However, if money is a concern, then slicks will give you 80%-90% of the benefit of the hybrid for way less $$$.  Those Panaracer Pasela are about the best performance slick you can get for a mountain bike.  However, I'd get the even lighter Kevlar-bead version instead.
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442095759&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693841&bmUID=1179976763939

Thanks for the replies.

Financially, I agree with everyone else. Get new tires.

Guy, will those tires, that tin, fit on my rims?? I don't want to buy new rims! Maybe these are better? 

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441774263&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693841&bmUID=1179970377898

I will occasionally ride on a trail...

Those Town & Country tires are more than twice as heavy as the Panaracers.  On the road, that will make a noticeable difference in performance.  You can still ride gravel trails with the Paselas, but if you would like more meat then other good options is the Continental Continental Contact Security.
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442620536&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693841&bmUID=1179976716808

I'm not really a fan of the Tioga City Slickers.  They are pretty heavy for the size.  However, they're a good value and if you get them I'd go for the 1.5" version.  The 1.25" version is just as wide as the Pasela but quite a bit heavier.  The  1.95" version is just too heavy.

[johngenx]

I ride my mountain bike on trails that are now mostly paved.   

But, I've kept my knobby tires.  Also, my derailleurs are both out of adjustment so my 21 speed is only a 12 speed right now, and no loweest gear is available.  BUT, it makes it harder!  So I haven't bothered making changes...   

[dr_spock]

I ride my mountain bike on trails that are now mostly paved.   

But, I've kept my knobby tires.  Also, my derailleurs are both out of adjustment so my 21 speed is only a 12 speed right now, and no loweest gear is available.  BUT, it makes it harder!  So I haven't bothered making changes...   

You must be really strong and healthy. 

[johngenx]

You must be really strong and healthy. 

Or stupid...