Recreational & Family - need advice on a new bike

i need a bike for mostly street driving, and from researching it seems like hybrids are the most appropriate

i ride mostly streets, and will be riding 50 miles in april.... till now i've been riding my dad's giant rincon mtb, which is really heavy, and since it needs to be tuned up, i'm looking to buying something more appropriate for me

concerns from other posters about hybrids are:
that they are too upright because of the shorter post from seat to handles,
that the suspension seat posts can wobble after regular use
and they are to fat and wobbly...

any thoughts on these comments?

also, money is a big big factor , i'm looking to spend less than $400

so far, it seems that the trek 7200 and the giant cypress dx are the best... but i would love to hear about different bikes, or if anyone has any experience with the above

i looked up the specialized on their website and their hybrids look extremely upright and uncomfortable... the trek and giant seem to have a more traditional setup...

i want something i am comfortable going uphill, downhill in, that will have good stock components (since it will be a while before i can improve my bike) and that will be good for someone who is looking to ride about 15-30 miles at a time, with a goal of that 50 mile ride in baja CA...

also, if anyone thinks that hybrid is totally the wrong way to go, i'm open to thoughts too. i'm a little hesitant on road bikes... i like the hybrids because they're wheels just look safer, but since this is just on my naive opinion i am sooo open to yours..

thank you!!

Speaking as someone who rides a hybrid quite regularly, "fat & wobbly" doesn't exactly describe it. I have found it to be VERY stable, amazingly so when you take into account my size. As for the fat, I would agree. The tires are wider, and it is quite a bit heavier than my touring bike. The biggest problem I have with it is that it is SLOW, SLOW, SLOW compared to the tourer. Part of it is the geometry, but most of it is tires and heft of the bike. This makes it the perfect bike for riding the trails with my kids. We ride crushed gravel, and pavement all the time, and I find it to be very comfortable on our longer rides. When I'm not with the kids, I ride my resurrected touring bike, and it's amazing how much more comfortable, the drop bars can be compared to the "upright" position of the hybrid. I will add that I don't care for the front suspension in the least, the bike has a tendency to "bounce" too much when standing to pull a hill, or "pushing" to get some speed, (and although the suspension can be adjusted, it would have to be dialed to the max and probably defeating the "purpose) so if you choose the hybrid, you may be happier without the suspension fork and save a few bucks there. The suspension seat post is nice after sitting and riding 25 or so miles, but I find it a little "irritating" since it masks the feeling of the road that can give you important input when it comes to road conditions especially on gravel with regards to your traction.

DO NOT buy the hybrid because you think the wheels look safer. Buy the bike that fits you well and you will be comfortable on. Wheels will be safe no matter what you choose!

Last but not least, although I have yet to ride a MTB, my casual observationis that the difference between a Hybrid and the MTB would make a huge difference just in the speed you would be able to get due to the knobs on the tires. It always amazes me the noise those knobs make riding on asphalt. Has to be slowing the folks down to some extent. I look at the hybrid as something between the MTB and a Road bike, just based on the tires, and the riding characteristics. And in reference to speed, think of it as resistance, even if you don't want to go faster, you want the least possible resistance for what you want to ride. I say if your riding the road, get a road bike, and would add that on crushed gravel it would be fine, you wouldn't have a problem till you get to larger gravel.

GOOD LUCK on your quest, and best of luck on your 50 mile TREK!

:rolleyes: I have ridden a hybrid Specialized Crossroads for many years. I put road tires on them which were thinner than the tires they came with which made riding seem more smooth but a little rougher (you can feel the road more) because of the higher pressure in the tires. I would do 30 - 40 miles each time and had no problem. I changed several things on them after having it awhile. I found out that the top tube was to long for me so I had to go to a more upright handlebar stem. The only thing I would recommend is to make sure that it "fits" you. When you ride the different bikes take them out for an hour or two. Go up hills, down hills, anything you think you might do normally. Make sure you are not to stretched out on the bike, this can make your shoulders and arms tired. Don't go for one of those really fat saddles, they are actually more uncomfortable in the long rides. You will have to get use to the feel of the bike which will take several rides to do and after a few hundred miles you will know where your pains are and what you might need to adjust. A really good bike shop should be able to give you some great tips.
Have fun riding -- that's what it's all about.

thanks for the help... i'm going out to a bike shop today. from everything i've read i have a better idea of the kinds of things to look for, and questions to asks..

thanks!

caroline

Originally posted by caroline
thanks for the help... i'm going out to a bike shop today. from everything i've read i have a better idea of the kinds of things to look for, and questions to asks..

thanks!

caroline

Some questions you may want to ask yourself about the hybrid is its intended life. Do you think this will be a transition bike or a type of bike you will ride exclusively in the future? Will you be using it for commuting or just fun and fitness? Will you need rackmounts and the ability to install fenders?

I seem to see a lot of people using the hybrid as a transition to the road bike especially for fitness and general fun. In that case, I would suggest a hybrid without front suspension or a suspension seatpost. I would myself look at the 7300FX (also check out the Fuji Sagres) instead of the 7200 which has a nice steel rigid fork. Yes, I know the 7300FX is slightly above the $400 mark but maybe you can find a 2003 model on closeout. If you want a little more plushness for your butt, consider one of the shock-absorbing saddles such as the Selle Italia Karisma (http://www.selleitalia.com/products/scheda.php3?itemid=25) instead of a suspension seatpost.

Also, you may want to consider jumping directly into the roadbike lineups and looking at road-touring design or comfort-road design (as opposed to more race oriented designs) such as the Specialized Sequoia. However, those start above your price range but once again, you may be able to find some good deals out there still. They do have a nicer fork (carbon fiber) but I personally would still swap out the seatpost for a rigid post.

My daughter has a Trek hybrid and it is a fine bike. She rode an MS150 (150 miles) on it. I have ridden the bike several times and don't really care for the feel of the hybrids. On the other hand, I had a Cannondale and didn't like the feel of the compact road bike either. My steel long frame road bike is perfect for me. You really have to go ride a bunch of different kinds of bikes to see what you like. From what you describe, I would think that you would like the Trek. However, if you really get into the biking and want to ride daily and start pushing the miles/speed, you will be wanting to trade it in for a road bike. If you don't think your riding habits will change much in the next couple of years, go for the Trek. Good Luck!

hello.. i got my bike yesterday. A Marin Muir Woods. Its my first bike! and i love it... its beautiful, and compaired to a 12 year old mountain bike that was ridden many miles by my dad.. this is a huge step up :) i'm happy

Originally posted by caroline
hello.. i got my bike yesterday. A Marin Muir Woods. Its my first bike! and i love it... its beautiful, and compaired to a 12 year old mountain bike that was ridden many miles by my dad.. this is a huge step up :) i'm happy

Congrats. I just looked up the bike on Marin's website. Looks nice. Remember to post a review after a few rides. :)

Well, what the scoop? Tell us the good, bad and ugly. BTW, did you go over your price limit?

i have been so busy with work that i've hardly been able to ride the bike .. its so frustrating.. i'm in deadline (work as much as i can) mode for the next 4 weeks... i did manage to take it out for a whole 20 minutes last night! lol.. i love it!

the bike was slightly over my budget... but it rides so smooth and fast compared to the 10 year old MTB i was using. Brakes are effortless in comparison... going up the slight uphill back home last night was a breeze! its a huge difference...

the setup i also like more than the MTB since the handlebars are slightly further than the seat, so its a more comfortable position.

Its my first bike, so i don't know about all the specs and everything you guys talk about, but i'm so into it that i'm sure i will learn everything.

my next step is that i want to learn how to do my maintanance and everything as well :) i love my bike!!!

That's fantastic! For maintanance you can learn most, if not all, on the "Bicycle Mechanics" forum. I know it's been great for me.

Caroline glad to see you took the leap and found what you wanted. Can't wait to hear about your adventures. Don't sweat the maintenance, that's what the LBS is for!

:love: Great move -- so what does it look like, color stuff like that. Be sure and get a computer so you can keep track of your miles, that's away fun. I hope it is comfortable on a long ride for you. You can always learn the maintence as you go, my husband does all of mine--he loves it. Well have lots of fun and keep everyone posted as your rides.

its matte black, with slightly triangular tubes... black wheel spokes :) its very simple.. even the logo is in dark gray and not flashy

i bought a computer, kickstand, wedge bag, and bottle cage the day after i bought the bike... i had so much fun installing everything..

now i need to buy basics for road repairs.... i dont' want to be stuck in mexico with a flat..

wooo