Evan92

Alright. This summer I hope to get a bike it will probably be a hybrid. I was looking at the trek 7100. I will be using it on RAGBRAI and for transportation this summer because I am not old enough to drive. We have a bike trail here and I will use that too. Do you think that it is a good bike, if not give me suggestions.

spinnaker

I'd look for something without the shocks on the front. It will really do nothing for you in the riding that you are planning and only add weight and it will be something else to fail.

You can go with a dedicated trail bike (similar to a hybrid but no shocks). But I would strongly consider a road bike. Your young and there is no reason why you would need the added comfort of a hybrid / trail bike.

Evan92

I was told that I should get something with front shocks. I think that in a month or so I'm going to go to the bike store and ride some and see what I like. What kind of tires should the bike have for the riding I will be doing.

CrosseyedCrickt

I used to own a 7100, it was my first "real" bike.
It wasn't bad at all. I commuted on it and lost many pounds doing so.
For street riding a shock fork is overkill really. You don't need it for the street. And for light groomed trail riding it is not needed either. How technical are the trails you plan on riding? Something paved or with gravel/hard dirt? If so then the shock won't help at all, it's more of a marketing thing. Plus the RST shock that came on mine was sub-par really. Having said that, the weight of the shck wasn't a concern for me, and I enjoyed every minute on the bike.
Now I ride a fully rigid bike on the street and there really is a difference.
From me to you, if you don't plan on doing anything but commuting and joy riding then the 7100 will fit the bill quite nicely, especially for the price range. there are better bikes/deals out there. but for a first bike the 7100 is not bad at all, so long as you are sure you want a hybrid.

Evan92

I rode the same trails last summer on my dad's bike. I don't know what that is but I don't like the geometry on it. I can't remember if there was any gravel at all but it's mostly paved and I will be on mostly paved paths/streets. What is the difference between a hybrid and a trail bike, anyway? My aunt has a Trek 7000 and she seems to like it.

spinnaker

Whoever told you that is wrong, at least for the type of riding that you have planed. If you want to do some mountain bike type riding then get the shocks. Otherwise they are a waste.

I really have to laugh at people I see in parks, riding on a paved path at 4 miles an hour but the have those nice shocks up front. Well at least they think they look good.

The difference between a hybrid and a true trail bike is that the trail bike does not have the shocks (there may be a few other differences such as slight tire size).

Evan92

Alright so what bikes would you recommend?

TrekDen

I'd recommend getting a model without the shock as well for the type of riding you say you'll be doing.
Trek 7000, Trek 7.2, Specialized Globe, Schwinn Voyageur, Giant Cypress ST. These are just some of the models out there that don't have front shocks.

Retro Grouch 

If I had to limit myself to one bike it would definitely be a road bike.

A cool fellow like you should not ride a Trek 7100. If you do you will lose so many style points that you may ultimately die a virgin. A Trek 7100 is a bike for somebody like your auntie.

East Hill

Road bike vote here too. You might want to check Craigslist to see if there's a used one in good shape that you can pick up for cheap. Actually you might want to check CL anyway, depending on where you're located.

But you definitely don't need shocks for the kind of riding you're planning.

East Hill

spinnaker

Like I said, for the riding you have planned and you youth, consider a road bike. I'm 47 years old and there are plenty of people older than me that ride them without problems.

Go to you LBS and take each type for a ride and see what you like best. After you settled on a type, then take different models out for a ride to pick your model.

spinnaker

Yes, I went for years where it was difficult to get a date. I wondered why. Then I bought my road bike. After that I couldn't beat the babes off with a stick.

Digital Gee

Bought a 1989 Trek 1500 in excellent shape for $125 the other day. The guy had the original receipt -- just under $1,000. There are bargains galore out there on Craigslist.

TrekDen

Evan,
I was just pointing out the types of bikes you were talking about. By all means try out some road bikes. Your interest can change so quickly at a young age. You may go from riding on bike paths, to racing in junior road races in a couple of months. You just never know.

TrekDen

It's true! I usually carry a saw with me when I ride with Spinnaker for emergency tree cutting

Cyclist0383

Check out the Jamis Coda line of bikes. They have a lot of bang for the buck and no front shock.

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/...codasport.html

Cyclist01012

Ill throw my .02 out and sugest a cross bike, and a second set of rims. Keep one set up with road tires and one set up with knobbies. Switch out wheels for the type of ride you are going to do and your good to go. Oh I do Goba on a cross bike and will mostlikely do Tosrv on one this year if it looks like rain.

Evan92

We were driving around today and I saw the bike trails and it makes me want to ride.
Milice: What do you mean cross bike?
What are some brands to stay away from? Forgot to say I would like to stay under $1000

Evan92

What about brakes and handlebars? Anything I need to look at.

Cyclist01012

Cyclocross bikes. Look a lot like a road bike drop bars ect but with enough room to run a beefier set of tires. Trek xo1 are running about 1200-1300 surley crosschecks and redlines are a bit cheaper priced you would have to look in your area.

We use them around here in the off season as training bikes on the roads mount lights and ride amish country after dark. ANd to race cross on.

Evan92

I actually kind of like the XO1. I just don't like the handlebars. I want some handlebars kind of like the ones on MTBs

Evan92

Can anyone tell me if you can switch the handlebars.

Cyclist01012

If you switch out the bars to flat bats you would have to switch out the shifters and get mt bike shifters and levers brake levers.

Drop bars offer alot more hand positions then flat bars

Evan92

Well I guess when I go to the LBS I'll have to see how I like the drop bars. Are they comfortable to ride? Another thing is there is one LBS that sells mostly Treks, a Schwinn LBS, and a big sports store with a good bike selection (not Wal-Mart bikes). Which one do you think I should go to?

Cyclist01012

Personally I would check them all.