I'm getting back into cycling after about 30 years. In college I had a road bike with drop bars (lived in Hawaii then) but now I'm in the flatlands of Houston and thinking a hybrid bike would be good for short to medium length rides, maybe longer as I gain experience.
I'm looking at the Motobecane Cafe Noir from bikes direct, and have also looked at a Trek 7.3FX, and today looked at a Marin Fairfax. I haven't ridden any of these bikes yet but may go ride the Marin tomorrow.
The most difficult thing is trying to guess the proper size if I decide to go with the Cafe Noir since I can't try it before I order.
Sitting on the Trek 7.3FX 20" in the shop, it felt too big - I could barely straddle the top tube. The next smallest size of Trek is 17.5, quite a bit smaller, so I think trek is out for me.
Tried sitting on a Marin Fairfax 17" (kind of small) and a 19" (felt about right, and the sales people thought it looked good as far as how far I had to reach for the handlebars, seat position, etc.)
The Cafe Noir is a different geometry with a shorter wheelbase and a longer seat tube, but going by the standover height, I feel the 54cm would come closest to what the 19" Marin felt like. Bikes Direct is recommending a 56cm for someone my height (5'10"). My inseam measurement with shoes on is about 31" and I wear 29 or 30" inseam pants. I think I have a little shorter legs and a little longer torso than average for my height.
So if I go with the Cafe Noir I'm trying to decide between the 54 cm and 56cm sizes. Not a huge difference between the two, I feel from past bike experience I can always raise the seat and adjust the handlebar position (the Cafe Noir has a nice pivoting adjustment for the bar height) to make the smaller frame work but if the 56cm is too big I would have to send it back.
Any advice on the size issue or opinions on the two bikes (Cafe Noir vs Marin Fairfax)? I know the components on the Cafe noir are superior to the Farifax and I think the steel frame might give a smoother ride but I have never ridden an AL frame before.
I'm looking at the Motobecane Cafe Noir from bikes direct, and have also looked at a Trek 7.3FX, and today looked at a Marin Fairfax. I haven't ridden any of these bikes yet but may go ride the Marin tomorrow.
The most difficult thing is trying to guess the proper size if I decide to go with the Cafe Noir since I can't try it before I order.
Sitting on the Trek 7.3FX 20" in the shop, it felt too big - I could barely straddle the top tube. The next smallest size of Trek is 17.5, quite a bit smaller, so I think trek is out for me.
Tried sitting on a Marin Fairfax 17" (kind of small) and a 19" (felt about right, and the sales people thought it looked good as far as how far I had to reach for the handlebars, seat position, etc.)
The Cafe Noir is a different geometry with a shorter wheelbase and a longer seat tube, but going by the standover height, I feel the 54cm would come closest to what the 19" Marin felt like. Bikes Direct is recommending a 56cm for someone my height (5'10"). My inseam measurement with shoes on is about 31" and I wear 29 or 30" inseam pants. I think I have a little shorter legs and a little longer torso than average for my height.
So if I go with the Cafe Noir I'm trying to decide between the 54 cm and 56cm sizes. Not a huge difference between the two, I feel from past bike experience I can always raise the seat and adjust the handlebar position (the Cafe Noir has a nice pivoting adjustment for the bar height) to make the smaller frame work but if the 56cm is too big I would have to send it back.
Any advice on the size issue or opinions on the two bikes (Cafe Noir vs Marin Fairfax)? I know the components on the Cafe noir are superior to the Farifax and I think the steel frame might give a smoother ride but I have never ridden an AL frame before.
