Hybrid Bicycles - Bike stolen-need new bike

I bought a 2010 Trek FX 7.2 about 3 months ago and it was stolen last weekend :mad:

So now I am looking to purchase a new bike. My typical ride is 10-15 miles/day 3/4 days a week. 90% on road, and 10% in the park on gravel/dirt.

After having ridden the 7.2 I realize I now want something that is more performance oriented. I originally considered moving to a roadbike (the CAAD9-6) but I don't think I will be able to use it in the park/trails.

The hybrids I am considering to test ride at my local LBS are (budget approx $1000):

Cannondale Quick 3
Giant Rapid 1
Fuji Absolute 2.0
Specialized Sirrius Comp

How would these compare to the FX 7.2?


Thanks for the input.

I'd look at a Jamis Coda Comp as well. Steel is real. My Jamis Coda Comp has a better ride than my Giant Cypress DX.

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[URL]http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/10_codacomp.html (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/10_codasport.html)

Just out of curiosity I went out and tried out a Giant TCX 1 bike. Wow! Much more than my budget but I think a CX bike might be the perfect fit for me.

Now to try and find something that fits within my budget.

The Jamis Quest is quite the ride as well and that and the CX Jamis Nova Pro are bikes in that ilk that should be ridden.

The 2009 Jamis Coda Comp has a list price of $950, is put together better than the 2010, and can be found in closeout as low as $670 delivered on the net or for around $800 from a LBS.

Just out of curiosity I went out and tried out a Giant TCX 1 bike. Wow! Much more than my budget but I think a CX bike might be the perfect fit for me.

Now to try and find something that fits within my budget.

I was about to suggest a CX bike. I love mine and just took my best friend out to try riding it - it was has first drop handle and he had a great time.

Anyway, a US only brand so not one I've used myself (I'm in the UK) but Bikes Direct have a sale on:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/cross_bikes.htm

Those $500 "final clearance" crossers are actually said to be pretty good. Some people have bad experiences with BD, but most people seem happy, and I'be never heard of them failing to honour their 90 day return. The frames are decent - I think they tend to be the same as Fuji. Possible weak points are quality control and cheap cranks - people often take their new BD bike in for a service straight away; they can still be a bargain. My suggestion is not to go over $800 on a BD bike - hold $200 back for tweaking and you'll still probably get a bargain. I think this bike has an especially nice spec for a commuer:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_cx3.htm

If you have hills to cope with, make sure that you either get a triple chainring bike with an inner 30 or a compact dual with a 34 inner.

Other possibility:

http://www.surlybikes.com/bikes/cross_check_complete/

A very much loved steel frame; the price is kept down by the old school bar-end shifters. They're super reliable and reduce thief-appeal too.

I suggest you search the Cyclocross forum and then ask for more specific help.

I've got the Rapid 1 bike and love it. That said, I got the double, not the triple and I find myself shifting too often on that sprocket. Wish I had the mid front gear so I wouldn't have to fiddle with it on the flats and small hills.

Very nice ride, and it's the fastest bike I liked to ride. I dislike drop bars, so that was a bias of mine.

I felt the Rapid was a best quality bike for the money. I needed to keep the price to less than $1000, and I got this one for $910, plus a couple of extras.