eaglefan

Hello everyone. I have been back into riding for almost a year. I ride for fun and also ride to work as much as I can. I currently have a Giant Rapid3 I bought used, from my LBS. It was my first bike since I was in my youth and I got a good deal on it. It is to big for me but it was a good deal and I wanted to see how I liked it and how much I would enjoy it before dropping a bunch of $$$ into it riding.
Well the riding bug has bit and I am totally into riding as much as I can. I have been "looking" for a new bike with proper fit and function. I have a ortlieb pannier that works awesome for what I need. For fun, I will drive to the beach here and ride, fitness and fun. All riding I do is on asphalt that is in good condition.
What I am looking for are suggestions of bikes that will meet what I am looking for. My trip to work is 5 miles one way.

1. I prefer fast over comfort. Meaning no suspension or big wide tires. Have 25 gatorskins on current bike and love them
2. Must be able to use a rack on rear of bike
3. a great reliable component group.
4. $1500 would be my limit
5.

I have a few bike bike shops that sell the normal big brand stuff, but they dont have many hybrid bikes in stock.
So, I would like to hear comments, reviews of bikes that fit what what I am looking for.
Thanks for all comments

Dilberto

Try 2013 Cannondale Bad Boy 5.....

Joelpatrick

$1500 can get you quite a lot in the hybrid category. You should be able to get a high end hybrid and enough for accessories(lights/bottle/bottle cage/bags/tools/etc) and racks within that $1500 budget. I assume that you aren't looking for anything with drop bars since you are in the hybrid forum. Here is a list I threw together of the top brands and the models that should be what you're looking for. Each model will usually come in different degrees(example, Cannondale Quick 5, 4, SL3, SL2, SL1) usually starting around $500 and doing up to around the $1500 mark. I personally ride a Cannondale Quick 4 and love it. However, if I had seen it before my purchase I would have gotten a Cannondale Bad Boy 5. Anyways, here is the list in no particular order and links to what I think fits the description of what you're looking for.

Cannondale
Quick
https://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes...ation/quick-sl
Bad Boy
https://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes.../urban/bad-boy

GIANT
Escape
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...0/11500/55829/
Rapid
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...1/11499/55824/
Seek
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...0/11501/55835/

Specialized
Sirrus
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/multi-use/sirrus
Source
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/multi-use/source

Trek
FX
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...ness/fx/models
SoHo
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...ho/soho_deluxe

Jamis
Coda
https://www.myjamis.com/SSP%20Applica...cat_grp=strt_2

pierce

I've always been rather down on Cannondale as they seem to love to do things different, and use completely incompatible things on their bikes. weird headset sizes, that sort of thing.



ya know, if you are running 25c tires, and really want fast and light, you probably should be at least test riding some full road touring bikes too. flat bars are not conducive to riding fast/far. Specialized Allez or Tricross, Trek 520, or whatever.

personally, I think 28c tires are a far better fit for road riding. Heck, they even use 28c on the more difficult stretches of the Tour de France.

DocsDad

I don't know the condition of your Rapid 3, but that's a pretty nice bike if you have no complaints. But, if you really want to "go for it"... that kind of cash opens the door nicely as others have pointed out.

Have fun test riding.

eaglefan

Thanks for your replies. The Rapid 3 I do like, it is just to big for me. I am 5ft 10 and it is an XL. I had the shop "shorten" the bike up as much as they could, moved seat forward and moved bars back with a shorter piece that holds them.
Does anyone know anything about the Moterbecane Century Pro? I know the issues about buying online, but are they good quality bikes? Don't want to spend the money on junk. Are there any other opinions on some other brands that are not as common?
Thanks

fietsbob

N/m

ikaika777

I have a Giant Escape 2 and I love it. I'm the same height as you, 5 10 but with my shoes I'm 6 feet and I take a "large" in Giant bikes but when I test rode the Escape in large and extra large after 2 hours of test riding both I bought the extra large. It just felt better for me and I have broad shoulders from weight lifting. Since you have experience with the Rapid 3 why don't you just buy a Rapid 1 in your size? The Rapid is an awesome bike and Giant makes great bikes for the money.

DEW21

Bought a Giant Escape 2 also back in September and loving it. Allthough not high end by any means its perfect for my needs.

ikaika777

It’s a really great bike and fast. And you can slowly add higher end components to it if one wishes to, although the components on it now seem just fine.

bjjoondo 

Although the Jamis Coda was recommend, for YOUR wants, I'd go with the "Jamis Allegro Elite" model, it's Alum. framed and carbon fiber forked and would be "quicker" than the Coda models: https://www.myjamis.com/SSP%20Applica...cat_grp=strt_3
At a MSRP of $1100, you'd have money left over for accessiories or any "changes" you wanted made for "perfect fit". I have both a Coda Sport and a Allegro 1 and the Allegro is much more on the "Sporty" side of the equation. JMHO, YMMV PS: I put "25's" on mine but since I'm a Clyde Rider, (230lbs) they were too "rough" feeling for me, went to "28's" from the stock "32"s", FYI.

eaglefan

Thanks for the info. I checked them out today and the Allegro looks awesome. Also looked at the BMC model alpenchallenge and that is really nice too. Anyone have any experience with this BMC bike?

pierce

Jamis bikes look like a great deal, several $100 cheaper than the 'major' brands for near identical bikes.

Don't see them here on the west coast too often. We mostly see Specialized, Trek, Giant, Cannondale, "Raleigh", Kona, and speciality brands like Santa Cruz, Electra, etc.

To me, assuming the bike is the general type you want, and you're happy with its gears and brakes and stuff, the most important thing is how well it fits you, and how in tune with its ride you feel. The different brands have slightly different base geometry... like, Specialized bikes tend to have a fairly long top tube length, which suits me as I have a long torso for my size.