Hybrid Bicycles - Bike for Newbie Specialized?

Hi guys, so I am totally new to biking and this forum...

I have been doing a lot of reading on here... I currently live in Manhattan so I am not sure if I want to get a super-expensive bike with the risk of it being stolen...

I need it to run errands, and also I want to get into biking in general, perhaps ride to the GW bridge into Jersey, site seeing etc...

I know I don't want a road bike because I dont want my back to be uncomfortable...

So what do you guys think about the Specialized Crosstown bike? For some reason I can't find a single thread with the word "Specialized" in it...

I was also looking at the Trek 7.3fx but it's a bit out of my price range, and also lacks suspension and I don't want to feel every single pot hole... So any advice?

As for a particular brand of bike - not as yet. It's too late at night for the war to begin on which bike is better. Wait until everyone is rested up for a merry fight! :D

As for potholes, suspension-forks can help, but much more is accomplished by technique: When you appraoch a pothole or bump in the road - get up off your saddle and become as weightless as possible. Takes a bit of practice, albeit, but it works like a charm! :thumb:

I just had my late coffee and I'm ready...

The Crossroads is Specialized's comfort model that they ended in 2008, so you might not find a new one, although many used deals could be found on Craigslist. The 7.3 FX seems to be the consensus choice here for hitting the "sweet spot" of road performance, comfort and utility. If you really are totally new to biking, then I would recommend thinking a bit about what kind of biking you will be doing, and on what kind of surfaces.

A Crossroads-type is generally considered a good choice for shorter trips if you want cushy. The weight and fat tires get fatiguing on longer road trips. A lighter frame with solid fork and, say, 32 - 35 mm tires might provide enough suspension and better speed. Never discount the fun part of the biking experience. And be aware that test rides don't provide long-term characteristics.

Now, about bike locks for Manhattan ...

Be aware that Specialized sells a bike called the "Crosstrail." It has 45mm wide tires, so they provide a good ride. For a tire that wide, they (and many others) roll very well.

It also has front suspension, if you really want it, but I would strongly suggest you get a model with a full lock out feature.

Try to avoid a suspension if you can, as they rob a lot of energy, which could be better used propelling you forward.

There are quite a few threads expounding virtues of many of your choices, most of them with many posts, on this SIG (special interest group - hybrids.) Wander thru, and enjoy the reads.

Visit a lot of bicycle shops and ride as many as you can in your price range. One of them will stand out above the others, for comfort, fit, and "want."

That being said, I love my Crosstrail, and put 30 - 50 miles on it every day. A true "do it all bike."

Biggest advice I can give you, get out and right it. Have the shop let you test ride it and any other bicycle you're interested in.

You might also look at Giant cypress DX (http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/cypress.dx.black/5687/36601/) I almost bought that one instead of my Trek 7.3fx. In the end I liked the Giant's comfort, but speed and maneuverability won out. Since you've stated the 7.3fx is out of your price range the Giant Cypress is about a 1/3 less.

The main this to reitterate here is go to a couple bike shops and ride all of them and see what you like. Take your time and really examine the pros and cons. In the end you will be happy. :)

For some reason I can't find a single thread with the word "Specialized" in it.

That is odd. I doubted that when I read it, but sure enough it is true. That being said, when I put quotation marks on either side of Specialized, e.g. "Specialized" I got plenty of results in the search.:thumb:

Thank you for your help everyone.

I've been away for a bit. I actually got my first bike! Well, it was a friend of mine who was selling an old Mongoose that he bought at probably Walmart...

I got it for less than $80 so I figured I would buy it to see if I get into riding... It is a mountain bike however, I ordered some 1.5 tires from pricepoint.com to help with the ride...

So far it is comfortable but I think the bike might be on the heavy side compared to the other biked I was talking about...

So let's hear it.. What do you guys think of my decision? I figure I could use it to help me decide if I am going to get into biking... Or did I make a mistake and might actually be discouraged because of the weight and transmission quality (or lack thereof) on the bike?

No mistake, you did well. I visit folks in Manhatten from time to time. many people use old style non-suspension mountain bikes, the going price for used is $100 or more, I'm planning to bring a few-up some day

They make sense really; not too tempting to steal, can be chained W/O worrying over scratches, heavy duty and simple. They're all over the place there. When I first spotted the post here, I saw the recommendations and thought I'd suggest such. You had resurfaced with your find, just as well.

Mongoose bikes have omly recently been dept. store types, a few years back, not so. Down here in NC, Sporting Good Stores sell 'em. Not bike shops but not d.stores either. I see no downside.

And, don't turn your nose up at entry level bikes in any category. They all have different price points, and all are good bikes for that point. The Trek 7.1FX, or 7100 are very nice bikes, as are other offerings like the Specialized Crosstrail, at lower price points than the 7.3, 7.5, etc..

Buy what you can afford, when you go looking. There is certainly nothing wrong with that.

The Mongoose was a good buy, especially just getting back into riding. Enjoy it, and build yourself up.

As you find you want another, different, bike - start trying them out - you will always be able to get your money back by reselling that Mongoose.

Welcome to the forums, and stop by often.

My wife and I have been riding for 14 months now, We started with Wal-Mart Schwinn Mountain bike. We did this to see if we would like riding. After a month we decided we wanted something better and we bought the Specialized Crosstrails, we did get the ones with the lockout feature on the fromt shocks, It made a big difference. We decided on the Hybrids, because we were both over 50 and were concerned about our backs on road bikes. We then did a 60 mile charity ride on the Crosstrails and, even though we enjoyed it we decided to try road bikes. We were lucky and found a LBS that let us take 2 brand new road bikes out for a 2 week test ride. We fell in love with them and actually found them to be more comfortable on the ling rides. So now we use our Crosstrails for what it is basicly designed for, Bike trails and MUPs. It is the perfect bike for that and we use our road bikes for the asphalt rides. I guess what I am saying here is we love both of our bikes for what they are and would not do with out either. Probably have 800 miles this year on each, we split our riding between trails and the road. You will have to decide for yourself what is the best fit and remember that that fit can change with time.