Comfort Bike comparisons

Phoenix_Rising

Greetings, I have read through some of the posts here, so my question may be a little 'low-end', but what the heck; I haven't been able to get much feedback from anyone else

I am in the market for two Comfort Bikes (MTB / Road Hybrids). The ones I am looking at are the Avanti Pioneer, or the Trek 7300 FX. They are in the $700 - $800 RRP range, although I wouldn't pay retail price for them.

Now, the goal in buying the bikes is to get our (my wife and I) fitness up another notch, and to see some of the State (WA) and world from the back of a bike. The thing that is confusing me is that there is nowhere that I have really been able to find that compares different models directly. I understand about the quality of shifters, Derailleur's, etc, but does anyone have any recommendations for me? Nowhere, for example, can tell me that a Shimano Deore rear is better than the Altus with any real emperical data.

Currently my thoughts are aiming me towards the Avanti Pioneer, as it seems to be one of the entry level 'Serious' bikes, and should hold up to what we want to do without falling apart. Ultimately, we want to to the Lands End - John 'O Groats ride next year in the UK (1,900 Km or so)

The trouble is that every shop (LBS, I guess?) that I go into has its own recommendation. I have been into 5 of them, and got recommendations for Trek, Avanti, Giant, GT and Raleigh. I am sure that all of the guys behind the counters are very sincere about their choices, but the reasons they give all seem to blend into "because I have one and it is, umm, good"

Any Advice? I will be purchasing rear Panniers, etc, for it for some of the tours that we want to achieve locally, working our way up to a fitness level to hit the UK and Europe next year.

Andrew Campbell.
p.s. here is the Pioneer spec

http://www.avantibikes.com/bikes_detail.asp?id=175&t=5

gclark8

Andrew, buy a couple of "european" touring bikes. I am looking at a Felt Trevisa as a second bike to commute to UWA 3 times a week from Bassendean. There is some "old stock" at the importers, 53cm mens and 47cm ladies, I am currently waiting for a price.

http://www.felt.de/felt/main.php4?M..._2003&Jahr=2003
http://www.felt.de/felt/main.php4?M..._2003&Jahr=2003

I have recently (in the last 12 months) bought 1 Merida, 3 Giants, 2 Felts, for myself and friends, all of us are over 50 years. In the next week or so, 2 more Felts, a SR81-47, and a Trevisa and 1 Giant CRX.

Avanti has missed out in all the calculations. PM me a contact number, I can fill you in..

__________________
Cheers,
George.

Bikesoiler

I would also say get a touring bike. It should be as comfortable as any of the hybrids or 'comfort bikes' & better suite you future needs. The higher end components will last longer than the cheaper stuff. I've had some Shimano XT parts for over ten years & they still work fine.

gclark8

Andrew,

I just checked with the importer, the only Felt Trevisa available in Aus is the 47cm ladies and 53cm gents.

The Felt SR71-101 and Giant CRX1-3 may be the go for a local purchase. There will be a better range of touring bikes available in the UK.

There is also the RR of hand made frames from the USA: http://www.rivendellbicycles.com

__________________
Cheers,
George.

Phoenix_Rising

Well, there is always the option for surgery to remove a few ribs and reduce my body length. The things we do for cycling

Andrew