Hybrid Bicycles - Advice on entry level hybrid - Giant, Specialized, Trek or Cannondale

Hi,

I've been lurking around here for a while. Lots of great information on this forum - thanks!

I started riding more seriously this past summer and I am planning to upgrade to a decent hybrid from my $99 Canadian Tire mountain bike, most likely in the spring. For the summer, I've got the SuperCycle on a trainer to keep my fitness up.

I have a short list of bikes I'm considering and was wondering if anyone could point out any pluses, minuses, cautions, comparisons, etc between these bikes. Things to think of like materials for the frame and fork, hardware and whether the bikes lean more to the road bike versus the comfort bike end of the spectrum.

I'm looking at:
Giant Rapid 3
Specialized Sirrus
Trek 7.2 fx, and
Cannondale Quick 5

A guy at the LBS thought that the Giant was most road bike-like with the Cannondale next and the Specialized at the more comfort end of the scale. That particular shop doesn't carry Trek.

I am 5' 6" tall, 180# and mostly ride on street and MUP around Toronto. I like to push myself and ride fairly quickly when I'm on my own, and I do casual riding with the family. I'm interested in adding a rack for a trunk and the usual bell, lights and a basic computer. I've taken a Trek 7.1 for a test ride and liked it a lot. It's been a bit cold for more test rides and I'll probably wait until the bike show or the spring to make the purchase.

Please let me know what you think and perhaps if there are other bikes I should be considering (although I would like to narrow my choices if possible).

J

Just get it over with and get a road bike.

Ride all you can, and one will surface as teh best for you.

They are all similar bikes - just get the one you like the best.l

They all have similar components and similar frame/fork material. Ride them and buy the one you like. I'll go as far as to say at entry level you can base your decision on paint color. I'm not knocking entry level bikes here, I ride one myself.

Check out all the bikes you like - and take them for a ride. The one that feels best is the one you want. Let us know how it goes!

Happy Cycling!

Thanks all. That's kind of what I expected for answers. I was just wondering if there are other subtleties I should be considering.

LOL, 10 Wheels, I probably would but the entry level for road bikes seems to be $200-300 more than I have to spend.

And Mr Danw, as far as colour - they all come in grey-silver!

Looks like I need to get out and ride some of these puppies!

J

That is your best bet. Have fun at the bike shops. I would also select a bike based on the service you receive at the bike shops. Treatment after the sale is as or more important than the sale itself.

At this entry level most bikes are very similar quality wise with similar shimano components. Best thing - as everyone has said - is to try them out as the difference is going to be geometry.

If you want more suggestions, also keep an eye out on Kona Dews (you being Canadian and all).

"I like to push myself and ride fairly quickly"

Me too. I bought a 7.2 FX as my first bike four months ago. I didn't even test ride road bikes because I considered them cost-prohibitive. I fell in love with cycling with the Trek. Brought my dad's 1986 Scwhinn Prelude road bike home a couple months ago. I commute 18 miles round trip daily. Unless it's raining, I ride the Schwinn. The effect of better aerodynamics (drop bars) and lighter weight (29 lbs vs 24) makes for a much more rewarding ride. The overall difference in time is minor...the Schwinn can do 2-3 minutes faster over the course of 35-40 mins. So, it depends what you think you want out of a ride. If you think you will want to see how fast you can sustain in a straight, attack hills, and fight the wind...you're better off picking up a used road bike. On the other hand, if you want something almost as quick, the hybrids are fine. To mount a rack, just make sure you get a bike with eyelets on the rear. Don't need braze-ons on the seatstays...you can get p-clips.

I have a 09 Fuji Crosstown 4.0 and love it. It is fairly light seems like its built pretty well. Its also priced great. I have only got about 50 miles on it over the last 2 weeks but there will be many more in the near future. I cant comment on the longevity of the components as I have not owned it long but will keep everyone posted in my profile.

Everyone's advice has been good. The two most important factors should probably be the shop itself (are they nice guys, or jerks?), and how the bike fits.

I have an '02 Sirrus A1 (the base model at the time, I think--about $550 then), and I'm very happy with it. Current models are a little different, but conceptually the same (a flat-bar road bike, not a fat-tired curb-hopper). I've ridden it a bit on not too-rough trails, and it did the job fine. I use it as my road bike (I switched it to drops). It's a few pounds heavier than a "road bike", but it goes as fast as I can pedal it.

They all sound like good choices. If the bike shop is very helpful, shop some other brands. Lots of choices i terms of entry level bikes.

If you are looking to buy one bike to serve multiple purposes, get a hybrid. If your main goal is to push yourself and get fit, get a road bike. Don't fall into the trap that you can slap on some drop bars and you are magically going to have a road racer. It's not that simple. Not a hybrid hater, I just realize their limitations. I have a 94' Specialized Crossroads, my daughter has a 94' Trek 720, and I just bought a 90' Trek 750 that I am eagerly waiting it's arrival.