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Old 06-02-08, 02:06 PM
  #22  
dynaryder
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For the type of riding you're describing,a hybrid or rigid(no suspension) MTB would be best. In urban areas,you usually can't go very far without having to stop for traffic,so all the hand postions on drop bars can be moot. Hybrids take full fenders and racks easily;the fenders are indispensible for riding in the rain,and racks allow you to comfortably carry loads. Since you're near Chicago,you might also want to look for a bike that can take wide tires and has disc brakes for winter riding. 26" wheeled hybrids(and rigid MTB's) can usually handle wide knobbie tires,and 700cc wheeled hybrids can usually take cyclocross tires. Discs also deal with bad weather much better than rim brakes. If you later decide you want a road bike for distance riding,you can always keep the first bike around for bad weather riding,grocery hauling,and locking up in sketchy areas.
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