bikelust -- moving up from a hybrid, looking at cross

[CommuterChick]

Hi, it's my turn! Watch out, this is long!

been combing the archives for advice, thought I'd put my choices out to the world. I've been riding hybrids for about 5 years now, commuting to work (7 miles down, 7 miles back, but the ride up the mesa is worthy of virtue points), do 30 mile rides on the weekend, want to do longer rides, and all the other kids leave me in the dust -- including my 60-something friends on their tandem! I want something lighter, more responsive, but with mtn bike gearing for the hills around here, straight handlebars, and able to take the panniers -- I run a lot of errands, would like to try touring, camping, and I'm kinda afraid of light, skinny tire bikes, got knocked off mine in the roadside gravel years ago in upstate NY.

Current steed is a KHS Westwood (http://www.khsbicycles.com/07_westwood_m_08.htm)

I ride the bike paths around Boulder -- paved, packed dirt, gravel, etc. -- as well as town and country roads. I'm 5'6", 150 lbs, 30.25" inseam and following the measurement instruments in Bicycling Bliss (http://www.bicyclingbliss.com/) it looks like my top tube length should be about 22.12" , my torso is 23.25"

Excellent LBS took my measurements and is recommending I consider

Rocky Mountain RC 50 V (http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_102+RC_50_V.html?BIKE=590#2)

LBS comment: fits really well and has a great component mix for really good shifting performance. It’s also light weight. .... bike comes with slightly lesser components for a lower price as well. I just thought that with you buying bikes so infrequently that it would be worth the investment for a fairly sizable jump in performance. This bike is more than capable for dirt roads and some light off-road adventures as well.

The Orbea San Remo (http://www.orbea-usa.com/fly.aspx?layout=bikes&taxid=57&pid=159):
LBS comment: This is a much more road oriented bike. We would modify it to have flat handlebars, but with the change the bike fits REALLY well. If you told me most of your riding, 90% plus, would be on paved roads or bike paths I would chose this one.


The Gary Fisher Mendota (http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/mendota):
LBS comment: This bike will not shift quite as precisely and the parts may not quite have the product life, but I think it’s an amazing price for a bike that good. It would fit and it would do all that the other bikes I have highlighted can do as well.

so any comments on these, or other suggestions for ones I should consider?

Happy fall riding, everyone (she says as she peels off the 3 layers of gloves on this cold, rainy day),

[ilima]

A cyclocross bike is going to let you use wider tires vs. the skinny ones you're limited to with a straight road bike. While they don't have quite the long wheelbase of a true touring bike, they have a longer wheelbase than a typical road bike which allows the use of racks. Also, many 'cross bikes come with eyelets.

Bianchi used to make the Strada, which was the same frame as the Volpe but with flat handlebars vs. drops. Eyelets for racks and you can use wider tires. And the frame is steel, so more comfy for longer rides.

As far as handlebars--a big advantage of drop handlebars is that you get lots of hand positions. Not a big deal for a short ride, but can be a lifesaver if you're touring and getting a lot of miles in.

[Edited to add: Check this bike out. Steel frame road bike with flat bars and fender eyelets. You'd probably take a 52cm http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/cafe_noir.htm]

[PscyclePath]

If you're looking at a 'cross bike as a combination tourer/all-around bike that will let you ride dirt or paved trails, I'd suggest a Surly Cross-Check. I got one of these back in the summer with the intent of using it as a fast(er) commuter, and have pretty much fallen in love with it.

Surlys are steel, and may be a little heavier (mine, with a Delta cargo rack and a Brooks saddle, weighs 24 pounds before I put anything else on the rack), but I've been very pleased with the ride, as well as that it does well on both pavement, the scratchy stuff that passes for pavement in big parts of this town, and dirt roads pretty well.

They're offered by Quality Bike Products (QBP), and just about any LBS with a QBP account can get one for you.

[HillSlugger]

Jamis Coda. Not a cross bike but it's steel, has near mtb gearing (30/32), and can take racks and fenders. Comes with 28mm tires.

[AnnieBikes]

I just bought a Specialized Tri-cross and I love it. I tried it out at the Specialized store in Denver when I was visiting a friend there, the only place where I could actually try out the bike in MY size. I absolutely loved it. It has eyelets for racks, handlebar brakes as well as regular brakes. It has MTB gearing with a 12-34 on the rear. The components are Tiagra which are not as high a level component as I would have liked but they are really feeling good now that I have ridden some.

The bike is a bit heavy but I don't race or anything!! It comes with 32 tires and it has a really smooth ride. I can take it on the road and on a rail trail if I want. Oh, it does have dropped handle bars!

Good luck choosing! TRY THEM before you BUY them!!!

[ilima]

Jamis Coda. Not a cross bike but it's steel, has near mtb gearing (30/32), and can take racks and fenders. Comes with 28mm tires.

Nice suggestion. Comes in various varieties to suit your budget, too.