Conference noted::bicycle

What are you going to do with the bike?  A cheap hybrid
is fine if you're going to use it for recreational road
riding at moderate speeds and for moderate distances.
You want something more sophisticated if you're going to
take if off road.

Ken

>What are you going to do with the bike?  A cheap hybrid
>is fine if you're going to use it for recreational road
>riding at moderate speeds and for moderate distances.
    
    That's exactly what I'm going to do with the bike.
    
    You refer to the bikes I listed as "...cheap hybrid...".  I'm new to
    this notesfile and am unfamiliar with it's readers.  I hope I'm not a
    thorn amoung bike snobs.
    
    Still looking for comments/advise....
    
    dave

    Dave,
    
    
    I think the term "cheap" was probably used to refer to a low
    _price_ rather than low _value_.  A few of us in this conference
    have probably had the experience of spending a bunch of bucks
    and getting very little bang.
    
    My wife bought a hybrid.  It cost around $400.  She has ridden
    it about ten times in two years.  I think a _cheap_ department
    store hybrid would have been a better value (hindsight).  
    With such little wear & tear, we could have tolerated the lower 
    quality.
    
    r�
      

    If you like the way the Ironhorse rides, then it should be fine. I
    believe that a test ride is really the best way to make a decision. One
    can spend numerous hours with specs but the ride and dealer support
    ought to outweigh the specs.  
    
    PaulM

    
    
    	As of this last year, I bought my wife the Innova for her Birthday.
    My purchase was towards a racer, so I was left MTBless. So I made use
    of her bike. It is a male bike, nice and small, and real fun to
    ride.  I believe I can go just about anywhere the 'big boys' can ride.
    It really is a nice bike to ride. The problem stems in the quality of
    the bearings. They are already showing wear, and it is only one
    season.I was in some swampy areas at times, so this could have been
    part of the problem. I will probably have to replace the bearings after
    this next summer, being careful so keep these properly greased for this
    year.It is set up with 200/300 shimano components.
    	If you are not going to be rough with your bike going through mud,
    and muck, I would endorse this bike.With the extra dollar, you are
    paying for quality, in design,components and frame.A good quality
    component will not only last longer, but will work better from the
    start. If you ever repair/maintain bikes, you will easily see what
    the extra money buys.
        

In your case where you are planning to ride it for recreation/fitness, the
price range $300-$350 will be fine. The performance level of the bike does
change quite a bit for every ~$50 increment. 

What I suggest is to set a budget and go �$50 to see if you can tell the
difference between the higher price and lower price bikes. If you can tell the
difference then you have to ask yourself is it worth the extra money to get the
better bike (ie: Will it make me ride more often?, Are you going to ride 
longer more it takes less efford to pedal? etc...). 

But .4 is correct about the how you feel on the bike and the support from  the
shop where you will be making the purchase. Specs can drive you crazy 
comparing bike. You are better off asking the shop employee or owner why they
are carrying a certain model? No owner wants to carry line that doesn't sell. 
Ask him about several other bike he doesn't carry. You will know when you are
on the right bike becuase you'll have a happy grin smile on the face so like 
Jack Nicholson when you are on the bike.

Good luck,

Dave




 

    Well I'm glad I found this note. I was looking at the Schwin Crisscross
    for both my wife and myself. Gamaches in Fitchburg has some
    1992's for $325, but they might not have one for my size. The 1993
    has a "U" shaped (I'm new here so pardon me) handle bar which looks
    conducive for hill climbing. The 1993 is going for $369. What do you
    experts say ? How are these prices for these bikes ? Can I do better
    elsewhere ? Any other suggestions ?

     
    Also, do women do better with a women's bike, or is there no difference
    these days ?
    
    Thanks
    Jim

    I guess I should update my hybrid search.
    
    
    Well, I test road several:
    
    Trek, Myiata, Giant, Univega, Ironhorse.
    
    Out of all, I still like the "response" of the Ironhorse.  I don't know
    how to describe "response"; it's just a feeling.  When I was cruising
    along and decided to start pumping the bike for more speed, the bike
    would kinda say to me: "yes, Yes, YES!!".  I don't know, kinda silly,
    ain't it.  I'd just get a very positive jolt forward for every pump.
    
    All the other bikes I tried just felt dead, like I was dragging it
    along.  The Ironhorse worked with me, not against me.
    
    So, I have a deposit (this bike shop has a convienient layaway) on it.
    I bought it a B&B Cycle in North Providence, RI.  I live in RI.  The
    person who showed me the bike took a lot of time explaining everything
    for me.  He also took the time to adjust the bike properly for me for
    the test drive, etc.  The bikes are serviced there.  All this is
    value-added and contributed to my decision.
    
    Thank to all who sent opinions.
    
    dave

    
    Saturday, I ended up buying two Schwin Crisscoss bikes at Gamaches in 
    Fitchburg. Price was $369 and they threw in a kick stand bottle cage
    and took %10 off all the other accessories I added. I checked out other 
    Schwin dealers in Worcester and Westboro and they were asking the same
    price. I decided on the Crisscross because it was more of a touring/hybrid 
    whereas others such as Trek and Ironhorse were more mountain/hybrid
    type. Also, Bicycle Guide magazine spec's it as such. Perhaps I'm all wet, 
    but you gotta go with your instincts and I had a more comfortable feeling 
    with the Crisscross. 

    Now for winter to go away !:)


    Jim

    wow, I never saw a kick stand bottle cage before!
    
    [You're right too much time indoors, not enough time in the sun. :-)]
    
    ed

    Use your imagination.;)

    but I did use my imagination.  it was more fun without a ","
    
    "give us some road"
    
    ed