I’m looking to start putting some $$ on lay-away for a new bicycle.
I really like hybrids and I’m pretty much a die-hard Trek 7700 fan, but I’m trying to have an open mind. I stick to the street and bike paths and have no real interest in off-roading.
In 2000 I saved my pennies and paid close to $1000 on a Trek 7700, and I LOVED that bike. Unfortuneately, it was stolen. I’ve googled around for a picture but can’t seem to find one.
So I started saving my pennies again and in 2002 I bought another one, which I also LOVED and was also, as luck would have it, stolen.
The details of the thefts are not particularly important, but suffice it to say that I’m well versed in bike security and sometimes shit happens anyway.
So this year’s Trek 7700 (at $1200) is the direction that I’m leaning right now, but I’m certainly open to suggestions from other cycling dopers.
My initial comment is that for the type of riding you describe you’ll be doing, a front suspension is not really worth the extra weight or associated cost. You’ll be better off with a rigid front fork. The savings could go towards higher end components (gears,breaks) which would likely improve your enjoyment of riding more directly.
If you really like the Trek hybrids, I don’t see why you should change.
If you never want another bike stolen, you might consider a folding bike like the Dahon Helios, and keeping the bike indoors most of the time.
If you want to try something different, and much more comfortable, you might consider a semi-recumbent like the RANS Fusion, or a true recumbent like the RANS Rocket.
I suggest you find and test ride a Rans crank-forward bicycle; they are much-more comfortable than a regular upright, yet (unlike the cheaper “beach cruiser chopper bikes”) they look normal for the most part and are still fairly performance-oriented. The step-over height is much lower than a normal bike, and they are far more comfortable to stay seated on. Rans is dealer-only sales but I think the Dynamik hits around $1100 locally. http://www.ransbikes.com/dynamik.htm
…the Zenetik is a road-only model for around $1700, the other two cost less than the Dynamik but lack disk brakes and have cheaper components overall. My local shop had a Cruz for $650 but it may have been discounted because it had been sitting there a while.
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RANS sells direct too, for a small discount (because it’s not assembled). Just e-mail or call them. Retail price for the Cruz (the best-looking of the bunch) is $995.
Interesting idea, but not the direction I want to go. I have enough room to keep a standard bike indoors. Sadly, one of the thefts occured while the bike was in the dining room of the locked and alarmed house I used to live in. Sometimes you just can’t win for losing.
The alternative posture bikes are interesting too, but I really just want a solid, standard bike that is comfortable and fun to ride. I did put the front suspension forks to good use on my previous bikes. The city streets around Atlanta are often not the smoothest, and they make curb hopping much less jarring.
I think you get what you pay for with components, and based on my past experience I have no complaints whatsoever with the Treks. On the other hand, The FX models, which I have considered, seem too overboard for me on the components side, and they don’t have as many of the comfort features that I like. I need to have a dual platform for the kind of riding I’ll be doing. Sometimes it will be purely for working out, and sometimes I’m just going to want to go on a leisurely ride with my girlfriend. I’m not yet very comfortable with clipless, but I’m working on it.
Thanks for all of the comments and advice so far. It is much appreciated
Not trying to talk you into anything but just as food for thought:
If training is one of your goals, you generally will grow into a piece of sports equipment. I find it frustrating when my ability exceeds the limits of my <sports gear>. Doesn’t mean you need to buy the top of the line rig, just allow for some room to grow/improve.
If you just want a no-brainer fun bike, why not go with something like a Bianchi Milano 120. No need to worry about greasy chains ‘n’ gears, everything is tucked away out of sight. Very little needed in the way of maintainence. Not so good for fast riding, though.
The Rans bikes are quite a bit more comfortable to ride than a regular upright would be–and they really don’t suffer any significant drawbacks because of it. You kind of have to take a leap of faith here–because a ride around the block on any bike will not show much of any difference–but when you do a 3-hour ride, or a 6 or 8 hour ride, and the comfort difference of the Rans above a regular bike is going to be very obvious. As in, your butt won’t hurt. And you can even get the Dynamik with a suspension fork, me thinks…
Pertaining to bike security, it couldn’t be a bad idea to mark your property with an unremovable, trackable tag. I bought into Saferegistry to protect the expensive stuff in my dorm room.
The fork you can get, and the suspension seat post won’t work, but you would probably find that you don’t need it anyway. The Rans is just more comfortable to sit on than a regular bike.
The pedals you can have them put on, they ought to at least cut you a discount. The bike may not even have pedals included anyway.
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You seem to have the luck of Joe Bflstk.
Buy/get whatever turns your crank. I haven’t ridden a bike in years so no help there.
Have you investigated insurance? Seems like a very good idea to me!
What about a Jamis Coda?
It’s basically a flat bar road bike. It’s got a steel frame, which helps give it a very comfy and lively ride. The top level “Coda Elite” comes with disc brakes, so it has some serious stopping power, and is right around the price level you’re looking at, IIRC. I’ve heard some very good things about Jamis from owners, and they seem to have pretty reasonable prices.
Also, don’t let that bike get stolen! Using the correct strategy will stop anyone but the most determined and well-equipped thief.
Oh, and just FYI, a front suspension will contribute very little to comfort level with road riding, in my experience. It most just adds unnecessary weight. Suspension seatposts are brilliant (although difficult to set to the right height), as are old-style sprung leather saddles, although the latter tend to be a bit pricey. But suspension on the road? Waste of money.
I’ve been riding a new bike with the Shimano 8 speed hub for a few months now, and I’m very impressed with it. I used to have the 7-speed hub before (sigh) that bike was stolen, and while I liked it, the sports version of the 8 blows it away!
It’s not for everyone, but if you do a lot of town riding, short commutes, shopping, and you like to ride in normal clothes, then I highly recommend a hub gear and enclosed chain guard.
