1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Hybrid / Commuter Bike

Discussion in 'Sports, Hobbies & Interests' started by Juggernaut, Apr 8, 2011.

  1. Apr 8, 2011 at 2:19 PM
    #1
    Juggernaut

    Juggernaut [OP] Captain

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Member:
    #23111
    Messages:
    1,884
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    18 PreRunner TRD OffRoad DCSB
    I live downtown and bike to work every day (2 miles) and I am looking into upgrading to something nicer. I want something that will be reliable enough to go over uneven paved roads and be able to go on 20 mile weekend rides.

    I'm also 6'5'', so finding a bike large enough is often an issue.

    I have been looking at the Specialized Sirrus Elite but I'm worried that it might not be rugged enough.

    Suggestions?
     
  2. Apr 8, 2011 at 4:38 PM
    #2
    Juggernaut

    Juggernaut [OP] Captain

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Member:
    #23111
    Messages:
    1,884
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    18 PreRunner TRD OffRoad DCSB
    Bump for comments. Going to go look at the specialized tomorrow.
     
  3. Apr 18, 2011 at 9:36 PM
    #3
    Juggernaut

    Juggernaut [OP] Captain

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Member:
    #23111
    Messages:
    1,884
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    18 PreRunner TRD OffRoad DCSB
    Anyone? Looks like we only have mountain bike riders here.

    Also is it normal for a bike store to want you to buy a bike before you get to test ride it to see if it fits. Seems like no one stocks xl bikes.
     
  4. Apr 21, 2011 at 10:10 AM
    #4
    aficianado

    aficianado Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2009
    Member:
    #25015
    Messages:
    8,097
    Gender:
    Male
    bay area, california
    Vehicle:
    2006 access cab. 4x4, TRD-OR + 2023 TRD off-road.
    back to bone stock.
    shit, i hope you havent bought anything yet. i have a specialized mountian bike. nice enough bike, but very "vanilla". exciting like a honda accord.

    i recently needed a commuter, and a grocery getter.

    i bought a Cyclocross bike. basically a road bike with fatter tires, generous geometry, and burly cantilever brakes. i got a SURLY crosscheck. i took some rough fire roads with ease. the thing climbs hills fantastic. i am trying to get back into shape, and it is really helping. cyclocross frames typically have attachment points for racks, so that is a big plus, once i start using this thing to go to work.
     
  5. Apr 21, 2011 at 10:11 AM
    #5
    aficianado

    aficianado Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2009
    Member:
    #25015
    Messages:
    8,097
    Gender:
    Male
    bay area, california
    Vehicle:
    2006 access cab. 4x4, TRD-OR + 2023 TRD off-road.
    back to bone stock.
    here is a crappy pic

    break 032.jpg
     
  6. Apr 21, 2011 at 10:12 AM
    #6
    aficianado

    aficianado Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2009
    Member:
    #25015
    Messages:
    8,097
    Gender:
    Male
    bay area, california
    Vehicle:
    2006 access cab. 4x4, TRD-OR + 2023 TRD off-road.
    back to bone stock.
    the surly runs large..i test road a used bike. a 52 cm, and it fit. i took a gamble and ordered a 54..even better.

    i would go to a bike store and sit on a few..you will get a very good idea on what bike to order. i paid $899 shipped..total to my door. GREAT DEAL!
     
  7. Apr 21, 2011 at 10:15 AM
    #7
    aficianado

    aficianado Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2009
    Member:
    #25015
    Messages:
    8,097
    Gender:
    Male
    bay area, california
    Vehicle:
    2006 access cab. 4x4, TRD-OR + 2023 TRD off-road.
    back to bone stock.
    hey, my wife has the Sirrus. she likes it. the sirrus is more like a mountian bike trying to be a road bike.

    a cyclocross is more of a road bike trying to be more mountian.

    a cyclocross will be more comfy longer distances. i might try to put some drop handlebars on my wife's rig.
     
  8. Apr 21, 2011 at 10:38 AM
    #8
    Cannonball

    Cannonball Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    Member:
    #34350
    Messages:
    714
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    2012 F-250 FX4 6.7 diesel / 1979 Jeep CJ-5
    I use a Felt F15X cyclocross bike for my commute (12mi). The commute is a mix of pavement and graded canal banks so the cross bike is perfect. I have a Schwinn Coffee that I used for my old commute which was only 1.5mi.
     
  9. Apr 21, 2011 at 10:46 AM
    #9
    Aggie97

    Aggie97 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2010
    Member:
    #40215
    Messages:
    566
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    Pearland, TX
    Vehicle:
    '07 PreRunner
    custom tan leather seats, bed track system bike rack, Vision Warrior wheels, smittybilt nerf bars, Extang BlackMax tonneau cover.
    For what you are describing, I'd use a mountain bike. I have both a mountain bike and a road bike. I pull my road bike down and dust it off to ride it about 4 times a year. I ride it to get ready for the BP MS150 (150+ mile bike ride, Houston to Austin) and on the ride itself. I do all of my other riding on my mountain bike because it is so versatile. Riding around neighborhood, riding with kids, even some training rides up to about 50 miles. It's just a more comfortable, and versatile bike.

    The only advantage my road bike has is speed (lighter and less tire resistance) and that also helps for serious hill climbing.

    I know a lot of people that buy road bikes and then when they realize they are not serious road riders, they end up selling them, whereas I believe if they bought a mountain bike (or a hybrid that was closer to mountain than road bike) I think they'd get much more use out of it.

    My $0.02
     
  10. Apr 25, 2011 at 12:37 PM
    #10
    Juggernaut

    Juggernaut [OP] Captain

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Member:
    #23111
    Messages:
    1,884
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    18 PreRunner TRD OffRoad DCSB
    So my budget is 800 or less. Still looking, I have an app scouring craigslist for me too. I currently have a mountain bike but it's a 20 year old heavy beast so anything would be an upgrade. I think buying my tacoma took less time than buying my bike. Also what is your opinion on the Marin Fairfax?
     
  11. Apr 25, 2011 at 12:58 PM
    #11
    Aggie97

    Aggie97 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2010
    Member:
    #40215
    Messages:
    566
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    Pearland, TX
    Vehicle:
    '07 PreRunner
    custom tan leather seats, bed track system bike rack, Vision Warrior wheels, smittybilt nerf bars, Extang BlackMax tonneau cover.
    Funny...both my bikes are Marin's. My road bike, which technically is considered a hybrid, is the Marin Lucas Valley, which is very similar to the Fairfax...I think it is a model or two higher.

    Great bike...about 95% road bike with the only difference being the handle bar setup and the fork. Everything else about it is road bike. Since I do more mountain biking, I wanted a road bike with all of the benefits of a road bike, but with a similar riding position of my mountain bike...which is a Marin Palisades Trail.

    Both bikes would be close to your budget. I caught mine on sale. The ALP series of hybrids by Marin, are much more road than anything else though. I know some hybrids are very versitile, but I would not ride these on anything other than pretty smooth road. You're not going to be hopping curbs or anything on the Fairfax.
     
  12. Apr 27, 2011 at 10:12 AM
    #12
    afd23a

    afd23a Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2008
    Member:
    #9483
    Messages:
    1,832
    Gender:
    Male
    The Dynamo of Dixie
    Vehicle:
    05 Access Cab 5 Lugger
    Factory Fog Lights, Removed Secondary Air Filter, Metra Ipod Adapter, Int Wiper Stalk, Wet Okole's, URD Short Shifter, Scanguage II w/Blendmount, Fat Bob's 2.75" spacer lift, ARE topper, SP Performance Pads & Slotted Rotors, 4.10 gears
    I've been looking at getting a hybrid bike as well. REI has a few that I was considering but I don't know too much about which brands have good reputations.

    Here are the ones I was looking at: Novara Forza, Scott Sportster 55, and Cannondale Quick CX 3.

    Sorry OP, not trying to take over your thread. Just thought I'd throw those out there to see if anyone has opinions about them.
     
  13. Apr 27, 2011 at 10:59 AM
    #13
    Juggernaut

    Juggernaut [OP] Captain

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Member:
    #23111
    Messages:
    1,884
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    18 PreRunner TRD OffRoad DCSB
    I've been to REI, novara's run small, and in order to get the largest cannondale size you need to special order it which is an extra $100 for shipping and you dont get their 10% back for being a member either. REI = Fail if you are over 6'2''
     
  14. Apr 27, 2011 at 11:00 AM
    #14
    Juggernaut

    Juggernaut [OP] Captain

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Member:
    #23111
    Messages:
    1,884
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    18 PreRunner TRD OffRoad DCSB
    Does anyone make a cyclocross for under $1000?
     
  15. Apr 27, 2011 at 11:01 AM
    #15
    afd23a

    afd23a Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2008
    Member:
    #9483
    Messages:
    1,832
    Gender:
    Male
    The Dynamo of Dixie
    Vehicle:
    05 Access Cab 5 Lugger
    Factory Fog Lights, Removed Secondary Air Filter, Metra Ipod Adapter, Int Wiper Stalk, Wet Okole's, URD Short Shifter, Scanguage II w/Blendmount, Fat Bob's 2.75" spacer lift, ARE topper, SP Performance Pads & Slotted Rotors, 4.10 gears
    Wow, I didn't know that. That really sucks for tall folks. Sorry to hear it.
     
  16. Apr 27, 2011 at 12:16 PM
    #16
    Aggie97

    Aggie97 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2010
    Member:
    #40215
    Messages:
    566
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    Pearland, TX
    Vehicle:
    '07 PreRunner
    custom tan leather seats, bed track system bike rack, Vision Warrior wheels, smittybilt nerf bars, Extang BlackMax tonneau cover.
    Those are all good brands, but I remember REI being especially pricey...but it's been a while since I have been to one. I buy shoes from them online occasionally, but that is about it.
     
  17. Apr 27, 2011 at 12:39 PM
    #17
    roadking1

    roadking1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2010
    Member:
    #43941
    Messages:
    902
    Gender:
    Male
    n.j.
    Vehicle:
    2023 Solar Octane TrdPro 6-speed manual
    Raliegh makes a nice hybrid bike. under $500.00
     
  18. Apr 27, 2011 at 12:42 PM
    #18
    aficianado

    aficianado Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2009
    Member:
    #25015
    Messages:
    8,097
    Gender:
    Male
    bay area, california
    Vehicle:
    2006 access cab. 4x4, TRD-OR + 2023 TRD off-road.
    back to bone stock.
    my surly was $899 shipped to my door.
     
  19. Apr 28, 2011 at 5:12 AM
    #19
    Aggie97

    Aggie97 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2010
    Member:
    #40215
    Messages:
    566
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    Pearland, TX
    Vehicle:
    '07 PreRunner
    custom tan leather seats, bed track system bike rack, Vision Warrior wheels, smittybilt nerf bars, Extang BlackMax tonneau cover.
    I'm fascinated (but will never be one) by single speed riders. I'm not talking about someone who just puts around a neighborhood on one like we did on our BMX's when we were kids. I'm talking about some of these hard core MTN bike riders riding on single speeds...crazy to me.

    I was camping and riding in Smithville, TX a couple of months ago, and a buddy of mine and I ran into a guy from MN riding there. Smithville (Rocky Hill Ranch) has some pretty tough hills...I was using every single one of my lower gears. This guy from MN was riding a single speed mountain bike on these hills. Not a cheapo one either, about a $3000 custom built job. I was pretty impressed he could climb as good as he was on a single speed.

    I guess it's a new purist mtn bike movement or something.
     
  20. May 25, 2011 at 10:19 PM
    #20
    Juggernaut

    Juggernaut [OP] Captain

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Member:
    #23111
    Messages:
    1,884
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    18 PreRunner TRD OffRoad DCSB
    Ok, so it's down to these two:
    Bianchi Camaleonte Uno
    [​IMG]
    Speacialized Sirrus Elite
    [​IMG]

    I need to decide asap because my bike was stolen today.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top