Bike Advice

[Zen]

Welcome!

You might want to look at flat bar road bikes like the Specialized Sirrus, Jamis Coda, and Trek Pilot.

I have a Jamis Coda Comp I use as a commuter bike. It's fairly quick and has mountain gearing.

The Pilot has drop bars.
The Trek FX5 (or higher) might be comparable to your Jamis, plus it has a more relaxed TT.

[HillSlugger]

The Pilot has drop bars.
The Trek FX5 (or higher) might be comparable to your Jamis, plus it has a more relaxed TT.

That's right, I'm getting my bikes confused; the Pilot is comparable to my Sequoia. Both are relaxed geometry road bikes with drop bars.

[RickaG]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. The Trek FX5 is one I had looked at online, and it just might be the ticket. In the meantime, I think I'll take my PA Cycles road bike in for a consultation and get it ready to ride again. Replacing those 20 year old tires and brake pads, at a minimum.

My family and I just returned from a 3 week trip to Germany. Although I had heard about the huge % of people who commute by bike, it still was amazing to see the streams of people on bikes going to and from work. Although German drivers are maniacally focussed on their driving, they treat bike riders with respect. If they can't safely pass with at least a meter to spare, they wait.

Thanks again!

[BarbaraAlys]

I'm kind of with those that have suggested you try it before you say you can't do it. If you have no back issues there is no reason to expect a well fitted bike to give you some.

If you are really commited to no having a road bike, have you looked at recumbents? My friend rides an ActionBent and she can make that thing fly!
Her's has under-seat stearing, so the hand position is the most ergonimically correct of any I've seen.

Barbara

[MomOnBike]

I'll second the notion that a recumbent is worth a look.

They can be very fast (rider input required) and I, at least, can spend more time riding without various parts and pieces of my body complaining.

Take one, or a dozen, for a spin. Then, at least, you will know if you like 'em.

[carriesn]

This may be a bit late, but you could also look at the Specialized Vita (its a step down from the Dolce, but it gives you that road bike feel with flat bars) or the Raleigh FT Cadent series (also has a WSD, called the Alyssa Cadent). Both are in the $500 range and I like both a lot. I'm selling my Specialized Crossroads because it doesn't make the cut for commuting etc- prefer a road bike with flat bars cos its just much more fun to ride!