Hi from St. Peters, MO
 

Hi everyone,

My name is Jose and I'm from Saint Peters, MO which is a suburb of St. Louis. We are right next to the Katy Trail, Creve Coeur Lake and a bunch of other great cycling trails. I've been cycling for about 3 months now. It all started when my 5 year old got a bike for his birthday. I thought, I need something to ride with him so I picked up a 90's Giant Yukon for ~$70. I started riding that on the trails near my house and with in a week I was making the 10 mile ride up to the rec-plex and back almost daily.

With in a month I was pretty sure I was going to stick with it so I was ready to upgrade. I started lurking here. I went to a few local shops and tried out some Treks and Giants and ended up with a 2018 Giant Roam 3. I know it's a dirty hybrid but it fits my needs of a single bike that can do good on the paved trails around the lake, gravel trails like the Katy Trail, some beginner single tracks and still super comfy for riding slow with the family. I've been doing about 60-100 miles per week now and could easily do more if time permitted. I'm not a big man but I've already lost several pounds just having fun and exploring and my energy levels are through the roof which is a good thing with 2 children under 5. I couldn't be happier with the Roam 3 and I couldn't have made a good decision without this forum. So thanks for that.

Welcome to Bike Forums. Enjoy the bike and riding with the kids. :)

Hi neighbor! Honestly those aren't bad bikes. If you get it tuned up and put on some Continental Double Fighter 3 tires, it can be a nice trail bike, assuming it fits you. I have an old Trek 830 of similar vintage that I ride a fair amount (that I picked up for $50 at Momentum), and there's nothing at all wrong with it. If you do want another bike, I'd highly recommend a dropbar cyclocross or gravel bike for versatility, and there are plenty of those out there in the $500 to $1000 zone if you aren't worried about having the absolute lightest and most "high tech" equipment.

Welcome to the forums! My wife is from St. Charles, I'm from Jefferson City. I miss the Katy Trail. Have such fond memories of riding from Jeff City to St. Louis when I was 18 it was a good time and truly a wonderful trail. Every time we come to visit we pass some section of it and I'm like man I need to get out there again but time or weather rarely allows for it :(

The Roam is a good choice and remember, if you like the bike then it's a good bike, who cares what anyone else thinks. Enjoy the new bike and welcome!

Great! Always nice to hear of a new enthusiast! Welcome!

Hybrids are about perfect for the Katy Trail. You have some great places to ride out of St. Peters.