Introductions - newbie to the biking community needs help.

Greetings to you all. I am just getting started in this world of cycling,or rather, I am now ready to get serious about the idea of cycling. As a kid I used to have a Huffy bicycle and it was great fun and I have had few others since then as well. I currently own a Mongoose 460 Hybrid that I have had for nearly ten years now. I used to ride often but had gotten away from it as with all of the demands of life dictating. My love for cycling, however, has never died and now I am interested in purchasing a quality bike in the price range of $1500-$2000. I have been looking at some of the "fitness bikes" out on the market because they seem to be a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike and faster than a hybrid. I would like to find a quality bike that I can commute between class and home own (25 miles round-trip). The Trek 7.7fx is the bike that I have test rode and been leaning towards,but I am open to any suggestions to test ride at this point.

So you are saying that you want something like a cross bike? With a budget like that, you have a few options. Do you intend to use the bike mostly for commuting, with a bit of MTB thrown in? Or mostly MTB with a little commuting? Do you ever foresee touring, or long distance road cycling?

Where are you located, by the way?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Thanks for the reply. I am located in northern Ohio (long winters and rain) and there is not always the best road conditions for cycling (not many roads designed to accommodate). Most of cycling will be centered around commuting to and from work and some of the bike paths (light gravel/dirt) in the area. I would to get a good bike that will last me, thus the willingness to spend a bit more for it.

Thanks,

DBC

Another person from Ohio! There's lots of members from Ohio, and don't worry, they will find you :) .
Just in case, though, you could wander over to the Great Lakes regional forum and say hi.

Yes, I can understand the desire and need for a cyclocross bike. You might want to read this (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=258177) thread, although it looks as if some of the thread disappeared :eek: .

Also, poke around in the Cyclocross forum (that's where the sticky is located), and then start asking questions :D .

East Hill

I agree that a cyclocross bike would fit my needs, but I am not so sure I want to ride in that low of an position because of my height 6"4 and the experiences that I have had in the past with curl handle-bar bikes leaning forward and low that causes back pain. So, that the reasoning behind by wanting something more upright, say along the lines of a fitness bike. Do you have any recommendations as far as brands,makes, etc...

Thanks

Welcome, dblackcole!

I have a Trek 7.5 FX and absolutely love it. I am very happy with the comfort of the geometry, and boy is it quick. The one suggestion I have for you is disc brakes. I live in the SW so snow/rain/ice are not a problem, but I have read on other threads the need or should I say suggestion for disc brakes in the Northern climes.

Good luck with whichever bike you choose!

I don't think you would go too far wrong with the 7.7FX if you go with that model :) .

East Hill

Hello East Hill,

I have been doing some research on the cyclocross bikes and it does look like something I might be really be interested in. Having said that, are there any particular brands or models of cyclocross bikes that most popular?

Thanks.

dblackcole,

I have it on good authority that East Hill is on vacation for a couple more days,so I'll throw in my 2-cents worth until she can get back to you. I recently purchased my first NEW bike in over 20 years (a few used ones in between). I wanted a cyclocross bike, so I rode quite a few and ended up purchasing a Lemond Poprad. My hometown (Portland) is a hotbed of cyclocross action and commuting, so there are a lot available here to test ride. I had it narrowed down to this and a Mountain Cycles Stumptown (now out of business and discontinued - part of my decision process should I have a problem with the bike) I have to say it seems most riders here seem to like the Konas like Jake the Snake or even Major Jake (top of your price range at $1999) I settled on the Poprad because I love the feel of a steel bike and it seemed to be the best steel cyclocross bike I could afford. It's got disc brakes and a carbon fork, so nice features for offroad and commuting. After one month, I love it - I look forward to riding every day on this thing and can't wait to get it out on a long ride. You probably need to decide what frame material you want - there's a lot of really good aluminum cyclocross bikes in your price range besides the Konas. If I had $2000 I'd still get the Poprad, but add a second wheelset so I could quickly switch between road and offroad, plus be ready with a spare when Cross Crusade season begins.:D Good luck - get out and test some cross bikes and see what feels good to you.

ps - see if you can test ride a Trek Portland - also a very nice aluminum bike with disc brakes. Not a true cyclocross bike, but no reason it can't be that I can see
Mike


Hello East Hill,

I have been doing some research on the cyclocross bikes and it does look like something I might be really be interested in. Having said that, are there any particular brands or models of cyclocross bikes that most popular?

Thanks.