General Cycling Discussion - hybrids opinions needed

I am buying a new hybrid rig. So far, I am considering several options. I am 260#, 6'2", and ride no less than 6 miles every day on the road. I need something fun, fast, hi performance, and durable. Please offer any opinions/suggestions. I am looking at: Specialized Sirrus Pro, Jamis Coda Elite, Kona Dr Dew, Gary Fisher Dual Sport 129, Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra, and Devinci Sydney. Anyone own/ridden any of these? I appreciate any guidance.

I would stick with steel. Of all the bike you selected, the Jamis Coda Elite catches my eye. I have no experiece with Jamis bikes but an alu frame like the Sirrus Pro makes my hands hurt even thinking about riding one.

I have a street bike made from Chromoly so I vote for steel. This is especially true with a street bike hybrid as the number of hand positions are limited.

I think any of them except the Cannondale would be a good deal... I've actually ridden the 129, Sirrus and Dr. Dew. I just cannot in good conscience recommend anything with a Headshok to anyone, especially a heavy rider. It used to be almost impossible to get a Headshok properly serviced, and now its even more of an ordeal since Cannondale no longer authorizes shops to service them and they must be sent in for any repairs... which seem to be frequent...

Oh and I think the carbon bar on the Specialized probably makes up for the lack of the steel. Actually, I have an aluminum Specialized MTB and it rides better than any of my steel MTB's ever have.

Have you considered the Specialized Sequoia?

Surly... Crosscheck or Karate Monkey. 700c wheels, enough clearance to run a big cushy tire, and rack and fender eyelets, what more could you ask for?

i have the sirrus.. the entry level one and my hands doesn't hurt from riding it on the road. don't know about the older model of sirrus.. but the grip that i got with the sirrus fits me well and soft. on monday i'm getting the syntace C2 aero bar.. and soon.. i can just rest my elbow on there.. hehe.. can't wait!

rui :D

Have you considered the Specialized Sequoia?

The Specialized Sequoia is not a hybrid...it's a road bike.

Have you considered the Specialized Sequoia?
Good suggestion. I have ridden the Sequoia and it is just as comfortable as the Sirrus, but more versatile in the long run.

Good suggestion. I have ridden the Sequoia and it is just as comfortable as the Sirrus, but more versatile in the long run.

why would you say the sequoia is more versatile compared to the sirrus? i would think they would be pretty much the same... except that one is road bike and may have better components. but other than that... what else?

I am buying a new hybrid rig. So far, I am considering several options. I am 260#, 6'2", and ride no less than 6 miles every day on the road. I need something fun, fast, hi performance, and durable. Please offer any opinions/suggestions. I am looking at: Specialized Sirrus Pro, Jamis Coda Elite, Kona Dr Dew, Gary Fisher Dual Sport 129, Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra, and Devinci Sydney. Anyone own/ridden any of these? I appreciate any guidance.

I have been thinking about buying the Jamis Coda Elite or the Gary Fisher (29ers) myself. The Jamis seems like a real bargain to me. Steel strength and comfort, carbon fork, Avid discs, and braze-ons for everything! How can you go wrong?

I have a Marin hybrid from their speed-oriented "ALP" line (Aerodynamic wheels, Lightweight frame and Performance drive train). My bike was the top model from this line a few years back, but now is closer in spec to the mid-range Mill Valley:

http://www.marinbikes.com/html/spec_04_millvalley.html

It has been a very reliable bike with solid performance. However, I now find myself yearning for a steel frame and drop bars. If I were to choose now, I would definitely buy a steel cross bike instead of an aluminum hybrid. I have done many long rides (up to 100 miles) over the years, and at that distance the harsh vibrations and lack of hand positions is none too pleasant.

why would you say the sequoia is more versatile compared to the sirrus? i would think they would be pretty much the same... except that one is road bike and may have better components. but other than that... what else?

It's more versatile in the hand position department. The Sequoia has three hand positions over the Sirrus which has one or two.

I think the most versatile bike listed so far was the Surly Crosscheck. There were go again with this bike! ;-)

I was a big fan of the Cannondale Headshok and was thinking of getting the road bike with this shock not too long ago. NOT ANYMORE. At Bike New York, there was a guy with the Cannondale Bad Boy and during a hill, that front shock bottomed out each time he peddaled. The Cannondale was beautiful but that shock took away so much energy from his stroke it was incredible. That constant bobbing would drive me nuts.

If I were to choose now, I would definitely buy a steel cross bike instead of an aluminum hybrid.

OH MAN! It took me four years to realize the mistake I made in buying an allu hybrid. A steel cross bike was what I always wanted and got one now! I guess we can add the Bianchi Volpe to this list.

I find most people starting of in bikes choose flat bar hybrids instead of road/cross bikes with drops thinking it's safer, easier or more comfortable. This is a mistake!

Look at it this way...... In a couple of years or maybe in 6 months, he'll be back on this forum asking "What Road Bike should I buy"?

I guess we can add the Bianchi Volpe to this list.
Agreed on the Bianchi Volpe. I don't own one, but I have ridden one before. Ultra smooth ride...and faster than my hybrid. Very versatile and a pleasure to ride. Big thumbs up from me on the Volpe.

As for the Cannondale Bad Boy, they do have a "rigid" version without the annoying head shock.

I also agree, look at the Bianchi Volpe. When I was looking for a bike my wife could ride instead of her mtb to go along with me when I ride my Litespeed Blue Ridge, our final decision was the Volpe. We looked at all kinds of bikes, even the Trek 7500, but found they wouldn't offer the long term flexibility as her skills increased as the Volpe would. Now, if you can find a prior year or used model of the Blue Ridge in your size, buy it, it is one great bike. I am 6'1" and 250lbs and ride a 59cm Blue Ridge and love it more than the day I brought it home. I was looking at steel and just happened to try this titanium bike and it fit like a glove and rode smooth, I just had to get it. I got a deal at the end of the season and got 12 months same as cash financing, but I think you can get used ones even cheaper. Go with the cyclocross / fast touring bike rather than the hybrid, you won't be sorry.

Mark
'03 Litespeed Blue Ridge
'01 GF Tassajara

It's more versatile in the hand position department. The Sequoia has three hand positions over the Sirrus which has one or two.

I think the most versatile bike listed so far was the Surly Crosscheck. There were go again with this bike! ;-)

I was a big fan of the Cannondale Headshok and was thinking of getting the road bike with this shock not too long ago. NOT ANYMORE. At Bike New York, there was a guy with the Cannondale Bad Boy and during a hill, that front shock bottomed out each time he peddaled. The Cannondale was beautiful but that shock took away so much energy from his stroke it was incredible. That constant bobbing would drive me nuts.

The only exception to that is the Cannondale Road Warrior 1000 HeadShok where the shock can be completely locked out. Pretty cool, but I worry about breakage and maintenance.

The only exception to that is the Cannondale Road Warrior 1000 HeadShok where the shock can be completely locked out. Pretty cool, but I worry about breakage and maintenance.

The badboy locks out as well.
And its not a hybrid.

I put 2500+ miles on my Sirrus Pro last year, stock with the exception of a new B-17 seat...I find it works great all around - short rides with my kids or 50 mile long rides. Only negative side - limited hand positions occasionally get to me on the longer rides.

Mark,
Wherre did you get the Volpe in SE MI?
Thanks,
Dave

I also agree, look at the Bianchi Volpe. When I was looking for a bike my wife could ride instead of her mtb to go along with me when I ride my Litespeed Blue Ridge, our final decision was the Volpe. We looked at all kinds of bikes, even the Trek 7500, but found they wouldn't offer the long term flexibility as her skills increased as the Volpe would. Now, if you can find a prior year or used model of the Blue Ridge in your size, buy it, it is one great bike. I am 6'1" and 250lbs and ride a 59cm Blue Ridge and love it more than the day I brought it home. I was looking at steel and just happened to try this titanium bike and it fit like a glove and rode smooth, I just had to get it. I got a deal at the end of the season and got 12 months same as cash financing, but I think you can get used ones even cheaper. Go with the cyclocross / fast touring bike rather than the hybrid, you won't be sorry.

Mark
'03 Litespeed Blue Ridge
'01 GF Tassajara

I put 2500+ miles on my Sirrus Pro last year, stock with the exception of a new B-17 seat...I find it works great all around - short rides with my kids or 50 mile long rides. Only negative side - limited hand positions occasionally get to me on the longer rides.

i have am entry level 04 sirrus. i had the same problem like u.. limited hand position.. therefore, i got an Syntace C2 Aero bar and now it feels great doing long rides...

I am buying a new hybrid rig. So far, I am considering several options. I am 260#, 6'2", and ride no less than 6 miles every day on the road. I need something fun, fast, hi performance, and durable. Please offer any opinions/suggestions. I am looking at: Specialized Sirrus Pro, Jamis Coda Elite, Kona Dr Dew, Gary Fisher Dual Sport 129, Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra, and Devinci Sydney. Anyone own/ridden any of these? I appreciate any guidance.

why not try Giant's cypres SL or SX? i got a Marin Bear Valley ALP and still waiting for it. Can't wait to ride it.