please help with a hybrid bike purchase choice

[westieleftie]

I'm upgrading on my old heavy mountain bike. I will use the new bike for commuting to work (6 km round trip - hilly - some potholed pavement), errands, weekend recreational - some gravel paths. I've been looking at different hybrids and am getting truly confused. I am trying to decide between a performance hybrid (missed out on a lovely '09 Devinci Copenhagen on sale- drat) or a more upright hybrid with some suspension. The performance hybrid will allow me to get up hills faster but the more upright hybrid will save my hands (carpal tunnel issues).

Does anyone have opinions on either the '09 Marin Terra Linda or the '09 Trek 7500?

Thanks for any info on these or other suggestions.

 

[new_rider]

I took a look at the specs for the Trek 7500. It does offer a very upright ride.

A couple note: there is a safety recall on the Trek 7500 '09, for the fork. Also, I read a suggestion that the original 35cc tires be swapped out for 28cc for a much faster ride.

The riding position is a bit too upright for my tastes. You may want to consider cycling gloves or different grips for the bars.

--
edit: the Marin TL has flat bars and skinnier tires and is priced at several hundred less:

http://www.rei.com/product/776848

If I were choosing between the two, I'd favor the Marin. The Trek just seems too comfort rather than performance oriented.

 

[westieleftie]

Thanks for the info - especially about the recall. I checked on that and it's only with a certain batch of forks, so checking the numbers of the bike will confirm if it's one to be recalled or not. I agree - the trek 7500 is quite upright. Fine on flat terrain, but I don't like the loss in efficiency going up hills.

As for the Marin Terra Linda, it's hard to find reviews of this bike. It's got Shimano Sora components and I did read that those aren't very good. Any thoughts?

 

[new_rider]

A 6 kilometer ride should not be very demanding: either on yourself or the bike.

I am really not enamored of hybrids; neither fish nor fowl, they go, but always leave you wanting more. I can't imagine they'd be impressive off road and the flat bars just won't cut it when you want to go fast over an extended distance.

I say make an investment. Get a cyclocross bike, it's skinny knobbies should roll pretty fast over gravel; or get a road bike with a more upright stem than normal, while keeping the drop bars--and get fat tires, like 700X28, rather than 700X23 or 25.

 

[kausbose]

I'm upgrading on my old heavy mountain bike. I will use the new bike for commuting to work (6 km round trip - hilly - some potholed pavement), errands, weekend recreational - some gravel paths. I've been looking at different hybrids and am getting truly confused. I am trying to decide between a performance hybrid (missed out on a lovely '09 Devinci Copenhagen on sale- drat) or a more upright hybrid with some suspension. The performance hybrid will allow me to get up hills faster but the more upright hybrid will save my hands (carpal tunnel issues).

Does anyone have opinions on either the '09 Marin Terra Linda or the '09 Trek 7500?

Thanks for any info on these or other suggestions.

I would like to throw in something into the mix here. Trek makes another hybrid that I will literally SWEAR by. It's the Trek FX line of bikes. They are more lined towards mountain bike riding position. Have the same DNA with similar handlebars and shifters (trigger style as opposed to the rotational type, which might stress your wrist). I would suggest you take a look at those.

Trek Bikes | Bikes | Bike Path

I do pretty much the same job with my 7.3 FX as you have listed here. For the price of the 7500 you can start at the 7.5 FX which have the Nebula Plus saddle which adjusts/shifts with change in weight from pedalling. They have the IsoZone in the rear fork which isolates the bumps on the road.

I would highly recommend going to you LBS and giving it a try.

Thanks

Edit: I see you have Carpel tunnel issues. The FX bikes come with Bontrager Satellite Plus Grips (http://bontrager.com/model/04164). They anatomically shaped to give better support to your hand and your palm while riding. The 7500 doesn't come with these grips.

 

[alfeng]

Thanks for the info - especially about the recall. I checked on that and it's only with a certain batch of forks, so checking the numbers of the bike will confirm if it's one to be recalled or not. I agree - the trek 7500 is quite upright. Fine on flat terrain, but I don't like the loss in efficiency going up hills.

As for the Marin Terra Linda, it's hard to find reviews of this bike. It's got Shimano Sora components and I did read that those aren't very good. Any thoughts?

FYI. Sora "road" shifters may be less desirable than the other Shimano "road" shifters (for drop bars), but the Sora derailleurs are fine -- the Sora derailleurs are just heavier (more so for the rear derailleur) and not finished as nicely as the more expensive derailleurs which Shimano makes.

 

[westieleftie]

I'm going to check out the Trek FX bikes. I've read good reviews about them.

I've ruled out the Trek 7500. The Marin is still a possibility. I think the Sora componants would be fine for my needs. I'll see how the Trek FX bikes compare after a ride.

I've tried the dropped handlebars, and really didn't like that position. I guess I'm just too used to my old mountain bike handlebars.

Thanks for all the helpful advice!

 

[westieleftie]

Okay..... a new tack.....I'm thinking that I may want a steel frame - all the aluminium frames I've tried are just too "buzzy" on my hands and back.

So, I tried a few steel frames - KHS - the model I tried an express or something like that - was far too upright for my tastes.

Today, I tried an Asama Velocite that I quite liked. I'd have to change the handlebar setup, but I liked the feel of the bike - not as rigid as aluminium frames.

Has anybody heard of this bike? Have any opinions on it? It's got Sram X.5 components (my LBS told me SRAM X.5 was equivilant to shimano LX, but after searching on the net, it seems the sram x.5 is more comparable to the shimano deore), a nice wheel set, and a carbon fork. The price is reasonable - it's on sale since it's an '09.

Has anyone ridden a Jamis Coda Sport or a Jamis Commuter to compare?

I think I've ruled out the Marin Terra Linda. I've also tried a few more Devince models - I liked the Oslo, but alas, my LBS doesn't have it in my size.

Any ideas? Advice? Is steel the way to go for a commuter/city bike?

 

[westieleftie]

Here's the Asama Velocite website:

Asama Bicycles Canada

 

[jagonz456]

Here's the Asama Velocite website:

Asama Bicycles Canada

If you want speed look at the Giant Rapid 0,1,2,3. Or the Fuji Absolute 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 these bikes are build using road bike components and are made to be fast. They have an upright riding style so you will be more comfortable than in a road bike. The Rapid 0 and Absolute 1.0 comes with shimano 105 10 speed components. They cost a lot less than The Trek FX line and offer better components.

 

[westieleftie]

If you want speed look at the Giant Rapid 0,1,2,3. Or the Fuji Absolute 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 these bikes are build using road bike components and are made to be fast. They have an upright riding style so you will be more comfortable than in a road bike. The Rapid 0 and Absolute 1.0 comes with shimano 105 10 speed components. They cost a lot less than The Trek FX line and offer better components.

Thanks for the info - I already bought a bike! I got a great deal on a 2009 Devinci Madrid. It's a lovely bike. I'm going to ride it awhile and then see if I'll need to do any adjustments or changes to the handlebars.