joncleve

Ok, I'm another newbie, sort of, trying to decide between three really nice hybrids that have caught my eye. I will be buying a bike hopefully within a few weeks. I would appreciate any constructive opinions positive or negative. Let me say that I am 48, a little overweight, no health issues. I want a bike I can ride two miles or 20 miles primarily on country roads, paved, with hilly terrain. I have done quite a bit of research and am pretty sure I want a hybrid, although I am looking at a few road bikes as well but I'm not sure about being in that position for long periods of time. Anyway, here are the bikes I am looking at. I have not ridden any of them and I know that is what I need to do next, I just want some feedback before I go to the LBS. I think all of these fall within my price range, not to exceed $750.

1: Scott Sportster
2: Giant FCR
3: Kona Dew Deluxe


Thanks,

Jon

cooker

Paradoxically, the road bike position might turn out to be more comfortable over a long ride. You don't have to set it up as aggressively as a racer. My quick and dirty rule of thumb is that if you race or want to ride like a racer, the tops of your handelbars should be a few inches lower than your seat. If you are a total newb with shaky skills, or have severe weight or health issues, and only expect to ride 2 or 3 miles, your handlebars should be higher than your seat. If you expect to ride a lot, or long distances, but not necessarily at maximum effort, your handlebars should be about level with your seat.

So based on that theory, the Giant OCR for example would allow just as comfortable a body position as the FCR, since it can be set up in that neutral riding position (handlebars level with seat) yet has the advantage of drop bars which are more comfortable (many people think) on long rides.

AndrewP

I agree with Cooker, but if you get a straight bar bike, have them fit bar-ends to allow some variation in hand position. It is more comfortable to have your palms facing towards each other.

Sci-Fi

Well...I know a few people that changed their flat bars to a North Road or On One Mary style handlebars. It depends what is more comfortable for you and/or if you prefer keeping the 'looking over traffic' riding position. Road handlebars may not be for everyone, but it will allow you to drop down into a more aero position, which comes in handy when the wind is blowing.

HardyWeinberg

You know, all bikes are basically made out of the same parts, attached to a frame w/ tubes connected at slightly varying angles. Your 2 mile/20 mile thing, I think tolerable over 20 miles should be the bare minimum for a usable bike, and I'm sure the 3 you listed meet that criterion. When you're considering 'road' bikes, that label is code for 'racing' in most new bike shops. I wouldn't consider a racing bike for anything but racing. Unless you could jam a triple crankset and a large rear cog onto it w/o totally messing up the shifting. When you're talking about hilly terrain, think about low gears (esp. if you might tote a load, commuting or pulling kids in a trailer or on a trail-a-bike).

joncleve

This is very good information, exactly what I wanted. I have been looking at a few more this week and I am definitely considering a Scott Speedster or a Giant OCR. My thinking at this point is to just buy the best bike I can afford and be happy with that. No I am not a racer and I won't be pulling a trailer or kids. I am new to this and fortunately I am in a position to buy myself a new bike. I realize that anything under 1K is considered to be entry level to serious riders but that's a lot of money for me to spend on a bicycle. My LBS is great. The guy has been in business a long time and and I'm confident he is going to get me fitted to the right bike. Still I appreciate the feedback and I respect the opinions of you guys, the experienced.

ImaPoser

Here's some feedback from another newb who just went through the same debate. I was looking for a bike that I could ride the bike trail at the local park with my 6 and 8 year old and also be able to use for fitness riding instead of jogging. I decided a hybrid would be the perfect choice. My final three contenders were the trek FX, Specialized Sirrus, and Jamis Coda, specifically the models between $500 and $750.
After many test rides, talking with the different LBS's and reading threads on here, I thought I had better at least try a road bike out and see if it might be comfortable enough for the slow rides. I started to do some more research on the entry level road bikes that are have a more relaxed fit, and made up a new list of potential bikes. A quick search of craigslist turned up a 2005 Jamis Ventura Sport in my size near by. The next day I went with cash in hand for a test ride. It just felt right, so I bought it. So far, I love it. Plenty comfortable for the slow rides, and capable as fast as I can push it. There is no comfort loss over the hybrids I sat on or rode, but plenty of bonuses in having the drop bars, like the fact that the last mile of my ride today was uphill into a head wind.

As much as I hated to see it when asking for advice, the idea of getting out there, and riding as many different bikes as possible before buying is the best way to find out what you really want.