Need help picking a hybrid

[Lady Hamilton]

I did not ride any. I went right after work in a dress and flipflops. Not the best riding attire:-)
I will be going back on the weekend though. Elite is absolutely gorgeous (I saw it in purple), light, and stunning. They told me they can swap tires for something that is more packed dirt friendly.
I will be going tomorrow to hopefully check out Jamis Coda Sport.

[TigerMom]

How about used Craigslist bikes?

[Lady Hamilton]

My size, XS, is probably going to be too hard to find.
I found one used, specialized vita eilte 2011 model,in size M. They claim it's practically new. But the $150 difference is not worth IMO not having a year of service, and warranty. Plus, it is already two years old.

[Lady Hamilton]

that's what the guy told me. He said that Koba Dew, Vita, and Ariel are different. Nice thing is, there is a bit of uphill by the shop, so I can check that out.

[Koronin]

I bought a Specialize Ariel last summer. I really like it for nice relaxed rides. Although I actually bought it for a very specific purpose. It and my husband's equivilant is what we take to the NASCAR races in Bristol, TN with us. By having the bikes we can park a good ways farther from the track, ride the bikes to the track and back. Plus the track put in a really nice fence at the entrance to the track and people use it as a nice bike rack. Don't know if that's what it was intended for, but the track doesn't have an issue at all with people locking their bikes up at the fence. I will saw I've only ridden it on pavement.

[shootingstar]

did you ride hills in Vancouver on Cypress?
there is a LX edition now, which is in beautiful silver, and it has a locking suspension. which is kind of awesome. The store has it in XS, I guess I should ride it to see.

I did. I rode daily for about 5 yrs. Yes of course, hills are unavoidable in Vancouver. Then I got a lighter hybrid bike.

[shootingstar]

Just make sure you don't have bike tires that are too knobbly mountain bike unless you need to cycle often on gravel roads, and rougher path riding etc. several times per week.

I have wider tires for commuting but not mountain bike....tough (to avoid a lot of flats), but won't get caught in street tracks.

[Lady Hamilton]

thank you very much for your input. I am still considering Ariel. will be definitely test riding it.

[Lady Hamilton]

Just make sure you don't have bike tires that are too knobbly mountain bike unless you need to cycle often on gravel roads, and rougher path riding etc. several times per week.

I have wider tires for commuting but not mountain bike....tough (to avoid a lot of flats), but won't get caught in street tracks.

Yes, the gentleman at the store said he will put tires on Vita that would be good for both packed dirt and tarmac. tires on vita are 700/32, I believe. He said we can go up in size

[TigerMom]

Not to add more items on your list....but how about a Cyclocross bike?

Any used XS cyclocross bikes available on Craigslist/eBay?

[Msquared2]

I have a Specialized Ariel. I've ridden it for 50+ miles at time, thrown 29 x 1.9 knobby tires on it and taken it mountain biking on technical trails, and everything in between. It's heavy, but I've thrown a lot at it and it does fairly well. I commuted on it to work today!

[Lady Hamilton]

Hello ladies.
Sorry, I wasn't here for a few days.
It has been very busy at work, and going to bike shops.
Here I am a week later. At ground zero. With your help, and reading the forum, I learned so mush, maybe too much. Because I still don't know what to do.
Basically, the story goes like this: specialized vita elite is the most beautiful bike there. And this makes me very subjective about other bikes.
Jamis coda is off the list. I would like to buy something locally, and the closest shop selling them is not in my city.
Basically, right now I am trying to decide what to do:
1. Vita elite. they are willing to give me a bit of a discount, which will bring the total to $890. I want to talk her into going down more. to like $860.
2. Giant Escape 1. the specs are very similar to vita elite. Carbon fork, same derailleurs. Very close in weight. vita is a pound lighter. Retail is $639 plus tax, but he will go down.
3. Trek fx 7.3 $709 plus tax, no discount, which brings the price to $801.

This is my short list. I am trying to decide whether Vita is really worth spending THAT much money on. If there is a bike, Giant, with basically the same spec for $200 less.
Vita elite
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...itaelite#specs

Giant Escape 1.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/...specifications

am I missing something? I just don't understand the pricing. why is elite so much more than Giant?

[IBrakeforPastry]

I can't answer about the price difference between two similar bikes. But answer this: Since you like the Vita that much, if you bought the Giant, would you be wishing you had the Vita? Are the rides similar?That is a big price difference, and if you really can't afford the Vita, then I wouldn't push it. But if it is something you can afford, even if it's more than you wanted to spend, it would be a shame to just "settle" when your heart is on something else. How's that for enabling?

[Lady Hamilton]

But answer this: Since you like the Vita that much, if you bought the Giant, would you be wishing you had the Vita? Are the rides similar?

I will go back on Monday to test ride Giant. I don't think I gave it a fair chance. Yes, I am afraid that I would feel that I "settled', because, I don't know how to explain it, but Vita Elite is just an amazing bike. It's gorgeous.

I can afford Vita. The problem is, in my head I always try to rationalize things. buying Vita is right now something I have a hard time justifying. I set my budget originally at $500-600. I can get a very nice bike for that money. The problem is, looks-wise, Vita is the nicest one I saw.

[IBrakeforPastry]

I know what you mean. I set a price without really researching, then find out the one I want is a bit more. And I can relate to the rationalizing. Head likes one thing, Heart likes something else. Were you looking at the blackberry Vita? That may be worth the extra money I'm a visual person and it can sometimes be a real stumbling block.

I was out running errands on my Sirrus today and couldn't stop thinking what a great bike it is.