Still needing help with a bike!
 

Well I thought I had it figured out and was getting myself a MTB and my husband a comfort, but after remembering and riding a MTB and feeling the pain in my lower back I dont know about the riding position. Also I have been reading and not many people have good things to say about comfort bikes other than the comfy seats. Should I be looking for toward a hybrid? Just for reference again we will be riding the creeper trail which is a rail trail, greenways, parks, some light mountain trails, and maybe some road riding. I know we are both wanting something comfortable for our back issues but something we will be happy with for awhile. Speed and things of that nature are not a huge issue. Help!

Ride as many bikes as you can. Whatever you are comfortable on and want to ride then that's the bike for you.

If you like the hybrid, comfort, tricycles with training wheels, or whatever, then go out and enjoy. I will simply pass you and make fun of you until I hit a parked clown car and flip end over end into a pile horse manure left after a spontaneous parade breaks out.

Some bikes are better than others for certain purposes. Lance wouldn't let me ride in the Tour de France one year because he didn't want to be embarrassed. My clyde status and bike with fenders, mudflaps, rear rack, and attached milk crate with a stuffed animal lion are made for speed.

Since you mention a new Giant. I think the Giant Sedona is a comfortable bike. Yesterday, I bought one for $360.00.

Trek Navigator series are nice comfy bikes:

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...r/navigator20/

they have mens and womens models too.

My advice would be to get a couple hybrids, or some cyclocross bikes. Either way you'll be happier with 35mm or so width tires if your going to do ANY on road riding. I ride my cross bike on mtn trails no problem... and the cool thing is I can ride to the mtn trails on the roads.

Otherwise go with a hybrid with flat bars. They will give you good control and their tires won't be too large for road riding either.

my .02 cents

Bar ends on flat bars can give you more hand positions and change your posture on the bike too. Just something to consider with MTB, comfort or hybrid bikes.

If you have back issues, then you might consider a more upright bicycle. I would ride some hybrids and comfort bikes to see how they treat your back. Fit and adjustment will be important. Working on your core muscles will also help.

If your budget will allow touring bikes are also a good option. I ride a steel touring frame and find it to be quite a comfortable ride. The riding position is also more upright, depending on the height of your bars. I ride a LHT which I love, but there are other tourers out there.

What brand and hybrid could I find for 350 or less even in a close out that could go on some light mountain trails also?

The Giant Sedona is $360-ish...

I love my Jamis Coda Sport. It's a flat bar road bike (28mm tires,) that I converted over to trekking bars for more comfort for my handsa and shoulders.

Check out the Jamis "Comfort and Bike Path" cycles. The Citizen 1 lists for $340 and you probably will get a better deal at your LBS.

Also, check out the Commuter 1. It list for $390, but you will probably find it for around $350 or less.

If you are experiencing back problems or pin on a bike, check out this article from Sheldon Brown.. It gives you a good insight on where the pain is actually coming from.

i think something i will want is 26" tires....are their any hybrids that have that?

I'll say something good. I rode a comfort bike (a Specialized Expedition Sport) for six years before I "graduated" to a light tourer with drop bars. I kept the SES for backroad duties at the cottage because I didn't really want to part with it. I had a ton of fun on it and rode it for hundreds of miles without a single mechanical problem. It got me back into biking -- and reignited my love of the sport -- after too many years away. And it helped me to lose about 70 pounds and get into the best shape I've been in since high school. I do the same kind of riding you describe in your post, and a good comfort bike worked very well for me. It was $350 very well spent.

Trek Pure Sport
Trek Navigator
Specialized Expedition Sport
Giant Suede DX
Giant Sedona
Electra Townie
Jamis Explorer 2
Jamis Hudson 2
Jamis Citizen 2
Raleigh Venture 3

Just to name a few...

I have a Specialized Crossroads I ride on the rail trail, half gravel/half paved. It has 38mm tires and is very comfortable to ride after I swapped out the saddle. This year I am adding a trekking bar for more hand positions.

A couple of things to note: Generally, the Comfy bikes will have a more upright riding position and more comfortable seat/Saddle along with wider tires. The Hybrids typically come with a thinner tires and a more aggressive riding position than a comfy bike but not as much as a road bike. I would compare a Hybrid and MTN bike to similar riding positions. You're best bet is to go to a LBS and have them let you ride a few around the lot to see what's comfortable to you and your hubby. We all have opinions about what's the best, but ultimately you have to decide what you want and what feels good on your back. I personally would buy what I would enjoy riding more. A really nice MTN bike isn't any good if it's parked in the garage because you don't like the way it makes your back hurt, etc..

Sometimes the only way to find what you want or need is through trial and error. Go to several bike shops and sit on a variety of bikes. Once you start to get an idea of what you think feels good inside the store then start taking test rides outside, or inside with the bikes set up on a trainer if you're in a frozen region. What feels good to you in the store might actually feel bad out on the road after a few miles.

I have back issues too, but I actually feel better on road bikes and slightly aggressive MTB setups. Sitting bolt upright kills my back after a few miles.

Ask friends and relatives and neighbors if they have a bike that you could take for a 5 mile test ride.

I sold a Giant Sedona last summer for $50 to a guy who uses it to ride to and from the Park&Ride 3 miles from his house, then puts it on the bus bike rack to get to and from his workplace. The guy I got it from put probably 2,000 miles on it riding his 5 mile work commute until the rear axle broke. The Sedona works just fine for a casual rider on shorter rides. For me it just didn't work out. 26" wheels, room for knobbies and fenders, suspension seatpost, rigid fork, a basic older upright bike. Others brands carry similar models.

The only way to know what you'll like is through experience and testing a bunch of bikes.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...st/7357/44083/

Giant Sedona ST. Should come in around $300 at your LBS ($299 at mine). Steel frame, no frills...but I got a lot of use out of mine before I decided I wanted 700c wheels and more of a comfort bike.

For the 700c wheels and more strictly road usage, the Cypress ST is also right around $300 (also $299 at my LBS).

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...st/7354/44066/