Trek Hybrids?

If the answer to either of the following questions is "yes," you want a full
mountain bike:

1. Do you ride with the objective of riding off-road?
2. Do you enjoy yourself off-road?

Hybrids are really for 100% pavement riders that don't punish their bikes.
If you're easy on your bike, though, it may be worth it for the time you're
on the pavement.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Thanks. That maks sense.
My objective seems to be "hills". Off or on road.

The reason I go off road is because the roads around here are narrow
and I don't want to get hit. But I wouldn't want a road bike that
can't go off road because I do enjoy the variation.

Musashi

ZeeExSixAre said:

If the answer to either of the following questions is "yes," you want a full
mountain bike:

1. Do you ride with the objective of riding off-road?
2. Do you enjoy yourself off-road?

Hybrids are really for 100% pavement riders that don't punish their bikes.
If you're easy on your bike, though, it may be worth it for the time you're
on the pavement.

My riding sounds similar to yours - I ride on pavement a lot to get
places, and have to ride pavement to get to the good stuff. I do,
however, ride on plenty of rocky and rooty trails (w/ small logs and
small drops).

I used to borrow a trek hybrid from a friend. It was an older one.
Probably made about 8 years ago. I doubt it could handle a lot of
offroading. Climbing hilly roads was noticeably easier with the hybrid,
but if I were to use that bike offroad, I'd end up worrying about it not
being able to handle the punishment or end up riding too cautiously to
really enjoy myself. I think you'd be better off getting a mountain bike
with a nice light frame.

musashi said:

Still in my search for a new bike.

I do some dirt road climbs and dirt field decents but I don't exactly
pedal over logs or do any real drops. About 70% of my usual path is
pavement.

Which started me thinking that one of these hybrids might be right for
me. I was looking at the trek 7500.

Are they that much lighter? Sturdy enough? Thoughts?

Thanks,
Musashi

Operator said:

My riding sounds similar to yours - I ride on pavement a lot to get
places, and have to ride pavement to get to the good stuff. I do,
however, ride on plenty of rocky and rooty trails (w/ small logs and
small drops).

But he says he doesn't. So what is it about a hybrid that can't handle
"some dirt road climbs and dirt field decents but I don't exactly pedal
over logs or do any real drops"?

I haven't seen a Trek 7500 in person, but from the website it just looks
like a mountain bike frame with a few "comfort" add-ons like adjustable
stem and suspension seatpost. It should handle a little dirt and pavement
just fine.

--
-BB-
To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

musashi <> said...

Quoted message said:

Still in my search for a new bike.

I do some dirt road climbs and dirt field decents but I don't exactly
pedal over logs or do any real drops. About 70% of my usual path is
pavement.

Which started me thinking that one of these hybrids might be right for
me. I was looking at the trek 7500.

Are they that much lighter? Sturdy enough? Thoughts?

Don't do it. Hybrids suck. They are designed and marketed for the triple
bypass crowd who think that riding one of those things for 2 miles at
5mph on a walking path is getting exercise. They don't do any sort of
performance biking well. They have a horrible upright seating position,
suspension forks so crappy they are off the charts, saddles made for
big, fat, lazy asses and part selection that is never better than
mediocre, no matter how much they cost. It is very unlikely that a
hybrid will be lighter than a MTB of comparable cost, because they are
made for comfort and not performance. You can do everything you want to
do with a mountain bike. MTBs are severely underrated road bikes, and
this is coming from a guy who is sinking more than $2k into a new road
bike. All you need is a tire that isn't too knobby for decent road
performance and not too slick for decent off-road use. There are tons to
choose from. Just ask and I'll tell you all about the ones I've tried.
Actually there is nothing wrong with using a knobby on the road. It just
makes noise and slows you down some compared to a semi-slick.

Ok, thanks to everyone who commented. I really appreciate it.

Slowly I'm starting to think I should just keep the 35lb piece of junk
mountain bike in the corner for when I want to go off road and put my
money into a road bike.

I know this isn't alt.road-bike or whatever but you seem learned in
that area. So I'll share my thoughts on that.

My fear is the body position. It looks uncomfortable. I guess I should
try one to find out. Is it something you just get used to?

The weight of a road bike is going to be a big incentive. Is there a
range I should be looking for?

And lastly, if you could name off some road bike models that you'd
recommend for a non competitor who likes to do 20-30 mile rides and
likes to climb... that would be great.
Trek, LeMond, Fuji, Giant and Cannondale seem to be the brands I have
access to try out around here.... and have models in my price range.

Much appreciation,
Musashi

On Fri, 20 Aug 2004 03:13:49 GMT, SuperSlinky <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

musashi <> said...

Quoted message said:

Still in my search for a new bike.

I do some dirt road climbs and dirt field decents but I don't exactly
pedal over logs or do any real drops. About 70% of my usual path is
pavement.

Which started me thinking that one of these hybrids might be right for
me. I was looking at the trek 7500.

Are they that much lighter? Sturdy enough? Thoughts?

Don't do it. Hybrids suck. They are designed and marketed for the triple
bypass crowd who think that riding one of those things for 2 miles at
5mph on a walking path is getting exercise. They don't do any sort of
performance biking well. They have a horrible upright seating position,
suspension forks so crappy they are off the charts, saddles made for
big, fat, lazy asses and part selection that is never better than
mediocre, no matter how much they cost. It is very unlikely that a
hybrid will be lighter than a MTB of comparable cost, because they are
made for comfort and not performance. You can do everything you want to
do with a mountain bike. MTBs are severely underrated road bikes, and
this is coming from a guy who is sinking more than $2k into a new road
bike. All you need is a tire that isn't too knobby for decent road
performance and not too slick for decent off-road use. There are tons to
choose from. Just ask and I'll tell you all about the ones I've tried.
Actually there is nothing wrong with using a knobby on the road. It just
makes noise and slows you down some compared to a semi-slick.

< snip >

Quoted message said:

Don't do it. Hybrids suck. They are designed and marketed for the triple
bypass crowd who think that riding one of those things for 2 miles at
5mph on a walking path is getting exercise.

Ah - another stereotype. I have a triple bypass and am very happy doing my
20 mile off road routes at more than your suggested 5 mph.

Joe

musashi said...

Quoted message said:

Ok, thanks to everyone who commented. I really appreciate it.

Slowly I'm starting to think I should just keep the 35lb piece of junk
mountain bike in the corner for when I want to go off road and put my
money into a road bike.

I know this isn't alt.road-bike or whatever but you seem learned in
that area. So I'll share my thoughts on that.

My fear is the body position. It looks uncomfortable. I guess I should
try one to find out. Is it something you just get used to?

It isn't uncomfortable if your bike fits and is set up properly. But
those are very big ifs.

Quoted message said:

The weight of a road bike is going to be a big incentive. Is there a
range I should be looking for?

Depends on how much you want to spend. I'm spending $2k and I'll be
happy if I end up at 18lbs. Haven't got it yet, so I can't say for sure.
15lbs is the TDF weight minimum. It is possible to go lower with careful
component choices and lots of money. For the $500 - $100 range you seem
to be looking at, you should end up somewhere in the low 20's.

Quoted message said:

And lastly, if you could name off some road bike models that you'd
recommend for a non competitor who likes to do 20-30 mile rides and
likes to climb... that would be great.
Trek, LeMond, Fuji, Giant and Cannondale seem to be the brands I have
access to try out around here.... and have models in my price range.

Much appreciation,
Musashi

All of those are good brands and will have comparable products. I know
that the frame sizes for Giant are somewhat more limited than the others
and you should find out exactly what S, M, or L means in terms of
measurements. www.wrenchscience.com has a fit calculator that can help
you learn more about what you need and what to look for.

Thanks! The fit calculator is just what I needed too.

I'm a slow picky shopper so it might take me a while but at least now
I can shop with more information about what I need and want.

Thanks again,
Musashi

On Fri, 20 Aug 2004 13:35:39 GMT, SuperSlinky <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

All of those are good brands and will have comparable products. I know
that the frame sizes for Giant are somewhat more limited than the others
and you should find out exactly what S, M, or L means in terms of
measurements. www.wrenchscience.com has a fit calculator that can help
you learn more about what you need and what to look for.

Joe Roach said...

Quoted message said:

Ah - another stereotype. I have a triple bypass and am very happy doing my
20 mile off road routes at more than your suggested 5 mph.

Joe

Sorry if I offended anyone. I just don't like the way they are marketed.
IMO, they just aren't needed because a MTB is the real do everything
bike.

musashi <> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Still in my search for a new bike.

I do some dirt road climbs and dirt field decents but I don't exactly
pedal over logs or do any real drops. About 70% of my usual path is
pavement.

Which started me thinking that one of these hybrids might be right for
me. I was looking at the trek 7500.

Are they that much lighter? Sturdy enough? Thoughts?

Thanks,
Musashi

Trek hybrids:

Dirt + Trek = Dreck
Kirk + Trek = Star Trek
Whiskey + Trek = Wreck

/s

SuperSlinky said:

Joe Roach said...

Quoted message said:

Ah - another stereotype. I have a triple bypass and am very happy doing my
20 mile off road routes at more than your suggested 5 mph.

Sorry if I offended anyone. I just don't like the way they are marketed.
IMO, they just aren't needed because a MTB is the real do everything
bike.

Hybrids used to be really odd bikes that were more road bike than MTB and
never really built well enough for trail riding, but these days they look
more like MTBs with a few different comfort/roadish bits. You could swap
parts on an MTB to get this, but what a waste of money.

--
-BB-
To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

steve sez:

Quoted message said:

Dirt + Trek = Dreck
Kirk + Trek = Star Trek
Whiskey + Trek = Wreck

:-7

Big Mean Treks = T-Rex

Don't get me started on Yugos. The Spanish Yugo = Yugo Montenegro. Pink
Yugo with Flames = Pink Flamingo. (Someone stop the pain!)

--
T o m Dillon
Lakewood, CO
Z to S to email

"SuperSlinky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Joe Roach said...

Quoted message said:

Ah - another stereotype. I have a triple bypass and am very happy doing

my

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

20 mile off road routes at more than your suggested 5 mph.

Joe

Sorry if I offended anyone. I just don't like the way they are marketed.
IMO, they just aren't needed because a MTB is the real do everything
bike.

I'm probably just feeling a bit grumpy just now. My doctor says I've got
tennis elbow and have to take it easy on the bike for a few weeks, which
takes me to the end of what would have been the British summer - if there
had been one (another reason for being grumpy).

I share your views on hybrids. I suppose it's niche marketing but I can't
see point of them.

Joe

WHERE is there?

I MTB 2004

Quoted message said:

WHERE is there?

There is no where there...is there?

Bill "where are we there yet?" S.

Kentucky

Quoted message said:

WHERE is there?

I MTB 2004

Joe Roach said...

Quoted message said:

I'm probably just feeling a bit grumpy just now. My doctor says I've got
tennis elbow and have to take it easy on the bike for a few weeks, which
takes me to the end of what would have been the British summer - if there
had been one (another reason for being grumpy).

It has been the same over here. It rained nearly every day.

Quoted message said:

I share your views on hybrids. I suppose it's niche marketing but I can't
see point of them.

As far as I can tell, the idea is to appeal to people who know they
should get some exercise, but don't really want to exert themselves.
I'll bet that more than most other type of bike, many of them never see
much use. And due to poor fit and adjustment of previous bikes and
inexperience, the buyers have an aversion to more performance oriented
road and mountain bikes. In other words, they never rode enough to get
over their sore butt or develop the muscles that come in handy for a
more balanced leaned over riding position.

And so it looks like I will probably get a LeMond Nevada City road
bike.

Thanks again for all the help!

Musashi

On Mon, 23 Aug 2004 14:02:59 GMT, SuperSlinky <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Joe Roach said...

Quoted message said:

I'm probably just feeling a bit grumpy just now. My doctor says I've got
tennis elbow and have to take it easy on the bike for a few weeks, which
takes me to the end of what would have been the British summer - if there
had been one (another reason for being grumpy).

It has been the same over here. It rained nearly every day.

Quoted message said:

I share your views on hybrids. I suppose it's niche marketing but I can't
see point of them.

As far as I can tell, the idea is to appeal to people who know they
should get some exercise, but don't really want to exert themselves.
I'll bet that more than most other type of bike, many of them never see
much use. And due to poor fit and adjustment of previous bikes and
inexperience, the buyers have an aversion to more performance oriented
road and mountain bikes. In other words, they never rode enough to get
over their sore butt or develop the muscles that come in handy for a
more balanced leaned over riding position.