I'm not sure if this should go here or in recreational cycling - I'll start off here.
I'm looking for advice about the SORT of bike I should be looking at. At first I thought a hybrid because that is what I currently ride, but the first LBS I went to is steering me more toward a comfort bike. Reading through the forums here - I think that might limit me a bit. I don't want to 'outgrow' my new bike. Or maybe I just have an issue with being led toward a 'comfort bike' even though comfort certainly is an issue. The saddle on my current bike is a real...PITA (literally!) - although raising the seat helped a bit.
About me: Female, 5'4 (well nearly) early 40's. I rode a lot when my eldest was a baby because she was happy on the back but then things slowed down for a few years especially since my youngest wasn't having the bike seat at all. Now I'm back to riding regularly and loving it. I'm a pretty casual rider. I don't ride particularly fast (I probably average about 14 MPH or so and I'll brake on hills because I don't feel comfortable with high speed) and this summer I've been riding about 10-15 miles at a shot - getting out about 5 days a week. I'm hoping to bring that up to 20 miles - but until I can ride faster, that is more of a time constraint than a physical one.
What I ride now: My current bike is a 16 year old Mongoose Hybrid 12 speed bicycle. It is a dynametric 525, and I haven't customized it at all - everything on it is what it came with (except I think we've replaced the tires but that was a flat swap out) I don't find it particularly comfortable to ride, but it is a sturdy little beast and very durable. I've ridden it for 25 miles without a real issue. I have a birthday coming up - a new bike would be a nice present.
What I'm looking for: I'm looking for a bike with lower gearing than what I currently have, that isn't skittish or temperamental, and that won't pop a flat every time I go over pot holes and rough roads. I ride mostly on the street and on paved bike paths. I would like to be able to outfit the bike with a rack and panniers so that I can use it to run errands and pick up shopping, but I still want to be able to do my regular 'run' each day. I know that as much as I've always liked the idea of bike touring, I probably won't ever go on a ride longer than 25 miles, and I won't be doing road races or 'mountain biking'.
Where I'm at: Researching! I'm still not sure if I should be looking for a hybrid or a 'road' bike. I've read here that some mountain bikes with swapped out tires are great for pavement. The first LBS I went to suggested either a Jamis Explorer 2 or a Jamis Trail XR with the wheels swapped out for a different size and different handlebars. They didn't have an Explorer in my size to try (but should have one in soon and I'll go try it out). I'm not sure how I'm going to feel about such an upright riding position. The Trail XR didn't really do it for me, but when I go back to try the Explorer I will give that a try as well. It seems a bit low-end, but with the mods that might not be an issue. A look at the Jamis website made me think that maybe I should be looking at the Citizen over the Explorer - but I'm not sure. I'm not even sure what I think about 'comfort' bike. Then again, I haven't ridden it yet, so I reserve judgment.
Any thoughts on these models or any suggestions about what I should be looking at for? My budget for the bike is no more than $600 although the ones I've looked at so far are less than that.
Thanks so much in advance. Please let me know if there is a better forum to cross-post this.
Cheers.
C.