General Cycling Discussion - Buying a new bike, please help! =)

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misssasia
03-21-05, 11:30 PM
Hello, I'm new to bikeforums, and a new bikeowner-to-be. Please help! =)
I'm looking to purchase a hybrid, safe to hit a bit harder terrain and of course on those local WestLA city streets too. Here are a few I personally test-rode and liked. Please give me your opinion, I value your thoughts. One main concern I do have is that I want a lighter bike with street tires (thinner) but am I able to change to a thicker tread on these bikes? I really don't like the weight of mtn bikes. I'm a lightweight to begin with, would love the swifter ride with comfort.

1.Trek 7500 Hybrid
http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Cit.../7500/index.php

2. Cannondale Adventure 800
http://cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/model-5AS8.html

3. Giant Cypress SX
http://www.giantbicycles.com/us/030...asp?model=11053

Any other models in equivalent to these? and for those super nice people out there.. any place that you recommend I can great deals/service to purchase my bike? I visited Supergo, Helen's Cycles in Santa Monica, pretty cool there.. any reputable online retailers?

Thanks for helping...

PWRDbyTRD
03-21-05, 11:52 PM
The trek has pretty narrow chainstays...bigger tires wouldn't be an option. The cannondale has larger tires to begin with, ,I don't know much about this bike though...the Giant cypress, I actually ran into a guy today at walmart with one of these and he seemed to dig it. If you plan on hitting some dirt I would opt for the cannondale or giant...those trek hybrids look like a friggin' flatbar roadbike to me
PWRDbyTRD
03-21-05, 11:54 PM
you my find this thread helpful... http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-71569

misssasia
03-22-05, 12:05 PM
Hey there.

thanks for the thread.. i know i'm not hitting any tough terrain, but just wanted some extra traction if i hit a dirt-type road vs the city road. hmmm...anything you can recommend to me while i'm making this purchase? what should i look for , etc?
tulip
03-22-05, 12:16 PM
I've said it many times before, and I'll say it again. Jamis makes some very nice, reasonably-priced bikes that are worth checking out. Jamisbikes.com
PWRDbyTRD
03-22-05, 03:33 PM
considering that factor, you could potentially run a cyclocross 25C tire or something of that sort on the trek. If the bikeshops things you could run a cyclocross tire then the trek might be a good choice...I've seen em at the bike shop and think they look great and I've heard good things. The other 2 shouldn't have an issue with even mountain bike 1.75" tires...