RobertM

Hello,

I recently joined BF and have reading all that I can on here for the past week or so. My fiancée and I recently went to a LBS and test rode a couple of Cannondale hybrids. The LBS seemed very friendly and helpful. Based on their recommendations, we are looking to buy a pair of hybrid/comfort bikes. Neither of us have been riding for a VERY long time (probably 5-10 yrs ago). If you guys could give some recommendations and suggestions, it would be very much appreciated.

We intend to ride on rails-to-trails, around town, and local parks. Most of our riding will be on pavement with the occasional dirt/rock/loose gravel path. We're both in our early 20's and in okay shape but are wanting to get into cycling for exercise (to lose some weight) and enjoyment. She is in better shape than I am thought. Another thing to consider is that I'm in the 200+ lbs. category (~230).

We're currently considering the Cannondale Adventure 3 and Cannondale Comfort 4 bikes. Any thoughts as to which would be better? Although we're leaning toward Cannondales, we're open to suggestions of bikes from other manufactures too. Any others we should check out and take for a test ride?

Also, for our needs, is getting bikes with disc brakes needed over the V-brakes?
Potentially dumb question : It's to my understanding that with hybrid/comfort bikes, the front suspension is really only to provide comfort (as compared to mountain bikes). If you are riding around town and come off of city curbs, that wouldn't be too much for it would it?

Alright, that's all the questions I can think of right now

Thanks in advance everyone,
Robert

becnal

A hybrid is a great way to go. My tourer is a hybrid, and I ride similar style trails as you would like. That Cannondale 3 looks sweet. go for it. but tell them to leave the saddle in the shop and put a Brooks on it instead. Champion Flyer, or a B17.

supcom

You don't need disk brakes on a hybrid. V-brakes are perfectly fine.

Myqul

Get A Recumbent!!

cooker

Personally I would suggest you consider something a little sportier than the somewhat comfort-oriented models you are looking at, since you are fairly young and reasonably fit. Those bikes are fine, but to my mind are intended for older or heavier people, or for very relaxed riding. My general rule of thumb when looking at bike ads is that if the handlebars are mounted higher than the seat, the bike is designed to be slow and comfortable, and if the bars are lower than the seat, the bike is designed for fairly aggressive riding. I suggest you find something in the middle, a little higher up the "performance" ladder than the Adventure - for example on that Cannondale page, the Street or Quick look a little sportier.

Treker

^ concur with the suggestion of something a little sportier given your age. If you stick with cycling, you won't regret it as you'll demand more of your bikes as you become more fit.

As for bike suggestions, I have three friends who own Giant FCRs (fitness hybrids) and they just love them. As well as thriving on pavement, I believe they can handle packed gravel trails as well. They come in 3 or 4 variants with budgets to match. ($450-800...)

With respect to shocks, given the scenario you describe, I'd forego them. IMO, they add unnecessary weight if you're not using them for the purpose for which they were designed: roots and rocks.

Good luck and whatever bikes you choose, don't rush the fittings.

AdrianFly

Cool bikes. Pick them up and ride them for thousands of miles!

When you've mastered them and have a lean muscular bod's.. then you can reward yourselves with higher end sport bikes. Very VERY cool couple's bikes! The next best thing to the wedding rings and the honeymoon are a couple of Cannondale comfort bikes for spending quality time together.

We do the "together" rides as often as possible throughout many of the scenic paths and nature preserves in my area.


Have the bike shop fit you guys for the right sizes and see about a warranty.

joe_5700

[QUOTE=Treker;7309821]^ concur with the suggestion of something a little sportier given your age. /QUOTE]

I agree too. I got back into biking last year and I am 35. After you get yourself into good riding shape you will find yourself wanting to go faster and want a more efficient bike. Don't get me wrong, I have a 2007 Trek 7200 Hybrid and absolutely love it. When I get a road bike, my Hybrid will be designated to foul weather or the 30 mile and under rides. Once you go for a long ride into a good wind, you will wish you had a road bike. You can always go with narrower tires for your road riding for more speed.

geo8rge

Consider a folding bike xooter.com swift or dahon. Front suspension is not needed, a saddle with springs should be all you need. Consider and internal geared hub rather than a derailer bike.

RobertM

First up, a big THANKS to everyone who has posted so far! I really appreciate everyone's input.
Now some questions:

Thank you for your suggestions, I appreciate it. I actually really like the Street when looking at it online but haven't seen it in person, nor can I find much information online (i.e. MSRP). I'm worried that it's probably considerably more expensive that the other two that we've been looking at. The Quick looks interesting and I think I'll definitely give it a test ride the next time I go to the LBS along with the Street if they have one.

Luckily, I believe that the LBS where we test rode the Cannondales also sells Giants so we'll take a look at the FCRs and maybe give them a spin too next time we are there.

When we are being fitted, what specifically should we be looking for? Any hints or advice?

What are the advantages/disadvantage of having an internal geared hub? I'm not familiar with this.

Thanks everyone,
Robert

Treker

With respect to 'what to look for in a fitting', there are all kinds of metrics and things to look for. This forum is chock-o-block full of discussion on the subject so I'll just add (repeat) the following:

- A good lbs will take plenty of time to make sure a good fit occurs, taking time and knowledgeably answer lots of your questions;

- First, and most obvious, is the frame size selection. Some models only come in S, M or L but some have added sizes inbetween.

- Saddle selection. There's a method to discern the right saddle width and womens' saddles differ slightly than mens'. Don't feel you necessarily have to take the stock seat. Take time to consider the pros and cons of different models.

- Saddle position. A critical aspect. Fore/aft, height, and slope/angle all figure into making a great fit. A good lbs should take time to ensure each aspect is a accurate as possible. This could include plumbing the knee over the axel etc.

- Stem selection and angle. In conjunction with your saddle position, it will determine your riding position. ie, how much pressure on your arms,angle of your back etc. A good lbs won't hesitate to change the stem length to get the right fit.

- Some models have a women's specific variant that accomodates subtle differences in their physique. Namely shorter torso, less wide shoulders and wider sit-bones. These bikes come with a slightly shorted top-tube, less wide handlebars and a womens specific seat. More things to consider.

The overriding goal of all this is, of course, to ensure that your fit is as perfect as it can be. Then, you and your bike literally become one. Sounds silly I know but believe me, it'll happen.

And be sure to test ride lots of bikes to get a feel of what you like and don't like in different bikes.

Hope this helps.

angelaharms

I started biking much older and less fit than you two, just a couple of years ago, and I'm biking with a disability. Even so, I'm tired of my "comfort" bike and looking at a faster one. My suggestion is this: if you're even considering a road bike, you don't need a comfort bike. Comfort bikes (IMHO) are for folks who can't bike unless they have a comfort bike. If that's not you, you might find the comfort bikes get really old, really fast.

cooker

I can't tell you whether either the Street or Quick are the bikes for you and I don't know what they cost. My only suggestion is to ask the LBS (and try a few stores) if they sell hybrids that are a little more "performance-oriented" and a little less "comfort-oriented". Hopefully they can guide you to a good choice.

Internally geared hubs have the advantage that you can change gears when stopped, and on folding bikes they make the rear end a little easier to pack in a suitcase, and less likely to be damaged by having the derailleur bent or smacked; but personally, I don't want one because they don't yet make them with a wide enough gear range to allow me to pedal really slowly up one side of a steep hill, and really fast down the other side. So (to me) they're like a car with only a 2nd and 3rd gear - no 1st and 4th.

Wanderer

The Crosstrail line in Specialized' lineup, is more oriented to performance - I'm sure there are similar bikes in the Trek, Giant, Cannondale, etc, lineups.

Just tell the LBS that you want to be able to go fast, and not kill yourself in the process.

"Comfort Bikes" end up being more like something you might rent, unless you have a specific need.

Ka_Jun

No singletrack? Ah, a shame.

Andy_K 

The other thing to know about comfort bikes is that they are only comfortable for 30-45 minutes or so. If you ride longer than that, the very things that are meant to make them comfortable (like the upright riding position and the heavily padded seat) start to make them distinctly uncomfortable.

Wanderer

And, curbs aren't really a good idea, once you get over 100 pounds. Kids - OK - grownups, not so much.

Alpha52

IMHO, at least go with a Hardtail MTB with decent front fork, disk brakes, and good D-Rails. I can tell you from experience that you will start out on pavement and greenways, and as you get in better shape, the singletrack MTB trails will catch your eye. Then you will wish you hadn't bought Hybrids. Make your buying decision based on two years from now when you are in great riding shape!

My wife and I both rode entry level bikes we bought in the early 1990s when we started riding again. After about 3 or 4 months, we got bored and started hitting the beginner trails. It didn't take long to figure out we had the wrong bikes.

We now ride the intermediate and advanced trails. We both ride hardtails, which we love. (Trek 4300 and Trek 6000) Both have upgraded front forks and disk brakes. I am probably going to add a full suspension bike to my stable next year.

As far as brand name, just read the forums for advice. Tons of great MTB brands like Cannondale, Fisher, Specialized, Trek, etc etc etc. We love our Treks, mostly because our local LBS sells and services them.
Most important part of your decision is frame size and fit, not brand. Test ride tons of bikes until you find the one that fits you best. Nothing against the Cannondales, but do more homework on other bikes before you buy.

Cheers and Good Luck

RobertM

Thank you to everyone who has been posting so far and giving suggestions! You guys are a lot of help. Yesterday we went back to the LBS and check out a few more bikes. My fiancée really liked the Cannondale Quick 5 that she rode around the parking lot. Unfortunately, they were low on selection of C'dale Quick bicycles, so I wasn't able to ride one. We plan to go back again next week and ride some more. The LBS is also going to give us a call when its expected order of Quicks arrives (sometime this week).

We are both getting really excited about purchasing bikes and getting riding. Thanks again for everyones help so far and thanks for steering us away from the "comfort" bikes and more toward road oriented hybrids.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Robert

deraltekluge

Oh, there are some hubs that meet your requirements...they cost in the neighborhood of $1000, though.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/rohloff.html

https://www.rohloff.de/en/products/speedhub/