cameronn wrote:
Hi all
I have decided recently to upgrade from my current cheap & heavy MTB
to a sports bike. Currently I do mostly bike path riding with a
small amount of road riding. I intend to increase my road riding
(with a lighter and faster bike) but still have have the versatility
for bike paths.
What are the opinions of sports bikes? For what I can see they have
similar cranksets of a entry-level road-bike, except with the flat
handlebars and a suspension seat post. I would expect that these bikes
should achieve similar performance of a road-bike, but more comfortable
to ride and more suitable on to bike paths.
The bikes I've looked at a Avanti Blade Sport/Comp Specialized Sirrus
Giant Perigee
Any comments or preference on these models (I hear that the Perigee is
heavier than the other 2). Or would you recommend an entry-level road-
bike with Sora/Tiagra fittings. recommendation?

There's not much to add to what hippy said. The difference between th
two is the fatter tyres, V-brakaes to accommodate fatter tyres and fla
handle bars. In terms of comfort, I don't think either the"sports" o
the road bike have much to offer. Stiff aluminum frames with very shor
wheelbases, matched with aerodynamic posture don't leave much room fo
comfort over long distances anyway

If you don't foresee to use roads a lot more than now, and if yo
don't like to do any modifications to your bikes yourself, then go fo
the sports

Remember that with $2000 you can get an MTB that would be only ~2.5 k
heavier (if you get disc brakes, otherwise difference could be eve
smaller) than the roadie that you would buy with that price. Not a
fast, but perhaps more versatile/comfortable

Good Luck



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