Hybrid Help?

01-16-2005, 03:41 PM

Last year I rode a bike for the first time in 25 years. I bought
a Raleigh M-80 as an impulse purchase while buying my daughter a
bike for her birthday.

It was a surprise to me that I really got into riding. From June
to November I put about 900 miles on it (Catseye computer stopped
working in Oct). I ride paved roads only. My typical ride is 15
miles, I coast much of the first half and have to get the
elevation back after the turnaround. So I get a pretty good
workout. On weekends I like to punch that out to a 25 mile ride,
time permitting. I had slicks put on the Raleigh in September,
which reduced road drag considerably.

This year I'd like to ratchet my riding up a notch, and will
purchase a new bike to do so.
I think I want a hybrid bike, as I'm 5'5" and 225 lbs (FAT). So
that whole "upright riding position" thing will really be a
benefit for me. The LBS I've worked with is recommending a Trek
Pilot 2.1:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

They won't have these in stock for two weeks, so I haven't had a
chance to spin one around the parking lot. They will mount an
extra set of hand brakes on the horizontal part of the bar and
probably replace the hb riser with a more upright one, as they did
on my Raleigh.

Fit will be a primary consideration in my purchase, as will build
quality and component set. My budget will be limited to $1500.

Anyone have opinions on this bike, and suggestions for competing
bikes in my price range?

Thanks

Mike G