mom

Hi!
I've been trying to decide on a new hybrid/fitness/commuter. My husband is a quite a biker, and I want every edge I can to keep up with him, esp up those hills and over some distances, but I also want comfort or I won't be inclined to head out in the first place. I'm pretty new to biking, and I've gotten some really good advice on this from some other threads, incl one I posted. I see that a lot of you commuters seem to be talking about bikes with these components, so let me ask you! I'm tested a bunch of bikes and decided I want something like a Giant Cypress meets Specialized Sirrus. Basically, I found the Cypress too sluggish, especially uphill, and (and the women's model I tried was TOO upright and cramped, though I think the men's would be fine), and I don't think I cared about the front suspension fork. I loved the speed and agility of the Sirrus, the Giant FCR, and a couple others like those, but they just weren't as comfortable (for me, a newbie). Also, those were a little too expensive ($500 +) for me. I'm hoping there is some other brand/make or something I haven't tried...? So, any advice for:

-around $400, give or take a little
-upright, but not necessarily quite as granny-upright as the Cypress.
-700c tires (as I want speed and ease, and I'll be primarily or only on roads)
-suspension seatpost-yes
-pretty big, comfy saddle (but I can just get a new saddle like that for almost any bike, right?)
-NO front suspension fork (b/c from what I read this just adds to weight and sucks up energy up hills, for little return if you're on paved surfaces, which I will be)
-fast, light, agile, like the Specialized Sirrus or Giant FCR
-something I can definitely put a rear fender and child seat mount on.

I'm happy to get something and swap out some of the components, if in the end it can still be around say, $425... Is that possible?

Also, I have seen the Trek 7.2 FX online, and it seems (the 7.2 only) has a suspension seatpost. But, it looks a little less upright than I'd like in the pictures, and it looks to have more of a road bike saddle. This is a very obvious and ignorant question, but couldn't I just get a big ole saddle and raise the handlebars a little? Is the flat handlebar design less comfy than the granny shaped ones (riser bars??)? Anyone who's tried one: how quick and light is the 7.2 FX? My LBS didn't have one...

And finally, I see online that the Giant Cypress ST, the cheapest one, DOESN'T have front suspension, though it is "high tensile steel" instead of aluminum. I'm wondering if this would likely feel slower or faster than the other Cypresses, given the trade off. Thoughts?

Thanks so much!

aadhils

Steel is less rigid than aluminum. My advice is get a steel road bike with a brooks saddle...

barba

People seem to like the Trek FX series and it might fit the bill. I would not let a suspension post be a make or break factor, by the way. I had one a few bikes back in didn't really find it all that nice (and it was heavy). It either bounced like a pogo stick or was so stiff it wouldn't move, and I never found a comfortable middle ground. Slightly wider tires are likely to provide more cushion, anyway, but other folks’ experience may be more positive.

Good luck making the decision. I would just try to ride everything available locally in my size and price range and go with the one that feels the best.

truman

It sounds like you're doing most or all of your riding with your husband. If that's the case, I highly recommend one of these: https://lightwater.1cis.com/burley.jpg

AndrewP

Get a trailer that attaches to the chainstay. Then when you ride with your husband it can go on his bike. If you get a bike that leans you forward a bit it will take some of your weight off the seat and put it on your pedals which will make it easier to keep up with your husband. You want a seat that is firm but fits your sit-bones - ask the shop if they will swap out saddles that are uncomfortable.

bsyptak

If you live in a large metropolitan area, I suggest buying a used bike off Craigslist. You'll get twice the bike for the same price. Bikes don't hold their value well.

In the $400 price range new, the bikes you've listed are the zenith of the species. The only difference between any of them is how they ride. And that is subjective. As far as comfort, the Jamis Coda line is steel, and so should be a little bit more comfortable. Also, most of these types of bikes have an adjustable stem (have the store adjust them up for you to test ride), so in the beginning while you are getting used to the bike, you could set it so that the bars are pretty high. Over time, you can lower them and kick your husband's a$$ over the hills!

The disadvantage in that price range to a more expensive bike is weight. A $1000 bike will weigh about 20 lbs. Every $100 lower in price will cost about a pound in weight penalty.

You might also consider a more upright road bike. Trek, Specialized and others are starting (some have for a while) to make them now and I think they are a great option. If the price is too high, consider the craigslist route.

mtn_chick

Just wanted to say that a "big ol' saddle" isn't necessarily more comfortable. Check out some of the women's specific saddles out there. I found a really good one that made a HUGE difference when spending a few hours on the bike.

Good luck!

jcm

I bought a beautiful '98 Trek 520 off Craigslist for $550. They are around $1200 new. It's a tour bike so it's very comfortable over distance. Also, it has a 52 top ring that will definitely keep up with your husband, but it's geared low enough to pass for a roadie on the hills, provided you aren't loaded for trip to antarctica. Stripped, it weighs about 25lbs. Can't recommend a ladies' saddle. Personally, I use a brooks B-67.

mikeyp.1

I agree with ADHILLS.If he is riding a roadbike, nothing else is going to be fast enough to keep up.Steel road bikes are pretty comfortable.You could add larger tires and a womans saddle and raise the bars as much as possible.Comfort bikes are going to be slower and heavier on the hills.

chephy

Yes, women's seatbones are usually farther apart than men's, so when some women try out certain men's sporty hard saddles they feel a lot of pain. So they often think it's because the saddle is hard, while in fact it's because they are sitting on their tender soft tissues instead of on their bum (because the back portion of the saddle is too narrow and doesn't accommodate their seatbones).

If you get a saddle that supports your seatbones, it doesn't have to be all big and cushy at all to feel comfortable. In fact, seats that are too fat will feel bad because your thighs will rub against them and get them chafed up. They also tend to feel sluggish.

chephy

Well, if you're drafting all the way, you might just be able to pull this off on a beach cruiser.

Anyway, I don't think mom can keep up, no matter what bike she gets. Even if she gets a fast road bike, she will not be able to ride as fast as her husband since he is an experienced fit cyclist and she is just starting out. I think what we are trying to do here is find a way to reduce speed differential to minimal possible under the circumstances. On the actual ride the husband will still have to slow down (esp. if mom isn't comfortable with drafting) if they want to be riding together.

max-a-mill

i can't believe your husband isn't out there right now buying you a nice bike....

my girlfriends bike is lighter and nicer than mine. i give her every possible advantage (within reason financially) to be able to keep up! i ride more so she is the one who needs a lighter better bike to keep up.

tell your husband he better by you sumthin nice. if he knows bikes he should know what will work for you.

mom

ya'll are a very funny, very smart bunch!
luckily, hubby won't be on a road bike when we ride together, and the tandem thing won't work b/c we have a one year old who will ride in a bikeseat on his beat up mtn bike (with slicks) when we ride together. so, that'll narrow the differential quite a bit!
after reading all of your comments, i'm thinking of going the route of something less cushy and upright, and doing as bsyptak suggests:

>Also, most of these types of bikes have an adjustable stem (have the store adjust them up for you to test ride), so in the beginning while you are getting used to the bike, you could set it so that the bars are pretty high. Over time, you can lower them and kick your husband's a$$ over the hills!

So that makes me think I should go with a hybrid/fitness bike that leans more toward the road bike side and away from the comfort or mtn side, like a specialized sirrus or giant fcr, though they're more $$ than I want to spend. (I don't think i can get over being intimidated by real road bikes yet, and even the sirrus, though wonderfully quick feeling, was a more un-comfy than i wanted! but i'll work into it, you've convinece me.) I've checked local craigslist, and i can't find anything quite right yet, but there's a 2005 Trek 7200fx, great cond., for $250. sounds like a similar, though bit cheaper, bike, from other threads here. at that price, i could upgrade some parts later, i figure, if that seems useful. thoughts?

and btw, my husband would be happy to run out and get me a great bike, but I'm insisting he not do as he wants--to spend way too much--since I feel like such a newbie. i just need something that'll make it fun, and then we'll go from there...

me2

I would think you would save money in the long term if you buy a great used bike, but getting the best possible one you can. Investing $400-$500 in a new bike which you might replace in a couple of years doesn't make financial sense when you can get a really nice used bike for the same amount, but end up using it for many more years down the road.

That way your husband can have the satisfaction of getting you the best bike possible (within budget), you get a reasonably priced bike that will put you at a performance advantage, and your accountant likes that your purchase will last for years to come.

When my wife was riding a compromise, she did not feel confident nor comfortable riding. When I replaced that compromise with a bike I should have gotten in the first place, she is much more comfortable riding and has used the bike much more; she actually looks forward to riding.

My 0.02 cents

bsyptak

The 7200 is not a bad bike. On the lower end at $349 MSRP, but at least it has a rigid front fork. You could upgrade a few things, but it certainly isn't worth spending $500 on upgrading it--get a new bike! Or ride it until you find a cherry on craigslist and then resell it for the same $250. It won't devalue much past that $250.

chephy

What about 7.3 FX? Better components and still falls within the price range.

Proximo

If you're looking at the Specialized Sirrus, also take a look at the Sequoia. It's comfortable, reasonably fast and has drop bars which you'll eventually want if you get serious about riding. Pricewise, it's in the same ballpark as the Sirrus.

jyossarian

Bianchi Strada. It's steel and it's supposedly setup as a comfort roadie whatever that means. And it's not that expensive for a roadbike. Check it out: https://www.bianchiusa.com/06_strada.html

WorldPax

It sounds to me like a recumbent is right up your alley. Extremely comfortable, and you will have an aerodynamic advantage on your husband. Kid seats and trailers fit bents just as well as uprights. If you don't want to do the recumbent thing, the RANS crank forward designs are the next best thing, look at the Fusion or the Zentick.

Don't discount the other Crank forwards either. I personally own an Electra Townie that I commute 24 miles a day. I had the LBS put a flat bar on it and Geax 1.25's on it. It's a bit heavy (I'm working on that) but it is very comfortable and pretty fast bike, compared to my Raleigh Technium which doesn't get me to work any faster but does leave my wrists and neck sore.

chephy

Not with a $400 budget...

WorldPax

My first bent cost $300, She may not get new for that money, but there are plenty of good bents out there in her range.

chephy

Cool, I didn't know about that. Haven't seen too many ads for used bents, I guess.

Cyclist0383

You might want to check out the Jamis Coda. They are decently priced flat bar "go fast" bikes with a MSPR of $440. Many on this forum love them. I had one of the first models they ever made and loved it. A friend of mine still rides it to this day.

BTW, stay away from cheap suspension seatposts, they don't work well and break quickly. You might want to consider a seat with springs as an alternative.
https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/06_coda.html

max-a-mill

good i was beginning to question your husbands cycling addiction... the mark of a good bike-addict is that he will spend money to spread the addiction to those he loves! GOOD MAN!

let him go spend some $$ on you you'll like it!

i really think you should look into something along the lines of a cyclocross/touring bike. looks like a roadie but set up a bit more comfortably... and with skinny tires it will be just about as fast. but then for commuting it will fit wider tires and fenders.

but to get a nice dependable one your looking more like 1000 buckaroos. your worth it!

Emerson

+1 for the Surly, but it is nowhere near the stated budget--maybe for your next bike. I have one and, because of back issues, have the bars pretty high. It is much faster, lighter, better than the hybrid I used to own. A Cross-check complete would need some expensive renovations to be a flat-bar, upright commuter--new bar, shifters, brake levers, stem, etc.