Recreational & Family - Need recommendation for hybrid bike (switching from road bike)

Hi,

I have Motobecane Mirage Sport bike (you can see details here (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/miragesport.htm)). It is very basic road bike that I have purchased two years ago. I am not a hard core biker so I have only put about 200 miles in two years as I ride mostly on weekends during summer. Right now I am thinking of introducing my 2 years old kid to ride on one of those rear mounted seats. Because I do not use my road bike that often I figured that switching to hybrid bike would be the best thing for me. Flat handlebar will give me better support and ride will be just more comfortable.

So I need recommendation for hybrid bike that's somewhere in sub $350 range. I would like to retain the thin wheels so that's why I am not considering mountain bike (I will never take it off the paved road).

Any recommendations/comments are welcome. Anyone in NJ area wants to trade?

Edit: Forgot to add that I am 6'4" so the bike will have to be XL size :) Found something like this (http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2856720&clickid=body_rv_txt) but have no idea if that's decent bike.

Thanks.

This one's close to your price range:

http://www.konaworld.com/08_dew_w.htm

If you can get the seat on the road bike that should be fine. I towed a TAB with a trek 5200 for 3 years. I just found myself riding on the hoods in stead.

Having said that I am getting a hybrid as my 5200 finally died. And dropping my family in 3 pedel strokes isnt cool. I am looking at the trek FX seris fuji and agary fishers. as above I like the kona but there is not a dealer near me and the LBS that I love here carries the fujis and GF's.

If you can get the seat on the road bike that should be fine.
I have thought of that but for some reason I prefer the higher positioned flat handlebars than the dropped road ones if I have to do recreational driving. I guess once you drop below certain speed you want to go for comfort :)

I have to check LBS to see if they carry any hybrid bikes. I would also prefer steel frame. I never really got to like the aluminum.

Thanks for all the replies.

I love my Gary Fisher Tiburon I have had for about 4years. My son has a Trek 7100 and I ride with another guy that does. They both enjoy them.

It is more of a comfort bike than a Hybrid but the Specialized Crossroads (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=32296) has 700c rims.

It really all comes down to what your LBS carries though, it is better to stick with an LBS that you trust than get something elsewhere with people you do not trust.

Edit: Forgot to add that I am 6'4" so the bike will have to be XL size :) Found something like this (http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2856720&clickid=body_rv_txt) but have no idea if that's decent bike.Thanks.It doesn't appear to be a decent bike. Note that it doesn't come in different sizes. That's usually a pretty good clue as to inferiority in bikes.

I'll echo what Podolak stated in that it really comes down to how you're treated at your LBS. Most mainstream bike shops carry a mix of the big three or four bike makers from which there is a wide variety of bikes to choose from. If you're treated like a million bucks but only looking to buy a sub $300.00 bike then I'd buy from that shop and have them do the service work. PG.

How about a Giant Cypress R? It's about $350, gel cushion seat, no front suspension.
Is it better/worse that the Kona above?

Have you check your craig's list? Might find a fairly good deal for cheap.