I'm interested in getting a hybrid bike for short rides and the occasional longer short ride. For use on roads and easy bike paths.

I am 5'1 and so far I've checked out the Trek 7100 hybrid and Specialized Crossroads (sport) for women. The 7100 was nice, but I've read a couple not so hot reviews for this bike (crappy brakes, so they say). Is it worth it to spend a little more to get the 7300 at a whopping $399? The Crossroads was nice too, but I'm leaning towards the Trek simply b/c I like the shop better.

Any recommendations (incl. other brands) are welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jenny

Have you considered any folders?Have you looked at any Terry Bicycles?

What's your budget? Do you consider yourself a new rider or is this a secondary bike? Would you consider this a transition bike?

No, I haven't heard of Terry. The 3 lbs in my area sell Trek, Specialized, Giant, Jamis, Fuji, and a few others. But the folder sounds pretty cool.

As for budget, I'm quite limited. I'd like to spend around $350 but am willing to spend a little bit more if it means the bike will be more reliable. I'm concerned that if the bike is too cheap, the components might break down quickly.

Plus, the man at the LBS said the 7100 was good if I only planned on riding 10 miles at a time (5 miles each way). That sounds a bit limiting, especially if I want to take longer rides in the future.

I am a new rider and this will be my only bike.

Here are the specs for the bikes I'm looking at... Which is the better bike? Or better value?

Trek 7100 for $280
FRAMESET:
FRAME: Alpha aluminum
Men's and women's frames available in both colors.
FORK: RST CT COM I C4
WHEELS:
WHEELS: Alloy hubs; Matrix 550 rims; 14G ss spokes
TIRES: Bontrager Invert Select, 700x35c
DRIVETRAIN:
SHIFTERS: SRAM ESP 3.0
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano C102
REAR DERAILLEUR: SRAM ESP 3.0
CRANKSET: SR NEX200 48/38/28
CASSETTE: SunRace 13-34, 7 speed
PEDALS: Dual density platform
COMPONENTS:
SADDLE: Bontrager webspring
SEATPOST: Alloy suspension
HANDLEBARS: 50mm rise
STEM: Adjustable rise
HEADSET: Semi-cartridge, sealed
BRAKESET: Alloy linear pull w/alloy levers w/Kraton inserts
OTHER:
EXTRAS: Bell, chainring guard



Trek 7300 for $400
FRAMESET:
FRAME: Alpha aluminum
Men's and women's frames available in both colors.
FORK: RST CT COM I T4
WHEELS:
WHEELS: Alloy F, Shimano C201 R hub; ACE19 rims
TIRES: Bontrager Invert HC, Kevlar belt, 700x35c
DRIVETRAIN:
SHIFTERS: SRAM ESP Pro
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano T301
REAR DERAILLEUR: SRAM X.7
CRANKSET: Bontrager Sport 48/38/28
CASSETTE: SRAM 850 11-32, 8 speed
PEDALS: Dual density platform
COMPONENTS:
SADDLE: Bontrager webspring w/flashing lights
SEATPOST: Alloy suspension
HANDLEBARS: Bontrager Bar-Keeper
STEM: Adjustable rise
HEADSET: Semi-cartridge, sealed
BRAKESET: Alloy linear pull w/alloy levers w/Kraton inserts
OTHER:
EXTRAS: chainring guard



Specialized Crossroads Sport for $300
FRAME Specialized Ergo Street, A1 Premium Aluminum, heat- treated alloy
FORK Specialized TCR-D, 40mm travel
HEADSET Specialized 1 1/8" threaded, loose ball
STEM Specialized adjustable, alloy
HANDLEBARS Specialized alloy, 80mm rise, 14 degree sweep
TAPE / GRIPS Body Geometry, triple density gel
FRONT BRAKE Forged alloy, linear pull, w/ modulator
REAR BRAKE Forged alloy, linear pull, w/ modulator
BRAKE LEVERS Alloy, 3 finger comfort
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano C-051, 31.8 clamp, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Acera, long cage
SHIFT LEVERS SRAM MRX-Plus 8-speed grip shift
CASSETTE Shimano HG-40, 8-speed, Mega Range 11x32t
CHAIN Shimano IG-31
CRANKSET Specialized Five arm, polished arms
CHAINRINGS 48Sx38Sx28S, Super Shifter III, w/ chainguard
BOTTOM BRACKET TH Sport, square taper, 68mm shell, 113mm spindle, sealed cartridge
PEDALS Specialized platform, soft top, toe clip adaptable
RIMS Alex Z-1000, 700c, alloy
FRONT HUB Specialized forged, 36 hole, double sealed, QR
REAR HUB Specialzied forged, 36 hole, cassette, double sealed, QR
SPOKES Specialized, 2.0mm (14g), stainless, brass nipples, L294/R294mm front, L293/R291mm rear
FRONT TIRE Specialized Infinity, 700x38C, Flak Jacket
REAR TIRE Specialized Infinity, 700x38C, Flak Jacket
TUBES Specialized schraeder valve
SADDLE Specialized Super Comfort Plush, with web springs
SEAT POST Alloy suspension, 27.2 x 350mm, preload adjust
SEAT BINDER Specialized forged alloy w/ QR
NOTES Chain stay cover, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual

Looks like they are each vary similar. How are the brakes reviewed badly on the 7100, but better on the 7300 when the specs say they are the same? In anycase, all three bikes look okay.

I'd first decide whether the Trek, or Specialized geometry is more comfortable. But if you like the LBS better, go for the Trek. Then decide if the 7300 is worth the extra $100. Based on the parts spec, I would say the 7300 is worth it. You get better tires, better shifting (8 speed), a saddle with flashing light (how cool is that?), and probably a lighter bike, amoung other things.

I would query whether a 5'1" rider should be using 700c sized wheels. You may find the whole bike to large and cumbersome, even if the frame "size" is right.
Look around for a bike which uses 26" MTB wheels As long as you use smooth road tyres, they work well on the road. Not all of these are mountain bikes; some such as the Trek Navigator range are styled as "comfort" bikes. The Navigator 100 seems to be in your price range, but other manufacturers probably do similar models.

Also, ensure that you are using short cranks, no longer than 165mm. Crank length is like stride length, you cant go far trying to walk in extra-long strides, or pedalling in extra big circles.

My wife owns a 2002 Trek 7100 and she loves it. Hasn't had a single problem with it. The only thing I don't like about it is the fuggly shift dials (huge PlaySkool-looking things!) but that's my personal aesthetic.

Can't speak to the issue of other makes and models, but at least I can give you an endorsement for the 7100.

Hi,
this will be more money, but it's what my wife rides.She likes it a lot. It's the Bianchi Strada and I think it's a huge improvement over what you have been looking at.

I'd just like to thank everyone for their suggestions. I ended up getting the 15 inch women's Trek 7100. I rode around a little bit today and have to say that I really enjoyed myself. The only negative is that I got a water bottle holder placed on, but the space between the top and bottom bar really isn't big enough to accommodate the holder (holder fits in space, but not w/ bottle in it). Besides that it's a fun ride. I haven't gone that fast on a bike since I was a little kid! Thanks again and happy riding!

You might want to consider getting one of those bottle mounts that attached to your saddle's rail.

I'm going to be buying my wife a Giant Revive soon, she fell in love. I must say riding it is a blast and extreamly cumfy.

My girlfriend's your same height and she ended up getting the giant cypress lx. Her first real bike since she was a little kid too, definitely having a lot of fun with it.

Have you considered moving the bottle down so that the screw for the top mounts into the hole at the bottom and then using a ziptie to keep it in place so it doesn't swing around. That way it's a little lower and u might be able to fit a bottle into it.

Is that the recumbent-like bike?

Yes that's the one, its worth a test ride. Nice Pic, is that you?

Nope. It's one of the employees at my FBS. He popped a wheelie on the thing at one point.

FWIW, I did a 400km unsupported tour with a (male) friend who rides a Trek 7100. He seemed to have no complaints. We were carrying a decent amount of gear, as the tour was the second leg of our combined kayak / bike trip.

Yes, the shifters seemed ugly. He also told me they tend to freeze solid in the Finnish winter, but that may not be a problem for you.

--J