Originally Posted by
NormanF
Without knowing your height and how you like to ride, its not possible to know whether the Motobecane Grand Touring bike is good fit. As for the Performance bike you listed, this is exactly what I had in mind with your budget. You want a road bike frame and fast rolling tires and I can see this is a good entry level bike to ride. If you need a commuter bike, you would want something more practical with regards to hauling stuff than in riding fast on the road.
My height is roughly 182 cm, so 5'11" - 6'0", I guess. Supposing the Motobecane bike fit me, would it then be a good deal?
What do you mean by how I like to ride, though? I'm not sure how to answer that question, because in the past I just always got used to whatever bike I had. First, I had a mountain bike, then I got a more urban/leisure bike, and then recently I had a mountain bike again.
Also, what do you mean with your last sentence? Are you saying that the performance hybrid is more practical than a pure road bike? In what way? As for hauling stuff, like I said, I'd just my mountain bike for that. So if I was to go grocery shopping with the intention of balancing grocery bags on the bar, I'd use the mountain bike. The "better" bike would be used for both commuting (with not more than a backpack) and occasional (I don't know the frequency, but let's say once or twice weekly at most) longer rides (maybe one 40 - 60 mile ride and one 20 mile one). Would the hybrid listed be suitable for that?
Oh, and what about companies like Schwinn, Dawes and others that offer road bikes in my budget range (for example, this Schwinn Prelude -
http://www.wayfair.com/Schwinn-Mens-Prelude-Road-Bike-S4030-YZ1190.html or this 2015 Dawes Lightning Sport AL -
Save Up to 60% Off Shimano Road Bikes - Dawes Lightning Sport AL)? What exactly is wrong with them that would put a performance hybrid ahead?
I'm sorry for so many questions, but I appreciate all the help!