bike for college
 

hi, school just started here and I've decided to get a bike for commuting around campus and around town and maybe even occasionally some longish rides (15 miles or so). I need a bike pretty badly but I'm not sure whether I should get a road bike or a hybrid. I have a road bike at home ( giant ocr 3) which was my first road bike and I really like it. However my college gets a lot of snow every winter (upstate NY) and the roads get pretty slushy and slippery. So I was thinking maybe i should get a hybrid because I'll be able to use it in the winter more often because the tires are thicker and I'll be able to handle it easier and it'll be require less maintenance. Also my road bike handling skills aren't that refined yet. I was thinking about getting a Trek 7.3fx which seems like a nice bike but I keep thinking I'd prefer a road bike. What would you do in my situation? btw I'm willing to spend about $500 on a hybrid and up to $700 on a road bike.
Oh yeah i think that within the next 1-1.5 years I'll get a road bike if i do buy the hybrid now.

I got Specialized Langster for college commuting needs. It's tons of fun. :D It has eyelets for a rack, but with short chain stay need to be careful which panniers you get, if you want to go that route.

I boight a trek 3900 for college but later decided that im gonnnabring my bmx bike because my trek was too snnice, and it migh t get stolen, sorry imk drunk righ tnow if i tyoe abd thak you

For around campus, I'd get the uglist thing available off CL. Less likely to be stolen.

I used a hybrid last year for my first year of college, and it was great. Had a Trek 7.2FX, and I did weekend jaunts, usually no more than 15-18 miles, which I found to be about my limit on physical comfort on a hybrid. I ended up getting a road bike for just getting out and riding. I never had a problem with locking my hybrid up, by the same token, there's lots of nice bikes on campus that people use for commuting, so mine's not going to be on the top of the grab list. Also had a U-lock.
Anyway, if your campus roads are anything like mine, a road bike is going to be a bit of a neck-jarring experience. My roommate got a sweet deal on a 98 Trek 6000, converted it to drop bars and bar end friction shifters, all shimano 105 components and it is the ultimate in campus commuting. Comfy on 20 mile rides, too. All that said, I'd suggest a hybrid for what your wanting. No way I'd lock up my road bike on campus. Not even if you paid me.

Why don't you bring your bike to school and see how you like riding it in adverse conditions. That may save you some grief (and money).

If I were you I'd look at getting a used cyclocross with lots of clearance or some beater mtb of Craigslist.

I used to commute in the winter on an old Bridgestone mtb. It was great.

for around campus i'd use a folder if you're not the heavy sort (most have limits of 230lbs).

for road riding i'd get a surly cross check. it allows wide tires and has a road geometry.

if you only have money for one, either get the cross check and an old used steel beater, or just get a wide tired folder.

Do one thing: ask the campus police about stolen bikes, frequency, etc.

So I don't have to re-write last month's advice ;) :Bike for College