dsmchenry

I bought a mountain bike from a neighbor probably 10 years ago (a Sears special) ... rode it a couple times ... hung it in the garage never to be used again. My son had a bike hike this week with his boyscout troop. So, he pulled the mountain bike off the hooks in the garage. When he pulled it down, I pumped up the tires, lubricated the chain and took it out for a test ride. Now I have the bug (and have ridden every day since) and want to get a new/better bike. I plan to do most of my riding on the road with a small amount of offroad (rails to trails, gravel roads). I don't plan on doing competitions but could see myself building up to long rides. The local bike shops close to me carry Trek & Specialized. Here is what I've looked at so far & trying to stay in the less than $1,000 range.
Trek:
7.4 FX Disc
8.3 DS
'11 Mendota (close out)

Specialized:
Sirrus Elite Disc

Questions:
1) Should I care about disc brakes?
2) Should I care about carbon fiber forks?
3) Since I already have a mountain bike (even though a cheapie), should I skip looking at hybrids and get a road bike?

americandream

Questions:
1) Should I care about disc brakes? - No unless you'll be riding in bad weather conditions, off-roading, or riding through mud.

2) Should I care about carbon fiber forks? Not at all. It's just a lighter fork and not needed unless you want the absolute lightest bike possible. Not needed.

3) Since I already have a mountain bike (even though a cheapie), should I skip looking at hybrids and get a road bike?
Buy whatever bike will be best for the riding you plan to do. Would you rather a road bike or a hybrid? I basically only ride on the road but I ride a performance hybrid Giant Escape 1. I just like the bike better than a road bike. So, buy whatever you want to. Hybrids aren't always great for all off-roading, though they can handle many different road conditions very well. I'm not a fan of road bikes myself, tires are too skinny and I don't like the dropdown handlebars but it's up to you.

dynaryder

CF makes a big difference in comfort compared to an alloy fork. With my CT I won't ride a straight blade alloy fork on DC's roads.

Wanderer

Yes to disc brakes, as they are awesome, under any conditions. Plus, they are the future.

Yes to carbon forks, as they are more comfortable to ride.

Get the bike that is comfortable, and fits well.

MHO

corwin1968

I would say no on the disk brakes and carbon fork and I wouldn't ride a road bike on gravel or rails to trails (assuming that's not pavement). You're going to want wider tires for those surfaces and many (most?) road bikes won't accommodate them. Also, my opinion is that road bikes are for people with some experience under their belts who know that's what they want. They are very specialized and not for some people. I also would skip any kind of suspension. If you are riding graded gravel and hard packed earth, you won't need it and it only adds weight and expense. I prefer steel frames because they are more comfortable and there is some nostalgia there for me as well but aluminum frames "feel" faster and more lively, to me. They do ride a bit rougher but wider tires at lower pressure can remedy a lot of that. The most important thing is to test ride as many bikes as possible. Some that look great on paper may not be that much fun to ride for you. There's a lot of variability in people and how they fit on bikes.

dsmchenry

I appreciate the advice. I rode a few bikes tonight at the Specialized shop. I felt like Goldilocks ... this is to hard ... this is too soft ... looking for the one that's just right. I didn't care for the Sirrus. They gave me a comfort bike to try & I only made it part way down the street and knew right away I didn't like it. I rode a Crosstrail which a liked the best of the three. I asked the sales guy if they had Cyclocross but said they didn't have one in stock but offered to let me ride a road bike that they had. It was a a Roubaix. I had no idea what I about to do. The ride was amazing but so was the price at ~$1,600. I'm inclined to agree with the feedback that I'm probably not ready for a road bike but would love to find something more versatile that rides like the Roubaix. Probably a pipe dream ... anyone suggestions?

corwin1968

You're on the right track so just keep test riding, if possible. Don't take my recommendations as gospel, they are just my opinions based on my cycling preferences. A road bike may be right for you or a dual sport with suspension may be right. If there are other shops try them out and it's probably worth a road trip to other town's shops, if needed. I drove 100 miles to test ride and buy my first bike.

themishmosh

Since you have a mtb bike already, I would get a flat bar road bike or regular road bike. As versatile as a hybrid is, it cannot do all things well. Use the mtb for gravel and use your performance hybrid or road bike for the pavement. Buy as much bike as you can afford--may save you $$$ upgrading in the long run.

Notgrownup

I bought a Cannondale Quick 5 hybrid... after a month i traded it for a CAAD8 for $100 MORE...I am happy with my choice, I will probably get me a used Hybrid or MTB later for a beater....The CAAD is for me a better way to exercise ...that is what i need and if i decide to ride with the local club i can keep up better...It is your choice and you did mention trails... i wouldn't dare going on a trail (gravel) with my CAAD....Choose wisely...expand your search....

Wanderer

I have an older Crosstrail, and love it.

Contrary to popular opinion, it is a great do it all bike. The addition of fenders, rear rack, grocery panniers, and a tail trunk, give it great versatility.

Changing the tires to Schwalbe Marathon Supremes in 35 and 40 widths, made it much more road worthy. Easier, and faster, but still very capable on anything but snow!

Hybrids, really can be great do it all bikes, doing many things very well. Try that with a road bike!

dsmchenry

I found another shop about 45 minutes away. They carry Cannondale, Giant and Masi. I really liked the ride and shifting of the CAADX Tiagra best. I also liked the Masi CX but not quite as munch. But .... I've decided my middle aged back doesn't like being bent over so much with the drop bar. I now appreciate why everyone suggests riding a lot of bikes and find what is comfortable. So, I guess I need something that rides like Roubaix or the CAADX that has a flat bar. I prefer to buy something that has what I want vs having to modify it right away. I think I'm getting closer but still open to suggestions.

oddjob2

Good clearance pricing at REI, act quick for best selection.

deerfly

I was in the same boat as you last winter. Looking for a new bike to be used for road riding. Test rode a bunch and was offered a really good deal on a Cannondale Synapse 6 ($1,000 even). After an extensive test ride, I determined it was reaking havoc on the herniated disk in my neck. Tried a couple other drop bars with the same result. I started looking at Flat Bars and ended up with a Quick SL 2. Very comfortable for me and I find it much easier to maneuver in traffic than a drop bar. But that's me, others may not agree.
I have a Trek ds 8.3 for dirt roads and the Quick for roads. I'm a happy camper.

Notgrownup

I can see where the Quick would be easier in traffic with the heads up....I guess all depends what your are using it for...

ikaika777

Try and test ride a Giant Rapid 1 if you can. It's basically a flat bar road bike. I test rode a Rapid 3 and it was fast!

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...specifications

AdelaaR

The big question is:

What type of riding will you be doing?

If you're going to be hanging with the local club and doing group rides ... you'll definitely want an actual road bike.
If you're going to be just riding on your own or with some friends and want a bike that is the best equilibrium between comfort, speed, and ability to ride anywhere (like fields or forests) ... then your best option is some sort of cross hybrid.

My best advice would be to wait with buying a new bike until you know exactly what you want to do with it and ride your current bike in the meantime.

May be you like harsh off road riding or may be you'll turn out to be more of a speed freak ... you won't know until you've tried

dsmchenry

The first shop I went to brought in some bikes from their warehouse. So I got to ride several Treks. The rode both the 8.3 and 8.4 dual sport. Didn't care for the ride of 8.3 so much. The 8.4 I liked better but I'm concerned about doing a lot of road riding on it. The other two are the 7.4 disc and the 2011 Mendota they seem to have forgotten they had. I liked both bikes. Would probably buy the 7.4 disk if it had a carbon fork. I really liked the Mendota even though the had every a bunch of options on it (fenders, headlight, bell, pump, rear rack, cargo bag). If they would have had a 7.5 in my size I would have ridden it too. Nothing is hitting me a perfect but that is probably because of me being new. Many stores seem to have really reduced selection waiting for their 2014's to come in. Any thoughts on the 7.4 disk vs Mendota?

dsmchenry

Today was my first time commuting by bike to work. Everything went without a hitch. Unfortunately, my Sear's cheapie was damaged in my son's scout bike hike. So, I was demoted to my wife's even cheaper cheapie. Nonetheless, I made it to work (my wife was really worried about me riding on a fairly major road) safe and sound. I really enjoyed the early ride and not too sweaty. Looking forward to many more commutes to come & hopefully this will help me make my choice on a new bike relatively soon.

dsmchenry

I'm considering a used 2007 7.6 FX for $400 in good condition. Any comments on this bike or if this is a good price. I think it's also a small frame vs. medium (which is in theory my size). Will that make much of a difference?

dsmchenry

My journey is complete. I'm the proud owner of gently used 2012 Cannondale Quick SL1. I knew as soon as I rode it was the bike I was looking for. I'm very happy & looking forward to many miles on the road. Thank you for all the helpful tips. Now I need to buy all the accessories I need. Any suggestions on headlights, saddlebags, water cages, & pumps would be greatly appreciated.

Wanderer

Good choice!