RK69

Want to get my wife a new hybrid/comfort bike for her birthday. I have an old Raleigh 10 speed and since I'm getting on in years could use something more comfortable ie upright position front and post suspensions etc. We are not heavy duty riders; perhaps an hour + on fairly level pavement around Long Island NY. We've been to a few lbs's. My wife likes the Giant Cypress and she thought the Trek 7200 was a good choice for me. The stores near us carry different brands. Some push Specialized and Cannondale other s Trek or Giant. Also saw Fuji and a GT Normad which looked nice. We havn't test rode any yet (wet weather here) and these shops won't allow for any significant test (maybe a spin down the block). Is the any reason to choose one of these bikes or brands over the others

Thanks RK69

ryanwood

nope, not with the amount of riding that you are going to be doing. They are all going to have different hybrids in different price ranges, that is where you will be able to decide what component group you will get. My wife rides a giant cypress with a rigid fork and loves it, the gear range is good, the ride is smooth, and the components have held up well for the last 8 years. We have pretty decent roads around here so the front suspension doesn't do much but add weight.

As for the 7200, I am not really a huge fan of trek because it seems like you are paying for the name. That being said they do make a good bike, but I think you can get a little bang for your buck with a different brand.

The most important piece of advice I can give you is to ride as many bikes as you can until you find one that fits you. If some of the shops won't let you ride the bikes, then go somewhere else where you can get in a good test ride. If you don't plan on doing your own maintenance, then there is not much better than a good friendly bike shop.

Little Darwin

I agree, within most brands you get pretty much similar bikes for the same cost. You may pay a few dollars more for some brands for marketing/prestige, but not a whole lot.

The best bet is to try a few shops and test ride... and ask the shop to tweak it until it feels right. This will tell you as much about the shop as the bike, then buy from the shop that you like.

Good luck!

By the way, if you are in my age group, drop into the 50+ forum for some good advice... although you will find people in our age group that still like their road bikes... and if you still love your Raleigh, drop by Calassic & Vintage to find others that can join in the admiration, but be prepared to share pictures, and they don't mind (or even admire) the patina.

hendrick81

Welcome to bike forums...

RK69

thanks for all of your help. Hopefully weather permitting tomw (sat) will test a few. To get a good feel will some lbs rent bike for an hour or 2?

Wanderer

I ride, and love, my '08 Specialized Crosstrail, a hybrid leaned toward road use. I think it is a great do it all bike.

Ride as many as you can, and buy what feels the best, and fits the best.

Try to stay away from suspension seatposts, and if getting front suspension, try to get one that can be locked out easily.

I think you get the most bang for your buck, in the Giant line - but ride them all.

You will know which one is right for you.

ilmooz

Of the bikes you mentioned you're likely to find they're all about comparable in quality. The big deciding factor might be the test ride itself to see which one just feels right to you.

Welcome to the forums.

RK69

Rode a specialized globe carmel 1 (26 tires) and a raleigh route 3.0 (700 tires). Wife and I both perferred the latter but thought the shifting on both was not the smoothest. The lbs mgr said he would adjust these prior to sale; but shouldn't they be working well when we tried them? Or if they can get out of wack that easily isn't that a problem? Want to try some other Hybrids tomw perhaps the more performance types as well.

RK69

Went to Brands in Wantagh LI. The salesperson was very helpful. I rode the Trek 7.1 FX and 7100 (both small sizes, I'm 5'7"). Found both to be impressive. Felt to be in a more comfortable riding position on the 7100. The FX had the rapid fire shifters though. Salesperson thought if I tried the FX in the next size, I wouldn't have to raise the seat as much and might be more comfortable. Will probably try that when I can bring my wife out (she's the one without a bike) later in the week.
Since I have the old Raleigh 10 speed perhaps the 7100 (or 7200) would add some variety and be a bigger change from the FX. Could still use the Raleigh for the faster ride and the 100 for the more leisurely or (if we ever go off-road) ride.

RK69

thanks for your help. Bought bikes yesterday. Wife liked the feel of sitting more upright without front suspension. We got her the Trek 7000. Since I have the old Raleigh 10-speed to ride on my own, I bought the Trek 7200 for riding with my wife. Will pick up the bikes later this week, got rack for car too.
Thahks to all again