Gimpdiggity

Hello everyone.

First post here!! I've been browsing around the forums a bit though, and have found a wealth of information. With that said, I'll get to the point.

I'm looking for a new bike that's just going to be an "all around" bicycle. I will be using it to ride to work occasionally, ride to school sometimes, ride the local bike trails, and to get into a bit better shape. I have a relatively bad back, so comfort is one of my most pressing concerns. I would like to spend about $1000 total on the bicycle and any other accessories right off the bat.

I will probably not be riding the bicycle really great distances...probably 50 miles TOPS. Most of this riding will be on relatively flat (no hills in Michigan) terrain with HORRIBLE roads.

The things that I would like the bike to accomplish are these:
1. Road bike smoothness when riding. Basically, I am looking for 700c tires instead of 26" tires.
2. I want it to have a slightly more comfortable riding position than a typical road bike
3. 99% of the riding will be done on pavement or very packed gravel (dirt roads)
4. I would like it to have mid-range equipment like brakes/derailleurs/wheels
5. I would like to spend under $1k
6. Would be using the bike primarily for getting in a bit better shape and getting around town

When I went to my local bicycle shop, the guy that worked there suggested that I look at a Giant OCR-2. However, when I tried sitting on it, the seat was a bit uncomfortable and the riding position was still just a tad too hunched over. He told me that the stem could be adjusted for better fit.

I had sat on a Giant Cypress DX, and really liked the seating stance on that bicycle. They didn't have any of the Cypress SXs in stock, so I'm feeling that the salesman may have been pushing me towards the OCR in order to make a quick sale instead of having to worry about ordering something.

From what I can gather about the Cypress SX that I've read online, it should meet all of my requirements...but I'm just wondering if anyone out there has any experience with the 2006 model of this bicycle?? Or if there have been any changes to it in the last two years? I have found that the 2004 models apparently didn't have a suspension fork, but I can't see any differences between the 05 and 06 models.

dynaryder

My father has a Cypress LX,I had a Sedona LX. They're decent bikes,but a little on the heavy side. I'd go with the LX over the SX if the roads are that bad. The SX's lower spokecount wheels will need more trueing. I'd also suggest thinner(like 32-35mm) and/or smoother-treaded tires. And ditch the Slime tubes;they're a pain to air up(have to bleed the green goo out of the stem) and don't hold air well(I was inflating mine 3 times a week).

squegeeboo

I have a 2006 Cypress Men's. It is a bit heavy, if your gonna be that much on road, you might want to look at a lighter style of bike. It was a great first bike, and will prob. be my winter beater, but I'm def. looking for a lighter, maybe touring type bike for the spring (or when I manage to save a grand or 2) for my commute. I do roughly 16 miles a day on it, and switched out from the 38mm tires to 32mm tires beyond that no other changes to it.

Gimpdiggity

This brings me to another question.


Are there any touring style bikes out there that have a much more "relaxed fit" than a bike like the Giant OCR?? I like the way that the hybrid bike "feels" when I sit on it. My father has a Giant Sedona DX and I like the feel of riding it.

I didn't really like the feel of the OCR. It felt too "racey" to me, if you know what I mean...too hunched over I guess.

I guess I may be looking for something that doesn't exist...I basically want a roadbike with roadbike components and weight but hybrid comfort...

I guess I may end up needing to decide which is more important, comfort or speed/effeciency.

And for what it's worth, ANYTHING out there has got to be lighter than the Fuji SP12S that I've been riding...1979 wasn't a good year for bikes to be made out of light materials!!

squegeeboo

Well I can say that the front suspension that I have on the Cypress Men's is not necissary at all, and prob. adds a bit to the weight. If your doing all road/packed gravel you should consider bikes with no suspension.

Gimpdiggity

Do you have any idea about the difference in seating between the Cypress and the Giant FCR?? That's the Giant flatbar roadbike.

They are listed in completely different categories, but they seem to be somewhat similar.

Unfortunately, the only FCR in stock at my LBS is a small frame, which is WAY too small for me and I can't get even a remotely accurate fix on the fit of this bike.

Gimpdiggity

By the way, thanks for the help so far guys!! (and/or gals )

Little Darwin

I was going to sugges tthe FCR based on your posts.

I have a 3 or 4 year old Sedona DX that I love, with slicks instead of the original knobbies, and I also want to clipless and replaced the fork with a rigid fork this year... I love the difference in the handling with the rigid fork. It also helped the weight a little, even though it is still not a light bike.

I would suggest that if you like the OCR except for the drop bars, take a chance on the FCR and ask the shop to order it in your size... hopefully with them assuming the risk as they should still be able to sell it if you don't like it. Or stop by a different dealer to see if they have a similar bike in your size. Almost every manufacturer has a bike like the one you are looking for... just find the one specific bike and/or shop that you like best.

spqla

i picked up a Cypress ST 3-4 years ago for commuting. that bike did me good. served well on the 8 miles a day, 5 days a week ride. took me all over los angeles. survived 3 "meetings" with autos (2 right hooks and 1 rear ending down a hill). it was a comfortable ride, and really got me much more interested in riding then i thought i ever would be. in short, i put that bike through a hell of a lot and it took it and asked for more.

she's been retired from the commute, but she's glad to get out and take a bikeless friend out with me for a ride here and there.

badger1

A couple of thoughts here: first, the FCR is a great bike, but it IS a genuine 'flat bar road bike'. The geometry, gearing, and wheels/tires are exactly the same as the OCR2 you looked at -- the only difference is the flat bar/brakes. You will sit more 'upright' accordingly, but if you really are on horrible roads, you're going to a) really feel every rut etc. and end up trying to go round everything, and b) constantly be trying to 'protect' not only your back but also wheels/tires. You can certainly get a more robust wheel set, but on that bike realistic max. tire width is about a 28. From what you describe, I'm not sure it's what you're looking for?? As said above, most/all the major mfgs. do make bikes that do fit what you describe: if I were you, I'd look e.g. at the Trek 7000 series (w/front suspension) or 7.- series (w/rigid fork), or similiar: longer wheelbase, more relaxed geometry, and more clearance for wider tires (not that you have to, but nice to have the option). FWIW, though (and this is just a thought), you could consider just buying a really good, light, h/t mtb and fitting it right at the shop with good quality 1.5 or 1.75" road tires. I know that you mentioned 700c over 26" wheels, but the simple fact is that most hybrids or mtbs, on the road w/road tires, are really about the same 'speed' -- the real difference comes between 'sitting up' bikes of any kind, and drop-bar road bikes which put you in a more aerodynamic position. Around a $1000 will get you a very high quality, durable mtb. As I said, just a thought!

Omlette

When I read through your post I immediately thought of a Giant FCR (this has resonated with others as well). You may also want to look at Specialized Sirrus. Both bikes are road fast with a flat bar feel.

robcycle

Perhaps a cross bike with a shorter, higher rise stem? Or what about a Bianchi San Jose with a flat bar? No hills=no need for gears. Also, have you considered a used bike? You could buy a used cross/touring bike for well under $1K and use the rest to build it to your needs.

-Rob.

stokell

I use a Cypress for commuting 42km. The model I have has both front fork shocks and seat post shocks. It is a very comfortable bike to ride, in that you maintain a relaxed position. I guess that is why they call it a comfort bike.

The frame is aluminum and is quite light. I find aluminum frames too rigid but the shocks help a lot.

The bike cost me around $CDN600. I am quite pleased with the bike. This is my second Giant, the first one with thousands of km's on it is my winter beater bike. Everything still works.

Cave

Also have a look at the Jamis Coda series. The mid-end versions of that bike look really practical, versatile and no slouch with the right engine

I'd steer clear of shocks if you are riding on roads.

Try riding several different bikes, you will find one you fall in love with. Your budget will let you get a very good bike, as long as the money goes into quality frame/wheels/components rather than gimmicks like shocks and disc brakes.

One thing to be aware of with flat-bar road bikes is that they are, basically, road bikes - most of them only take narrow tyres, have sidepull brakes with limited clearance, they often don't have eyelets for racks. FWIW, the nicest flat bar road bikes I have tried were a Specialized and a Norco (don't remember the models).

JugglerDave

I've got 3500 miles in 3 1/2 years on my Giant Cypress DX. Love it, no problems. Well, except for the slime-filled tires that caused slow leak flats by clogging the valve stem.

About 1200 of those miles are commuting miles. I've done two metrics (Lancaster CoveredBridges 100km),
and all sorts of recreational rides from 3 to 45 miles.

It's survived the potholed Philadelphia center city for many of those miles. And some gravel trails as well.

I think I paid $379 for it, so I'm almost down to 10 cents per mile

Gimpdiggity

Once again, thanks everyone for all of the information.

I went in and messed around a little bit with a Cypress LX today...not quite the SX, but from what I can tell it's basically the same other than the wheels and components.

I think I am in fact going to end up going with the Cypress SX. I weighed the cost of it and it's features against the cost of the OCR and it's features, and the SX won out in my comparison slightly. It came down to three main things though...I can get the Cypress SX with all of the accessories that I want for about $200 less than the OCR...the comfortable position of the Cypress was favorable to me...and the fact that I really like the way the Cypress SX looks. I know that might be a bit of a lame reason, but I admit that I let the aesthetics get to me...and to me the SX looks the best.