Another Newbie

[seychelle]

Hi all !

Quick background: I'm an injured runner going nuts since I can't run and have decided to take up cycling. I have decided I want a hybrid bike. I am not interested in mountain biking and feel I need to have some time on a bike before graduating to a road bike.

I intend to mostly ride on bike paths and the roads around my neighborhood which are fairly rural. I'm guessing I'll ride 10-15 miles, 2-3 times per week to begin with. I've only tried 2 bikes, Trek 7000 ($280) and Trek 7.2 FX ($470), and I am eager to go purchase one of the 2 mostly because I want to ride now ! As you can see, I don't intend to spend alot of money on the bike as I want to see first if I like it and stick with it. If I do, then I can upgrade to something better.


Questions:

1. Would you advice I try more bikes before buying ? I haven't had a bike in years and I have nothing to compare the bikes to. They were both comfortable when riding around the parking lot at the lbs. I do realize that was a short spin and not hours on the bike. If you have any suggestion of other bikes to try, please let me know.

2. Are those 2 bikes considered good starter bikes ? quality: price ratio.

3. Do bike shops typically have after Thanksgiving sales ? in other words, should I wait until next Friday to purchase ? Chances are the bike I end up with may not be on sale, but maybe I can work out a deal in terms of accessories or something ?

Thanks for your input and I'm sure I'll have more questions later.

Seychelle

[pll]

I have been there, too. I started to ride to work due because it was less painful than walking (plantar fasciitis) and went with a cheap bike, with the additional consideration that I wanted to have peace of mind while I sat at work and the bike was locked outside the building.

If I was to buy a hybrid or similar for longer rides, I would take a good look at the Specialized "Sirrus" and the Fuji "Absolute" ones. And if you can find a 2005 Bianchi Alfana (no longer in the 2006 Bianchi line up), that is just a beauty. Anyway, all of these have nice components (definitely much nicer than the Trek 7000), and they are more like road bikes with a flat handle bar, skinnier tires.

I have never paid attention to prices after Thanksgiving, but the 2006 models should be on sale whenever the 2007 roll into the store and November is the month when they do.

Have your bike shop fit you to the bike. Make sure your wrists are in a neutral position when you are on the bike to avoid pain in your hands in longer rides: stems can be changed, handlebars shortened, etc. Also, you should also try bikes on a longer ride (20-30 minutes)...

Good luck in your bike shopping.

[CyclChyk]

Any bike you start out with will probably be just fine. At that price range they will be pretty comparable in components and performance. Trek has a great reputation and following. My DH has 2 (a mtn and a road) and loves both. I myself have a Bianchi. The brand name is purely personal preference.....

Above all else make sure your LBS fits you to the bike you end up buying. Read up on bike fitting on the web so you know you are getting the proper treatment. My first fit was no where near as in depth as my second fit and I could definately tell the difference. (My first bike was a Giant; it was a little oversized for me). And in the event you have any discomfort or pain from the fit, or even if anything feels a little "off", go back to your LBS for a consult or adjustment. These little details will make a huge difference in your sticking with cycling.....

Then of course, there will be the dreaded SADDLE issue........

[suzieqtwa]

I too am an injured runner. I destroyed my ankle this year training for the Marathon. I only biked when I was 10 or so ,and really had no interest in it ,but I needed to do something ,so my husband bought us both hybrids. I got a Gary Fisher,about $420.00. I didn't know how to ride it ,and I was so frustrated. I thought all my past running would help me ,but it didn't. It took me about 3 weeks of 10 minute-20 minute rides ,up hills to get hooked. I realized I could go pretty far ,and it was fun. I did a 46 mile ride in October. Someone stole my bike about a month ago ,and I started riding my husbands TREK 7.2 FX. I didn't realize how much better it was than mine...very smooth gear changes ,and just a real nice bike. Its a bit big for me ,but my new TREK 2.1 WSD is in lay away now . Anyway ,in answer to your question ,I'm quite pleased with the 7.2. I think its perfect for trails ,and roads. Good luck......... Start with a Hybrid,the TREK is a great bike. Oh, I think they have spring sales ,but not Thanksgiving sales.
Suzie

[KSH]

Well, I don't really have any opinions on hybrid bikes. I started on a road bike and recently purchased a tri bike.

I am not sure about hybrids... but I always WISH someone had told me about the quality of the gearing on the bike I was buying.

If you can get Shimano 105's... try to. Gears that shift easily will make your life easier and your bike more enjoyable to ride.

Good luck and welcome to the world of cycling!

[KnottedYet]

I have a Kona Dew for my hybrid commuter, and I'm pretty darn happy with it. It's aluminum (ouch!) so I don't have to worry about it rusting here in the Seattle rain.

An added benefit is that it has a slanting top tube, so shorter folks (like my kid or short visitors) can lower the seat waaaaay down and go for a ride with me.

The geometry of the Dew is good for me. Kind of a cyclocross geometry. I found the Trek hybrid geometry to be awkward, but I loved my Trek 570 "Fast Track".

I would definitely try a couple different brands in your price range. They will feel different, and when you find a geometry that suits your riding style and body mechanics it will feel really amazing, like "HEY! THIS IS MY BIKE!!!"

[wannaduacentury]

Hi all !

Quick background: I'm an injured runner going nuts since I can't run and have decided to take up cycling. I have decided I want a hybrid bike. I am not interested in mountain biking and feel I need to have some time on a bike before graduating to a road bike.

I intend to mostly ride on bike paths and the roads around my neighborhood which are fairly rural. I'm guessing I'll ride 10-15 miles, 2-3 times per week to begin with. I've only tried 2 bikes, Trek 7000 ($280) and Trek 7.2 FX ($470), and I am eager to go purchase one of the 2 mostly because I want to ride now ! As you can see, I don't intend to spend alot of money on the bike as I want to see first if I like it and stick with it. If I do, then I can upgrade to something better.


Questions:

1. Would you advice I try more bikes before buying ? I haven't had a bike in years and I have nothing to compare the bikes to. They were both comfortable when riding around the parking lot at the lbs. I do realize that was a short spin and not hours on the bike. If you have any suggestion of other bikes to try, please let me know.

2. Are those 2 bikes considered good starter bikes ? quality: price ratio.

3. Do bike shops typically have after Thanksgiving sales ? in other words, should I wait until next Friday to purchase ? Chances are the bike I end up with may not be on sale, but maybe I can work out a deal in terms of accessories or something ?

Thanks for your input and I'm sure I'll have more questions later.

Seychelle

Hi and Welcome, I have a Trek 7100 hybrid. I like it b/c it has a suspension fork and seat post, great for bumps. The others are nice too. Ride all of them and pick what you like best. I bought a road bike in sept so now I have bikes for paths and road riding. Jennifer

[suzieqtwa]

I don't really know what a good bike fit feels like either. I'm a skinny 5/9 ,so I fit on almost any bike. Its not the bike so much that concerns me ,its the saddle. Both hybrids make my crotch sore after 15 miles or so. I don't know whether its the Nike shorts I bought on "sale" , the hybrid saddle ,or just the fact I was never fitted for it. I'm learning as I go along ,and on my new road bike ,I hope to be fitted properly ,and have a better saddle. I think you will just learn as you go along...but the TREK is a good bike. These ladies have a ton of good information.
I'm trying to run again ,but I feel the injury deep in my ankle. Yes, I miss it.
Suzie

[seychelle]

I'm trying to run again ,but I feel the injury deep in my ankle. Yes, I miss it.
Suzie

I'm so sorry, I literally feel your pain. I'm sure you know this, but be careful. I'm just saying it because you and I both know how runners are I'm sure you've ran through pain (as have I) before. You don't want to do unrepairable damage. How long ago was your injury ? was it a stress fx ?

[aicabsolut]

I'm an injured runner too..well my injuries started in high school, and then I put all my energy into being an equestrain instead of doing a million sports, but in college and grad school cutting back on the riding meant more running and other high-impact activities. My ankle is pretty trashed (OCD of the talar dome), and I can only manage the discomfort by avoiding running, kickboxing, and all the stuff I used to like to do.

Because I move a lot, I tried spinning for a long time (over a year) and then took the plunge and bought a road bike. But your approach for where you live will probably be just as good. I think a hybrid would be too slow and heavy for my taste, but anything you think you'll enjoy without breaking the bank to start with is great.

I don't know of any post-Thanksgiving bike sales, but look for 06 models that are hanging around the shop.

You can generally go out for longer rides, especially if the shop isn't too busy, but you might have to leave an ID and credit card with them. Try finding some speed bumps, roots, and any rough terrain that you can to see how comfortable it will be on the trails versus on the roads.

Cycling is addictive. I'm thinking of racing in the spring. Sometimes it'd be nice to run when I want to do certain other activities like play ultimate frisbee or soccer, but overall, I don't miss it. My tibia and ankles are so much happier since I gave it up. Now I just need to get another horse....