Getting back to biking, which hybrid?

[redmustardseed]

You're looking at a variety of bikes that are really different. A Townie is a cruiser and any of the FX hybrids are more like road bikes. I'm hearing some wavering in what you are really looking for; is it a cruiser type bike that would be ok for riding with your kids or into town if it's flat or a bike you can ride for road rides for fitness and ride with your kids?
If you want to work on the climbing skills, get the FX or something else like it. I think you'd be frustrated with bikes that are more of the "comfort" variety.

Crankin, thanks for this input - I didn't realize until you said this that I am a bit confused about what I want. My goal was a bike to ride with kids mostly around town (which is a lot of short steep hills) or on flat packed dirt trails - the easy ones. But the former biker in me is of course wanting to improve on hills, so yeah, I don't think I want just a cruiser comfort type of bike. Also I am thin-boned and lightweight so I'd like a bike that handles well because I've never been gifted at just muscling through with an uncomfortable or awkward bike.

Ny biker, the height of the FX handlebar was fine, but the angle of my hands on the straight bar is very uncomfortable on my wrists, even though it's a women's width bar. So I don't need to go more upright, but do want the handlebar angled towards me instead of flat so my shoulders and wrists will be more comfortable. Does that make sense?

Also, I am thinking that I'll be ok with the FX 7.1 instead of a higher end model if I get the Trek because I'm not going to try to do serious long distances or start racing or anything - is that faulty thinking?

Thanks,
Sadie

[IBrakeforPastry]

Ny biker, the height of the FX handlebar was fine, but the angle of my hands on the straight bar is very uncomfortable on my wrists, even though it's a women's width bar. So I don't need to go more upright, but do want the handlebar angled towards me instead of flat so my shoulders and wrists will be more comfortable. Does that make sense?


Thanks,
Sadie

Makes perfect sense. The Terry bike I mentioned in my PM to you came with a straight bar. I had to change it out for something with a "sweep". The straight bar just had me in an awkward and uncomfortable position.

After spending a year or two researching, I would recommend stop researching and try to find a bike that fits well and makes you happy (and I will try to do the same). At 5'4", you should have many options, both in men's and women's bikes. I'm only 5'0". I went for a fitting the other day, and the fitter said that with my proportions, I would actually do fine with a men's bike, if they made one small enough.

It sounds like we're leading somewhat parallel lives. Which Specialized did you have stolen? My Sirrus was stolen last month. And I'm thinking of getting the Jamis Coda next month when I'm near a Jamis dealer.

The FX's are nice, and switching out the handlebar isn't too expensive in the overall scheme of things. Good luck, enjoy, and have fun!

[estronat]

I'm only 5'0" as well. I ended up purchasing a Specialized Vita Comp in an XS frame, which fit me better than the Trek frame, which wasn't as small. It's a hybrid, but more towards a road bike in terms of stiffness of frame, carbon fork and wheels. I'm having some issues with numbness in my hands and tingling even when wearing gel filled half gloves, but that might be an issue with my neck and a pinched nerve, so it's not something I'm attributing to the straight handlebars (yet). I will be having my LBS re-evaluate my position to make sure.