New and excited!

[Jo-n-NY]

Try a Trek 7.5 fx or higher at a bike shop. It's a hybrid that is lighter and w thinner, slicker tires than most hybrids. I have an older model of the Trek 7.5FX and I've done centuries and a week-long AIDS ride on it.

You might be able to get a break on the price at this time of year. Or it would give you a good sense of what to look for in a used bike.

Who knows, you may be upgrading to a road bike before you know it!

Actually between the hybrid and roadbike, I had a Specialized Sirrus, which sounds very similar to the Trek Maryellen mentioned. The Sirrus has a straight handlebar, however, I am not sure about the Trek 7.5FX. However, either one of these bikes is worth trying since you are looking around.

~ JoAnn

[maryellen]

The Specialized Sirrus and the Trek 7.5FX are very similar. Both w straight bars.

So either one of these would be great bikes for you to try. I think pretty much all bike shops would have one or the other, Specialized or Trek.

Test ride as many bikes as you can. Don't be shy! And let the bike shop staff suggests some bikes for you to try. Don't hesitate if the bike they suggest is way out of your price range. You will be surprised at what you learn by trying different bikes.

Good luck.