Hello all! My name is Pete, from Central Pennsylvania. The majority of my younger years were spent skateboarding, so I come to this forum with very limited cycling knowledge. Growing up, I spent some time on BMX bikes, and later, mountain bikes. I have recently decided to dust off the old mountain bike for leisure/exercise, and thus far I've really enjoyed it. After a couple months of riding, I've decided it's time to purchase what will be my first REAL bike. I've yet to pull the trigger on a purchase - still doing my research. That's why I'm here...

Doing my online research, I'm always being directed to helpful posts found on this forum. Some of you have already been so helpful to me and you don't even know it! Thanks you! So, I figured... why not join?

Howdy, so which bike are you thinking of getting?

I'm fortunate to have a few bike shops in my area, so I have decent variety available to me. I'm definitely looking for a hybrid that can handle city/urban riding, as well as light trails (mostly packed gravel/dirt). So far, my short list:
- Giant Roam 0 (current front runner)
- Specialized Crosstrail Sport
- Jamis Allego X Comp
- Trek DS (initially, I was looking at the FX, but I can't get over how frail they look)

Welcome aboard! So...you have a BMX background, you're near Camp Woodward, and you're buying a hybrid?! Just kidding! Have you considered a cyclocross bike at all? That would probably handle the riding you're describing too. Or a mountain bike if the emphasis is on trails.

Here's some places to start:
Mountain bike forum: https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ountain-Biking
CX forum: https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl.../23-Cyclocross
Hybrid forum: https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ybrid-Bicycles

Welcome to the forums!

Thank you for the warm welcome. Perhaps I've overstated my BMX experience. When I did ride a bike, it was a BMX, but it always took a backseat to my skateboard. If I was at Camp Woodward, I'd be skating... and at my age. looking pretty foolish!

I've considered cyclocross bikes, but I'm still very much at the stage where I dislike drop bars. Perhaps that'll change in time, but right now I'm looking for something with a similar riding position to my current mountain bike (an undersized Mongoose from WalMart). I've considered a hardtail mountain bike, which I fear might be overkill for the trails I am riding, and I'd rather not sacrifice road performance/efficiency.

To the Hybrid forum, I go... Thanks for the suggestions, Zephyr!

Hardtail mt bikes can be pretty efficient. On my hilly road rides I notice only a few minutes difference between my best road bike and my so-so mountain bike that weighs a lot more. (20 mile ride). So just get something cheap and comfy to start. Something you can ride every day an feel good on until you get stronger and really feel ready to step up to the next level.