I posted in another forum earlier, but haven't had any help, so I thought I would try here.

I am a birder and I would like to start riding the local bike paths for a change of scenery. Does anyone have good suggestions for a good starting point for me as far as bikes go?

I've always had road bikes (currently bikeless) but would prefer something I can toss cargo bags on.

Thanks!

i've been to those trail, and i think most bikes i see there are mountain bike, i guess it's a little more durable on those rocky areas.... i'm not sure if i wanna ride a road bike down there.

I'm sorry, I may not have been clear...these are paved rails to trails type paths. No rocks.

For the bike paths and load carrying I'd recommend a comfort bike. It is basically a hybrid with a relaxed geometry and mountain bike sized tires. Sometimes the bike paths have pavement that ends and you can wind up on more unpredictable surfaces. Most can be fitted with racks, bags, and fenders if there is a chance you may get caught in unexpected weather.

Thanks. I'm not sure what type of bike I would do best with...I would still like to ride a bit for fitness if I wish. I wouldn't need much load carrying ability. Perhaps 5 pounds of stuff (field guide, binoculars).

So, should I post this in a different forum?

I think even more performance orientated hybrids can carry racks and bags, if you want to speed things up. But if you mean extremely light luggage that fit in a backpack/XL seatpack/fannypack etc, maybe you should consider a CX? Or a fully speced hybrid.

You should definately not post this anywhere but here, in my opinion.
What you describe isn't commuting but it isn't sportive cycling either.
Your goal apparantly isn't to go as fast as possible but instead to be comfortable and able in most riding situations.
What you need for this is a sporty cross hybrid with rear rack.
Something with cyclocross tyres or similar would be perfect to do all types of terrain except actual mountains.
If you're going to need your binoculars readily accessible all the time you might want to consider some sort of handlebar carrying system as well, preferrable rainproof.
Good luck with it and post some pictures once you have your bike

Not necessarily. My Marin Mill Valley can not easily accept a standard rack.

I carry a camera in a chest harness for quick access. Maybe something like that for your field glasses. Assuming quick access is desired. Hanging from your neck, they will swing around too much and hit your knees when you pedal.

Pretty much any bike that has rack mounting attachment points should serve your needs, so find one that you enjoy riding.

I wouldn't use cyclocross tires unless you plan to ride unpaved surfaces, and even then, not necessary. I rode 98 miles of unpaved path/road this weekend on smooth 700x28 tires @90psi with no problems.

I recently (after 9 years) got around to installing a Topeak rack on my old hard tail mountain bike. I'm also an occasional birder and like to take bins on some of my rides. I don't use dedicated bike bags but rather a Mountainsmith lumbar pack that I can wear or strap onto the rack. On rides, the bins I take are Zeiss 10x25 Victory compacts. Not the best birding bins but small and great for longer distance viewing (and light!).

Where I live and ride, a mountain bike is often the better choice. You can ride a bike like mine on pavement just fine but you can't ride a road bike on dirt all that comfortably (or safely).

I'd think any number of hybrids or comfort bikes that will take a rack should be fine for you.

So, having no idea about hybrids...can I get into a decent bike for $500?

And, I don't plan on going off the pavement.

I think so. Giant, Trek, Specialized and other companies make bikes in that price point that should be suitable. You really just have to go try some and see what you think. I'd also check REI if you have one near you. Spending a little more will basically get you better parts.

You don't right now, and neither did I, until I started my "You can't get here by Car" photo album. I'd get something like a decent pair of cross-tires, that can handle pavement and some light dirt.

You'll be amazed at where you start going, pretty quickly:


Road tires don't work so great here

Stopped in my LBS this morning to poke around. I need some help...the "hybrid" bikes I saw remind me of (pardon the stereotype) a Grandma bike. The flat bar road bikes look more like a bicycle to me. Someone tell me I'm wrong...and why.

The salesman, when he heard I wanted to bird, took me to the hybrid section. Then, we he heard I also wanted to ride for fitness, took me to the flat bar road bikes. So, what do I choose? I'm used to road bikes and I'm afraid a comfort bike will put me too far upright and be harder to ride for fitness.

Urgh. This is confusing.

Also, can someone give me examples of flat bar road bikes, sporty hybrid, hybrid, and comfort bike (in models)? Thanks.

Flat-bar road bike: Trek 7.3
Hybrid: Trek Soho or FX
Comfort: Trek Cruiser

Really, many of the "categories" cross over. Really it boils down to: Do you want drop bars or flat bars? And, what will you do MOST (Fitness or birding by bike).

All of the bikes are really good at one thing, or, are ok at a couple of things. None are perfect for everything. In fact, many people discover quickly that there is a need for a bike for each purpose (Weekend fun ride, commuting, fitness, etc).

For my "riding down the bike paths, with quick excursions over dirt", I have an older Trek Mountain bike with commuter tires on it. It does ok on the path, ok on light trails; but wont do either of them as good as my Schwinn Tourist or my Trek MTB.

Thanks! I want flat bars. And, I was thinking of splitting time 50/50 between fitness riding and birding.

So, for fitness, I would choose a flat-bar road bike and for birding a comfort bike, correct? So, a hybrid would probably be good middle ground. But, will I be happy with it when I want to ride it as a road bike (fitness)? Decisions, decisions.

It is pretty complicated if you want to do it right.
It all depends on how exactly you want to ride.
If you are quite young and able and want to be a little sporty and be able to do about every terrain like roads but also a little dirt and tracks or paths through fields and forests, something like a 7.3 fx or similar should be perfect.
Those bikes can easily be equiped with lights, fenders and racks or a handlebar bag if desired.

Don't be fooled by the general concensus into believing that such multi purpose hybrid bikes are slow either ... believe me: they aren't.
Take a look at the picture thread for some ideas and examples

Thanks, AdelaaR. I have been checking out the pic thread a few pages at a time. Lots of nice rides in there!

I will stick to pavement, I think. I've never been one to trek off the beaten path. I'm not quite young....41 and out of biking shape.

A "fitness bike" like a Trek 7.2FX should work for you in both situations just fine and fall into your budget range. You should be able to fit it with either a rear rack/trunk bag/panniers or front handlebar bag/basket, or both to carry your birding stuff. Bags are usually removable, so you can pull them off and use either a smaller version or just a small saddle wedge when doing your fitness riding.

If you are used to road bikes, you might also consider a touring or cyclocross bike.

I've recently been impressed with the Specialized Sirrus line of flat bar road bikes. You might take a look at them and see what you think. I like that Specialized has ergonomic grips on them and you can go from a sub-$500 base model to a carbon frame high-zoot model running around $2000 but all on the same basic frame style.

I think one of these is going to become my pavement bike (but I still really like the Brompton folding bikes for their easy transportabilty and ride quality.

Hence the alternatives...

Michelle, Trek FX/Kona Dew's/Jamis Coda's are all great trail-worthy fitness bikes. I'm sure other companies have very similar models.

Something you can mount a kickstand on, maybe? So you don't scare away the birds finding a place to park?

Thanks, everyone. Now...my closest LBS sells Giant & Cannondale as major brands. They have a 2009 Cannondale Quick 6 for $399. From what I've read, this bike isn't much above a big box store bike, correct? I've always wanted a Trek...just like I've always wanted a Harley...and I've had the Giant brand in a previous bike. So, in the FX line, is a 7.3 better quality than the 7.2?

I'm sorry for the noob questions...I just want to get this right.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...ss/fx/7_3_fx/#

2012 7.3 FX /
Upgrades from 7.2 FX

IsoZone handlebar and grips
Bontrager Race All-Weather Hard-Case tires
Alloy FX fork
Shimano Deore rear derailleur
Oversized 31.8mm handlebar & stem

I thought the 7.3 was worth the price difference, but it would depend on how much you plan on using it. I'm retired and plan on riding a good bit and have hills all around and shift all the time so the Deore upgrade was important to me.