I'm going to be moving closer to work and want to ride a bike to work and back, and just generally have a bike to ride around on. I don't want to get a serious road bike or anything, really looking for Hybrid type bikes. Keep in mind I know nothing about bikes.

A buddy of mine told me to check out Raleigh USA Bikes, and say they make a pretty nice line of bikes called "Comfort Sport" bikes that are pretty decently priced, and are pretty good quality. He told me about the Venture 4.0 in Particular:
the Venture 4.0 in particular ($350) - http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=6&itemid=363

I'm also looking into Raleigh's line of Hybrids: http://www.raleighusa.com/depts.asp?deptid=7.

Do you know anything about this company, or suggest anything better?

Also, my buddy told me to go to Cycle Logic off Hillsborough as they have good prices and give you a bunch of free stuff (helmet, lock, spare inner tube, tire repair kit, etc.). Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[Edited on May 25, 2007 at 2:19 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on May 25, 2007 at 2:20 PM. Reason : .]

5/25/2007 2:17:49 PM

5/25/2007 2:27:45 PM

For better prices, you should probably go to a bigger store.

Like Performance in Cary or All-Star in Raleigh (there is one at Ridge Rd by NCSU)

5/25/2007 2:30:15 PM

Also, Raleigh is a more higher end brand. If you want to cheaper, I could name off some companies.

5/25/2007 2:31:53 PM

I was gonna suggest you buy my GSXR...guess that's the wrong type of bike.

5/25/2007 2:36:28 PM

Well, Raleigh isn't "high end", but it's not the cheapest. Still, you're better off going to Performance or All-Star.

5/25/2007 2:44:35 PM

^^^^ I'll have to check those places out.

^^^ Well I'm not just going for cheap. I want a good quality bike. I don't mind spending more money if it is truly of much better quality. But on the other hand, not looking to spend a grand or anything. Anymore suggestions?

^ When you say they are not "high end" are you saying they are no good?

[Edited on May 25, 2007 at 2:46 PM. Reason : .]

5/25/2007 2:44:59 PM

Well I'm a pro triathlete. So my standards for high-end is rather high.

Raleigh isn't bad. However, all people have different requirements, different tastes. My suggestion is that you visit one of those shops I mentioned (they also have a larger selection than Cycle Logic), and take em out and ride them around the parking lot.

Be demanding with what you want up front, and you won't be disappointed. Servicing is also generally provided for awhile after you purchase the bicycle.

5/25/2007 2:50:22 PM

^ Thanks for the suggestions man! I'm actually hoping to do a couple of triathlons at well pretty soon so that's another thing that I'll need to think about. Still not looking to get a road bike though.

5/25/2007 2:53:23 PM

Comfort bikes are for old people. I recommend a hybrid. A road bike would be preferred for a triathlon, but you can still do some serious riding on a hybrid.

Check out these shops:

All-Star (Specialized, Giant)
Flythe Cyclery (Trek)
Cycle Logic
Performance in Cary

Test ride at least 3 bikes at 2 or 3 different shops. Every company makes hybrids, but different brands have a different fit and feel. Try out several before you think about getting one. After you get it DO NOT LEAVE IT OUTSIDE IN THE RAIN! If you keep it indoors it will last you many years.

5/25/2007 3:08:35 PM

Your best bet, like everyone else mentioned, is to go to a shop or two and test ride some bikes. Tell the folks there what you want to do with it, and they'll be able to show you several things you might like and that will be appropriate.

When you say "serious road bike" I assume you're referring to $x,000 carbon super-bikes, etc. for racing. If you're just looking for a commute/recreation bike, you can get a nice rig + accessories for under $800 if you catch a sale at Performance or something. They have a big sale this weekend, as a matter of fact.

You're looking at a lot of "hybrid" style bikes, but you may want to check out some "touring" or "cyclocross" types of bikes. Both are derivatives of the road/racing bike, but with beefed up tires/rims, straight handlebars, and other features that make it a bit more comfortable. These are what I would recommend for a commuter bike, because it is "beefy" enough to be stable and take some abuse, but it's not so heavy that you can't do more then 15 or 20 miles on it, and maintain a good pace. They can take on most of the terrain of a hybrid, but are geared better for road and highway riding, especially longer distances.

[Edited on May 25, 2007 at 4:31 PM. Reason : .]

5/25/2007 4:30:32 PM

Hey thanks for all the suggestions!

^ Can you give me a couple of examples of these "touring" or "cyclocross" types of bikes? Maybe a couple of brands or models to take a look at? I think I will try going to 1 or 2 of these places this weekend and try some out. Thanks again!

Jeff

5/25/2007 4:52:47 PM

I got a Trek 7.2 FX recently and enjoy it. It is technically a hybrid (they call it a "fitness bike"), but doesn't have shocks like many other models. It supposedly trades out for some lighter parts instead. I've been very pleased with it thus far and it sounds about the same as the price range you are looking at.

[Edited on May 25, 2007 at 4:56 PM. Reason : .]

5/25/2007 4:55:38 PM

"Touring" = road frames set up for long haul comfort, extra strength to carry loads, and attachments on the frame to carry stuff like bags or extra water bottles. Think Camry instead of Corvette.

"Cyclocross" = Cyclocross is a sort of fast trail race where the course is designed to occasionally force the racers to dismount and run. You wind up with something like the frame, fork, and wheels of a road bike (bigger and lighter) but the gearset (?) and stronger brakes of a mountain bike.

"Comfort" = "I'm 40 and my neck hurts when I bend down to ride". Comfort bikes have a much more upright riding position for people who are uncomfortable in a more efficient pedaling position.

"Hybrid" = "Comfort bikes don't sell well because people think they're for wusses, can we call them something else?" I heard a friend say that cross bikes were the best parts of mtn + road bikes put together, while hybrids were the worst parts of each. Snob!

I would guess you want something like a light tourer or a flat-bar road bike. get to a good shop that will listen to your needs (try to explain them well) and advise you on selection and fit. If they just show you what they have and offer a test ride in the lot, then run-don't-walk to the next store.

I'd also recommend REI, they are sometimes too busy, but they are pretty committed to giving good service, and I think they have a lot of bikes like what you're looking for. I'm extremely happy with my 2 bikes from Cycling Spoken Here, they have phenomenal service.

How long would the bike commute be?

[Edited on May 25, 2007 at 5:27 PM. Reason : puncutation.]

5/25/2007 5:27:03 PM

There are two types of hybrids. The first I would call a comfort hybrid. It usually has shocks and wider seat. The handle bars are usually upright more to where you are sitting up more. The other type of hybrid is more of a performance type - meaning its going to be lighter. It does not have shocks and you sit a little more forward. This bike is used more for commuting or longer distances.
If you have any more questions or you would like to try one out please call or come by. We have a large selection in stock. Thanks
Flythe Cyclery
832-5097

5/25/2007 5:36:59 PM

^ yeah, this is basically what i have and it definitely is nice. the road bikes still blaze past me, but i'm just not suited to their style of sitting.

5/25/2007 6:21:54 PM

Thanks for all the help again! My commute is going to only be a few miles, but I would like to have the ability to ride for a good while if I want to. Also, like i said earlier being able to do a triathlon with this bike would be great.

Looking for a high performance hybrid. Looks like I don't want to mess around with those comfort bikes. Probably a Touring bike will be a good option as I will have a backpack and stuff going to and from work, maybe other places.

5/25/2007 7:40:27 PM

capncrunch laid it out pretty nicely, so your next move is to go to a shop, look, try, and ask questions about what interests you. If you're riding shorter distances, the hybrid would be ok, but a touring rig would allow you to do the commute in relative comfort, and be able to change out a couple components and have a viable triathalon bike.

Instead of providing specific pages or examples, go to http://www.trekbikes.com and click the link at the top that says "bikes". Once you're there, hover over the road bike subsection and you can look at touring, commuting, and cyclocross models and get an idea of what the differences are. For your situation, I would recommend something of a touring rig. While you're at trekbikes.com, check out their Pilot series of bikes too. Some of the lower end bikes in that series are alminum, so it's not going to cost a fortune, but it's still got quality components where it counts. There's a wide range of different options, so a dealer can better explain any differences that you may see.

Go to a bike shop with an idea in mind of what you like and don't like, then ride some bikes, ask for suggestions, and see what really fits.

5/27/2007 9:54:23 PM