you girls have done it now

[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

[elk]

http://cgi.ebay.com/trek-7300-multit...QQcmdZViewItem

Trek 7300 17.5" almost new...extras...just fyi
He put excellent lights on it, fenders, a cat eye computer....

[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?)

[fastdogs]

Today I tried a Giant Cypress and a Fuji crosstown 3.0. Unfortunately, they only had the women's style in my size, and I just feel too closed in on those. I liked the Giant better, but still not as well as I liked the Trek 7000. Of course, I only rode the trek on the trainer in the store. But it felt right- like when I get on my downtube bike, I just feel like riding. I'm not sure if what I like is just what I'm used to, though, I don't have enough experience to know. I felt like both the giant and the fuji were too upright. The shop gives you one year of free tune ups, and you can buy a lifetime program for $69.00.
None of the shops that carry trek have carried the 7000 up here, just the 7100 and up. I've been going round and round with this- I've looked at the comparison of the 7000, 7100, and 7200, but is the difference enough to warrant going up to a 7200 from a 7000?
I can get the 7000 from the bike shop about an hour away (rte 66 bikes), they've got it in stock, in my size. I need to find out what service they provide after the sale.
The place that has the 7200 in stock in my size, is the one that does a fitting before purchase, and provides free maintenance for lifetime after (you pay for parts, not labor), plus 10% off stuff in the store. I need to actually take the 7200 out and ride it though. If I get it, there won't be enough left to buy fenders and have them put on, so that will have to wait. I still need to ride the kona, and could check out the bikes at an REI in town.
The shop I went to today also carries recumbents and the rans crank forward bikes, but I resisted giving them a try.

[elk]

you could always sell your walmart bikes on craig's list to pay for the upgrade and fenders....

e