Flatbar road bike choices

12-08.-2004, 06:56 AM	#1
mikdes Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 32	Flatbar road bike choices Hello, all! I'm new to the forum and new to "serious" cycling. I say "serious" because I've ridden recreationally in the past and for very short commutes, but not since the early 90s and not for fitness purposes. Anyway, I'm thinking of beginning to commute on a bike. My commute would only be about 2-3 days per week and only one way (I would take mass transit to work, then ride home). I think I've decided to go with a flat bar road bike, but am wondering what a good choice would be. Bikes I am considering are: Fuji Silhouette (can get for $519 with 12 mos no interest, plus 10% back with a Performance Bike membership) Marin Mill Valley ($699) Marin Lucas Valley ($499) Giant Cypress SX ($599) I'm leaning toward the Fuji as it seems to have a pretty good component set for the money and I'm on a budget. The price plus 12 months no interest is really attractive. There's also a Performance Bike shop about 2 miles from my house. If price were not an issue I would likely opt for the Marin Mill Valley, but I did read one review of a user who had some problems with his. I've read good reviews on all of these and also the Specialized Sirrus. Can I get some opinions? Thanks!

12-08.-2004, 07:37 AM	#2
gclark8 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Perth (Basso), West Australia Posts: 3,515	Re: Flatbar road bike choices The giant perigee is better than the cypress. The specialises sirrus is nice, However have a look at the Felt SR71/81/91 range. Much better equipment and handling for the $$. http://www.feltracing.com/HOME.html I did!! __________________ Cheers, George.

19-08.-2004, 06:47 AM	#3
Scoffin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 45	Re: Flatbar road bike choices I second the Felt recommendation. I'm new to biking and test drove a Schwinn and Specialized that were in the same price point as the Felt. The looks, handling, ride, and equipment was so much better on the Felt. I have the S91. Although, my next bike with have the curl under bars. The upright position is costing me some speed.

20-08.-2004, 01:42 AM

peterm5365

Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2004

Posts: 12

Re: Flatbar road bike choices

You can always convert your bike to drop bars. If you loke the bike it's probably cheaper than buying a whole new one. I converted my old road bike to flat bars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoffin

I second the Felt recommendation. I'm new to biking and test drove a Schwinn and Specialized that were in the same price point as the Felt. The looks, handling, ride, and equipment was so much better on the Felt. I have the S91. Although, my next bike with have the curl under bars. The upright position is costing me some speed.

20-08.-2004, 02:57 PM	#5
mikdes Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 32	Re: Flatbar road bike choices OK, the SR91 is now on my list. A question, though: doesn't the SR91 (24 spd) use a combination of Sora and Tiagra components, while the Giant Cypress SX and Fuji Silhouette (both 27 speeds) use entirely Tiagra? The think I like about the SR91, though, is that it has more of a real road bike frame, whereas the Giant and the Fuji are more of the true "hybrid" frames. I also liked the tires that come on the SR91.

20-08.-2004, 03:22 PM

gclark8

Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2004

Location: Perth (Basso), West Australia

Posts: 3,515

Re: Flatbar road bike choices

Quote:

Originally Posted by gclark8

The giant perigee is better than the cypress.

The specialises sirrus is nice, However have a look at the Felt SR71/81/91 range. Much better equipment and handling for the $$. http://www.feltracing.com/HOME.html

I did!!

Correction on my above quote, the Perigee in Aus is the Cypress in the USA.

The 2005 model flat bar range from Giant in Aus is the CRX 1,2,3 and look more like a OCR frame than a Cypress frame. These would now directly compare with the Felt range, CRX 3 : SR 91, etc...

__________________
Cheers,
George.

20-08.-2004, 10:43 PM

Scoffin

Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2004

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Posts: 45

Re: Flatbar road bike choices

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikdes

OK, the SR91 is now on my list. A question, though: doesn't the SR91 (24 spd) use a combination of Sora and Tiagra components, while the Giant Cypress SX and Fuji Silhouette (both 27 speeds) use entirely Tiagra?

The think I like about the SR91, though, is that it has more of a real road bike frame, whereas the Giant and the Fuji are more of the true "hybrid" frames. I also liked the tires that come on the SR91.

Got me. I'm new to all this. I just know my bike works. I'm not sure I want to get in depth and start knowing all the components and what's better than what. If I do that I'll have to start having the best and I don't want to spend that much money on biking. I save that for my boat, truck, and my hunting and fishing stuff. I trusted my salesman when he told me all the components on the Felt were better than what was on the Specialized in the same price point. That was all I needed to know along with the Felt having a better ride. Here is Felt's website, I know you can get the component info there. http://www.feltbicycles.com/

As far as converting flat bar to the drop bars, I was told by my bike shop that it would cost me over half of what the bike was worth new and suggested I ride it for a couple more years and then trade it in on a new one with the bars I want. Again, I'm new so he was probably pulling my leg, but I have to trust him at this point. He said I'd need new shifter's and cables, as well as the bar. Probably a $3-$400 dollar deal. I only paid $500 for the bike, and another $100 for pedals, different seat, and computer.

30-08.-2004, 02:42 PM

dauphin

Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2004

Location: Northern California

Posts: 39

Re: Flatbar road bike choices

Like you, I am new to "serious" cycling. At least new to "regular" cycling would be a better way to put it. I have gone back and forth over my most recent purchase and even placed a hold on two Marin Lucas Valleys for my wife and myself. I checked out the Trek 7300fx, the Giant Cypress SL. The Fuji Shillouette, The Cannondale Road Warrior 800, and then finally the Specialized Sirrus. I had all but made up my mind to buy the Marin when I went to ride the Sirrus. When I went in to the shop, I really hoped I would not like the bike. Unfortunately or fortunately as it turned out, I absolutely fell in love with the Sirrus. It really pissed off my wife, who wanted the Marin really bad. I then took her over to ride the Sirrus. Once she rode the bike...we bought them both on the spot. We couldn't be happier! Good luck with your decision and remember, all those products are really nice. Go with what works best for you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikdes

Hello, all! I'm new to the forum and new to "serious" cycling. I say "serious" because I've ridden recreationally in the past and for very short commutes, but not since the early 90s and not for fitness purposes.

Anyway, I'm thinking of beginning to commute on a bike. My commute would only be about 2-3 days per week and only one way (I would take mass transit to work, then ride home). I think I've decided to go with a flat bar road bike, but am wondering what a good choice would be. Bikes I am considering are:

Fuji Silhouette (can get for $519 with 12 mos no interest, plus 10% back with a Performance Bike membership)
Marin Mill Valley ($699)
Marin Lucas Valley ($499)
Giant Cypress SX ($599)

I'm leaning toward the Fuji as it seems to have a pretty good component set for the money and I'm on a budget. The price plus 12 months no interest is really attractive. There's also a Performance Bike shop about 2 miles from my house. If price were not an issue I would likely opt for the Marin Mill Valley, but I did read one review of a user who had some problems with his.

I've read good reviews on all of these and also the Specialized Sirrus. Can I get some opinions?

Thanks!

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