Want some opinions on commuter/hybrid bikes
05-12-10, 03:36 PM
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Want some opinions on commuter/hybrid bikes
Posting this in "Commuting", but maybe this is a more appropriate place.
Your opinion on commuter/hybrid bikes?
Hi, all. I'm a relatively new bike commuter. Last year I bought the cheapest new bike I could find that a bike shop (not a box store) had: a 279$ Asama Luddite, to see how commuting went, and a year later I find myself riding 6+ times a week, not only to work, but all over town. I need to move up in the world. I'd like to spend less than 800 bucks Canadian, and I want something light and fast, but also something I can ride on some gravel and dirt trails or take on a 40K overnight trip with full panniers. I'm thinking I'd like disc brakes, because it rains here a lot, and I'd like it not to be so painful going up hills as it is on my Luddite - Vancouver is a hilly city and I do big hills every day. After a bit of research, I'm looking at:
Brodie Dynamo
Kona Dew Plus
Gary Fisher KaiTai
Trek Valencia or FX
Norco Roma
Opus Orpheo
Anybody own any of these or otherwise have an opinion of these bikes? Or do you have any other suggestions for other bikes which you like?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Your opinion on commuter/hybrid bikes?
Hi, all. I'm a relatively new bike commuter. Last year I bought the cheapest new bike I could find that a bike shop (not a box store) had: a 279$ Asama Luddite, to see how commuting went, and a year later I find myself riding 6+ times a week, not only to work, but all over town. I need to move up in the world. I'd like to spend less than 800 bucks Canadian, and I want something light and fast, but also something I can ride on some gravel and dirt trails or take on a 40K overnight trip with full panniers. I'm thinking I'd like disc brakes, because it rains here a lot, and I'd like it not to be so painful going up hills as it is on my Luddite - Vancouver is a hilly city and I do big hills every day. After a bit of research, I'm looking at:
Brodie Dynamo
Kona Dew Plus
Gary Fisher KaiTai
Trek Valencia or FX
Norco Roma
Opus Orpheo
Anybody own any of these or otherwise have an opinion of these bikes? Or do you have any other suggestions for other bikes which you like?
Thanks in advance for your help.
05-12-10, 05:38 PM
#2
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after riding for the first time in over 10 years during a trip to san francisco, i came back to the east coast wanting to get a bike. i went with the kaitai after spending about 10 hours reading about a bunch of bikes.
i dont mind drop bars but for lots of urban riding and some off-road, i wanted an aggressive style hybrid with some suspension, and this one has lockout which is nice. i like flat bars for tons of quick urban direction changes, tons of potholes and curb jumping. i found the kaitai, with its more aggressive geometry than other hybrids to be what i wanted. one short test ride and i was sold. a lot of people here like the trek lines, and trek makes gary fisher anyways. i never heard of kona, but a lot of people here seem to like them.
so far i have put on about 100 miles in a few weeks, mostly suburban and nyc riding and really love this bike. i get a pretty aggressive flat bar stance all things considered with a nice ride to boot. we have some 20 mile light off-road trails planned as well. from riding some short trails around town, this bike handles it well.
i have the 2009 model. the msrp was 749 but if you can find a dealer that has one in stock, you can get a deal since the 2011s are about to come out. the 2009 has better components (derailleurs, brakes & fork) over the 2010 which msrpd at 599. last weekend in the city this thing shifted nice and quick, brakes are great and with a flipped stem i find myself in a nice stance.
i dont need 24 gears as i find myself using essentially what amounts to about 6 of the ones i have access to. eventually, funds permitting, i wouldnt mind a nice 8 speed internal hub city bike to complement this guy.
good luck.
i dont mind drop bars but for lots of urban riding and some off-road, i wanted an aggressive style hybrid with some suspension, and this one has lockout which is nice. i like flat bars for tons of quick urban direction changes, tons of potholes and curb jumping. i found the kaitai, with its more aggressive geometry than other hybrids to be what i wanted. one short test ride and i was sold. a lot of people here like the trek lines, and trek makes gary fisher anyways. i never heard of kona, but a lot of people here seem to like them.
so far i have put on about 100 miles in a few weeks, mostly suburban and nyc riding and really love this bike. i get a pretty aggressive flat bar stance all things considered with a nice ride to boot. we have some 20 mile light off-road trails planned as well. from riding some short trails around town, this bike handles it well.
i have the 2009 model. the msrp was 749 but if you can find a dealer that has one in stock, you can get a deal since the 2011s are about to come out. the 2009 has better components (derailleurs, brakes & fork) over the 2010 which msrpd at 599. last weekend in the city this thing shifted nice and quick, brakes are great and with a flipped stem i find myself in a nice stance.
i dont need 24 gears as i find myself using essentially what amounts to about 6 of the ones i have access to. eventually, funds permitting, i wouldnt mind a nice 8 speed internal hub city bike to complement this guy.
good luck.
05-12-10, 10:05 PM
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I have both a Trek Valencia and FX (7.5). The Valencia is a true "commuter". The FX is my "flat bar road bike".
The Valencia is closer to fitting the mission you describe. One great feature is that the disc brakes are mounted such that you can have a normal rack and fenders (as opposed to the ones that are designed for bikes with disc brakes and thus have to trade off other specifications).
I know people use the FX as a true hybrid, but for me it is all "sporty" and "road". I just can't think about it with panniers.
Also you might want to check out the GF Mendota, although it is a bit higher in terms of price range than the bikes you listed.
The Valencia is closer to fitting the mission you describe. One great feature is that the disc brakes are mounted such that you can have a normal rack and fenders (as opposed to the ones that are designed for bikes with disc brakes and thus have to trade off other specifications).
I know people use the FX as a true hybrid, but for me it is all "sporty" and "road". I just can't think about it with panniers.
Also you might want to check out the GF Mendota, although it is a bit higher in terms of price range than the bikes you listed.
05-13-10, 11:39 AM
#4
Senior Member
you should sit on the bikes and ride 'em to see what you want.
some hybrids are very laid back sitting up style, and others are performance hybrids with aggressive geometry, as pointed out above. both can handle panniers and overnight trips, it depends what you enjoy riding.
edit: which FX has disc brakes? you may have to add those on later i didnt see any that had em on the trek website.
some hybrids are very laid back sitting up style, and others are performance hybrids with aggressive geometry, as pointed out above. both can handle panniers and overnight trips, it depends what you enjoy riding.
edit: which FX has disc brakes? you may have to add those on later i didnt see any that had em on the trek website.
Last edited by idiotekniQues; 05-13-10 at 11:53 AM.
05-13-10, 11:48 AM
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Thanks a bunch, guys. idiotekniQues, I'm very attracted to the Kai Tai, in part because of that lockout fork. I now they have it in stock at a bike shop in town, so I'll go give it a ride.
Matty, a few of my friends have FX and seem to love it, but the Valencia does seem a bit tougher (and I guess, heavier). Someone described it to me as sluggish compared to the FX. Do you find it so?
Matty, a few of my friends have FX and seem to love it, but the Valencia does seem a bit tougher (and I guess, heavier). Someone described it to me as sluggish compared to the FX. Do you find it so?
