Best Hybrid for me? Your opinions!
 

Hello ! this is my first post in this forum, I started in the mountain bike forum, and Have decided to start a new one here since I dont think a mountain bike is right for me.. (almost no trail riding and i get fatigued rists on mountain bikes)..

So I was going for either a comfort bike or a hybrid.. I think i'm going to get a hybrid.. I'm pretty starstruck by the 7200 right now.. The 7200 is 379.99 -OUCH bigger jump then i originally had to intend to spend! (i started out at 99 dollar bikes at the local super store, So at this price range I must have been lead on the right path somewhere right?!?!?!)

Anyways they didnt have alot of bikes at the LBS in the hybrid category, they basically had the 7200's 7300's (maybe higher but i'm not going that high price wise so i didnt bother looking!) and a specialized crossroad which had a high tensil still body.. That one was only 259.99 much more swallow-able pricewize.. Before i left the store I got them to setup a work order to build another specialized they had in the back (crossroads SPORt which supposed has aluminum frame?) Anyways i think that one is 300$ i think he said..)..

First question is.. Is the 7200 gonna be worth the extra bones over the Crossroad or Crossroad Sport? I dont know alot about about parts i know he told me some of the parts are better quality, i think the 7200 had a aceria or something rear derailer and the altus rear deraeuler (spelling!!) and i think he mentioned a few other things that i lost track of..

I CAN afford the 379.99 i SHOULdn't pay that much since i'm not rich right now, but i have enough available funds to push it that high.. i'm curious if you guys think its worth the extra money for quality or what not.. I could notice a TINY slight difference that the 7200 wanted to GO a little more than the specialized in my opinion ta least..

ALSO- what size should i get? the 7200 they had in 20 inch and 17.5 inch.. i'm only 5'7 190 pounds.. But the 20 felt a little big tho the 17.5 seemed a little small BUT that could be my imagination.. It only felt smalll becuase when ever i turned and my foot was forward the tire would scrap the bottom of my shoe! i wasn't used to this (i think it happened 1 time on the 20 inch and happened 3 or 4 times on the 17.5 inch version).. Is this just something i will get used to or try to avoid on big turns?



Also is a hybrid bike like this going to be able to take little drops off curves and light bunny hops off curves here and there? Or do the high pressure tires not like that kind of action? I'm not a bmxer but occasionally i like to just hop off a cruve or maybe get a little hop coming up a curve.. I really like the speed and distance the hybrids get over the comfort bikes.. I measured it behind the shop.. the hybrid rolls down the same hill as the comfort bike yet still has power to go up a small hill and keep rolling at a good 3 or 4 mph where as the comfort and mountain bikes run out of steam going up the little hill..(no pedaling)..


For whoever read through this, THANKS! I am a huge person who puts too many details into things i know :) but I allways hate it when someone posts something like "what bike should i get, THE END!" and your like "umm okay tell us about what you do ect ect"... I personally intend to ride on roads 90% of the time and paved trails, but wouldn't mind it if this bike could handle some packed dirt trails or like offroad stuff occasionally.. I dont like the downward positoin of road bikes or mountain bikes.. i'm not old i'm only 24 but i just like the comfort of riding upwards!

Please give all your opinions good and bad! (one last thing, the local bike shop, while probably not having the best prices, has probably been one of the best buying experiences i've ever had.. the guy i've delt with has been VERY friendly, knowledgable and willing to take every bike down for me to adjust it and let me ride it, answers all my questions while double checking his own answers to be sure of them! I have been pleased with the service so i think it might be worth the few extra dollars to get it from a quality place like that?)..

okay i'm done I swear!! :)

Allrighty then!

The first "good" bike I bought was a 7200 Trek and my son rides it now. It will handle the curb hops just fine. One thing you didn't mention is, how far do you intend to ride it at a time? If I was going to ride more than about 45 min. at one setting I would look into a intro level road bike. I also had a 7500fx that was a fine bike but I traded it in on the price of a 2000 road bike. I also have an old Trek 850 MTB that I commute on and run around town on with drop bars, bar end shifters and 1 inch Tom slicks.
Good luck with your quest, and welcome!;)

I think the Trek 7200 is a terrific bike and a good value. I bought one when I returned to biking three summers ago. The only things I felt I needed to do to make it perfect for me was change to a straight bar, replace the saddle with a Specialized Milano, and add pedal clips and a rack for my trunk. In a little over two seasons I've put over 1500 miles on it on rail trails, roads, and even some modest trail riding. This summer I bought a road bike and now use the 7200 as a commuter bike on a regular basis, and my son rides it when we go on road rides (instead of his MTB.) My wife rides a new Specialized Crossroads. I would consider this more of a comfort bike than a hybrid. More upright and cushy feeling, with bigger tires. Not as efficient for any distance.

In my experience I don't think you could go wrong with the Trek. It's well built and I've had no maintenance issues at all. It's been bulletproof, reliable and comfortable (even pretty efficient with the straight bar and new saddle!) hope this is helpful. Good luck with your puchase!

Hey thanks guys!! I think i am going to be heading back down to the bike store in a few days after they have the new one built just to test it out.. They had 2 trek 7200's there one had a more rugged looking tire the other had a thinner tire so if i get the 7200 i asked him to swap tires for me and he agreed to it..

I will probably be riding anywhere from 5 to 20 miles every day or other day.. The first bike i just took back that i had as a diamond back wildwood.. I got on the local paved bike trail here (we have a nice long one that starts in redmond) and went from the 4.5 mile marker to the 10 or 11 mile marker and turned around then, i walked the bike up two steep hills (i'm very out of shape and walking the bike up nearly gave me heat stroke!) and rode the last mile home or so.. the only problem i had was a sore butt.. Obviously its from the upright position.. I just allways found with mountain bikes that after about 30 or 40 minutes i want to sit up right and my give my back a rest, hence why i wanted to stick to a comfort or hybrid bike.. I've never really considered the road bikes.. I know they are as fast as heck but they never appealed to me too much and since i have a smaller stalkier frame myself i just wasn't really interested in one.. I thought maybe the hybrid would give me the best of both worlds to a certain extent..

I dont plan on going 50 or 100 miles ever really.. I could see myself doing maybe a total of 20 mabe 30 miles on the bike trail.. MAYBe one day pushing it 40 miles...but i'm just guessing.. i've never really ridden that far on a bike before so its still kind of new to me.. I have read posts where people say they can go 50 miles on their hybrids even the 7200 or 7300 was listed specifically.. while others say that this type of bike should never be ridden over 40 or 50 miles or you'll be tired or hurtin (cant remember exactly what termonology they used)..

Couldn't i allways lower the handle bars and raise the seat on this bike (7200) if i wanted to get that mountain bike stance/effect ?

Thanks for your help so far guys! I think the 7200 is looking more and more like the bike for me.. On the small tests i've done it definately absolutely rolls further/faster then a mountain bike and even the comfort bikes..and that is a real world test.. so i imagine it will be alot more efficient than either of those two bikes.. (i realize a road bike is probably even more efficient)..

Does this bike do okay on wet roads? Living in washington we get LOTS of rain..

If you've been looking at the Crossroads, as I was, you may want to consider the Specialized Sirrus, which is the bike I setlled on, and am over-the-moon about...

Sirrus link

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/.../Sirrusexp.jpg

I got a better cannondale for sale,$350,hybrid,better then the above.

so as you can see, you get plenty of opinions here!! I'll second the Trek selection based on quality - I went with the 7500, after riding alot of hybrids it was so much faster....Some things you may want to keep in mind as you do more riding - work on getting the bike set-up good for you - your LBS should set if up for you, but if something is sore or uncomfortable, you may need to adjust handle bar or seat. Your butt will be sore until it gets broken in. Building up your ab muscles will help if your back is sore. One fun thing to do is look around for weekend tours - they usually have a 30 mile route set-up for novices. And set goals for yourself - lot's of people have done metric centuries on hybrid bikes. Have fun!

Consider an entry-level mtn bike with city slicks (1.25-1.5 inch slick non-knobby tires).

Allows you the option of doing more "mtn bike" stuff than with the hybrid.

Should be just as fast.

Hmm.... why do hybrids exists if MTN bike + slicks are every bit as good?

Some people prefer the closer-to-roadbike geometry (and/or gearing) of a hybrid and the feel of 700c vs. 26" wheels. I wouldn't say a MTB w/slicks is "every bit as good" as a hybrid or vice-versa. They can be ridden to perform similarly given the right rider but one fits certain riders or types of riding better than the other.

There's not a lot of difference between mtb with slicks and a hybred bike. The wheel size is about it, btw I have noticed some mtbs are going to a very large diameter wheel.
Ride them and get what suits you best. I got the mtb but have put drop bars, bar end shifters making a sorta touring bike out of it. I can't seem to be comfortable with flat bars on the road.

I didn't state "Just as good," I stated "Just as fast."

Each person has to find what suits them best. I just said "consider a mtn bike." What is good for one is not necessarily good for another person.

Hybrids exist, IMHO, because some folks feel more comfortable (or at least they think they do) in a more upright position.

The negative to this is that you posterior takes a lot more of the weight, rather than having it more divided between the hands, feet and the posterior.

Personally, I think the hybrid makes a poor compromise between a mtn bike and a road bike, doing neither things very well.

But, that is my belief, disagreed with by many.

I find I can't beat the speed of a road bike, nor the sturdiness of a mtn bike. So, I have both.

Well i've read a few posts here and other places , some state exactly the above that there's not much difference.. some state that the hybrids go quite a bit faster than the mountain bikes on slicks.. I really cant say, i just know what i tried out there.. and the mountain bike with slicks comes to more money becuase i will have to buy new tires they wont just trade me at the bike shop.. (at least he didnt offer that, and i would have asumed he would have after the 3 hours i spent there undecided upon which bike)

do mountain bike slicks pump up to 80 psi as well? becuase i think that is what is making WORLDS difference over the mountain and comfort bikes.. (by the way, how is a comfort bike that much different from a mountain bike besides the spring seat and handle bars and non nubby tires?) ... The only thing i wasn't liking about the mountain bike was the fact that my wrists were getting VERY fatigued after about 2 or 3 minutes of riding.. i found i needed to sit back and ride with no hands to get some relaxed feeling in them.. (i also found when i was younger with my mountain bike i'd allways feel so much better when i could sit up right for a few minutes becuase my back got so tired on mountain bikes)...

I would go for the sirrus but its about another 100 bucks more than this bike, plus it seems to have a mountain bike stance/layout which is what i'm trying to avoid.. Yes i realize when the wind blows i'll hate myself.. but when i'm riding with the wind i'll be sailin! if my butt ever gets used to the seat i think i'll be more comfortable in an upright position..

the only drawback i can see with the 7200 is the frame would NOT support mountain bike tires if i decided to go to it... the frame is well built and could take the beating, but according to the guy, mountain bike tires are too thick.. Im not sure if there are tires that are a little more 'off road' type for the 7200 or not.. But its the one main thing i have to deal with if i DO infact positively choose this bike.. I really do not ever see myself going camping.. So i dont see myself taking a bike to trails or anything specific like that.. I mostly see myself going out for rides on the sidewalk and paved bike trail to get excercise and just get outside.. I'd have to go find offroad trails to ride which i have no idea where any are and I dont see myself in the immediate future going to the type of biking...Actually if i was going to do offroad stuff i'd probably get a BMX bike or something that can really handle lots of jumps and stuff and has a chain thats not gonna fall off due to switching gears.. But thats hear nor there..

I appreciate EVERYOnes feedback, and do not mean to start wars against hybrid bikes.. I understand there's alot of people who just for some reason have it out for them.. and there's other people who swear by them.. I could be come one or the other if/after i own one.. I just know at the store the hybrid bike gave me the most distance and speed as well as just felt lighter when pedaling (the bike really felt like it just wanted to go) where as the mountain bike felt sluggish and draged a bit, and the comfort bike was somewhere in between....

I did NOT try any road bikes.. I guess i just didnt want to get that heavy into the price range, and i just never really felt a road bike was for me..

does anyone have any opinion on the trek 7200 over the specialized crossroad series? the crossroad exec i think it is, isn't carried there but comes to about 399. about the same price range as the 7200.. I definately prefered the 7200 to the crossroad with the steel body , but it was a few minor things that felt better, not quiet positive if it was worth the total 120 extra dollars.. but i'm leaning towards the 7200 right now... (haven't gone in yet ,they haven't built the other crossroad yet)

IMHO, there's quite a bit of difference in the geometry between say a Specialized Sirrus hybrid and a Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike. Go to their website and see. The Sirrus has a steeper head and seat angle than the Rockhopper. The Rockhopper probably has a higher BB height and thus higher CG. The wheelbase of the Rockhopper is longer than the Sirrus. The Sirrus has a longer stem than the Rockhopper. Geometrywise, the Sirrus is much closer to a tourer and recreational dropbar roadbike than it is a mountain bike.

I dont belive in dual usage bikes.Its either dirt or road.

Yes

Mine do

So i take it you'll never put slicks on your mountain bike for the road then. cuz once you do you've sort of made your own hybrid.

The advantage of a mtn bike, IMHO, is that you have exactly that option - mtn bike or a sort of hybrid. You do not have the alternative choice with a hybrid.

Hybrid,lighter then a mtb,closer to road gearing,tires,rims closer to road.Hybrids got hot but now you can get a road bike with straight bars,put 25's on it and its just about a hybrid.

Well like i said before the thing i have against mountain bikes is the riding stance. it just puts alot of pressure on my wrists.. Since i play guitar and type alot on the computer, i really dont want to put anymore pressure on my poor wrists then i need too... thats why i'm choosing the hybrid.. if i get a mountain bike and try to upgrade it to a hybrid i'd probably spend more money then it would cost me to just get a hybrid..

How different is the sirrus besides seat and handle bars compared to the 7200? (is the sirrus a straight out road bike? with the road tires?)

Hybrids can hurt your wrists as much as MTB's - an MTB that has correct saddle and stem won't put unnecessary pressure on your wrists. Get a bikeshop to fit you properly.

Richard

Electricview- there are a zillion opinions on all of this and it can get unnecessarily confusing: 700cc wheels vs. 26"; road bike gearing vs. mountain bike gearing; flat bars vs. drop bars; ETC. On and on and on....

My advice is to focus on what you think you want NOW that will get you into riding NOW. The most important aspect of your choice is that the bike's got to be comfortable for you NOW and fun to ride for you NOW. Ride a bunch of different bikes within your budget. If you are going to ride mostly on pavement, then skew your choices that way. BTW, MOST mountain bikes are ridden on pavement, contrary to their original intentions. Some hybrids are more like mountain bikes, some more like road bikes. There's a lot of diversity today in some very neat bikes.

As you ride more and more you may find your desires and interests evolving into another kind of bike for the future. This has happened to most of us. This purchase will not likely be the "last" bike you'll ever purchase, so don't sweat it. The shop should be able to suggest sizing that is appropriate for your height, torso length, etc. Ride a bunch. I think the Trek hybrids (including the Trek Navigator) are excellent choices. Also the Specialized Crossroads, Expedition, and Sirrus. Trek 7500fx, Specialized Sequoia...lots of variations.

Whatever you get, you will find that you can make some modifications to suit you as you go along. Things on bikes can be switched out to some degree.

I started out riding a MTB on pavement, moved to a road bike, and also keep a hybrid on hand for casual riding. I've even owned a recumbent! It's so much fun...just get a bike and dive right into the sport and see where your interests lead you....good luck!

Thanks for that post! I think that makes good sence.. the hybrid seemed to roll faster and better than any of the mountabikes or comfort bikes that they had there.. I didnt try a road bike.. but i just dont feel i want one at this point.. So i think i might just choose the 7200.. its probably more like TWICE more than i wanted to spend originally but it might be good money invested in a quality bike over what i was going to get or what i had (the diamond back wildwood)...

Maybe consider the Trek 7100 for less money and no front suspension? Yes, I believe that the Trek "anything" will give you a better value for your money than a Diamondback Wildwood. Better resale too, if you decide to sell it at some point. Good luck!