Hey all:
I'm looking for a good multipurpose (hybrid, urban./commuter, cross) bike to ride on the lousy michigan roads. I'll be doing about 70% pavement (if you want to call potholes, freeze cracks, rebar showing through and ashphalt patchwork, pavement) and the balance on gravel shoulders, rail trails and the occasional singletrack cut through.
I'm a seasoned road biker (Marin Stelvio/Campy Record all around) and triathlete, but need a swiss pocketknife style bike to round out my more utilitarian riding.
I've done some research and have narrowed it down to a few choices and was wondering of anyone has any input or experience with these machines.
First group: Front suspension or head shock
Gary Fisher Utopia - Street price = $750
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/utopia
Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra - Street Price = $1200
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8BS.html
Second Group: Rigid Fork
Gary Fisher Mendotta (carbon fork) - Street Price - $900
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/mendota
Gary Fisher Cronus (steel fork) - Street Price - $650
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/cronus
If anyone also has any MUST TRY recommendation, I'm all ears.
Thanks in advance.
I'm looking for a good multipurpose (hybrid, urban./commuter, cross) bike to ride on the lousy michigan roads. I'll be doing about 70% pavement (if you want to call potholes, freeze cracks, rebar showing through and ashphalt patchwork, pavement) and the balance on gravel shoulders, rail trails and the occasional singletrack cut through.
I'm a seasoned road biker (Marin Stelvio/Campy Record all around) and triathlete, but need a swiss pocketknife style bike to round out my more utilitarian riding.
I've done some research and have narrowed it down to a few choices and was wondering of anyone has any input or experience with these machines.
First group: Front suspension or head shock
Gary Fisher Utopia - Street price = $750
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/utopia
Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra - Street Price = $1200
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8BS.html
Second Group: Rigid Fork
Gary Fisher Mendotta (carbon fork) - Street Price - $900
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/mendota
Gary Fisher Cronus (steel fork) - Street Price - $650
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/cronus
If anyone also has any MUST TRY recommendation, I'm all ears.
Thanks in advance.