Buying a hybrid, need some advice

[Matt_E]

My Walmart special fell apart the other day and I am tired of using a POS for transportation. So I am going to be getting a hybrid/flatbar roadbike for my daily commute. Currently that's 8.2 miles round trip, but it may grow to 20 mile round trip by the end of summer. I am looking at the Trek 7.2 and the 7.3.
The price difference is $100 at the LBS.

I think I want the 7.3, but let's see what other folks think.
7.2 Specs:
steel fork
Alivio rear derailleur
Bontrager 750 rims
Shimano M191 crank
Bontrager H2 Plus w/puncture resistant belt, 700x35c
SSR seat post
EF50 shifters
Brakes are Tektro V w/Shimano EF50 levers

7.3 Specs:
Alloy fork
Deore rear derailleur
Bontrager nebula rims
Shimano M361 crank
Bontrager Race Lite Hard-Case, 700x32c
Nebula seat post
EF60 shifters
brakes are Avid SD-3 w/Shimano EF60 levers

 

[Big Kahuna]

Not up on hybrids. The 7.2 has larger tires, that would give more plush riding. The 7.3 is probably a little lighter with slightly better components.

 

[Matt_E]

I can't say I care about plush riding. I want a fast commuter that will get me reliably and fast from A to B.
My old converted MTB with road tires was painfully slow.

 

[Big Kahuna]

your gearing was way off!

Go with the bike that feels better.

 

[Matt_E]

I checked out both bikes at the LBS yesterday, but they left me standing there for 15 minutes before I finally walked out.
It's the only place in town that carries them, though.

 

[Big Kahuna]

hard to find a good LBS. We do not have one here anymore. There is a shop, well, 2 of them. One is just a repair shop, I use him some. The other sells Trek, Cannondale, Giant....... Dont use them anymore. Pissed me off too many times. Your stuck. Just go back in and demand service!

If your 5'10-6' you should be looking in the 18"-19" sizing. Not sure if hybrids use the metric measurements. If so, somewhere along a 56cm

 

[Matt_E]

I'm barely 5'6"

 

[Big Kahuna]

short phucker!

Look at a 17" - 18". Or 54cm

 

[Matt_E]

Going to another LBS in a couple minutes. They'll push Cannondales, but it'll give me something else to try before I drop that sort of cash.

 

[SuperJETT]

I see those on craigslist all the time around here. Here's on in 15" for $200 http://louisville.craigslist.org/bik/1778222073.html

www.bikesdirect.com is an option too, $400 gets you a nice setup.

 

[SuperJETT]

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/cafe_express8.htm has an internal gear hub in the rear so you don't have to worry about derailleur issues.

 

[Matt_E]

I've looked at those, but after test-riding a few different setups I think I want more of a roadbike with flatbars ride instead of the comfort cruiser.

Unfortunately, CL only has crap around here for bikes.
I just got back from a Cannondale dealer. They had some nice stuff, too, but it's getting out of my price range. $700-$800.
The Trek 7.3 I can get locally for $579.

 

[Matt_E]

I am going to be picking up the 7.3 later tonight. They have it for $579, which seems to be an okay price for it.
Now Char (wife) wants a bike, too. She's more into the old style beach cruiser with plush saddle and swept back high bars.

 

[Matt_E]

I love this thing. Sooo much smoother riding than a crap bike.
I cut my commute from 21.5 minutes to just under 17 minutes.

With a decent cable lock and thicker tubes (lots of goat heads here), I paid $691 out the door.

 

[SuperJETT]

Sweet, pics!

 

[Matt_E]

I need to take some, here' s a stock pic:

I got the 17.5 inch frame. I'm kinda short.

 

[suva]

Post up some action shots!

 

[WaveDemon]

I need to take some, here' s a stock pic:

I got the 17.5 inch frame. I'm kinda short.

That looks OK, better than most hybrids. remember, plush tires means harder to peddle. Even if you buy one with real road tires you may want to upgrade those to tires capable of over 100psi for easier fast riding. Usually hybrids max out around 85psi tires and you can feel the difference.

 

[Matt_E]

This has 32's on 700c wheels, inflated to 110 psi - so I think I'm good?

 

[Matt_E]

Oh, I just got back from another LBS to buy Char a bike. She went for a pink beach cruiser with nicely swept back bars and a simple 3-speed.