I may have missed it, how tall are you, inseam? I ride a 15' with extra long seat post. I am 6' with 31" inseam.
The shop says the bike is too small, but I can ride for hours with no problems.

I believe the balance thing is the front geometry and the suspension fork. What Schwinn are you riding?

I am sorry, for each answer there are twenty more questions.

[QUOTE=
phughes - I understand what you are saying. the seat is as high as it can go. the guys at the shop say I need a bigger bike (19' instead of a 15'.) I can make it up this hill with my roommate's bike (17' schwinn hybrid) with everything I need for classes and clinics (it also has racks and fenders); it isn't easy for me, but I'm also not having to walk it. I asked about a variety of thing, including weight and build (WSD) but I guess asking about weight was a mistake and it sounds like the variations in configuration and size don't matter much. As I noted, one of the issues I am having is I can't stand on this bike to really slog up this hill (I can't stay balanced standing more than 2-3 rotations, even on flats, which seems to be a major difference.) I wish I hadn't mentioned weight...might have been easier for folks to make other suggestions on how to handle this hill and/or bike selection.

took the bike out to get groceries earlier, trying to figure out why I can't hack it. Maybe I'll try replacing the tires. just a bit concerned I might be tossing money out there that won't improve the ride[/QUOTE]

It may just be that the bike doesn't fit you well. That is a very good reason to get something else. If you can't get the seat to the height you need it you will lose efficiency. If the seat is setup properly for you then you can look elsewhere for the solution. A good fit will make a big difference as does geometry. I still wonder about the suspension. You may have a very good excuse to treat yourself to a new bike.

Hey don't worry about mentioning weight. You're hauling around a lot more than a lot of people do, it's something to be proud of. :-D

Best of luck!

OP, just a thought after reading your last post. Since you sound like that the local Trek shop is your best option- find out which distributors they work with. If they do business with SBS, maybe they'd be willing to order a Redline Metro series bike for you?

Or maybe look at the dual sports that they have. The base model has an adjustable shock w/o lock out (but it can be dialed down pretty darn stiff). Then you'd have a commuter and a fun bike for the weekends (though you may not want to catch as much air...)

BHOFM - I'm only 5'7", but I have a 33.3" inseam. I have really long legs and a very short torso....which means on a lot of bikes the top post is too long and I feel like a tyrannasaurus trying to steer ;-) But at some point, costs start adding up...new rack that is super light, plus new tires, plus a new seat post.... I would hate to put a bunch of little outlays down then not have funds if it doesn't help. The roommate's Schwinn is a Sierra.

no1mad - actually, since you mentioned a redline, I looked up the local dealer and realized that the bike shop that use to be half a mile down the road is now across town, but within my 'local' traveling range. I've never seen anything but Trek at the LBS I use, though. The cheapest redline metro at the other shop is $1600 and is the 2010 recalled model. I did look at the dual sports, but everything they had size wise was 20 and higher. The guys said the top tube was probably 2" to long, so I was having a hard time controlling turns on a Utopia (a dual sport style but not the DS line.) The utopia had a lock out...but the guy said the trails I'm taking weren't what he'd suggest for that bike? They are beginner and sections of intermediate trails. Said that really much more than potholes and the occasional curb were beyond that bike, so trails with roots, whoop-de-doos and manholes wouldn't be good (which made me wonder 'what's the point of a lock out suspension?') I'd push to get a DS in the correct size built if I thought I could run it on weekends. I know my roommate's stating to look at MTBs (the bike disease is spreading in this house.)

oh, found the specs on my rack/lock combo: 4.85 pounds.

OK, You may be better suited for a mountain bike. Short wheel base, 17", extra long seat post, solid
fork with threadless and adjustable riser, and hybrid bars.

Or something like this. ??

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...avigator_2_0/#

You can set the preload high and the forks would be almost solid.

Something else to keep in mind, mens bikes have a much better resale value later.
I know, it's not fair, but that is the way it is.

Weight is probably the smallest contributing factor to pulling the hill. If your main reason for getting a new bike is to commute with on tarmac, I would totally stay away from suspension. It will just make climbing the hill harder, defeating the purpose of getting a new bike. If your current frame is too small, get rid of it. It sounds like you just need a bigger frame without suspension, and maybe another lower gear. The FX series bikes sound great. If at all possible, I would try to take some other bikes for test rides for comparison before making the final decision. Maybe if you take a trip to another town stop at their shops or something. Even if you don't get their bikes, it'll help you get a better idea of what you're looking for.

As for the standing while pedalling issue, why do you lose your balance? Can you stand and pedal with another bike? Can you do it on your bike without the extra weight on it?

beebe - I can on other bikes. The best explanation I can give is that if I stand I end up tipping to the sides pretty severly; I have no upper body control when standing on this bike (while on other bikes I feel like I can make a 'rigid frame'...while on this one I feel similar to being on a unicycle...nothing to hold onto.) Having nothing on the bike doesn't make it any easier.

Today we hit a few other stores. So far I've been pointed to a specialied sirrus, transend LX, specialized ariel, redline conquest pro (which is higher than I was hoping to spend at 1399), a GT avalance 1.0 Disc, Fuji '10 Nichibe Roubaix, Trek Skye, Trek Wahoo (plus the FX and Neko) and a GT Peace Tour commuter. These bike recommendations are such a huge variety that I don't even know what to make of them. Now, these were all bikes I could sit and ride comfortably. It's interesting that everyone has a different view of what would be ideal for a commuter.

Hey, Sunstorm -- I think, in part, you've largely answered your own question: Your problem with your current ride has less to do with weight, and lots to do with geometry. I can stand on my bike whether its loaded or not, and my ability to balance isn't affected. If you can't stand, then there's something fundamentally wrong with how you and the bike fit together. For my money (which it isn't) this is an excellent reason to shop for a new bike! And, I think, by definition, if the folks at the Trek shop will fit you appropriately, then you should be able to get a fine ride there. Which ride you ultimately choose is far more personal.

Ah, the variety of the human condition... Hanging around here, I think you'll ultimately come to the conclusion that there is no perfect commuter... just the best commuter for each individual. We all have different constraints, based on riding style, load carrying needs, comfort, etc... Take handle bar choices: Some like flat bar asphalt bikes. I prefer drop bars. Others like trekking bars or moustache bars. And that's only one component. So you need to decide your preferences, and then find the right bike within your own preference. As long as it fits, you'll likely be a happy cyclist for some time to come.

I ride a rigid hybrid with drop bars as my daily commuter, but I also have a front suspension MTB that I use as a backup. While I don't find it as comfortable for longer rides (>15 miles), I do find it a perfectly acceptable commuter up to 12 miles each way or so. I should mention that's on knobby tires, no bar ends or other ergonomic improvements, etc... With a little love, I could probably turn the MTB into a great daily commuter. Others love their MTBs for commuting, and ride them regularly, in any number of variations.

At this point, the conversation turns more to what makes you comfortable while you ride, and what features you want. Things like disc brakes are nice -- I have them on my hybrid -- but they aren't really ~necessary~ and you might be better served to choose the next bike up the line with standard V brakes, to get the other improvements in components and possibly weight savings. OTOH, if you know you'll be riding in all weather, with frequent rain and possibly sleet or such (cause it doesn't really snow too often in Cary), the discs might be well worth it.

I have to admit, I would not have expected a 'modern' aluminum frame bike to weigh upwards of 40 lbs naked. Ouch! I still don't think the weight is the major part of your problem, but it probably isn't helping, either.

The problem is obviously the frame. You need a new frame, or a whole new bike.

I have three bikes right now. Two of them are appropriate geometries for my size and dimensions. The other is too small (I'm giving it to a family member eventually). The too small bike (a Schwinn) is also about 10 pounds heavier than the other two bikes. Riding that bike to work sucks whether I am carrying cargo or not. My knees hurt, hills suck, etc. My normal commuting bike (Surly) is regularly weighed down with about 10 pounds of gear between the rack, seatbag, and cargo. It is a joy to ride to work.

This is why everybody's first advice for buying a new bike is to get a bike that fits properly. You sound like the kind of person that would be well served by buying from the LBS, assuming that they are honest and competent. Trek FXs are nice bikes and I'm sure you'd be happy with one. It's going to be difficult to really assess all the differences on all the bikes you've seen without putting a rack on all of them with all of your normal commuting gear and riding up and down some hills. As far as specs, I would go with non-suspension fork, and make sure that there are full rack and fender brazeons. Research the brakes on the models you are choosing between. Discs vs. v-brakes is not an issue where there is a clearly superior choice. Some discs suck, some rock. Some v-brakes are better than others. Most of the rest is littly personal preference stuff. Go on some super long test rides with the ones you are seriously considering and then go with your gut feeling.

So, after spending all day test riding bikes in 100+F heat and high humidity, I came home with a 2010 Giant TranSend with disc brakes for $350. I had looked at this bike yesterday, but didn't really consider it, but decided I should give it a fair shake since it is all decked out. I really enjoyed riding it, put a half hour on it with weighted panniers. I felt very stable (the FX's feel a bit squirly) and I felt very smooth and much faster. I felt like my balance was good, I could easily stand comfortably, and best yet, I didn't feel like I was just mashing against pedals, I felt like I could get rotations going like I do on exercise bikes. The guy spent a lot of time, and did put a longer seat tube on (after several comments that he couldn't believe I was that long legged for my height.) Will see how it holds up over the next week of riding.

Good news/bad news on your selection. First the bad- that model was discontinued (replaced by the Escape).

The Good- Giant should honor any warranty work, so long as you are the original owner. You got a great deal. Congrats and enjoy!

no1mad - yeah, I knew it was replaced by the escape, but the parts aren't unique to the bike and the warranty was explained. We're heading out for a ride tonight, want to have a good feel for it before I take it during heat of the day to school/clinics. I'm suprised at how much I like it, and now I'm glad I took the time and listened to the advice to keep looking around till I found something that really feels right.

That's a nice bike for the price. I hope you like it.

Put 4 miles on it through the neighborhood and one heavy traffic street. Felt really good, steady on corners, stops and starts quickly, stable on the kinds of roads I'll be riding, and I didn't struggle nearly as much on the hills. I'm going to try it on my challenging hill tomorrow.

Congrats on the new ride!

That looks like a nice ride sunstorm. Hope it improves your commute.

Yah, congrats! You'll have to let us know how it works for your commute.

Thanks for all the encouragement! I took it for another 4 mile spin this morning, and will be doing a 9 mile ride this evening with a half-weight load (one I can pile on top of the rack if I have any issues with clearance & heel strikes), including my challenging hill. If all that goes well and all my clearances are good, I'll load up and do the full commute on Monday. I do find I'm going faster and need to improve my cornering, and I've never had disc brakes before, so trying to feel those out before getting any real weight on the bike. I'm feeling a lot more positive about riding, which is worth the costs. A friend has asked to buy the Trek 7100 as-is for a bike path/greenway casual ride.

Did a ten mile loop including my challenging hill at half my load weight. I didn't need to stand, I never dropped off the 2nd gear, and it felt good (not easy, but so much better.) On my 7100 I felt like I got so slow that I was tipping, on this one I felt that as long as I kept moving the pedals I'd get there. Apparently I'm using different muscles, since I'm sorer than usual, but my knees feel great! When I do stand on this bike (mostly at light changes) my torso is over the handlebars, rather than my hips.

Sounds like you have a winner! Great to hear. Enjoy the bike!

Sounds like a problem solved. Enjoy the new ride, and hang around and let us know how things are going. But most of all, conquer that hill :-)

Glad you solved your problem! Best wishes in your commute and your studies!