Then, you've got someone like me -- I rode a Raleigh 3-speed converted into a 15-speed (through the addition of a 5-speed rear derailer) by my dad as a kid, and then when I entered college got a road bike (10-speed Viscount Gran Sport). That was my only bike for 25+ years. As recently as 7 years ago I was still riding it, although 20-30 miles in a day has always been my limit. But then I moved from flat, semi-rural central Illinois to Crazy Driver Central, Oakland CA. I had gotten fat, to boot, and lived on the second floor of a building on a steep hill, so I had TWO flights of stairs plus the hill itself and traffic to deal with if I wanted to do any riding. Once was enough.

About a month ago, my work moved from San Francisco to Redwood City, and the new office is surrounded by bike paths, running/walking paths and roads with normal, not excessive and not crazy, traffic. I brought my old road bike to work and I've ridden it there once. But my butt hurt for two weeks afterward, my shoulders are out of shape, and I couldn't really enjoy the ride because I couldn't see past a foot in front of my front wheel. So, I searched for a hybrid bike so I can SIT UP, ride at a leisurely pace with my fiance on our neighborhood streets, sidewalks, and parks, and actually enjoy myself again. I no longer live in the apartment on the hill, so that part isn't an issue any more.

My fiance rides a beat-up old coaster-brake bike and has no interest in anything fancier. I had to replace his chain because it was so rusty one of the links was broken on one side (!), and swapped out his rear tire with one from another junker he had acquired (with a bent frame), because it had a bald spot the size of a kiwi fruit, all the way down to the fabric.

The bike I got (off Craig's list) is a Trek 7100 that was built up by a guy who's been working in bike shops for the last 5 years, found the frame at a swap meet, and was hoping to build himself a commuter bike. Only problem being, the frame he got is a women's size XS (14" seat tube), and he's 6' tall, so he couldn't build it up large enough for himself. From my standpoint, it means a) the frame *does* fit me; b) the handlebar stem is long enough that the handlebars are actually higher than the seat, which is what I want for this bike; and c) it has a rear rack, so it was easy to add baskets. This is my first bike with an indexed shifter (rear only), and I really like it. I also think the choice of a friction shifter for the front was smart. I ordered a Brooks b.67S saddle online (wallbike.com) to replace the gel saddle (too skinny) and suspension post (too much side-to-side motion) he had put on it, and so far am quite happy with it.

So, I've gone from road bike to hybrid/comfort for the time being. Once I get in a little better shape, I'll go out on my Viscount again, and I know I'll have to make seat adjustments, but the Trek is what is allowing me to actually get out and ride again.

Rebeccah