Wmorales

Hi All,

I am looking to start riding again and decided it was time to get rid of my old Nishiki that has served me well. I am big on riding for fun and just exploring different parts of NY but with this new bike I would like to possibly check out a few of the parks that offer some off-roading opportunities (i.e Cunningham Park for any familiar with NYC). Most of the time (80-90%) I will be riding for fun/fitness and just exploring but I do like to take stairs and other non-road urban terrain when it seems like more fun.

I am pretty much set on a Hybrid but I am not sure the type of Hybrid to get.

These are the bikes I am looking at with a suspension:


Specialized Crosstrail Sport Disc
Giant Roam 2
Trek 8.3 DS


I am also looking at these other Hybrids:

Trek 7.4FX (Will go with a 7.2 or 7.3 if it ends up being the bike for me)
Cannondale Quick 4
Sirrus Sport (Possibly the Elite)



While I really like the Crosstrail Sport Disc, if I can get a better bike for me that is lighter and geared more towards what I will be using it for I will go that route. I am wondering if I go with the 7.4 or the Quick 4, how much "off-roading" can I really do with it? If I do go with a Crosstrail, is the loss of speed noticeable from a more road-type hybrid?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Jaeger99

What kind of off-roading do you have in mind? My 7.2 FX handles gravel paths and groomed woodland trails with ease. The kind of trails that would have me wishing for suspended forks would likely have me wishing for a full MTB.

WestPablo

What do you mean by, "take the stairs"..and "non-road urban terrain"?

That sounds more like an urban assault bicycle. A bicycle with wide tires, or perhaps, even a "fat bike"!

If so, I think maybe you're looking at the wrong bikes...

Wmorales

I think gravel/groomed trails would be the extent of what I would be doing as far as off road goes.

Urban assault, while awesome sounding, seems like a more extreme version of what I do. I guess my questions really is if Hybrids can take withstand leisure rides that are not just flat roads/terrain. Anyone living in NYC probably has a good idea of what I am talking about.

Northwestrider

Have you considered a 29er

Wmorales

I have, but I have heard that 29er bikes are usually not suited for smaller riders. I am 5'6" so I think it may be an issue.

WestPablo

Well, this is your answer from Amazon whatever you're urban goals may be:

The '12 Marin Muirwoods 26er Urban Commuter "Assault" Bicycle @ $450

15" = 5' 6"

bikemig 

I like the Novara Safari at REI; it is currently on sale. I think the trekking bars that come stock on that bike are very useful as they give you a number of different hand positions.