Hybrid Bicycles - Newbie - Please help me decide on Hybrid!

Hello - I am new here so thanks in advance for your advice and help.

I am considering 2 bikes and I was wondering if I could get some opinions:

Cannondale Quick CX FS - love the frame, components not so much - price - $999

Gary Fisher Montare - ok frame, don't like the cable routing but very nice components - price $999

I will be 80% on roads and bike paths and very ocassionally on a path fire road. I do like the fact that the fisher is set up to put mountain bike tires on if desired.

The LBS's here in Florida do not stock these bikes so I can only ride comparable models in the lines to determine what I want. Any thoughts here? Thanks in advance.

I'd say get any comfortable hybrid that is sold @ your LBS. They're not high performance bikes, and the maintenance that you'll get from your LBS makes up for any slight percieied differences in quality.

Thanks! Any other opinions? Also - can someone recommend a good online seller of accessories and clothing - with good services and prices? Thanks!

I would say to get the bike that feels the best - by test-riding them. And I disagree that hybrids are not high-performance bicycles. They can be as high performance as the owner wishes. Hybrids make great blank canvasses for people who wish to tweak the most out of them. As I have done with my former Trek 7.5 FX.

So test-ride any and all. Then make your decision.

Cool - appreciate your opinion Panthers007. What about a recommendation on a place on the web to get bike parts/accessories? Thanks

There are tons of good outfits available to you. Just find one that has what you are looking for at the lowest price. And try to consolidate orders to help cut down on shipping costs. Google is your friend.