I got this bike (Giant Cypress) a month ago, and finally rode it to work this morning. As I write, it's in the empty cubicle next to mine - a shining example for everyone to see.

What a great ride in the cool of the morning. Traffic was light, I wasn't working too hard, a very pleasant trip. The route I took was 6.5 miles long almost entire through residential areas.

This is the start of something grand!

carl

Way to go! I hope you can get thru the Texas heat in the Summer.

It's great to read some good news once in awhile. Congratulations and best of riding and commuting!

Hogwild,

All this talk of new bikes is making me want to go home and clean mine up a bit and go riding!

That's excellent!

The Cypress was at the top of my list for new bikes when I was looking for a commuter bike a month or so ago. Had I not found the used Trek 700, that's what I would have bought.

All the best riding to you!

Jonathan

HogWild

I have been riding a Giant Option on my daily commute for the past 5 months. It is about the same as your Cypress (hybrid, right?). My cycle has held up with no problems. Good luck!

I gotta say--all these folks riding their bikes TO WORK.
Before I found this discussion board, I really felt like it was me against, well, not the world, but I felt pretty isolated and "in the minority" (a minority of one, at least where I work). I may still be in the minority, but I've noticed all these people who commute safely and pleasurably by bike and it blows the lid off
the prejudicial attitudes of non-cyclists.

Yeah!!!!! :thumbup:

Way to go Hogwild. My commuting bike is a Giant as well, being going great for 7 years with only minor work.
:thumbup:

Carl,
Way to go, dude! I think you will like the Cypress. I am enjoying mine. Bring it on down here, and let's ride!
Raymond

My mountain bike is a Giant Iguana that I bought in 1993 because it was highly reviewed by that big consumer magazine that never wants to be quoted anywhere. I haven't regretted the purchase a bit, though coping with the largely unavailable Suntour components has got to be somewhat of a problem (I think the newer Iguanas have, or had, Shimano).

My other bike is an old Nishiki road bike I bought used from a good local dealer and I've enjoyed it a lot, too. I put lots of money into upgrading it and fixing it up. That was when I thought I could afford to spend money like that!

I used the Iguana somewhat more for commuting, but sometimes it was more of a road-bike kind of day and I rode to work on the Nishiki. No rack on it, so I would carry a backpack. Rack and panniers on the Iguana, eventually a Nightsun lighting system which now sits abandoned in a corner because I can't afford a new $140 battery for it and wouldn't buy one if I could.

I'm pretty happy with my Cypress so far. It's their hybrid (comfort cross) line. I figured my old fat body needed the bicycling equivalent of a La-Z-Boy recliner (I also have a Honda Goldwing - same theory).

I've found a couple of things though - I've got a little over 180 miles on it (don't laugh - my mileage is increasing every day) and it seems to me like the shifter cable has stretched some. It's a little touchy shifting in the middle range (4th, 5th and 6th). Also, I think the front wheel is a bit out of true (probably from hitting potholes). Still, I expected that sort of stuff - a new bike needs to settle in. I'm also still experimenting to find the perfect handlebar position.

Fortunately, my LBS (Bike Pro of San Angelo - great folks, by the way) has unlimited service for the first year after purchase, so if I can stay off it long enough to take it in, I'm sure they can re-adjust things. I think it was very well set up when I first got it.

All in all, I'm a happy commuter!

carl

(Raymond: I'm there, buddy!)

Yeah, new brake and shifter cables always stretch and need adjustment after a couple of hundred miles.

HogWild, when you take your bike in for adjustment, you might get him/her to show you how to make little adjustments to the brakes and shifters on the fly--it can make a world of difference in comfort. I tweak something almost every time I ride, because between normal stretching and the jolts and jars of city street riding, no bike will stay in perfect adjustment for long.

It's great that you're seeking the best handlebar position, etc. and not just accepting things as they were handed to you--every rider is different and needs a little different setup. Some handlebar adjustments will alter the way the brakes and shifters respond, of course.

Jon, I think that's a good idea. I hope to use this warranty period by hanging out in the repair shop while they're doing any adjustments - I think that in a year I can learn enough about adjustment and repair that I'll be pretty self sufficient.

We bought a used bike for my wife, so I'm going to try to keep her's in good shape too. It's a Specialized Crossroads (she loves it). It seems like a pretty good quality bike and shouldn't need much more than the usual tweaking.

c~

I am very happy for you H.G. Wild. You and your wife, that is.

:thumbup:

I like the bike to work minority, my ego soars when I open the doors and let my bike into the building and shocked bystanders stare with empty eyes...

Fubar5--Me too. :beer: :cool:

I hate to say this, but the truth is hard to keep to yourself. I really enjoy being "different." I just love to swing up to a red light in a sea of four-wheelers, as if it's my road too (which it IS). And I also just love to happen upon another cyclist going my way. I always notice what they wear, how they ride, their bike, etc.
I'm not weird, but it's true anyway. And get this, I met an "Effective Cycling" instructor (I have no trouble talking to complete strangers, and am delighted that they have little trouble talking to me), and he was a SHE. I saw her again on my route with a class of 10 year olds. COOL!!! Chalk up another one for strong females (maybe their strength is in their bold natures).

On the flip side, I'm still a little self-conscious about being "odd", but the adventure is a little more exciting because of the social irregularity...I bet they all secretly wonder what it would be like to be so unafraid of cutting loose! I'm hooked... :)

Yeah, I guess being odd takes awhile to get over.
I agree, and then when the light turns green, BANG---> There goes me, and those dumb four wheelers are still chugging to get started..:dance: