Will it hurt the bike...or me???

[momsquared]

So...perhaps because I was a bit uneducated in my first major bike purchase, I walked out of the shop with a Giant Escape 2 for women. I had gone in wanting a hybrid bike that could be used on the road and on bike trails in my area. I have used it for both, but after some further reading see my bike is described or classified as a commuter/town bike. My concern is that using it like a hybrid could possibly cause damage to the bike. I am definitely not mountain biking with it, but I also do more riding than to the local coffee shop and back.

I also plan to do some charity fun rides this summer. Did I get the entirely wrong bike????

[tulip]

Looks like a hybrid to me. Just ride it. You'll learn if it's appropriate or not once you get more riding experience. Later on, you may decide you want drop bars, or that you don't like the aluminum frame...but just ride it.

[Chicken Little]

I agree. Ride it to death. Switch out the tires if you want, but ride, ride, ride.

[Grog]

Ride the bike!

It definitely won't be hurt by road and light trail riding.

It's actually pretty hard to hurt a bike...

And, by the way, your bike sounds like it is a hybrid.

[MartianDestiny]

Ride it. You aren't going to hurt it.

My carbon race bike has seen dirt roads, washboards, gravel, tree roots, curbs and it's 100% fine. I can't say I recommend doing that consistently on a race bike, but the point is it really does take more than we give credit for to mess up a bike.

And honestly the distinction (if there really is one) between a commuter/city designation and a hybrid designation is blurry at best.

[sfa]

I agree. Just ride it. I think a lot of the classification that manufacturers use has more to do with marketing than anything else. Sounds like your bike shop listened to what you wanted and sold you a good bike for your needs.

Have fun!

Sarah

[Thorn]

A bike designed to handle city riding potholes is going to think that a bike trail is heaven. 700x32 tires will not even wimper at dirt and gravel. It will sing.

Ride the bike and enjoy.