Hybrid Bicycles - Buying Help: Fitness Hybrid

So many choices ... What to buy? First major bike purchase live in a great biking town ... lots of paved trails and all roads have paths. I want a fitness hybrid. I have looked at so many I am now lost, what major things do I need to consider? I like: top is Giant FCR3/Rapid3, then a bunch of seconds: Trek fx 7.3, Specialized Sirrus, Scott Sub 30 ... hmmmm how to choose. Some closeouts are happening ... Also, have a couple of local bike shops in town ... so maybe being loyal to them (service) will be useful in the long run. What's your take? Can't wait to get my bike!!!

First i wont buy unless they will let me take it for 1/2 to an hour to get comfortable or not with it.Then if all else re: components is equal otherwise,then the one which feels the best.But then im handy with bike repairs so dont much care if i like dealer or not,so long as they are half decent.But having said all that i have found all of that in one dealer,nice range of bikes and decent guys at lbs.

Have you checked out the Cannondale Quick bikes?

They are all nice bikes, and buy the one you can afford, with the best components. Buying better components when new, is usually the best and cheapest way to upgrade.

Ride them all, as much as you can. One will stand out as fitting you the best for comfort and efficiency. Then, there's also the one you like the best.

With any luck, at all, they will be one and the same.

Last, but not least, consider the dealer who has been the most helpful in getting you on the best bike for you - they will probably be the best to take care of you when service is needed.

Can't go wrong with a Sirrus.

Test ride each of them. Figure out which one fits you best and feels the best.

Purchase from an LBS that you like the staff.

Thanks for all of the input I should try them out, sometimes I get impatient and just want to get it. I haven't looked much at the Cannondale Quick so I will. What things do I look for to see if it is a good fit? I rented a Trek FX 7.3 at one of the bike stores and it rode great but I am not used to the new seats and my hands were a little sore after a two hour ride. Keep in mind it's been 30 years since I've been on a bike. I do run and other things just haven't been on a bike for a long time. So what things should make me say this is it!

First off, make sure all are adjusted the same. Seat height should be high enough that your leg is straight with just your heel on the pedal at the bottom of the stroke. Then, pedalling with the ball of your foot, you will have the right bend of your leg at the bottom of the stroke.

Adjust handlebars so they are at a comfortable angle.

Make sure seats are "LEVEL", they can all be adjusted for fine tuning later. Seats are also the most changed things on any bikes, to find the one you like the best.

Things like Ergon Grips will help immeasurably with comfort, as will bar ends for more hand postions.

Hopefully, if you buy Trek, that dealer will apply that rental to the purchase price.

Good point I don't want a bad setup to determine my choice. thx

Can't go wrong with a Sirrus.

Test ride each of them. Figure out which one fits you best and feels the best.

Purchase from an LBS that you like the staff.

+1 You beat me to it.. :thumb::p:D

As others have said, a good fit is important. Ride as many as you can find in your size, then (hopefully) one will stand out for you. I just went through this search and chose a 2009 Jamis Coda Sport. It was a tough decision-between that and the 2009 Fuji Absolute 2.0, which is also a nice bike that was on closeout for a very reasonable price. I chose the Coda Sport because the steel frame handled rougher pavement a little better for me. (YMMV)

Prior to that, I'd also taken out a 2009 Trek FX 7.3 (yet another pleasant ride) and was waiting for a Sirrus to come into the LBS when I found the Coda. Owner reviews can be quite helpful in giving you suggestions for your search, but in the end you are the one riding the bike.

Can't go wrong with a Sirrus.

Test ride each of them. Figure out which one fits you best and feels the best.

Purchase from an LBS that you like the staff.

Love my Sirrus- it's more of a road bike feel.