Hybrid vs Flat Bar Road bike

Ken M wrote:

I am having a heck of time trying to decide what type of bike to buy
for my first 'NEW' bike.

LOL! I've noticed! :-)

At first I was leaning towards a hardtail mtb,
like the Trek 3700 or 4300, then after thinking about it for a day or
so I decided that that would be 'more bike than I need' so then I was
considering the Trek 7000 series hybrids particularly the 7300, or the
Giant Cypress DX. But then I started looking at a couple of 'Flat Bar
Road Bikes' like the Ibex Corrida or one of the K2 flat bar models. I
think it's called the 'Astral' or something like that.

Paralysis of analysis.

I like and can tolerate the more upright geometry that the hardtails
give, which seems to be the same with the hybrids, but I like the
lightweightness of a road bike.

Ahh...decisions, decisions. Try to decide if performance is more
important to you than comfort.

I have been only trying to look in the local bike shops so I can 'put
my hands' on the bikes and 'see' them in person. But with only two LBS
my selection seems a little limited ( 5 brands ), Trek, Raliegh,
Cannondale, Giant, and Sun recumbents.

Should be a good enough selection.

I know that as a first time bike buyer I 'should' by from a local
dealer. But if I decide to buy over the net are there any little
mistakes I could make that will turn into huge probelms? I know about
sizing, is there any thing else I need to consider?

There isn't any universal "code" that says you HAVE to buy from a LBS.
Some bike shops are terrible and some are great.

It may be better to get one online, but many shops do a free 30-day tune
up after you've purchased the bike, which is always a good idea,
particularly if you're kind of new to bikes and their maintenance.

When buying online, beware of return policies. Usually you'll have to
pay for return shipping if something goes wrong. It's probably best to
be a little paranoid about buying online and ask a lot of questions
before submitting your credit card number.

Best advice I can give is to get the kind of bike that most closely
matches the type of riding you'll usually do. There isn't any one "do
it all" bike, so you'll have to make some compromises.

Ken M wrote:
I am having a heck of time trying to decide what type of bike to buy
for my first 'NEW' bike.


LOL! I've noticed! :-)

Well shopping for advise on the internet is probably not the best place
to get advise, but I just want to see what someone who doesn't know me
or have anything to gain by giving advise has to say about possible
bike selection.


At first I was leaning towards a hardtail mtb,
like the Trek 3700 or 4300, then after thinking about it for a day or
so I decided that that would be 'more bike than I need' so then I was
considering the Trek 7000 series hybrids particularly the 7300, or the
Giant Cypress DX. But then I started looking at a couple of 'Flat Bar
Road Bikes' like the Ibex Corrida or one of the K2 flat bar models. I
think it's called the 'Astral' or something like that.


Paralysis of analysis.

I think I am suffering paralysis of the mind now! But I still think
that the geometry of the 7300 hybrid is where I want to be.


I like and can tolerate the more upright geometry that the hardtails
give, which seems to be the same with the hybrids, but I like the
lightweightness of a road bike.


Ahh...decisions, decisions. Try to decide if performance is more
important to you than comfort.

I ride around town a lot, but don't race around town. I like to be
comfortable, which is why I like the hardtail geometry, which is why
the hybrids appeal to me.



I have been only trying to look in the local bike shops so I can 'put
my hands' on the bikes and 'see' them in person. But with only two LBS
my selection seems a little limited ( 5 brands ), Trek, Raliegh,
Cannondale, Giant, and Sun recumbents.


Should be a good enough selection.

More selection is good.

I know that as a first time bike buyer I 'should' by from a local
dealer. But if I decide to buy over the net are there any little
mistakes I could make that will turn into huge probelms? I know about
sizing, is there any thing else I need to consider?


There isn't any universal "code" that says you HAVE to buy from a LBS.
Some bike shops are terrible and some are great.

It may be better to get one online, but many shops do a free 30-day
tune
up after you've purchased the bike, which is always a good idea,
particularly if you're kind of new to bikes and their maintenance.


When buying online, beware of return policies. Usually you'll have to
pay for return shipping if something goes wrong. It's probably best to

be a little paranoid about buying online and ask a lot of questions
before submitting your credit card number.


Best advice I can give is to get the kind of bike that most closely
matches the type of riding you'll usually do. There isn't any one "do
it all" bike, so you'll have to make some compromises

Well your 'Best advice' seems to be what most are saying, buy the bike
that is right for you.

Ken M wrote:
: Paralysis of analysis.
:
: I think I am suffering paralysis of the mind now! But I still think
: that the geometry of the 7300 hybrid is where I want to be.

Case closed, if you ask me.