Another question about choosing a bike

[ladyfish]

All, I'm totally new here. I'm searching for a bike. Those around here (N. VA) tell me that a hybrid is the way to go because we have all these paths around here for riding.

I've been reading the forums and have received mixed messages on hybrids. Am I going to be unhappy with it very soon, or is it a good choice for entering the biking arena?

I don't currently have a bike, and have held off buying one, because I want to get the right thing. I spin at the gym several times a week, so hopefully my legs are in decent shape.

I want a bike where I can do group rides (there's a ladies group in the area) and have fun, not be the one at the back of the pack, etc. I may also be interested in longer rides later.

I also want to be able to do path rides etc.

I've been looking at the Trek 7300 and the Trek 7.2/3 FX. Can anyone tell me the difference between these bikes (other than the obvious parts listed in the catalog). Is the FX (touted as a fitness bike) a better choice? Why do they label it "fitness". I would like a lighter, faster hybrid if I go with that.

So give me all the advice you can. I want to stay in the $500 range, to be sure that biking is something I'll enjoy and stick with. Can't see jumping over $1000 before I know I'll really like it.

I'm athletic, and enjoy sports, so I think I'll like it!!!

Thanks!

[Eaglewalker]

I tried out the Trek hybrids during the course of choosing my current bike. My riding style is "city trekking" -- I'm not comfortable on road bikes because they don't feel nimble enough to me, and I don't need the features of a higher-end mountain bike. But I couldn't find a hybrid that fit (standard or WSD). So I went to a mountain bike (the Trek 4500), had the dealer put hybrid handlebars on, and I installed the Easy Seat saddle myself. So now I have a hybridized mountain bike that is very comfortable to ride, and thus is great for fitness as well as fun and safety (well, as much safety as one can find on the streets of Memphis).

So make sure you road-test whatever bikes interest you, and make sure the fit is right -- both for your body and your style of riding.

[KSH]

I want a bike where I can do group rides (there's a ladies group in the area) and have fun, not be the one at the back of the pack, etc. I may also be interested in longer rides later.


If you are on a hybrid... and everyone else in the group is on a road bike... you will be at the back of the pack, working twice as hard to keep up. And... longer rides... may not be as doable.

Based on the statement you made above... I would say look at a road bike.

I got my TREK 1000 road bike for around $600... great entry level bike. I love it. I might upgrade at some point... but there isn't a thing wrong with it at this point (have had it a year).


Maybe someone else will have different advice to give though.

[runnergirl]

If you are on a hybrid... and everyone else in the group is on a road bike... you will be at the back of the pack, working twice as hard to keep up. And... longer rides... may not be as doable.

Based on the statement you made above... I would say look at a road bike.

I got my TREK 1000 road bike for around $600... great entry level bike. I love it. I might upgrade at some point... but there isn't a thing wrong with it at this point (have had it a year).


Maybe someone else will have different advice to give though.


Ditto!

Almost any group ride will be all road bikes. It's less comfortable at first, but as long as the bike fits you'll adjust quickly.

[Selkie]

Are you going to ride with the Babes? I'm a member but being a "working Babe," haven't been able to join them on any rides since they go during the day. I'm pretty sure most of them have road bikes and that the majority of their rides are on paved trails & road. I live in Arlington and ride mostly on the W&OD and Custis Trails, which are both paved. Where do you plan to ride?

KSH is right---you'll be lagging behind if you're on a hybrid and everyone else is on a road bike. You might consider looking into a cyclocross bike, which will allow you to ride on gravel trail easier than a road bike. I have several road bikes (too embarassed to tell you how many, haha), but my Trek Hybrid is now officially retired to the boneyard (aka my basement).

You know, several bike shops in the area will let you rent bikes. I think Bikes@Vienna, which is real close to the W&OD in Vienna, rents them out. You could take a hybrid and/or a road bike out on the trail for a couple of hours just to see which you prefer. I think a couple places in Alexandria rent out bikes, too.

I will be glad to see you, if you're ever riding when I'm out. The male cyclists greatly outnumber the ladies, and most days, I'm the only "chick" out there!

[Aint Doody]

Hey, Eaglewalker! I'm orginally from N. Mississippi, and my momma now lives in Memphis (Cordova). Get a road bike. I went thru the whole gamut--hybrid to road to better road. I've ridden in Memphis--took my bike with me--and you'll want a road bike. There's quite an active cycling club in Memphis --The Memphis Hightailers. They have a web site--memphishightailers.com. When I was visiting last spring, I contacted one of their members, and she graciously invited me to go on one of their rides. Well, it poured and was windy that day so I didn't brave the elements. Anyway I bet if you contact them, they'll be glad to give you lots of info. Good luck--Memphis has the absolute worst drivers I've ever been around anywhere! They just go--regardless of red lights or right of way or anything!!!!

[traveller_62]

ladyfish,

consider renting a couple of different bikes and doing some rides with the group you are interested before making a purchase. i think because you are brand new to cycling it makes sense to figure out what kind of riding you'll end up doing the most of. later you'll get hooked like the rest of us and end up with many bikes....:D

folks on this board who know the bike shops down your way can let you know if there is a place that will rent you a nice road bike and/or hybrid to try out.

-traveller

[ladyfish]

Thanks for all the info. I think I will try out as many bikes as I can to decide what will be best.

Mickchick: Yes, the Babes is the group I mentioned. Sounds like they have a lot of fun, and do a lot of riding. That will be nice, and since I'm home, I should be able to make their rides.

I really appreciate all the help on this board! You are all wonderful!

[anne_77]

I saw you were looking at Trek hybrids and someone mentioned the Trek 1000 road bike. I have a Trek 1000 and it's a nice starter bike. The only complaint I have is the front derailler doesn't work as nicely as it should - I've read this is a common complaint with the 2005 and earlier models. So just in case you do end up looking at the Trek 1000's, be sure to go with the 2006 model - they changed the front derailler for this year. Good luck!

[maryellen]

i bought a trek 7500fx for my first bike and love it. Used it for the empire st aids ride last august, did fine (560 miles in 7 days) and was generally in the middle of the group each day.

That said, i wish i'd gotten a road bike instead. i never expected to ride more than 30 miles a day. What did i know? Yeah, it's handy to have a bike that is a bit more sturdy (i live in nyc) and less likely to flat, but overall i'd suggest going w the best road bike you can afford.

[Selkie]

[QUOTE=ladyfish]

Mickchick: Yes, the Babes is the group I mentioned. Sounds like they have a lot of fun, and do a lot of riding. That will be nice, and since I'm home, I should be able to make their rides.
QUOTE]

Reading their ride reports, the Babes seem to go far and fast, so you definitely will need something lighter than a hybrid to keep up. I think Beth is leading some "easier" hill rides on Mondays, which would be a great way to get used to riding with a group, in addition to building your climbing skills.

If you ever feel like riding before dinner, I ride every weekday, weather-permitting, at around 16:00. Until the days get longer, you'll need a headlight and a taillight at minimum, plus warm clothes. I average 15-20 miles, depending on how much steam I have to blow off from work. I will ride in cold, wind, heat/humidity, etc., but I won't risk it if there's ice/snow on the trail. My weekend rides are longer but I go quite early, usually sunrise or shortly thereafter, so you probably wouldn't be interested in joining me on those!!! I like to get out on the trail before it gets crowded w/the IPOD wearing crowds who can make it dangerous.

ENJOY.

[Eaglewalker]

Hey, Eaglewalker! I'm orginally from N. Mississippi, and my momma now lives in Memphis (Cordova). Get a road bike. I went thru the whole gamut--hybrid to road to better road. I've ridden in Memphis--took my bike with me--and you'll want a road bike. But why, when I'm so much in love with Crimon Joy, and she does everything I want and more?

I went the other route -- road bike to hybrid to mountain bike. I used to commute to work on a road bike, so I have a good sense of how they handle, and they aren't for me. There are many roads to glory, and the adapted mountain bike takes me further on mine.

But thanks for your thoughts and good wishes!

[Dogmama]

Tires can really change the feel of a bike. If you aren't comfortable on a road bike, consider using slightly wider tires with tread. You'll have more stability with a lot less weight than if you went hybrid.

I vote with the road bike group, BTW.

[Eaglewalker]

Just to be clear, I'm not the person who posted asking for advice on which bike to get. That was Ladyfish. (I couldn't tell whether which of us Dogmama was talking to.)

[KSH]

the only complaint I have is the front derailler doesn't work as nicely as it should - I've read this is a common complaint with the 2005 and earlier models.

I was having horrible problems with my front derailer. So much so, I could rarely change into the big chain ring... lots of rubbing... lots of frustration!

I kept taking it to the bike shop... and they said it was fixed, but it never was.

I finally had someone refer me to a real bike shop that could fix the problem... and now my derailer works perfectly... always smooth... no issues with shifting.

My bike was about to get thrown out... all it took was finding a GREAT bike mechanic to fix the issue.

So... ask around... maybe you can get it fixed properly.

[ladyfish]

Mickchick: Sounds like a plan. I'll email you and discuss details. Thanks for the offer!

[cyclingnewbie]

I started as a brand new rider with a hybrid because I intended to just toodle around my neighborhood in the evenings. The first time I went to the bike path, I was hooked. I am still overweight and very slow by most standards, but I still advanced beyond the hybrid very quickly and bought a Trek road bike last spring. If you want to do group rides, almost everyone will be on a road bike and you will be at the back of the group, struggling to keep up. Even if you aren't Super Cyclist, you will soon discover that the hybrid will only get you so far and aren't intended for longer rides. I would recommend that you look for an entry-level road bike. If you love riding, you will eventually want to upgrade to a better road bike, but you will be able to skip the additional expense of a hybrid-to-road upgrade. And work very hard to buy a bike that fits well. A poor fit will make you uncomfortable on the bike and discourage you from riding. Good luck on the hunt!

[Geonz]

I'm a devoted hybrid rider - but have 25 cm tires on my 7500FX. IT is as fast as a road bike, as comfortable as ... a hybrid :-) I do a lot of group rides. So if a hybrid is a lot more comfy for you, get the skinny tires. When we get new riders in our club, that's the most common 'quick and easy upgrade.'

However, I'm not normal :) If the reason you're leaning towards a hybrid is because there are paths... they're paved paths, right? Hybrids are nice on dirt roads - but unless you really expect to be doing a lot of dirt road riding (say, heading west to Madison County or something) I can't think of a real advantage. The road bike has *lots* of advantages, especially if you're going to be group riding.

I think one of the more common reasons for people not to stick with cycling in our club is that they have a slower bike and don't realize just how much of a disadvantage it is. It widens the gap between them and the experienced cyclists, and even as they start to get stronger, that gap is still there... only it's the bike, not their skills & strength. (Then there are the ones with what we call "Scottish legs" - there are a couple every year - who just get strong FAST on WHATEVER they're riding :-))


I think the***most*** important factor is how it feels. I've never gotten comfy with drop handlebars, though I kn ow a lot of people who weren't comfortable at first, and then adjusted fine because they'd gotten the bikes at a shop with folks who knew waht they were doing and got them onto bikes that fit. (My LBS knows I like power more than speed anyway~!)