frekur

I just moved from Portland, Oregon, where I rode around on a 2001 Specialized Hard Rock that had hybrid tires. It was a heavy bike and not very efficient... and I kinda hated the Grip Shifts. I sold it before I moved. Now I'm in Raleigh, NC and I'm shopping around for a new bike. I rode the Specialized for seven years and I knew it wasn't really right for commuting but I figured I didn't ride enough to make it matter. My goal now is to ride more. (I don't own a car and Raleigh's bus system sucks!)

My commuting varies. Sometimes I ride ~5 miles per day, but I'd like to have a bike to take camping and ride on trails (not too rough of terrain). I'd also like to take it on week-long road trips once a year.

Here's my short list:
- Something light (I'd like to be able to easily lift it onto a bus/car rack). The Specialized was so heavy!
- Tire width in between road and mountain, something I can commute with but also ride on gravel trails
- I care more about comfort on long rides and being visible, but also be able to sprint in the city if need be
- I will need a rack and probably fenders for wet weather (I have panniers already)
- Not sure about brakes or how much I care yet because I have little experience, but I would like to be safe in wet weather because I'm not opposed to commuting in the rain (I kinda like it!)
- Also not sure about any suspension...

I have read about hybrid and cross-terrain bikes but everyone makes them a little different and it's overwhelming for me. I plan on stopping by a bike shop this week (the Performance bike shop has a great guarantee) to ask for help but I'm wondering if there's anything that comes to anyone's mind from what I've listed...

I'm working with a budget of around $500 (not including equipment like a rack, lights and tools, etc)

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

cachehiker

I used to own a hybrid kind of like this one. Negotiate an exchange for the exact tires you want and see if you can get an inexpensive rack thrown in. You could also keep the 700x28 slicks for pavement and pick up some 700x38 cross tires for dirt roads at moderate speeds. With a little practice, tire swaps can easily be done in less than 30 minutes.

https://www.bianchiusa.com/08_monza.html

Aluminum = light. 24 speeds = somewhat upgradeable. Rack bosses. No suspension fork.

If you're looking at a hybrid, spend a few extra bucks to make sure you get a decent frame, reasonable wheels, and good tires that are suitable for what you're going to do. A hybrid will never do dirt REALLY well but if you try and keep it under about $400, it's pretty easy to end up with something that doesn't do pavement particularly well either, i.e. heavy steel frame, single wall rims, etc. I wouldn't spend extra for a suspension fork unless you're going to ride in the gravel more often than on pavement.

DynamicD74

Go see Neil at All Star bikes on Falls of Neuse and Millbrook. He'll help you. We're buying a Giant Taffy for my daughter from him. Or, go see any of the folks at The Bicycle Chain on Glenwood out by RTP. Those are my two favorite LBS in Raleigh. Both are great shops with great people with LOTS of experience!

frekur

I actually went over to All Star Bikes at Ridge Road tonight and talked to Bryan, who was pretty helpful. I looked at two hybrids and a road bike that has straight bars and thicker tires, the Giant FCR3. He said they have one in stock in my size and on Wednesday I'm going to give it a ride so we'll see.

Thanks for the advice!

Jurgen

If your old hybrid didn't knock your socks off, I'd recommend looking at something with drops.

The KHS Flite 220 looks awfully enticing at $489 US. It's not an aggressive racing bike, more like an introductory tourer:

-steel frame
-braze-ons for racks and fenders
-decent Shimano components with STI shifters
-comes standard with bigger than normal (700x26) road tires
-compact crank for hills

https://www.khsbicycles.com/05_flite_220_08.htm

I think you could get a lot of life out of this bike.

DynamicD74

NP! Good Luck!

redfb

trek su 1.0 or gary fisher artemis are good or the trek wahoo if you want front suspension. All are a little more like 10-80 dollars more than 400 but if you shop around you could probably find them cheaper.

BarracksSi

+1 on the recommendation for going to drop bars.

Really, for long distances, they're nice. You can tuck down out of the wind better when you need to, or change to different hand positions, etc.

I hadn't had any bikes with drops until September of this year, and now I sometimes think of switching my city bike (Bad Boy) to drop bars.

I'll toss another option at ya and say to check out some cyclocross bikes. Good for light trails, MTB-like gearing for stoplight sprints, and you can find them with rack eyelets & disc brakes (nice for bad weather) if you look around enough. Might have a little trouble staying near $400 if you buy new, though.

Cody Broken

If you have the time and patience, ride as many bikes as you can before you buy. And talk to as many bike mechanics or salespeople (if you must) as you can. And troll this forum as much as you can. The more you educate yourself the easier your decision will become.

DieselDan

I believe Rev. Chuck has a shop in that area. Send him a PM.

lukewall

this covers most of your criteria

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...m_cross_cx.htm

savethekudzu

I myself settled for a Trek 7000 from the Bicycle Chain in Durham, but I tried and liked the Trek 7.2 FX (which they were selling for $469).
Both have fairly wide 700c tires (35mm on the 7000) and are plenty light for loading onto buses. The 7000 is cheaper; the 7.2 FX has better components and seems better for sprinting.

I've added lights, SKS fenders, and (as of today) a rack to my 7000 - with little problem. The fenders took a little doing, but I was able to install them myself just fine.

Unless you're in the dirt or really rough conditions, stay away from front & rear suspension.
My commute, btw: 6 miles one way, most of it on a paved trail.

I922sParkCir

+1

I think this would be a good compromise in the speed+distance/comfort. I was in kinda the same position, looking at the Trek 7.3 Hybrid. I decide a touring bike was better for distance commuting. It is just so much more versatile.

I'm so happy with my Trek 520, and I think you be happy this the fore mentioned tourer. So I suggest a comfortable geometry, some dropbars, and avoid a suspension.

Hope this helps.
-Jai

RT

Agreed, however a flat bar with aerobars is also a viable option. Both of my hybrids make use of these as it provides more positions for your hands. Only downfall (which one can adapt to) is proximity to the brakes, whereas drops keep you close to the brakes in those hairy situations. Areos are so comfy, one could almost fall asleep

bikesdirect_com

These come to mind for me:
Cyclo Cross -- lots of people use these to commuter
FlatBar Road -- also good to commute and more lively than a hybrid
Traditional Road Bike Commuter -- long, steel, durable and still quick
Traditional Touring Bike -- tons of braze-ons -- super long, super smooth, wide tires
all our these should have more for fenders

there are our 4 examples

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...m_cross_cx.htm


https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...cafe_latte.htm


https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/galaxy.htm


https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist.htm

Any of these or dozens of other bikes would fit your needs and you could enjoy well for your use
but if you want to go for much longer rides in the future; it would be hard to bet the Windsor Tourist

Have Fun

Cyclist0383

Check out the Jamis Coda line of bikes.

DynamicD74

I'm not sure, but I think he might be the owner of All Star Bikes....

bigdufstuff

After reviewing your bike criteria I believe you should be looking at either cyclocross bikes or touring bikes. These come closest to what you're looking for. Plenty of people already posted some good picks. Give as many a test ride as possible and find the one that feels right!

JeffS

A $500 budget for a new bike is going to be pretty limiting.

If could find you a wide range of great used bikes for that price, but new, you're left choosing between a hybrid or a hybrid. As far as that goes, they're all almost interchangeable. Pick a price range, then pick the one that appeals to you the most (and fits) and go ride.

Jeff - the cyclist annoying motorists on Falls of Neuse daily

nashcommguy

Very nice! Looks like one could change out the rear cassette to a 12x27 and do moderate loaded touring. I've been looking for a suitable touring bike for my wife...she HATES triple cranks as they're a little inaccurate. The 16t chainring difference is a little scarey, but I imagine one would adjust very quickly. The price is good, too. I'm going to bookmark this page. Thanks for sharing it.

Sorry for the thread drift, OP. W/32mm tires and liners(Mr Tuffy) or Airfree 28mm Monaco @ 120 psi rated this would make an excellent commuter. SKS raceblades, though pricey would give you wet weather option(s) and w/a light rack and bags you're set.

CrashGordon

Here's my two cents. You are describing a touring bike. I rode one for 5 years and loved it.

Take a look at Craig's list...it is where I sold and purchased by last 4 bikes.

DynamicD74

"Jeff - the cyclist annoying motorists on Falls of Neuse daily"

OMG! Now, I know who you are! Just kidding, but I have seen a commuter on Falls of Neuse quite often....I wonder if it's you! The Falls of Neuse area seems loaded with lots of folks on bikes, whether they are commuting or just out for some exercise. There are a couple of guys I watched one morning, starting on Millbrook, turning onto Old Wake Forest, then Atlantic and back to Falls of Neuse. I eventually lost site of them, as I continued all my errands with children on board. LOL!

InTheRain

The bike for you is a touring bike. It will be tough to get a new one for $500 or less. Double your budget and you have lots of options. Jamis Aurora, Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee, and I think the Surly LHT might be available for under $1000. Otherwise, look for a used touring bike in good shape - Trek 520, Cannondale T800, or Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30. I believe that touring bikes are the most versatile bikes available.

Pinyon

I like road bikes, and if I was getting new bike for bad weather, I would probably get a cyclocross bike, or something like a Giant OCR. I much prefer the extra hand positions that you get with road bars, and also don't like grip shifts. I even prefer old downtube shifters to grip shifters. Cyclocross bikes are plenty tough, and will take a beating, but so will the Giant OCR, Specialized Robaix, Treck Pilot, etc.

In real life, I actually don't follow the above advice, though. I currently ride a late 80s aluminum race bike, and a hard-tail and stiff-fork mountain bike for bad weather. Old race bikes still had rack mounts, so that I can carry my work clothes on the commute. I use high-pressure slicks on the mountain bike during the warmer months, and smooth-center tires with knobs along the sides for when it starts snowing. I've had a few nice bikes stolen over the years, and like to commute on bikes that don't get a second look by theives. Not junkers...just not cutting edge or too, too fashy.

JeffS

I occasionally would see a woman towing a trailer in the vicinity of North Hills. I'm no longer on Six Forks now that my office moved.

The only people I see on falls are on the sidewalk, so I'm assuming they're fitness riders.