Commuting - ADVICE NEEDE: what type of Hybrid should get?

Hello!

I am looking to buy a new bike! I was thinking about getting a hybrid. I have always ridden a mountain bike but I think I am ready to move to something faster and more efficient for me. I dont know much at all about bikes so....

I am apx 5'6 and I will be riding it about 15 - 20 miles a day. I ride mostly in the city, to work and back and I tend to ride like a little bit of a maniac :) (down stairs, jumping curbs etc)

What I would like to know is:

Should I get a Hybrid or a mountainbike with smaller tires?

What Hybrids or other recomended bikes would be in my range (apx $300 - 500)?
I would like to get something good used to increase the value for my dollar

What size frame is best for my height and what size tired would offer the smoothest ride while still being fast?

I have been looking at a few Marin and specialized hybrids (the sirrus) and I am a little leery of the aluminum frame on the Sirrus after a few complaints I have read in the forums....

So any advice will certainly be appreciated!

Hello!

I am looking to buy a new bike! I was thinking about getting a hybrid. I have always ridden a mountain bike but I think I am ready to move to something faster and more efficient for me. I dont know much at all about bikes so....

I am apx 5'6 and I will be riding it about 15 - 20 miles a day. I ride mostly in the city, to work and back and I tend to ride like a little bit of a maniac :) (down stairs, jumping curbs etc)

What I would like to know is:

Should I get a Hybrid or a mountainbike with smaller tires?

What Hybrids or other recomended bikes would be in my range (apx $300 - 500)?
I would like to get something good used to increase the value for my dollar

What size frame is best for my height and what size tired would offer the smoothest ride while still being fast?

I have been looking at a few Marin and specialized hybrids (the sirrus) and I am a little leery of the aluminum frame on the Sirrus after a few complaints I have read in the forums....

So any advice will certainly be appreciated!


You were on track for a hybrid until you mentioned riding like a maniac and doing stairs. While you can get some fairly large tires on a hybrid, I'd stick with an MTB or comfort type bike for riding like that. You might put some slicks on the wheels for an easier ride, though.
There are many variables to the fit of a bike. Your inseam could be short or long for that height. It would be best to try out some bikes at a shop, and determine what you need. For your price range, I know that the Giant Sedona and Specialized Expedition are nice bikes at $500. The Specialized Crossroads and Giant Cypress would be quality hybrid bikes for your money. I'm talking new bikes. You should have no problems whatsoever with aluminum frames. I'm sure others here can steer you towards some good used deals. If you're near a Performance or Specialized dealer, go take some test rides.

If you're going to roll down stairs and jumping curbs, a mountain bike is the only way to go. You'll destroy any hybrid doing these things real fast. Maybe when you get older and grow out of going down stairs which is dangerous, we can talk about getting a road bike.

If you fit slick tyres and bar-ends to your MTB, then a hybrid will not add much speed (if any) and will be less fun.
15-20miles is quite far, so if you do want to get a faster commuter-style bike, I would recomend a cyclo-cross or touring style. Some of the flat-bar road bikes (like the Specialized Sirrius) are also good. There is nothing particularly wrong with a quality Al frame.
The best commuter bikes are highly customized rather than one of the marketing "types" of bike. You use the wheel size/tyre width you like, the gearing you like, the bars (drop or straight) that you want. Just make sure that you have enough practical features like threaded eyelets for a decent rack and fenders.
For sizing, you need sufficient standover clearance, a comfortable reach to the bars, and well sized components (such as handlebars and cranks). Use your current bike as a guide.

get a cyclocross bike and don't do the stairs just ride on the grass around them or something. Lemond Poprad is 853 steel and imo is best bang for the buck.

I really enjoy my Marin Muirwoods. Tough, light, and agile. It's basically a mountain bike with a street setup. It's within your price range as well.
Hope that helps
http://www.marinbikes.com/html/spec_04_muirwoods.html

I suggest just putting 1.5" slick tires on your mountain bike now. It will give you a significant increase in speed. Then take your time looking for a hybrid, tourer or cyclocross. 32 mm tires will take potholes, curbs, and even stairs, if you have double walled rimes with eyelets in the spokeholes, and butted spokes. Watch out that some hybrids have very short frames which gives a very upright riding position, but take the fit of your mountain bike as a guide. I think front suspensions add unnecessary weight to a bike that is used on the road most of the time.

My roadbike likes stairs and jumps... its all in how smooth you are.

Are you looking to ride off road or on road??

If on road, I suggest getting a road bike!! I started with a hybrid/commuter and ended up dropping $$ on mods until I finally got smart and got a REAL road bike!