Hybrid Help? - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

01-16-2005, 04:41 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

01-16-2005, 05:03 PM

"geemike" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]:
> The LBS I've worked with is recommending a Trek
> Pilot 2.1:
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> dex.php

Trek Pilot is new this year, so you're not going to get many experienced
recommendations. By definition, hybrid bikes are compromises. Different
models of bikes have different levels of compromise. You need to test ride a
bunch to see what fits your body and your riding style. None will be best for
everyone.

01-16-2005, 05:03 PM

"geemike" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]:
> The LBS I've worked with is recommending a Trek
> Pilot 2.1:
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> dex.php

Trek Pilot is new this year, so you're not going to get many experienced
recommendations. By definition, hybrid bikes are compromises. Different
models of bikes have different levels of compromise. You need to test ride a
bunch to see what fits your body and your riding style. None will be best for
everyone.

01-16-2005, 05:03 PM

"geemike" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]:
> The LBS I've worked with is recommending a Trek
> Pilot 2.1:
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> dex.php

Trek Pilot is new this year, so you're not going to get many experienced
recommendations. By definition, hybrid bikes are compromises. Different
models of bikes have different levels of compromise. You need to test ride a
bunch to see what fits your body and your riding style. None will be best for
everyone.

01-16-2005, 05:33 PM

On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 01:03:20 +0000, Ken <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>"geemike" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in
>news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]:
>> The LBS I've worked with is recommending a Trek
>> Pilot 2.1:
>> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
>Trek Pilot is new this year, so you're not going to get many experienced
>recommendations. By definition, hybrid bikes are compromises. Different
>models of bikes have different levels of compromise. You need to test ride a
>bunch to see what fits your body and your riding style. None will be best for
>everyone.

01-16-2005, 05:33 PM

On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 01:03:20 +0000, Ken <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>"geemike" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in
>news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]:
>> The LBS I've worked with is recommending a Trek
>> Pilot 2.1:
>> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
>Trek Pilot is new this year, so you're not going to get many experienced
>recommendations. By definition, hybrid bikes are compromises. Different
>models of bikes have different levels of compromise. You need to test ride a
>bunch to see what fits your body and your riding style. None will be best for
>everyone.

01-16-2005, 05:33 PM

On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 01:03:20 +0000, Ken <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>"geemike" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in
>news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]:
>> The LBS I've worked with is recommending a Trek
>> Pilot 2.1:
>> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
>Trek Pilot is new this year, so you're not going to get many experienced
>recommendations. By definition, hybrid bikes are compromises. Different
>models of bikes have different levels of compromise. You need to test ride a
>bunch to see what fits your body and your riding style. None will be best for
>everyone.

01-16-2005, 05:59 PM

> 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.

With an appropriate stem, you may not need to have the extra brake levers
across the front of the handlebar. Ideally, you should feel very comfortable
with your hands across the top of the shift/brake levers, and with modern
brakes, you'll find you have no need to go down into the drops (and a
less-comfortable position) for enough stopping power, even at 225lbs.

I'm somewhat puzzled with the fascination with extra brake levers. In many
cases, I think it's a bass-ackwards solution to the problem of handlebars
with too much forward reach. A more reasonable cure? A bar with less forward
reach. We're talking real rocket science here!

So, rather than add those extra brake levers, you might ask that they sub
the "flat-top" handlebars for a standard Bontrager bar. The reach will be
considerably less, and you'll be considerably more comfortable. In my humble
opinion, of course!

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

"geemike" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> 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
>

01-16-2005, 05:59 PM

> 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.

With an appropriate stem, you may not need to have the extra brake levers
across the front of the handlebar. Ideally, you should feel very comfortable
with your hands across the top of the shift/brake levers, and with modern
brakes, you'll find you have no need to go down into the drops (and a
less-comfortable position) for enough stopping power, even at 225lbs.

I'm somewhat puzzled with the fascination with extra brake levers. In many
cases, I think it's a bass-ackwards solution to the problem of handlebars
with too much forward reach. A more reasonable cure? A bar with less forward
reach. We're talking real rocket science here!

So, rather than add those extra brake levers, you might ask that they sub
the "flat-top" handlebars for a standard Bontrager bar. The reach will be
considerably less, and you'll be considerably more comfortable. In my humble
opinion, of course!

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

"geemike" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> 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
>

01-16-2005, 05:59 PM

> 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.

With an appropriate stem, you may not need to have the extra brake levers
across the front of the handlebar. Ideally, you should feel very comfortable
with your hands across the top of the shift/brake levers, and with modern
brakes, you'll find you have no need to go down into the drops (and a
less-comfortable position) for enough stopping power, even at 225lbs.

I'm somewhat puzzled with the fascination with extra brake levers. In many
cases, I think it's a bass-ackwards solution to the problem of handlebars
with too much forward reach. A more reasonable cure? A bar with less forward
reach. We're talking real rocket science here!

So, rather than add those extra brake levers, you might ask that they sub
the "flat-top" handlebars for a standard Bontrager bar. The reach will be
considerably less, and you'll be considerably more comfortable. In my humble
opinion, of course!

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

"geemike" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> 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
>