conflicted, stressed, and making this too hard!

[SactoGal]

For something that seemed so easy to do as a child, I'm sure putting a lot of stress on myself picking a new bike.

I think my story is like so many others I've read here. Haven't biked in years (probably 20 or more).

I've got a well-used Centurion LeMans (from the late 70's) in the garage, but that isn't the bike I want to ride.

I've tested a bunch of bikes, and the bikes that feel best now are the hybrids (in particular the Giant Cypress DX, the Specialized Crossroads Elite and a little Jamis Commuter 2 - 8 speed). But, there's a niggling feeling that I'll grow out of that bike very quickly and be buying a new bike fairly soon down the road.

I have tested the Trek fx 2 and 3, the Giant FCR?, a fuji absolute. I just have a fear of getting on and off the mens style bikes. And, I'm not totally comfortable stretched out that much. I saw reference that someone has adjusted their handle bars up on their roadbike, but I'm so new to this, how do I know what bikes will adjust that way?

I like getting out (currently doing all my workouts inside, just did my first 1/2 marathon on a rowing machine). I've walked a few marathons in the past, so I know that once I get going on something, I build up conditioning and enjoy it.

Currently, my budget is $500 and below, but I'm wondering if I need to bump it up to about $700 and see what works? My husband thinks buying the hybrid and seeing if I use it is probably the best way to go, and if I need to buy a new buy next year, that's fine with him.

I've seen reference to Specialized Sirrus, Kona Dew ... any suggestions? First in the $500 range, then up to the $700 range?

Thanks

[mimitabby]

welcome to TE!

I did kind of what you're suggesting, I bought an intermediate bike.
I didn't want to have a fancy bike that I hated to ride, so I bought something used on ebay and for the last year I have been learning to ride it.
(It's a Bianchi road bike)

Some people say; don't do that; buy the best bike you can buy now.

Come on in, get acquainted; and I promise a bunch of others will post soon and answer all your questions.

[Darby361]

Last year I bought a very inexpensive hybrid (Trek 7100). I rode it A LOT and fell in love with biking. My friends bike rails-to-trails, so the hybrid seemed a good fit. This year I have graduated to a road bike but I still have they hybrid for the trails (we did 24 miles of trail last night!!). I like having two, and felt confident in buying a road bike as I knew cycling was my thing. Had I spent $1500 the first year and did not like it, I would have been mad at myself. I say go for the hybrid - it is a great bike for both trails and a bit of road biking. See if you get bit by the bug...
Trish

[KnottedYet]

I bought a Kona Dew ($400) about a year ago. I use it as a utility bike and rode it in a triathlon. It is the "lowest" of the 4 levels of Dew, but it was marvellous for my needs.

Later I bought a road bike, which I use for the long rides (40+ miles) because the Dew's flat bars and aluminum frame just aren't comfortable after about 30 miles.

I like having a "utility" bike for errands and commuting and to lend out to people, and a "zoom" bike for the long road rides.

(Right now I'm in the throes of severe bike lust, yearning for a Surly Crosscheck to be my new utility bike.)

I would recommend buying the bike you love NOW, rather than buying one you think you might love later. (later you might actually prefer something else entirely!)

If you buy a second bike later to meet other needs, no worries! Your first bike still has a purpose as your utility bike.

[Jolt]

Agree with KnottedYet--go with what works for you right now, and you can always upgrade. And hybrids are good utility bikes--actually, that was a big part of the reason I went with a hybrid (that said, it probably would have ended up being a mountain bike had I not found the hybrid--I was looking on craigslist and knew I needed something that was sturdy enough for some rough roads).

[SactoGal]

Thanks for all the replies ... you all make too much sense

Some times it's easy for me to get too caught up in the details.

I do have 2 more questions:

a 7 or 8 speed internal hub vs a 21 or 24 speed bike. Will they both go up hills equally? My primary place to ride beyond the streets around my house will be a paved bike trail with some hills.

The Jamis commuter is a very nice lightweight bike, but only the 8 gears (no suspension which doesn't sound like a bad way to go). The other bike that would be similar is the Giant Ex (more expensive, suspension, heavier bike).

How do I know what size frame? It seems like some of the bikes I ride, that the LBS salesperson have put me on, my knees were practically to the handlebars and it wasn't comfortable.

I'm not super tall (5' 6 1/2' - 31 inch inseam), but honestly, the bikes I've been the most comfortable on were the larger frames.

Ok, back to work.

[mimitabby]

Visit more than one bike shop. Keep trying bikes until you find one that FEELS good, and don't get pressured into a sale.