After 40 years with the Air Force, I retired and moved from the East Coast to N. California. It is starting to look like biking season and I would really like to ride some of the many bike trails located in the area. I used to ride a Titus Motocross MTB and it was a pleasure but not really much of a bike for bike paths and roads. I loved the disc brakes and usually ran with the full suspension turned off, unless doing crazy downhill. I want a bike that is quicker than a MTB but not willing at 70 to ride all hunched over. My price range is up to about $2K. I have no idea what is really out there but after visiting two LBS, who tried to convince me that their bike was the mercedes of hybrids...I am really confused. Really looking for that bike that is nimble, quick and comfortable to ride.

thanks

Hi cyber.snow, and welcome to BF and to this (sometimes crazy) sub-forum!

So, I'm jumping in because you are inevitably going to get a series of responses here suggesting that you really can/should/should want to/must purchase a drop-bar road bike -- possibly with disc brakes. Perhaps you will. I, on the other hand, am something of an outlier here; I (at 63) prefer and have always preferred flat-bar road bikes, and so know a little about them. Given what you say in your thread-start post, I'm thinking that this is what you're looking for. If so, and given your budget, I'd have two immediate/obvious suggestions:

Specialized Bicycle Components
FastRoad CoMax 1 (2015) | Giant Bicycles | United States

Both have decent tire clearance; both have discs; both will (likely ... I haven't ridden either yet, though I will be) be comfortable and quick. Importantly, they were designed from the get-go as flat-bar road bikes (geometry etc.); they are not drop-bar frames with flat-bars slapped on for marketing purposes. In the U.S. (and Canadian) market, these are the two that come to mind that tick the boxes implied by your post, so I'd certainly suggest you give these two a try in the first instance.

Once again, welcome and good luck with your search!

CyberSnow -
Thank you for your service to America.

You might enjoy a more upright posture, and there are sports hybrids that give a pretty nice ride. Take a look at the Trek 7.x FX line of fitness hybrids. The .x will designate the level of components at a particular price level, but all have similar features. Another bike might be the Giant Escape, which is a road hybrid as well. Giant gives a bit better value for the price.

Good luck in your search. Your local bike shop will be happy to show you what they have, permit you to test ride/fit a few bikes, and answer your specific questions.

Remember to get a good-fitting helmet.

Phil G.

I'm in the market for a hybrid that leans more to the mountain side. Something that can do trails and some hills along with riding on the road. I've settles on the Trek Dual Sport. It's has a lockable front suspension, hydraulic disc and comes with 38mm tires but you can upside or downsize.

DS Series - Trek Bicycle

I see that someone above recommended the Specialized Sirrus, and I'd like to throw in a recommendation for the Specialized Crosstrail as well. I'm a bit biased, but I truly love mine. The main difference between the Sirrus and Crosstrail is that the Sirrus is on the road bike side of the hybrid fence with a rigid fork and more road oriented tires, while the Crosstrail is more to the off-road side with front suspension (with lockout) and more aggressive tires. Both come in a wide variety of equipment levels and even the top models will fit in your price range.

Being an Army guy, I feel sorry that you wasted 40 years......... LOL

I also think you would be well served by looking at the higher model Sirrus. With one addition.

In addition to the Sirrus, start watching Craigslist for a basic unsuspended Mountain Bike, like an older Rockhopper, or similar. That way, when you feel the need for off road, you can!

Meanwhile, the Sirrus is a fabulous performance Hybrid. It likes to go fast, easily.

Welcome back to the world, Brother - enjoy yourself!

Oh yeah, welcome to the forums, one of the best!

Got this when I was 70...Quick and Nimble it is.

Another thought, in your price range ---- You just may be able to buy two! A Crosstrail Sport Disc, and a Sirrus Elite Carbon Disc! There is purchasing power in before bike season, and multiple bikes from the same dealer............. Just Sayin!

The Crosstrail is almost Air Force Blue, and the Sirrus is Hi Tech Carbon, like a lot of AF stuff.

I believe 9 spd is the perfect drivetrain - lots of gears, and still cheaper to maintain/repair! The Sirrus is a compact double, and the Crosstrail is a mountain climbing triple - the best of both, and still offering your more upright riding positions.

Yeah, I have a Sirrus, and a Crosstrail. The Sirrus really does like to go fast easily, and the Crosstrail likes to go fast, and is also an excellent Utility bike, with ability to go kinda off-road. But, the Crosstrail will be more work! I love 'em both!

These are great recommendations, but I'll just throw it out there that drop bar does not equal riding "all hunched over" if properly setup. It is possible to set up drop bar bikes with the same contact points on the brake hoods as the grips of flat bar bikes. It may require a different stem than the stock setup depending on your exact fit, but is a common, easy and inexpensive change.

Specialized Bicycle Components
Specialized Bicycle Components

The Forward Lean on roads bikes is GOOD to keep your back in Shape.

Before I talk bikes, let me say....13 years active duty Army, then recruited by the AF as a civilian engineer. Was a great career, what a great country, paid for my education, moved me 17 times and allowed me to see over 50 countries and combat only 3 times.

As you can see, I am the owner of an older but metal framed Sirrus. It has been a great commuter bike and currently is equipped with an adjustable stem, mostly because I was not getting in much riding and the few times a month that I was getting out, my back would start hurting about an hour into the ride.

My plan is to start riding every day for about an hour. I really want the disc brakes and better quality running gear. I like the idea of taking a look at a bike that will easily take on dirt and gravel roads as we have a lot of them in Northern California. I am not crazy about suspension because I have found them to drive me crazy while climbing a hill or trying to go fast, so a lockout is a necessity. I will go see the LBS that sells Trek and Specialized (not in the same shop) and take a look at their bikes.

I was talking to someone on the bike trail the other day and they were riding a (Giant Deft?). It seemed to have everything but was a drop bar configuration. But the rider swore by it. I had a bad crash once that destroyed a very expensive bike (for me) that was caused by my being in the lower position on the drop bars and not focused on the road far enough ahead, so I am a little afraid of them. I do know that ordinarily they can be as comfortable to ride as any other configuration.

Another thought I did have was going to a one of the CX bikes that have the brakes up on the handle bars....are they reliable?

Thanks for all your help on this...what a great forum.
Snow

Probably a Giant Defy.... I LOVE MINE! As someone mentioned above, Giant tends to give you a pretty good bang for your buck! I currently have two Giants in the stable. One of my other bikes, is a GT Tachyon.. Bought it in 2010 and was a fantastic hybrid! Very comfortable and was able to actually do very long rides on it... It real was pretty close to a road bike with a flat bar... Actually did a fairly tough century on it before i bought my Giant Defy.. Recently though I made my GT into my Gravel Grinder.

all of my bikes, including my cx bike, are drop bar... but in truth I almost never ride in the drops... I usually ride on the hoods or on top....so drop bar does not mean all crunched up when set up properly...regardless of the bar type, there is not much reason to be looking down in the front wheel area... always looking ahead, you know, look where you want to go....go test ride a bunch and get the one you like the feel of...

As a Navy vet I went with a fatbike its being held hostage in California at the docks right now! I'm looking for a team to go in and free it.

At least, you got 13 years right..........

You will have to start riding them, and pick the one you fall in love with.

I love my Sirrus, but I also love my Crosstrail! Both great bikes - but the Sirrus is easier to go fast on!

It should be known the bike biz ia all about matching the other company in a series of price points ..

The I Got a "X" picture attached posts are many ..

the factories in Taiwan actually making them are few. [ a large number of importers, contract source from few companies]


Types: 700c 32 , medium width tires, drop bars are Cross, straight bars are Hybrid .

skinny tires (frames disallow a wider tire) Road, put straight bars and its a fitness bike (more a European market sector)


The component companies that sell to the bike frame-assembly companies have a series of parts groups,
the pick is to make a bike at a sum total price you are comfortable paying..


nobody sells Specialized here , sales territories are population based , inthis County that brand is in a different town

LBS has a Trek dealer ship ..

Ford/GM Honda/Toyota it's as if trying to pick what kind of detergent will get your clothes clean, Illusion of difference ..

The Shop service , the human factor and Management choices in the Shop can make More of a difference.

Take a hard look at the Trek Dual Sport. I pick up mine tomorrow or Saturday depending on delivery. It is the 8.5 Dual Sport 2014 Model. They have great reviews and are considered a quick road bike that can pull double duty and venture off road when needed. I am coming from a Cannondale F800 Mountain Bike. I went with the Dual Sport as I mostly ride on pavement however, I wanted the versatility to ride on the trails and off-road a bit when the need arises. I purchased this bike on all the reviews and search I did. I believe I will be happy !!
Age 54
(Retired Department of Defense--(Repairing/overhauling the Navy's Finest War Machines)

Army myself. I have been very happy with my Bike Friday Llama. It might stretch your budget just a tad, but it is sized/built by Bike Friday just for you. I have had excellent riding with it on roads and on single track.