Commuting: Hybrid or Road Bike

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I am trying to figure out which bike to get. I am just getting into biking and I am currently riding a Walmart special the 7 miles to work and 7 miles home. It is mostly smooth roads (no speedbumps, no potholes I can't avoid). At times I have to ride on the sidewalk.

I am looking at either a Specialized Globe (Hybrid) or a Giant OCR 3 (Road Bike).

I don't have a lot to spend so I am looking on the low end. Does anyone have any suggestions. I had my mind set on a hybrid, but I have read a lot about how people have traded their hybrids in for more lightweight road bikes. Thanks.

Tyler

I am trying to figure out which bike to get. I am just getting into biking and I am currently riding a Walmart special the 7 miles to work and 7 miles home. It is mostly smooth roads (no speedbumps, no potholes I can't avoid). At times I have to ride on the sidewalk.

I am looking at either a Specialized Globe (Hybrid) or a Giant OCR 3 (Road Bike).

I don't have a lot to spend so I am looking on the low end. Does anyone have any suggestions. I had my mind set on a hybrid, but I have read a lot about how people have traded their hybrids in for more lightweight road bikes. Thanks.
FWIW. I would recommend the hybrid because the tire sizes which contemporary road bikes can use are limited AND it is generally difficult to fit fenders on a contemporary road bike, too (vintage road bikes generally had clearance for fenders AND 700x28-or-larger tires). Also, the slightly longer wheelbase of the hybrid will be more comfortable.

Regularly ride the same distance and find my hybrid (24 speed) bike no problem to ride. I am in an upright position and am able to have a look at the scenery, and wearing a backpack is comfortable. Though on the weekend I was overtaken by a road bike rider who seemed to do it quite effortlessly. I suppose it depends upon whether you want to be able to go really fast! (I'm a novice and am not all that keen on drop bars and narrow tyres.) http://www.cycling.net.au/images/smilies/smile.gif

I would recommend the hybrid because the tire sizes which contemporary road bikes can use are limited AND it is generally difficult to fit fenders on a contemporary road bike, too (vintage road bikes generally had clearance for fenders AND 700x28-or-larger tires).
I think the OCR is a bit more of a general purpose bike than a dedicated racer, and will take mudguards and larger tyres.

I have read a lot about how people have traded their hybrids in for more lightweight road bikes. The advantage of road bikes isn't really weight but aerodynamics and higher gears.

From the specs the OCR should have a higher top speed, while the Globe should have better low speed handling and be a bit better on poor surfaces

Its a matter of personal preference, and either should be fine for you want. Take both for a decent test ride and get whatever feels best.

In a word (okay two) Specialized Sirrus. The flavour, from a basic model Sirrus to the Pro version, is up to you and your budget. Anything else is a gamble.

I think the OCR is a bit more of a general purpose bike than a dedicated racer, and will take mudguards and larger tyres.

The advantage of road bikes isn't really weight but aerodynamics and higher gears.

From the specs the OCR should have a higher top speed, while the Globe should have better low speed handling and be a bit better on poor surfaces

Its a matter of personal preference, and either should be fine for you want. Take both for a decent test ride and get whatever feels best.The OCR is definitely not a full-out aggressive racing frame, but it is nothing near a hybrid. The one I have in my garage right now (OCR3, 2006) will not take a tire larger than a 700cX28. It currently has 25's on it, but there's no way you could go larger than just a little bigger than that. For primary commuting, I think you'd want a 35 or 38.

I haven't tried fenders on the OCR, but there is not much more clearance on this bike than my Cannondale CAAD7 frame (which is a full on race frame). I wouldn't count on being able to put fenders on an OCR. I do know see that you could put a rear rack on it though, so maybe the fenders would be OK.

If I were buying a bike just for commuting, there is no doubt I'd buy a hybrid or a cyclocross. I might look for one with downturn handlebars (just my preference), but I wouldn't buy an OCR3. If I was looking for a bike for commuting, but also for regular recreational, high quality road cycling, the OCR or other road bike would work great.

I do commute with my CAAD7, but it's primary purpose in life is sporty road riding (I don't race, but it's not because of the bike).

To me "cyclo cross" bikes are very similar to hybrids, but a little more high performance. With downturn handlebars, I believe a cyclocross bike would make a good all around commuter + decent sporty road bike, especially if you could afford a second set of wheels - one set with 700X35-38 tires, the other with something like 700X23-28. You can get a very decent set of road wheels for $200 US (just one example, Mavic ASkiums: I have a pair and they are great training/recreational wheels.) Some cyclocross bikes can take racks, fenders, etc.

But a good quality hybrid, with whatever bars you like and a second set of "road" wheels, would be about the same deal.

I am not so quick to say a hybrid is the only way to go. I commute successfully on a road bike with 25c tires, but my route is mostly through residential neigborhoods. A 28c tire is more than robust enough for practically any street short of a gravel road.

If your commute is longer, you are going to want to gain the advantages of lighter weight and better aerodynamics, which the road bike allows you to do.

If you like to take long rides on weekends on a road bike, there is an advantage to commuting on the same bike or a similar bike in order to avoid adjusting to a different bike on weekends.

I use strap-on, strap-off half fenders, and they work very well. If rain is in the forecast, I put on the fenders. If not, I save the weight.

The OCR is definitely not a full-out aggressive racing frame, but it is nothing near a hybrid. The one I have in my garage right now (OCR3, 2006) will not take a tire larger than a 700cX28. It currently has 25's on it, but there's no way you could go larger than just a little bigger than that. For primary commuting, I think you'd want a 35 or 38. I guess I should have been more clear when I said larger tyres. I was thinking 28mm, which isn't that big but still more than some road bikes will take, it should be enough for the conditions the original poster described.

I haven't tried fenders on the OCR Nor have I, but I'm told it can be done.

...Though on the weekend I was overtaken by a road bike rider who seemed to do it quite effortlessly. I suppose it depends upon whether you want to be able to go really fast!
I would bet that that rider is a stronger rider and would still blow you away if he/she was on a heavier hybrid.

To the OP, I would also suggest hybrid for the kind of short distance commute stated.