HELP. Bikes. I never thought I'd be saying this

[sandra]

BUT, here goes.

I miss my hybrid. I love my road bike, but I miss having my hybrid for things like riding around the neighborhood.

I'm not sorry I sold it. It's a chance to think about what I might want and something new. I considered a Trek 7100.

Please make recommendations. I want the least expensive thing I can get that I still enjoy. I won't ride it much. I'll mostly ride my road bike, but when I want to ride it, I want to enjoy it.

[teigyr]

I have nothing to say except for I feel your pain. I had a lovely mountain bike that was converted to be a pseudo road bike. When I got my road bike, I gave the other bike to someone thinking I wouldn't need it. I miss it. There are times I just want to ride in bad weather or not wear cycling shoes or whatever....there are places I would like to ride where the road bike just isn't good (ie gravel roads, etc). Now I'm going to end up buying another "kicking around town" bike.

[sandra]

What would you buy to kick around town on?

[Pax]

I really enjoy the Trek 7.5 I picked up to use as my around town commuter.

[sandra]

I really enjoy the Trek 7.5 I picked up to use as my around town commuter.

Would LOVE that one, but I don't think I will be able to pay that much.

[Pax]

Would LOVE that one, but I don't think I will be able to pay that much.

They have a 7.3 and 7.2 that have the same ergonomics but not quite as high-end components and run $200 and $300 less.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The thing about non-racing-road bikes is that it's easier to feel more like when you were a kid....sitting up straight with the sun in your face, (no neck cramps from riding hunched over), wearing old sneakers, putting cool stuff in your big basket or big saddlebag.....

Get yourself a nice around town errand upright bike, Sandra.....and be sure to get a bell, put some playing cards in the spokes to make cool noises while you ride, and buy yourself a cold fudgecycle to eat while you cruise around town!

[sandra]

That is exactly what I want Lisa!

We live on a lake and they are lowering the lake to do repairs to the dam. The water on my end is really low. I need my hybrid with the basket so I can ride and take food down to the other end to the ducks and one swan.

I'm trying to figure out how to convince hubby that *I NEED* another bike.

[mimitabby]

I get to get my kicks riding the worksman bikes at my office. they weigh 50 lbs or so, there's one gear and coaster brakes. The saddles are awful, but when you only ride 1/2 mile at a time, who cares. it's fun to pedal as fast as I can on that kind of bike and then squeeze my ball trumpet horn for effect.

do you have a bike auction at your local police station?
also, check garage sales!

(there are great bikes hiding everywhere. ... like Craig's List!)

[KnottedYet]

Fun utility bikes I have owned and loved:
Kona Smoke, $350 (steel frame)
Kona Dew, $400 (aluminum frame)
Surly Cross Check, $930 (steel frame, and my "midlife crisis bike")

It is *good* to have a zoom zoom bike with clipless and computer and sexy goodies, AND a happy-go-lucky sneaker compatible sit up tall and smile utility bike.

SKnot fell in love with my Kona Smoke, and I'm looking forward to when he outgrows it (the boy is growing like a WEED, I tell ya!) so I can take it back. Mine is the older version with the 26 inch wheels. Love the fenders and the grip shifts and the delicious steel frame! A delectable beater-bike.

www.konaworld.com
www.surlybikes.com

[ehirsch83]

You could also look at Electra Bikes. The townies and the amsterdam bikes would both make great around town rides.

[uforgot]

Ebay and craigslist have a lot of mixtes. I find them a lot of fun. Last Saturday I picked up a Nishiki mixte for $40. It needs new tires and chain but that's it! Trek 420 recently posted one, Xeney actually has a blog about them and I'm on my 2nd one. You can fix it up slowly if you like and they are so beautiful and fun! Here's a pic of my bianchi mixte I sold last week because it was too big.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ighlight=mixte

I also purchased a Trek 7.2 fx. I use it with panniers when I have a lot to carry. The 2008s are $419- $449, but once again, you can get used ones significantly cheaper. I find it's a good bike to just jump on and go. Here's a pic from a previous post I made.

Trek 7.2 fx

When I first got my road bike, I sold my first 7.2 fx, and within a month regretted it! I don't really want to ride my road bike through the rain and gravel and park, to the grocery store...but I will with my mixtes and trek. The road bike for serious riding, the others for fun riding!

[rij73]

I feel your pain too... DH made me sell my flat-bar when I bought the road bike. I knew it would be a mistake. I'd love to have an errand bike!

I'm just keeping my eye on the local craigslist to see if I can get an old mountain bike in my size. I'd only buy it from someone who it obviously fits and who is the obvious rightful owner. Lots of stolen bikes on craigslist.

[sandra]

Our local Craigslist is pitiful. I guess our town it not large enough and it just hasn't caught on.

Kona Smoke looks great, but the closest dealer to here is 200 miles or more. We must live in Backwoods, USA! Love the Mocha Trek, but again, a little more than I want to spend.

I'd certainly consider ebay, but I'm a little scared of buying something I haven't ridden plus getting the correct size. If you see something good on ebay for someone that rides a 52 Trek road bike, please pass the info along to me.

[Torrilin]

Look for: platform pedals. Internal hub gears or single speed. fenders (unless you're in a desert). good brakes. chain guard. can take a front basket. has mounts for a back rack. generator hub and lights. mixte or step through frame. comfy handlebars and saddle.

You probably will not find *all* those features on a single bike. But you should be able to manage a decent number of them. Good luck with your hunt . I'm doing the same sort of hunt right now.