Bicycle recommendations

[SparksIT]

In effort to lose weight, I am looking to take up cycling, as it is low impact and its a better workout then just walking, at least in my opinion, and it seems more cost effect then joining the local Y or Fitness club, for use of the pool. As such I've been out shopping, however there only 2 bike shops in the area are a Fuji shop and Trek shop.

The Fuji dealer had a small selection of bikes, he had mostly cross country bikes, and the Crosstown Model (both 2.0 and 4.0) which I test rode both. The 2.0 was definitely the smoother ride as it had front shocks. He had a mountain bike but I couldn't imagine taking hour long rides hunched over like that. (Though it would probably be the better work out, with the smaller wheel and the larger tire.) I don't know what it was, but I just didn't like it, I don't know if it was the design, profile or what.

The TEC dealer also had a small selection of bikes as well, first I test drove the Kaitia (now known as DS). It rode a lot like a mountain bike so we flipped the angle of handle bars, which made the ride a bit more upright, but it still felt like I was hunched over a bit much. I also test rode a FX series bike, but the ride acceptable but I felt the smoothness was lacking as it had a solid forks.

Neither shop had the bike I was looking for originally, the Fuji Sunfire and the Trek Hybrid. I'm also concerned about the comfortability of long rides on these Hybrid type bikes.

So the question is what other brands\models should I be looking at? I am looking for a bike that will mostly be spent on the road, but would like to be able to taking it off road (read trails).

 

[mechBgon]

If you want to ride off-road, and your on-road rides are going to be for fitness, then I recommend a mountain bike. It'll handle the off-roading compotently instead of being sketchy, and the on-roading will take a bit more power but (as you say) you're doing it for the workout. If the off-roading will be very occasional, you can stick road tires on it as the primary tires, and save your off-road tires for when you want to hit the dirt.

He had a mountain bike but I couldn't imagine taking hour long rides hunched over like that.

I admit to being jaded, but I ride 4+ hours in a nice stretched-out position like that. It sure beats having all my upper-body weight resting on my seat This is my XC bike's fit...

I realize not everyone wants to put their whole body into the effort, but from my familiarity with the Trek DS and FX models, I'd say if they don't feel upright enough, it's most likely an acclimation issue that'll pass with time.

 

[Pohemi]

You could also consider getting a hybrid style like the Crosstown (or Trek equivalent or whatever) and "negotiate" with the shop to swap out the stem and/or bars on it as part of the sale. It will be at the shop's discretion whether they're willing to do it for little or even no cost to you, but a number of the cycling shops that I've worked at were willing to do this when something didn't quite fit the customer correctly.

Ask about putting a higher riser handlebar on, and possibly a different stem that will raise the position of the bar not only higher above the top tube of the frame, but also further "back" towards the seat and your position. Honestly though, there is a limit to the amount of repositioning you can do with any given bicycle. It may be worth your time to travel outside your town to other shops if you can find a wider variety of models to try out.

And as mech mentioned, it may also be a matter of acclimating to the positioning.

Also: don't be afraid (or surprised) to switch out a saddle on a new bike. Many aftermarket saddles come with some type of "comfort guarantee" as well that will give you a period of time to try it out, and return it if it doesn't work for your backside. Ask your LBS if they have any brands that offer this.
It's impossible to figure out by feeling it with your hands if it'll work for your butt. Shape has just as much to do with a seat being right for you as the amount or type of padding does.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Neither shop had the bike I was looking for originally, the Fuji Sunfire and the Trek Hybrid. I'm also concerned about the comfortability of long rides on these Hybrid type bikes.

So the question is what other brands\models should I be looking at? I am looking for a bike that will mostly be spent on the road, but would like to be able to taking it off road (read trails).

A hybrid will be more comfortable for long rides due to putting you in a more upright position. It won't be the most efficient position for riding but it will be more comfortable, especially if you're a new rider.

If you plan on going real off-roading, a hybrid won't do it for you even though you could do dirt/gravel trails fine with it. You can go with a mountain bike and if you plan on doing lots of road riding, you can also get a set of slick tires to put on then put on the knobby tires when you go off-roading.

 

[SparksIT]

If you plan on going real off-roading, a hybrid won't do it for you even though you could do dirt/gravel trails fine with it. You can go with a mountain bike and if you plan on doing lots of road riding, you can also get a set of slick tires to put on then put on the knobby tires when you go off-roading.

I most likely not be doing an real off-roading. When I refer to off-roading, think mulched trails, graveled canal paths, and level dirt trails, nothing off the beaten path.

Ask about putting a higher riser handlebar on, and possibly a different stem that will raise the position of the bar not only higher above the top tube of the frame, but also further "back" towards the seat and your position. Honestly though, there is a limit to the amount of repositioning you can do with any given bicycle. It may be worth your time to travel outside your town to other shops if you can find a wider variety of models to try out.

Same thing the Trek Dealer mentioned, my only issue is sinking a fair amount money initially.
As a questions I'm assuming the Trek DS is more Mountain bike and the Hybrid is more road bike?

 

[Pohemi]

The Trek DS definitely has more mountain bike style and apparent geometry, but the Hybrid is, well...a hybrid. Also called a "comfort" bike, it's geometry keeps you far more upright than a mountain bike or road bike would, and is meant for easy-going riding, mainly on pavement but also capable of light trail riding.

To see something built more for the road, check out the Trek FX series. They're basically a "flat bar road bike", and won't have the front suspension forks on them.

 

[mechBgon]

If you did want something with a shock fork, but more upright and cushy than the DS or FX, then in Trek's line you'd look at the 7100 and up (with hybrid-sized 700C wheels) or the Navigator (with mountain-bike-sized 26" wheels).

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/recreation/navigator/
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/recreation/hybrid/models

As a questions I'm assuming the Trek DS is more Mountain bike and the Hybrid is more road bike?

The DS is targeted at riding gravel trails, dirt roads, and mellow trail riding. Actual mountain biking with the DS would be like going 4x4ing in a stock AWD minivan.

 

[SparksIT]

So I'll be heading south for work, and should be driving by another (larger) Trek shop, the town has both a Trek\Giant and a Fuji dealer, it only adds about 10 miles.

So I plan to stop off on my way back home. Any suggestions or things I should look for or ask?

If you did want something with a shock fork, but more upright and cushy than the DS or FX, then in Trek's line you'd look at the 7100 and up (with hybrid-sized 700C wheels) or the Navigator (with mountain-bike-sized 26" wheels).

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/recreation/navigator/
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/recreation/hybrid/models

The DS is targeted at riding gravel trails, dirt roads, and mellow trail riding. Actual mountain biking with the DS would be like going 4x4ing in a stock AWD minivan.

If they are in stock, I'll test ride those bikes. As for your Youtube video...no, I have no intention of doing that. Would need to drive a couple hours just to find a location like that, and just out of curiosity, what type of device were you using for the speed, grade, bpm(beats per minute?)?

 

[mechBgon]

The data overlay is done by a software from Dashware.net. It drives the gauges using data from my Garmin Edge 500 GPS and overlays it onto a video track recorded by my crummy Contour HD1080 camera. The main chore is to synchronize the data to the video. Then I render the entire race to a file, pull that into a proper video editor, and pare it down and add commentary.

In general, my advice is that if you'll sometimes be riding on dirt, gravel, and mild trails, the additional surefootedness of wide mountain-bike-sized tires is worth the efficiency penalty they cost you on the street, at least if you're just looking for recreation/exercise.

I work at a Trek dealership so they're what I'm most familiar with, and the first bike I'd probably reach for would be the Trek 4300, which is a 26"-wheeled mountain bike with a basic suspension fork, all-purpose on/offroad tires, a Shimano drivetrain, and an intermediate riding position (not overly upright, but not overly laid-out either). If the customer wanted something more upright, then it would be time for the Navigator, which adds a basic suspension seatpost, higher hand position and a more cushy seat.

 

[Capt Caveman]

OP - what is your price range?

fwiw - I just put a deposit down on a Bianchi San Jose(cyclocross/urban singlespeed/fixie).

 

[SparksIT]

I've seen the errors of my ways...I've test rode several more bikes, including Trek Hybrid, Trek DS, and the Giant Roam...If I want a mountain bike, I'll buy a mountain bike, for now I'll go with a rode bike, or a least a performance road bike. Makes more sense has I figured it would be 80%/20% Road/trails. Not worth to buy a bike that's just ok for both road and trails.

I also test rode a the 7.2 FX bike, which was more enjoyable, though this time it was about a 20 minute ride. So I'm purchasing a Trek 7.2 FX or a 7.3 FX, and advantage one way or another? Is it worth the upgrade to disk brakes (apart from better stopping)?

I also test road a Scott Matrix for $600?

OP - what is your price range?

fwiw - I just put a deposit down on a Bianchi San Jose(cyclocross/urban singlespeed/fixie).

Ideally $500-$600, though can go larger if it is an absolute must buy.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I've seen the errors of my ways...I've test rode several more bikes, including Trek Hybrid, Trek DS, and the Giant Roam...If I want a mountain bike, I'll buy a mountain bike, for now I'll go with a rode bike, or a least a performance road bike. Makes more sense has I figured it would be 80%/20% Road/trails. Not worth to buy a bike that's just ok for both road and trails.

I also test rode a the 7.2 FX bike, which was more enjoyable, though this time it was about a 20 minute ride. So I'm purchasing a Trek 7.2 FX or a 7.3 FX, and advantage one way or another? Is it worth the upgrade to disk brakes (apart from better stopping)?

I also test road a Scott Matrix for $600?



Ideally $500-$600, though can go larger if it is an absolute must buy.

I think the 7.2 FX would be a good pick. I don't think you need to spend more for the 7.3 FX. Disc brakes are nice but not necessary imho unless you're doing a lot of downhilling or riding in wet conditions.

Do you mean the Scott Metrix?

http://www.rei.com/product/828260/scott-metrix-30-bike-2012

It doesn't look like a bad bike either.

 

[mechBgon]

So I'm purchasing a Trek 7.2 FX or a 7.3 FX, and advantage one way or another?

The 7.3 has an aluminum fork, which will be a little lighter, and some other small upgrades. I think the 7.2 is fine, though.

Is it worth the upgrade to disk brakes (apart from better stopping)?

What Capt Caveman said. In general I'd say no, not worth the extra $110 for what it sounds like you want to do. Disc brakes have downsides as well as benefits, too... for example, get sloppy with your chain lube and get some on a rotor, and you'll be buying new brake pads.

 

[_Rick_]

An entry level Specialized Tricross comes in at a thousand, and is probably going to be quite capable on-road and off.
Below a grand, I would go for a used cyclocross bike, and forget about new. Try to keep weight below 8500 grams.

 

[episodic]

Bahh on the flat bar roadbikes. Get yourself a surly cross check. Ride roads. Ride trails. Whatever - has all of the hand positions of a roadbike for comfort. Steel frame can handle commutes. Brazeons for fenders and racks. Run any kind of tire you want.

GREAT BIKE.

 

[Ns1]

Got a bianchi hybrid on CL.

3-4 years old, 550+ brand new. he asked 250 i offered 200 and boom done.

<3 CL

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Dsic breaks.

I have them on my moutnain bike and I'll never go cliper again. I don't have to deal with dents in my rims anymore. 100% smooth all the time.

I love it.

 

[SparksIT]

So I ended up purchasing the Trek FX 7.2, taken it out on several short rides (...I'm out of shape) rides very nice, the seat is a little hard, but works.

Now the only thing I need is a decent mount for my smartphone, would like a universal one, I'm rocking a HTC Incrediable. Any suggestions?