Shopping for commuter...(A little bit long)

[Reesha]

I highly recommend Kona's Dew series! I almost bought one on the spot but decided to continue to commute on my road bike. The Dew Deluxe was a great ride-- fast, nimble, but felt really sturdy and safe the way a mountain bike would. Also most of them have disc brakes!

I also recently went with a friend where she test road Giant hybrids. She ended up with a $950 Giant FCR that she simply loves. I rode it too and it was pretty sweet!

[Ana]

Geez, you might want to take a quick look at craigslist. It might be less expensive and it sounds like you would get about the same level of customer service

Are there any other shops in the area that you like? Perhaps you could go at a time when the owner/shop manager is there. Perhaps the employees are enjoying their unsupervised time...

[tulip]

I used Jamis would be great. They are steel, which is so much more comfy than aluminum in my book.

Go to a different shop if this one doesn't treat you right.

[Red Rock]

Sorry for the late response here. Just got back from the Trek dealer and road their hybrids and FX series. I liked the FX series. I spoke to them about the Valencia also. They were much more helpful. I was even helped by a female!! I asked her if they do fits and she said yes. The whole experience was like night and day. It was nice to have a good experience. It actually does happen.

This is a case of DH wanting to get me another bike ??!! I bought my hartail, that I really like, off of Craigslist. I told him it was not a big deal, but to him it is.

I guess I have ridden my carbon frame so much that I am used to feeling everything. Has anyone used these "lower" components? I'm used to the Ultegras that have a snap to their shifting. Are they really bad? How long do they last?I just have no experience with them. Can you all help me out on the component department, please.

I like the look of the Valencia because it has the mountain geometry. It also can have racks, plus the disk brakes. I would feel the road on it also. I was looking at the Specialized site at the San Francisco 1 under the Globe heading. I think it and the Valencia are comparable rides.

I will be back with more info after visiting the Specialized shop.

Red Rock

[Red Rock]

Well, I found and bought the bike that will do the job for me. I went to the Specialized dealer in town and told them I was looking for a commuter. He showed me the Crosstrail bikes and was explaining them to me. Then I took it for a spin. Wow! Basically it is a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike together. Aluminum frame, semi road/mountain tires and totally awsome.

I had them put on clips and a rear rack. I also picked up some casual riding shoes that will work too. I was just so happy. I am glad that I had gone to all of the shops in town. (By coinsidence, I worked with the owners wife a while ago. She knows how much of a bike nut I am.) This shop had more equipment, things (Like spoklights) that I thought I would never find in this town. It was everything I can find here on TE and other places. I was stoked.

Then I came home changed clothes and went for a two hour ride around town. I needed it anyway because of all of the adrenaline going through my system. I was so happy plugging along and enjoying life.

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