Adding a 2nd bike! Opinions?
I have a trek navigator 2.0 and want to add a 2nd bike to my arsenal. 95% of my riding is on a paved path so I want something with narrower tires and lighter (no suspension). I have tried a trek fx and I don't mind the riding position at all. I have done some research but there are so many brands out there. I'm intrigued by Jamis but not sure where I can find them. Then there's Giant which I hear about often. I'm looking to spend $1,000 and don't mind spending this much for a quality bike. I obviously don't have to spend this much if it's not worth it but that's my budget. Any specific recommendations that I should check out? I generally ride 15-20 mile rides a few times per week on a dedicated paved path (sometime further on the weekends).
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I bought the 2012 Giant Escape1 last fall and it was been awesome so far. It has the 700x32c tires which are perfect for road and packed dirt/unpaved trails. The Trek FX 7.2/7.3 are comparable to the Escape1. If you are considering a flat-handle roadbike, check out the Giant Rapid.
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Fuji Absolute 1.0. More bang for your bucks.
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The Cannondale Quick series is popular. The Quick 3 is in your price range. Specialized Sirrus also has a couple of models in your price range. I don't like the gearing on them. The Trek FX has an 11-34 cassette on it and I HATE IT! The gear spacing is too large. I much prefer the 11-28 cassette on my road bike. The Fuji Absolute looks like a real winner because it's geared like a road bike and uses road derailleurs and has 28mm tires. I would not go any wider than 32 tires.
The Giant Rapid 2 should be in your price range. That bike is also a flat bar road bike. The Jamis Coda line are steel hybrids. They are popular here, but suffer from the 11-32 cassette from hell. Are you sure you don't want to consider a drop bar bike? A hybrid isn't going to feel much different than the Navigator, which looks like a comfort bike. Go out and try some bikes and see which ones appeal to you. |
If you're not opposed to buying used on Craigslist, you can save yourself a bunch of money. I picked up a 2012 Trek FX 7.5 that fits me perfectly for under $400. (yes, I searched a few stolen bike registries prior to purchase).
The newer models have a compact double - which may be one of the reasons for the wider range of gears on the included cassette. It's easy enough to replace it, though, if you have a chain whip and a lockring tool. I use this bike as my commuter and 'weekend warrior'. I replaced the crankset with a triple because there are steep hills around here (some spots reaching 20%+ grade), and I need the small chainring to keep from overworking my bad left knee. Overall, it's been a great, comfortable bike. A friend of mine has the same bike, just a couple years older, and he loves it too. I did, however have to immediately get rid of the stock saddle (Bontrager). I went for one 20 mile ride on it, and knew it wasn't going to work for me. I ride it primarily on roads and paved paths, but have occasionally ridden it on dirt / packed gravel, and while being a very uncomfortable experience, the bike did just fine - despite having to carry it's 270lb rider. |
Originally Posted by Zenmaster2009
(Post 14247922)
I have a trek navigator 2.0 and want to add a 2nd bike to my arsenal. 95% of my riding is on a paved path so I want something with narrower tires and lighter (no suspension). I have tried a trek fx and I don't mind the riding position at all. I have done some research but there are so many brands out there. I'm intrigued by Jamis but not sure where I can find them. Then there's Giant which I hear about often. I'm looking to spend $1,000 and don't mind spending this much for a quality bike. I obviously don't have to spend this much if it's not worth it but that's my budget. Any specific recommendations that I should check out? I generally ride 15-20 mile rides a few times per week on a dedicated paved path (sometime further on the weekends).
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Welcome To Bike Forums, Zenmaster!
In lieu of what you've previously expressed and at your current pricepoint, I will only recommend the following: ~ The Jamis Coda Elite and the Jamis Satellite Comp ~ The Coda Elite ~ $1050 www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/12_codaelite.html The Satellite Comp ~ $1000 www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/satellite/12_satellitecomp.html Good Luck! :thumb: Checkout the Jamis dealers near you: Orange 20 Bikes ~ (323) 662-4537 Chubby's Cruisers ~ (310) 751-6162 Summit Ski & Cycle ~ (310) 568-8357 |
Why not try something different like a cross bike or a touring bike? You could check out the Trek 520 (which is over your price range) or the Jamis Aurora (which is within your budget). That way you can have reasonably fat tires and drop bars. The Salsa Casseroll might also work for you.
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Raleigh Cadent FT3 is another bike that might interest you.
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Originally Posted by Zenmaster2009
(Post 14247922)
I have a trek navigator 2.0 and want to add a 2nd bike to my arsenal. 95% of my riding is on a paved path so I want something with narrower tires and lighter (no suspension). I have tried a trek fx and I don't mind the riding position at all. I have done some research but there are so many brands out there. I'm intrigued by Jamis but not sure where I can find them. Then there's Giant which I hear about often. I'm looking to spend $1,000 and don't mind spending this much for a quality bike. I obviously don't have to spend this much if it's not worth it but that's my budget. Any specific recommendations that I should check out? I generally ride 15-20 mile rides a few times per week on a dedicated paved path (sometime further on the weekends).
I agree with the others about considering a drop-bar bike, maybe a touring bicycle? |
I hate to sound like such a newb but what benefits would the drop bar bike offer me over the bikes I'm looking at? There is just so much information to digest that it's hurting my brain. I definitely want to make sure I get this right since I'm spending a good chunk of change.
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There are a number of advantages to drop bars. They provide a number of hand positions which make them more comfortable on longer rides. You can sit up and ride on the flats (much like you do currently on a hybrid), you can ride on the brake levers which, if the bike is set up right, is very comfortable and gives you a lot of control, and you can ride in the drops if you need to get aero. Drops make for more efficient bike riding since you are more aerodynamic and this is a really big deal esp. on any sort of a longer ride. You have a bike with flat bars for tooling around town with; get a bike for drops for your longer rides. You'll be happy that you did.
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Well, a hybrid flat bar bike, while zippier, wouldn't be all that different from your Navigator. A drop bar bike would give you a different position, a different kind of ride, etc. I and I think others suggested it for more variety's sake.
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Originally Posted by bikemig
(Post 14249780)
Why not try something different like a cross bike or a touring bike? You could check out the Trek 520 (which is over your price range) or the Jamis Aurora (which is within your budget). That way you can have reasonably fat tires and drop bars. The Salsa Casseroll might also work for you.
.........I've only heard good things about the Casseroll!
Originally Posted by a1penguin
(Post 14249563)
The Cannondale Quick series is popular. The Quick 3 is in your price range. Specialized Sirrus also has a couple of models in your price range. I don't like the gearing on them. The Trek FX has an 11-34 cassette on it and I HATE IT! The gear spacing is too large. I much prefer the 11-28 cassette on my road bike. The Fuji Absolute looks like a real winner because it's geared like a road bike and uses road derailleurs and has 28mm tires. I would not go any wider than 32 tires.
The Giant Rapid 2 should be in your price range. That bike is also a flat bar road bike. The Jamis Coda line are steel hybrids. They are popular here, but suffer from the 11-32 cassette from hell. Are you sure you don't want to consider a drop bar bike? A hybrid isn't going to feel much different than the Navigator, which looks like a comfort bike. Go out and try some bikes and see which ones appeal to you. I find this somewhat disconcerting, as I usually agree with A1penguin's opinions.
Originally Posted by bikemig
(Post 14251857)
There are a number of advantages to drop bars. They provide a number of hand positions which make them more comfortable on longer rides. You can sit up and ride on the flats (much like you do currently on a hybrid), you can ride on the brake levers which, if the bike is set up right, is very comfortable and gives you a lot of control, and you can ride in the drops if you need to get aero. Drops make for more efficient bike riding since you are more aerodynamic and this is a really big deal esp. on any sort of a longer ride. You have a bike with flat bars for tooling around town with; get a bike for drops for your longer rides. You'll be happy that you did.
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Originally Posted by Zenmaster2009
(Post 14247922)
I have a trek navigator 2.0 and want to add a 2nd bike to my arsenal. 95% of my riding is on a paved path so I want something with narrower tires and lighter (no suspension). I have tried a trek fx and I don't mind the riding position at all. I have done some research but there are so many brands out there. I'm intrigued by Jamis but not sure where I can find them. Then there's Giant which I hear about often. I'm looking to spend $1,000 and don't mind spending this much for a quality bike. I obviously don't have to spend this much if it's not worth it but that's my budget. Any specific recommendations that I should check out? I generally ride 15-20 mile rides a few times per week on a dedicated paved path (sometime further on the weekends).
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Originally Posted by erg79
(Post 14251876)
Well, a hybrid flat bar bike, while zippier, wouldn't be all that different from your Navigator. A drop bar bike would give you a different position, a different kind of ride, etc. I and I think others suggested it for more variety's sake.
Then I tried a carbon fiber frame road bike. :thumb: And bought one. But I still love my Cannondale Quick 3, which retails for well under $1000. If you decide to try some aluminum road bikes, give the Specialized Allez a try, as well as the Cannondale Synapse. |
Originally Posted by a1penguin
(Post 14249563)
The Cannondale Quick series is popular. The Quick 3 is in your price range. Specialized Sirrus also has a couple of models in your price range. I don't like the gearing on them. The Trek FX has an 11-34 cassette on it and I HATE IT! The gear spacing is too large. I much prefer the 11-28 cassette on my road bike. The Fuji Absolute looks like a real winner because it's geared like a road bike and uses road derailleurs and has 28mm tires. I would not go any wider than 32 tires.
The Giant Rapid 2 should be in your price range. That bike is also a flat bar road bike. The Jamis Coda line are steel hybrids. They are popular here, but suffer from the 11-32 cassette from hell. Are you sure you don't want to consider a drop bar bike? A hybrid isn't going to feel much different than the Navigator, which looks like a comfort bike. Go out and try some bikes and see which ones appeal to you. |
Slim: There's nothing wrong with the cassette; it works just fine. I personally don't like the large spacing between the gears. I think I just got used to the gearing on the triple on the road bike. My Synapse is a compact double and I don't find it much different than the triple.
Why I like road bike: Hand positions: I ride mostly on the hoods. With my hands on the hoods I can shift or break without having to move my hands to a different position. I also prefer the more aero position of the road bike. Zenmaster: There are lots of road bikes out there. You'll want one that is less aggressive and gives a more upright riding position. If you watch a cycling race on TV, you'll see the riders have their backs parallel to the ground. That's got to be uncomfortable. I bet I ride at about a 45º angle on my road bike on the hoods. Some road bikes are designed to accommodate that flat back and others give a more relaxed position. I see a lot of people here who purchase a hybrid, enjoy riding and quickly want a drop bar road bike in six months. Since you already have a comfort bike and are looking to spend some serious $ on a new bike, I think you should consider what bike will meet your cycling needs over the next few years. Are there any LBS near you that have bike rentals? You could rent a road bike for a day and really get a good workout on it. |
Can anyone give any suggestions on road bikes around $1,000 with a more upright riding position?
So far, as far as hybrids are concerned I'm strongly comparing Cannondale Quick 3 vs. Fuji Absolute 1.0. The Fuji has a slightly more narrow tire but I'm not sure which I'd rather have at this point. Once I select one of those 2 I'll find a good road bike and then make an ultimate decision if I want road bike vs. another hybrid. |
If you're going to get a Fuji Absolute, then get the 2012 Absolute 2.0 at performancebike.com for $800. You won't be missing much from the Absolute 1.0, IMO. If you're a size 21" or 23", you can still get a 2011 Absolute 2.0 for $600! Now that's really more bang for your bucks!!!
If you're going to get the Cannondale Quick 3.0, then get that one from rei.com. It'll cost you $850, but that's a bargain, nonetheless! OTOH, you can buy a Jamis Coda, an upright chromoly steel hybrid, that will last you for the rest of your life. It can take on a vast range of tire width sizes, and is prepared for both rack and fender installations. It's agile, durable, and easy to accelerate. It was hybrid of the year, according to Bicycling magazine of 2011. If you get the Coda Comp at $775, it will most certainly prove to be more durable than either of the other two bicycles that you're currently considering. However, you can't lose with those two, either...There all great bikes! :thumb: The absolute best hybrid deal of all times on the market right now at the regular MSRP, is the Jamis Coda Elite at your current pricepoint! The Jamis Coda Elite ~ $1050 www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/12_codaelite.html |
What makes the Jamis Coda Elite so much better than the other bikes I mentioned? It looks like an awesome bike. The "cassette from Hell" comment scares me a bit though...
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Slim is always pushing the Coda, it's a nice bike (I've owned one) but not anything spectacular. The geometry is on the aggressive, stretched out side which I didn't care for (I have a road bike for that.) You're in Pasadena so I'd skip the disk brakes and get the Comp model if you go with the Coda. Don't worry about the cassette, if you don't like it you can always buy a tighter spaced SRAM PG-950 for $25 and have your LBS install it for $5-10. Same thing with tires, they are cheap and easy to replace so don't make your decision based on what comes stock on the bike.
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If you are going to choose between a Cannondale Quick 3 or a Fuji Absolute 1.0. The Fuji is going to be way better than the Quick 3. Since it has a 10 speed cassette, thinner tires for pavements, better components and a better crank set. The Quick 3 is better compare to the Fuji Absolute 2.0. The Fuji Absolute 2.0 still has a better road style crank set and thinner tires for the road.
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Originally Posted by SlimRider
(Post 14257098)
If you're going to get the Cannondale Quick 3.0, then get that one from rei.com. It'll cost you $850, but that's a bargain, nonetheless!
OTOH, you can buy a Jamis Coda, an upright chromoly steel hybrid, that will last you for the rest of your life. It can take on a vast range of tire width sizes, and is prepared for both rack and fender installations. It's agile, durable, and easy to accelerate. It was hybrid of the year, according to Bicycling magazine of 2011. If you get the Coda Comp at $775, it will most certainly prove to be more versatile than either of the other two bicycles that you're currently considering. However, you can't lose with those two, either...There all great bikes! :thumb: The absolute best hybrid deal of all times on the market right now at the regular MSRP, is the Jamis Coda Elite at your current pricepoint! The Jamis Coda Elite ~ $1050 www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/12_codaelite.html OP, the Specialized Allez, for a decent, more upright road bike. Base price is in the $700s, so you could upgrade to better components if you want. Cannondale Synapse also. Both have carbon forks, I believe, as does the Cannondale Quick 3 and 2. |
Originally Posted by Bunnicula
(Post 14258927)
Most bikes can take a range of tire widths, no? The Cannondale Quick 4 is Bycycling Magazine's Hybrid of the Year for 2012, and the Quick 3 and 2 are even nicer. Have you tried these bikes, SlimRider? And what do you mean by more versatile?
OP, the Specialized Allez, for a decent, more upright road bike. Base price is in the $700s, so you could upgrade to better components if you want. Cannondale Synapse also. Both have carbon forks, I believe, as does the Cannondale Quick 3 and 2. Thanks! :thumb: PS. Many performance oriented hybrids can't take tire widths up to 38c like the Codas. |
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