Road Bike, Cyclocross or Hybrid (with drop bars)????

Hey all,
so glad I found this forum! I'm back to cycling after a few years off - still in good shape from running and other stuff though. :) I've been bike shopping for a couple weeks, and can't decide what to get. I will be using the bike mainly for long rides (30-80 miles), commuting (sometimes) and a trip down the coast of California next summer.

I need something that will be good on hills (I live in Portland), comfortable and smooth for long rides (on the road) good in the rain (are disc brakes necessary for this?), and sturdy enough to take some weight on my trip next summer - l know, I'm asking for alot.:p

I've looked at: Cyclocross -Kona Jake, Cannondale cyclocross disc (a little out of my budget, which is no more than $1000) Road - Specialized Dolce, Trek 1.2, Hybrid - only would consider the 2009 kona dew drop, as I don't like flat bars.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks!!!!!!!!

Have you looked at the Surly Cross Check? That comes in at a little under $1k, but doesn't have disc brakes. (I'd call disc brakes a definite nice-to-have but not an absolute must-have for wet weather.)

If you really want disc brakes and can find a little more wiggle room in your budget (like roughly $200), both the Kona Sutra and the LeMond Poprad are worth checking out. I've seen the Sutra priced right at $1200 locally (I'm in Seattle), and the Poprad at $1159.

I've not seen the Dew Drop before, but it looks pretty sweet on the web site (http://www.konaworld.com/09_dewdrop_en.cfm). What's the price point like on that?

$800. my main concern with a hybrid is its weight - too heavy/uncomfortable for long rides or hills?

Sounds like you think a cyclocross would be best for my needs?

It was the desire for disc brakes that kept me in the cyclocross realm. I think definitely they're really versatile bikes, but if you don't want discs then you open up a lot of other possibilities.

Have you looked at any touring oriented bikes? The three that come to mind in the sub-$1k range are: Bianchi Volpe, Jamis Aurora, and Surly Long Haul Trucker

Of those, the Surly is the most rugged and (at least the builds I rode) the heaviest. But still a great bike if it works for you.

All of the bikes I've posted (both touring and cyclocross) are steel frames, and all are smooth/comfy rides. It just comes down to what fits you (and your budget and wish list) best.

As far as hybrids go, I've only ever ridden one (a Bianchi Boardwalk) as a commuter. It was great for riding around the city, but I had trouble going more than about 30 miles with it. But, a lot of my discomfort with longer distances on that bike had to do with the flat bar. The drop bars on the Dew Drop could solve that problem (for me). I did test ride a Dew back when I bought the Bianchi, and I loved it...the Bianchi was just equally fun/comfortable and a better deal because it was on sale at the time.

My hybrid was aluminum and was lighter than my steel Kona Sutra which is Kona's touring bike. The Sutra is heavier than your average bike but it is designed more for loaded touring and comfort and long miles rather than speed. It is my all-around bike. I use it for commuting, for my long distance rides, and for going to the grocery store even. There are plenty enough gears on most touring bikes to negate the weight factor.

I had originally looked for a cyclocross bike and liked the Volpe but went with the Sutra because it had all I was looking for and they had an old version in my size just waiting for me at 50% off. :p

Hmmm...

What about entry-level road bikes, which would give you a lot of options at around $1000 (especially if you're willing to go aluminum)? Trek 1500, etc (check out Felt too).

Other than that, check out Trek's touring rig -- I think it's the 520? -- steel, bar-end shifters, all the eyelets and braze-ons you could want for touring, nice bike but heavyish, but definitely in that price range. The Bianchi Volpe falls into the same category, and it seems like something you should test ride. I actually tested the Volpe a few years ago when I was looking for a rugged commute bike, and I found it too heavy and sluggish (handling definitely falls to the **stable** end of the spectrum -- I am learning that I like my bikes a teeny bit twitchy, oddly), but it's a good bike for the money if you like the ride, and many people do. I also tested the Lemond Propad (Poprad? I can never remember), and almost bought one. Also steel, so buttery ride, but much lighter and quicker. I don't think it has as many eyelets and such, though. FWIW, I ultimately settled on the Bianchi Axis (all 105 when I bought it, but has since been downgraded a bit, sadly), which I've been utterly happy with. Very comfortable geometry, nimble handling, relatively light... Someday I'm going to tweak the drivetrain a bit (super wide gearing + not perfect engineered component mix = long chain = chain slap & sloppier-than-ideal shifting sometimes), but it's not a deal breaker for me. I won't lie, it's not as all-out fast & smooth feeling as my roadbike (Scott Contessa CR1 pro), or even as my previous roadbike (aluminum Felt F50), but the fit and geometry feel so natural I don't care. I feel like a kid on it. It's really fun.

Good luck!

Edit: Re disc brakes: IF you think you might buy a cross bike, AND you think there's any possibility you might someday want to try racing cross, you should know that disc brakes are not legal in most sanctioned cross races.

Edit 2: AND if you are looking at cross bikes, most will have cantilever brakes, which are actually more powerful than the caliper brakes found on new road bikes. I have personally ridden my canti brakes in heavy rain and snow and they are quite adequate if you ride carefully (which you should do in adverse conditions regardless of what kind of brakes you have). But some brake pads have a tendency to glaze in wet weather, so you need to be pay attention and if you notice you are losing braking power, sand or replace your pads (some pad actually seem to melt off on your rims in rain, in which case you should clean any residue off your rims with alcohol). Also you should realize that a bike that is ridden in wet weather WILL need more attention and TLC than it would otherwise.

Okay, so I don't think I want to go with a touring bike, because that is not what I will be mainly using it for. also, I am 5' tall. That wipes out a lot of options right there, doesn't it? I'm pretty sure 47cm and up will be too large for me.........but I plan on getting measured today, just to be sure.

I would love to be able to afford the Luna line, but not at this point.....:D

At 5', you're likely going to be pretty limited in 'cross bike selection. There's been a good bit of discussion here around cyclocross bike choices for shorter riders, and the consensus seems to be that there's not a lot out there.

Trek420 is about your size, and she had a great time on a Surly Long Haul Trucker in a size 42 cm.

The Surly Cross Check comes in a 42 cm also, but it might feel more like a 44 cm because of the higher bottom bracket on cross bikes.

ETA: Cross Check link http://www.surlybikes.com/crosscheck_comp.html

I have a Bianchi Volpe that I just love! I use it for recreational rides, commuting and light touring (over rolling hills). It's been able to handle everything well and is very comfortable.

The Volpe is steel and comes with slightly better components Trek 1.2 (Tiagra vs Sora) and it's steel not aluminum.

Happy shopping!
Teresa

Here is another vote for the Surly Cross-Check... The CC comes in stock at $930, which is just under your price point; but you'll also need to think about adding pedals and a rear rack to that.

I was looking for a bike that would be pretty much like my road bike and let me cheat the incessant wind on my commute, and be usable on club rides and short to medium tours, where I could carry panniers, etc. I have been commuting most of the year on what I call my "Yehuda Moon" bike, but the wind blasting down the river valley here was taking its toll ;-) I looked at a couple of the Jamis models (specifically the Aurora) as well as Surly's Long Haul Trucker. Then the LBS brought in a Cross-Check for another customer, and I fell in lust with that one.

'Cross bikes are basically road bikes with a little higher clearance in the bottom bracket and the ability to run bigger/wider tires for better traction on rough & often sloppy roads, which perfectly describes the average pavement in Arkansas. I test rode a 56 (a little too big) and a 52 frame (a bit too small) and bought a 54 (just right...)

Anyway, here's my commuter/tourer:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...E_Surly_CC.jpg

One thing I really liked about this bike over, say, the LHT was that it came with 700C wheels, and what's pretty much a compact crank (48/36 with a 9-speed cassette). Didn't think I'd like the bar end shifters, though I've gotten quite fond of them now.

I added a Delta rear rack, Shimano PD-340 SPD/flat pedals, and a Brooks B-17 saddle to the stock bike. I left the 'cross tires that came with it on for now, at least until there's a little more road repair going on around here. The basic Cross-Check in this size is 24 pounds, with my add-ons my bike comes in at 26 pounds and a few ounces, before I strap on the rack trunk and/or panniers. I really like the way this bike rides, over the first four or five days I had it, I put on about 150 miles.

Take a look (and hopefully a ride) on a Surly. You won't regret it.

Tom
Steel be real...

Looks like you have received some excellent advice! Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth - I have an older (2001) Giant Innova hybrid - aluminim frame. I am currently training with full panniers and front bag and it is doing great. Maybe not the fastest ride out there, but definately can handle the added weight, plus I have had to run out onto hard pack trail and grass a few times due to road hazards and it handles the terrain beautifully. If you decide to go the hybrid route, you can always change out the tires to slicks and gain speed. I have not topped out the speed on my hybrid, but yesterday I managed 14 mph with fully loaded panniers. Good luck with your search and post when you find your new ride!

The Kona Dew Drop (doesn't arrive at my LBS until next month - don't want to wait, but will regret if I don't at least ride it)

Surly Cross Check

Specialized Dolce.

I think any of them will suit my needs just fine.......now it all depends on which feels best, and if I can be patient till the dew is in.

I'll keep you all posted!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the advice - its MUCH appreciated.