Hello everyone.. I am new to this and need some advice.. I have done my share of research but feel stuck on which direction I should take.. The bikes I have been looking at are beginner (like me) bikes manufactured by Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, and Jamis.. I have been told to get a road bike or possibly start off with a hybrid/fitness bike.. Same concept but different features such as a straight bar, more comfy stance etc.. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.. The use of this bike will be mostly for fitness and moderate length rides (for now atleast)..

Bikes looked at:

Trek:
7.3fx & 7.5fx
https://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/subc...y.php?c=4&s=17

Specialized:
Sirrus & Sirrus Sport
https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22264

Allez
https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=21888

Cannondale:
Bad Boy
https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/07/c...model-7BR.html

Jamis
Ventura Sport (2006 Model)
https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/...turasport.html

Ventura Comp (2007 Model)
https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/...nturacomp.html

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

If you like a fast, snappy and precise ride get a road bike.
If you want a casual ride on varied terrain get a hybrid.

As for me, I vote road.

I doubt many people in this forum are going to advocate the hybrid - I sure wouldn't. I just got back from a short but fast mid-day ride on a fairly aggressive road bike, and I can't IMAGINE wanting a bike that would MAKE me go slower than the one I have. And all those issues of comfort? Get fitted, get in shape, get your muscles, etc. used to the stress, hit the road, crank it up and let the endorphins take over! Comfort? I feel better on the road on a bike than I do anywhere else.

- you're most likely right about the forum part, but there are some instances where a road bike would be useless and a hybrid much more appropriate...

- to the OP, here are some questions you may want to consider:

1. how much money do i have to spend?
2. how serious am i going to be about the bike as a hobby/interest?
3. how am i going to use the bike? (fitness, recreation, life change, commute, shopping)
4. what are the road conditions where i live?
5. will you ever want to ride across expanses of grass or dirt?

I would suggest a Road Bike with compact geometry...you could fit it as more of a "hybrid" position and work your way up to a 'proper' road position...but that's if you truly ultimately want a road bike feel (as mentioned...something 'fast', 'snappy' etc)

Thanks for the feedback..

I started looking for a bike to commute from my home to the gym and back.. I also want to use it as a form of exercise, take longer rides and really feel like I'm working. I found that some of the bikes listed above which are considered "hybrids/fitness" have the same features as a road bike with the exception of gear changing, and handlebars.. The tires are still somewhat the same and even the seat.. I want to get into this but like everything in life we have to start somewhere.. I can buy the road bike, ride it once, hate the thing and never ride it again.. Same goes for the hybrid bike.. Just want to make sure I weigh all my options and make the right choice before committing to buy..

Any other info would be great.. Thanks!

As anyone over here will tell you - definitely go for a test ride...and not just a spin around the block - ask how long you could take it out to get a feel (some LBSs will only allow a few minutes of supervised riding...some will give you the weekend, free of charge; all depends)

Flat handle bars just are not more comfortable. Not enough hand positions. Drops are the way to go. I was thinking of buying the Scantante Flat Bar at performance as my beater, but the first thing on the list to get changed are the bars and obviously the break levers.