advice needed

mowmoney

Hi, I am new here (1st time poster). I know this is prolly asked way too much and know that most common answer will be go with what feels, fits right.
I am picking up biking again in my middle 30's. I am doing it for fun / some with kids, some light commuting, and exercise. Maybe a smooth paved trail once in a while.
I am about 5'11" 6 ish and wider than tall, lol. I have been out looking, sitting on, talking doing internet research and have really narrowed down to a couple of choices. All Hybrids.
all 2008's Trek 7200, Giant Cypress DX with disc brakes. I am going tomorrow to check out a specialized. I like the way the trek looks, didnt feel bad, but wasnt like wow gotta have it. The sales guy said I am a hard fit. shorter legs, longer from the waiste up. I like to sit upright, but like some distance from post to stem. It seemed to get the distance from stem meant a larger frame, which also meant stand over height higher which wasscary feeling if you know what I mean. put it this way, as a male I wouldnt want to slide off onto top bar. I doubt I would but never know. He said the giant was probably a better fit for my body as its top tube slants more but would be either choosing the feel I desire in reach or overall height.
My son has a canondale comfort and it is a large, I dont care for the reach on it either but ride was great, though slow. Prolly has to do with it being a comfort not a hybrid.
I do like the idea the giant has disc brakes though. I will check out the specialized tomorrow and I guess go from there. I saw on their site looks like top tubes swoop way lower, so that might be the ticket, though I didnt find them as appealling as the trek or giant. So I am sure I will choose 1 from those 3. Just not sure how to choose the fit. Should I be worried much with stand over and get used to the post to stem length?
Sorry for the long winded post, but new to this and need advice before I go shopping tomorrow. all lbs' spring sales are tomorrow, & this weekend.
Thanks for any input.

kdelong

I can't believe that your LBS didn't tell you that you can adjust the reach of the bike with longer or shorter stems and/or seat posts that are designed to aid in getting the right fit. You do need to worry about the stand over height specifically for the reason you stated. A lot of the comfort bikes and hybrids do have a sloping top tube so you shouldn't have a problem with any of those. If you really want a more upright ride, you might check out a hard tail MTB with road tires.

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mowmoney

Nope he didnt say a word, though glad you mentioned it, and does make sense. He seemed like a great guy and spent a lot of time with me though they are busy getting ready for their spring fest sale starting tomorrow so I prolly caught them at a bad time, but wanted to go in before hoping I'd find the one I wanted for when I go back for the sale! I havent really found much to read about the new giant cypress dx with disc brakes on the net to read about. I see great reviews on the treks though. I did like the giants hand grip and brakes. Just dont know if it is a better choice. when I go back I will make sure they show or tell me about the stem options as upgrades as you mentioned. Thanks!

mowmoney

so by him saying the giant fit my body more, would you stick with that and take the smaller size with the proper stand over height?

Peter@vecchios

No bad bikes these days, just bad bike shops. Go to a shop that will fit you, not just sell you, a new bike. Fit is far more important than anything else. Even if it has whizbang things like disc brakes(you need them to tell you the disadvantages AND advantages of these with regard to your riding needs), if it isn't comfy to ride, you won't ride it. Have the sales person tell you about fit first, then function of the gadgets.