Hybrid Bicycles - I just want to have a good time

My last bike was a Mongoose FS-1 BMX bike so my idea of biking is hopping curbs and popping wheelies from time to time. I want a bike with good speed but rugged enough to jump puddles on the paved trails in my neighborhood. I'm not at all interested in mountain biking nor do I plan to enter the Tour de France.

My question is, should I go performance hybrid (Trek 7.x FX) or something with suspension (Trek 7xxx)? Are the performance hybrids tough enough to have fun on?

Cannondale Hooligan:

http://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng/Products/Bikes/Recreation-Urban/Hooligan/Details/1317-0HL8-Hooligan-8


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeOGk089_V8&feature=related

A BMX bike.

Specialized Crosstrail. http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45705&eid=4672&menuItemId=12188

Has suspension and wide tires to help with the jumping puddles. 700c wheels, mountain bike geometry, and hybrid gearing.

That, or get a low end mountain bike. Any kind of jumping requires a stout frame or suspension and wider tires. Surely not on skinny tires like both the 7.x series and 7xxx series have. I ride my mountain bike on a bike path (crushed limestone) and it doesnt really slow me down. You could always put "urban" tires on a mountain bike so it rolls smooth on pavement, like the Panaracer UFF DA! (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/TI308A06-Panaracer+Uff+Da.aspx) tires ;)

The cannondale hooligan is a funny looking bike...looks like a mountain bike with bmx wheels... Different...

" The cannondale hooligan is a funny looking bike...looks like a mountain bike with bmx wheels... Different..."

A hybrid, I think, not BMX. They're appearing in Europe as fast city or commuter bikes. Road Gears, disk brakes, nuts performance, fits in a closet. Wheely nice.

Thanks for the suggestions. The hooligan does look funny but I want one!... just not as my only bike. I don't see me commuting on it but I guess I need to ride one.

The crosstrail sounds like a winner too. So many options, I'm stuck. I thought the 7xxx series Treks had fat tires though?

The folderisti love the Hooligan: reviews here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?448381-Cannondale-Hooligan-review

it's kind of a cool looking bike actually.

Thanks for the suggestions. The hooligan does look funny but I want one!... just not as my only bike. I don't see me commuting on it but I guess I need to ride one.

The crosstrail sounds like a winner too. So many options, I'm stuck. I thought the 7xxx series Treks had fat tires though?

The 7xxx series has 35c tires, I wouldnt call that fat by any means. My girlfriend has a 7100WSD and I wouldnt be doing too much jumping with the tires/rims it has. The Crosstrail has 45c tires, they look to be able to handle some abuse, at least the one I saw at the bike shop looked like it could handle some mild offroading.

Thanks for the suggestions. The hooligan does look funny but I want one!... just not as my only bike. I don't see me commuting on it but I guess I need to ride one.

How long is your commute? If the Hooligan is suited to the terrain and fits you well I would think you could commute at least 20 miles on one. I have a Dahon Mu P8 for commuting and I can easily go 20 miles on it without any trouble. It's not a Hooligan, it's not that different from a Hooligan either. My commute is on rush hour trains and that limits me to a folder. I doubt I would have a 20 inch bike otherwise. But you seem more attracted to them so why not try a Hooligan?

Ken

20 miles on a 20" bike is no sweat. The gear range on the 8 speed Hooly is a little less than it could be, with a 42T front cog. Easily changed for a 52, which will give around 20 mph cruising speed on the 11T on the back wheel.

52X11 will be some awfully tough pedalling at 20 MPH. IMHO

52X11 will be some awfully tough pedalling at 20 MPH. IMHO

Not on 20" wheels. Do the math.

The stock 52 x 11 top on my Dahon gives an easy 20mph - unless the USA GPS system has crashed. Cadence 85= 25.10 MPH

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
| REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE
SP CRxFW GI | 85 90 95 100 105 110 115
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1> 52x11 99.27 MPH: 25.10 26.58 28.06 29.53 31.01 32.49 33.96

52X11 will be some awfully tough pedalling at 20 MPH. IMHO

Nope, I agree that if anything it is geared a little low for 20 mph and 42x11 definitely is. It (52x11) comes out at around 93 gear inches, that would be quite low for a road bike, or hybrids, even mountain bikes. My Dahon was geared at 53x11 until I added the Dual Drive to it, now it goes higher than that! If I were buying a Hooligan for flat land use I would definitely put a larger chainring on it. If you deal with a lot of hills it might be better as it is. Just know that you will be coasting, not pedaling, on the downgrades.

Ken

This conversation has gotten too technical for me. I guess the point is that the Hooligan's gearing makes it fast eventhough it has small wheels? My commute is about 12 miles each way. If I can find a shop near me that carries them I'll try it out. It does look like a lot of fun.

This conversation has gotten too technical for me. I guess the point is that the Hooligan's gearing makes it fast eventhough it has small wheels? My commute is about 12 miles each way. If I can find a shop near me that carries them I'll try it out. It does look like a lot of fun.

Hookiefree,

I own a Hooligan 3, and I can tell you it's a fun bike. I don't think it's appropriate for long rides though as its stiffness makes the ride jarring over bumps and rough pavement. The 20 in. wheels do limit the speed somewhat. The handling is twitchy and very quick. It climbs very easily. I usually put it on the 3rd gear which allows me to go the fastest.

One thing I will say, if you ever feel like just getting on a bike and going for a spin, this is the bike to do it with. It puts a lot of fun into the riding experience by being so compact and simple.

If you get a Hooligan, I would also recommend a hybrid with 700cc wheels and a good mountain bike if you want to do some dirt riding.

This conversation has gotten too technical for me. I guess the point is that the Hooligan's gearing makes it fast eventhough it has small wheels? My commute is about 12 miles each way. If I can find a shop near me that carries them I'll try it out. It does look like a lot of fun.

The Hooligan appears to be geared a bit low if you want to go fast at a reasonable cadence. You could improve that with a larger chainring at the expense of less hill climbing power. Depending on your terrain that might be a good tradeoff. Generally a 20 inch bike is fine for a 12 mile ride. Over such a short distance my full sized bike is no more comfortable. Over 20 miles and I would start to prefer the larger bike. Some folks ride 20 inch folders exclusively and for long, long distances so it depend on the rider. Only you can decide that so give it a try along with the other bikes you are considering. My commute is 5.5 miles and my Dahon folder is great for that.

Ken