you girls have done it now

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey, welcome!

I'm no expert, but a hybrid sounds like a good idea for you according to what you say you want to do right now. You are being smart by trying out different bikes in different bike shops. The more bikes you ride before you buy, the more you will know exactly what you need in a bike. Try to resist impulse buys unless you are like suddenly crazy in love with a particular bike. If you aren't quite sure,- keep test riding.

Good luck! Try to enjoy the search for a bike, meanwhile.

[KnottedYet]

I always recommend the Kona Dew (aluminum) and the Kona Smoke (steel).

(I have had one of each)

$350-$400

As my LBS says, they are "bombproof" bikes.

www.konaworld.com
http://www.konaworld.com/08_dew.htm
http://www.konaworld.com/08_smoke29.htm

With the new, larger wheels available on the 2008 Smoke, I'd definitely be going for the Smoke. (steel, and it comes with fenders) My 2007 Smoke has 26 inch wheels, and I'm not complaining. But it is slower overall than my Kona Dew with the 700c wheels. (I rode the Dew in a triathlon, and was a studly babe for the biking leg. We won't talk about my performance in the swim and run legs... )

[fastdogs]

well, I really liked the feel of the trek 7000, it was the men's version with a 17.5 (size of the frame?). But then, it's the only hybrid I've ever been on. I am enjoying the idea of a new bike, so will enjoy the shopping. I checked out the kona website and really like the look of the kona smoke, but when I searched for dealers it showed none in my area (st. louis). kind of hard to believe.
thanks for the encouragement and suggestions!
vickie

[onimity]

As far as Kona in St. Louis, Google says...

http://bigshark.com/index.cfm?display=homepage
http://pelotoncyclery.com



Anne

[fastdogs]

thanks, I found another one that carries kona. It's supposed to rain this week, so instead of riding during my lunch break I might sneak away to check out some bikes.
anyone know anything about jamis bikes? I found a shop that carries them and some look interesting. I will check out mountain bikes too, prefer hardtail.
vickie

[elk]

Vickie

DH has a 7000 and he really likes it.
I rode one too and liked it, but it was a "girls" and cramped for me too...and I wanted a step through.

I ended up with a Specialized Globe that I love love...but having a wandering eye I wish I'd tried the Kona Smoke....(less money than I ended up spending)

I don't think you can wrong with either...and you know what you love!

congrats on deciding to get a new bike...

elk

[fastdogs]

I stopped at a couple of bike shops on the way home today. It was raining, so no test rides, but I at least got to see and sit on a couple of bikes. Rightly or wrongly, it makes a big difference to me how I get treated at a bike shop. The first one, I checked out some of the Jamis (spelling?) bikes, just a couple (they didn't have many) The guy was friendly enough, but just not as helpful. The bikes seemed a little to upright, but could have been how they were set up. He seemed to discourage me from checking out the mountain bikes, and they didn't have too many.
Then I went to bigger shop, absolutely nobody was in either shop on a cold rainy day like today (it had been very nice when I got in my ride at lunchtime). The lady helping me was very informative and helpful, and pulled out whatever I wanted to look at. They had the Trek 7200 there, and I really liked it. They didn't have any trek 7000 but said they could order it. I just like the feel of them, and the looks. This shop gives you 10% off supplies and lifetime service (you pay for parts, not service) on their bikes. I liked the 7200 and the mountain bike, which was an unfortunate bright blue color.I guess the 7200 has upgraded components from the 7000, I just don't know if if I need the upgrades- with my weight right now it might be worth it.
I didn't even take my checkbook in with me, I know how I am. Tomorrow if it's raining I might go by the shop that has kona bikes.
vickie

[light_sabe_r]

thanks, I found another one that carries kona. It's supposed to rain this week, so instead of riding during my lunch break I might sneak away to check out some bikes.
anyone know anything about jamis bikes? I found a shop that carries them and some look interesting. I will check out mountain bikes too, prefer hardtail.
vickie

My first bike was a jamis tangier hybrid! It was great for me, but then again I grew out of it very quickly. In 9months I was ready for a Road bike.

I love that Tangier though and I still carry a torch for it even though it hasn't been ridden since Last year

[Geonz]

I luv my trek hybrid I have my older Giant Nutra hybrid that will handle any terrain I want (packed gravelly stuff and roads), and it's a lot like the Trek hybrids.
However... I'd at least *try* the next bikes up. Friend of mine was looking at the 7100 and I talked her into trying I think the 7500 or maybe 7300 ... anyway, it was I think aluminum instead of steel and made a huge difference in how easy it was to shove along. (I have a 7500FX but that runs >600 ... but it's worth considering how important this relationship is and amortizing increased expense over time! I mean, what if next year you want to upgrade again?)

[onimity]

Hi Vickie,

Seems like you are looking for a couple of different things.

My LBS guy gave me great advice when I was in a similar (but utterly bikeless) position; that was that if I was going to be riding on dirt, to consider a MTB (which I could always put slick tires on) but which would give me a wider range of uses for the bike. It was great advice, IMO because I could ride a lot of dirt trails more easily that are not-so-fun on a hybrid. I started with a Kona Fire Mountain, which I *loved.* (She got stolen ) But it was a phenomenal bike.

Group rides, though, it sounds like you'll benefit from a road bike there. And yes, the bikes do play a big part in that. But those are more expensive, though you can get some good deals on used road bikes, there is lots of good advice to be had here on that...

That said, if you consider that that the jack of all trades is the master of none, by definition, Knotted's advice on the Kona Dew & Smoke is spot on, both are *great* bikes and an excellent value for the money.

Anne