The definition of "hybrid" has been discussed on this forum ad nauseum, and will long continue to be a subject of debate, I'm sure. When I bought my Schwinn it was marketed as a hybrid, which I understood to be a bike with a MTB frame and components mounted on 700c (road-bike) wheels. That is still how I think of it, but I also accept that any bike can be "hybridized" by switching components (e.g., putting drop bars on a MTB). To me the terms "fitness hybrid" and "performance hybrid" are interchangeable and again are marketing terms used to describe a bike with a MTB-like frame and road-like wheels, only this time the gearing is more performance (i.e., road) oriented. Even though my Norco has an IGH I still consider it to be a performance hybrid, mostly due to the fact that it can ride circles around my Schwinn, which I consider to be a "comfort" hybrid. The Norco's riding position is more aggressive, the OE tires are narrower, the bike is lighter, and it just handles better and reacts more quickly to rider input than does my Schwinn. The term hybrid is used very loosely both on these forums and in the cycling industry. That, in part, is what makes them so versatile; they cover a large range of uses.

Just my two cents, FWIW.

I´ve just finished a big upgrade on my hybrid and it was chiefly to motivate me not-to-winter-slumber. The most vital parts, Shimano Acera derailleurs & wheels, didnt need any modification which goes to prove maitenance keep cheap-but-good-things-going. The bike is soon ten years to be and has been my beater bike since new.

What are your riding goals ? What types of surfaces do you ride on ?

The only thing you might want to change are tires. 38c are huge unless you plan riding cinder trails. Go with say 28c.
If the saddle bothers you, upgrade that. Otherwise, leave it alone.

I disagree ---- wider tires aren't necessarily slower, but sure are more comfortable.

I don't imagine any of us could see a difference between 28, 32, 35mm wide tires for speed. Maybe quicker handling with the skinnier, certainly not more speed.

Mix 'em up ---- put a wider tire like a 37-45 on the back for comfort, and a 32-35 on the front for handling..... You will be very surprised. (Personally, I like a 40 on the back, and a 35 on the front.)

No, I would not. I am hard pressed to imagine wanting any bicycle that cost that much but if I found one that I wanted and I felt that I could afford it I would buy it and enjoy it and I would know that there are people riding bicycles that cost several times as much yet. A bicycle may be by far the best solution to your personal transportation needs yet I doubt that you really need a bicycle. There are other options even if they are not as attractive to you for one reason or another. Food, water, shelter, these are things that you need. Even if a bicycle is the optimum means for you to obtain them it is still not a need. We all get bicycles because we want them. Some of us want them for one reason, others other reasons. For some reasons low cost is a predominant factor in the purchase decision, for some reasons cost is of no importance whatsoever. For other reasons yet cost is of primary importance in a perverse sense: some people buy very high end products that are obscenely expensive for no other reason than to be seen using things that we mere mortals will never be able to afford. One indication of this is that I almost never get passed by the exotic cars I see on the road when I am driving, they are almost always right in front of me running 5, 10, 15 mph below the speed limit and taking corners at walking speed. Their owners have no intention of ever actually driving them, they just want to be seen in them. So, don't be one of those people when you buy or upgrade your bicycle (it's pointless, even a lot of other bicycle owners can't tell an exotic TdF machine from a department store knockoff) but don't be embarrassed or ashamed of how much or how little you spent either. Follow your heart, stay within your budget, and enjoy your ride.

Ken

So true!

It's also amazing how many really nice bikes you can find in the 300-500 dollar range. Like the GT Traffic 3.0 for 4 bills or less.

Ken, my bicycle is my sole form of transportation and my sole source of income. Take it away and I'm on the skids, homeless, begging for food. Get the picture? There is nothing I need less than my bicycle.

A fisherman doesn't need his net unless he wants to eat.

I need a bicycle, and I'm not alone.

I would be very embarrassed to ride a $4000 bicycle, by the way, unless I was winning races on it. You and I lead very different lives. It is as hard for me to see from your perspective as it is for you to see from mine. You seem to be saying I could just get another job but it's not that easy.

What is embarrassing about riding an expensive bike **********?

It's none of your business. Why do people need bikes? The workers at your favorite restaurant so they can wash the dishes you eat from. It's not your problem, ignore poverty and continue with your conspicuous consumption. Spend your money on fancy bikes or give it to charity. It makes no difference to me. It's not your problem, none of your business. Nevermind, I wasn't talking to you, Talldog.

Good question about the BMW 840i.
The answer is: "because due to traffic I'll still be behind you at the next stoplight ... laughing in my sleeve"

Funny thing is I had exactly this situation today
I was helping my sister out to move her stuff to her new house, so I was there with my small yet handy car and my hauling cart (don't know the word for this thing in english).
One of her friends was there with a completely tuned racing style car making a huge noise.
So we rode to her new house ... and he rode in front of me and was constantly trying to pass averyone in traffic and still making huge noises and generally driving like a total idiot.
I'm pretty good at getting through traffic easily by analyzing the situation and I can corner pretty well, so by the time we arrived at her new house ... I was right behind him
He didn't even actually help the actual "moving" either because he had no room whatsoever in his car.
Fast cars are good for races ... not for casual people.

Don't get me wrong: if people like to bike on $2000 bikes that is their good right ofcourse.
What I said was that most if not almost all of these people have very little benefit of bikes priced above $1000.
Most people will not even benefit from bikes above $500 either.

Everyone drives like an idiot and if you kept up...

Seriously ... i would.
If I, in my situation which is not being a millionaire who doesn't have to worry about money at all, would have a $4000 dollar bike, I would be reluctant to ride it.
I would not dare to ride it in harsh terrain because I would hate it to have scratches.
I would not dare to park it anywhere without at least 3 superlocks either.
I would also know that I don't really need that bike, so I would sell it and get myself a bike that is more suited to my needs.

A triathlon bike with pannier rack, riser bar and mirrors!
One of the funniest bikes I have ever seen

Sorry but I have to disagree.
I drive my car for a living and in my job there is no other choice because I have to carry a whole lot of equipment at all times.
So I spend 3 hours behind the wheel about every day of the year.
Believe me: I know traffic and I have developped a sort of "third eye" to get through it easily.
Most professional drivers do.
What I see is that many people drive like total idiots but ... it does not help them at all to get through traffic and it is very dangerous.

I drive extremely defensive yet very smooth but never aggressive.
I allways have an eye out for all bikers aswell

I've driven a lot more than you have, for money. Riding a bike in traffic has taught me more than driving, but I know what you are talking about.

But keeping up with an aggressive driver in a sports car is not something to brag about. Being smooth and seeing ahead will not make you as fast as someone who is driving recklessly. A good professional driver wouldn't try to keep up. Hopefully you will quit trying before you hurt somebody.

I ride for excercise and fun. I don't ride much more than 30 minutes at a time but occasionaly go for a long ride. I also ride mainly on paths. I'm honestly ignorant enought I don't know what a cinder trail is so I probably don't ride them much.

I agree 100 percent, Just installed Kendra Kwicks 26 x 1.95 tires, I know there not the most EXPENSIVE, but man do they roll fast on the
road, No noise, smooth, but going down my long gravel drive, just like MTB tires..They seated perfectly, could not be more impressed..
Richard : )

+1 Richard LOL !

I never said i actualy TRIED to keep up with him.
I was just minding my own business and due to traffic I was able to easily keep up with him

Hold on there, Hoss. You now speak of things you know nothing about. Without conspicuous consumption, as you term it, there would be no economy worth fretting about, no dishes in restaurants to wash, no restaurants period, no Bike Forum to vent on, no bicycle deliveries to make, and .... no choices whatsover. Sounds idyllic, no ? Maybe for you, who knows ? But hey, we could all emigrate to Cuba and drive '55 Chevy's held together with chicken wire and wish upon hope that someday we would have indoor plumbing. Really, enroll in (and pass) Economics 101 before making ludicrous statements. And I am talking to you.

You can not see the people who struggle to make your world. I told you not to concern yourself.

Stay on TOPIC guys, both of you are great posters, and have a wealth of knowledge about bikes...Lets keep it that way ! Richard

You realize of course that bicycles were developed as a mode of transportation. Any sporting evolution beyond such humble beginnings supplants and augments their original purpose on a wide scale. So, at some point, any benefit accruing from better and more expensive bikes may be perceived by some as a purely intangible value, albeit one that is known intimately to those who may own them. All you gotta' do is ask ...

But surely, we all benefit from the existence of expensive bikes. I really think that should be obvious. Otherwise, we would still be riding around on gas pipe frames with heavy steel wheels.

This thread is beginning to sound like the old addage "better to keep your foot in your mouth, than to remove it, and erase all doubt!"

And, to the OP - I do believe you would be well served by that bike at Performance - on sale, it is a lot of bike for the money..... and within your budget.