bike for a beginning rider

tmackinator said:

Hi My girlfried is starting to ride and I was looking for some advice on a good bike for her. I have a lead on a older Peugeot 12 sp road bike with a 19 inch frame ( she is about 5'6" and feels more at ease on a smaller frame) straight bars and a ladies large gel seat, 32-630 tires, center pull brakes and average components. She has been riding a very low end mountian/road bike but it is just too small and she is a better rider than the bike is good. Comfort is important. Any opinions or suggestions are most welcome. Thanks, Tom M

Depending on budget, you might be interested in the following (all have 700 tires:
Trek 7.3 FX
Trek 7300
Trek 7.5 FX
Trek 7500
Gary Fisher Zebrano
Giant Cypress
Cannondale Adventure 400
Specialized Crossroads Sport
Cannondale Road Warrior 400
Specialized Sirrus Sport

If you are interested in 26" tires:
Giant Sedona

I found the Trek 7300/7500 more on the "comfort" side than on the performance side. The Trek 7.3 and 7.5 were more "performance" though still comfortable.

I was sort of in the same boat not too long ago, looking for a hybrid bike. I ended up looking at the Cannondale Road Warrior 500 and the Specialized Sirrus Comp. I bought the Cannondale and love it.