freeranger

Well, since I can't get it deleted, guess I'd better put something in here. I was looking at a Fuji Absolute 1.9 hybrid. It has a Tourney front der and an Acera rear der. I like the bike, but coming from a road bike with Tiagra front and 105 rear, think I might be disappointed in the long run. I'm sure I have a new, 8 spd. LX der (for a mtn.bike) that I think would work, but don't have a front der. I don't expect it to work as well as my road bike, and so long as it isn't awful, I'd be OK with it. Been looking for used, but haven't seen much and won't buy a bike I don't see first. Don't want to spend a lot-not sure how much I'll use it. Opinions?

subgrade

As long as the frame fits you and the wheels are half decent, you should be all right. You can always upgrade the components when the OEM ones wear out.

Speedway2

My geared bikes either have 105's or Deore (at minimum).

My latest bike (Indie 3) came with a Tourney FD and Acera RD. I got a VG deal on the bike. One I couldn't refuse and perfect for beating around the neighbourhood.
The stuff works OK. The FD makes a bit of noise and not crisp shifting but I plan on swapping them out in the future.

Darth Lefty 

You will be disappointed for a decade waiting for something to go wrong so you have an excuse to get something more expensive

Skipjacks

What do you want to use it for?

If you need a slower bike to putz around the neighborhood with the kids at low speeds it'll be great.

If you want to go a 500 mile tour on it, the clunkier gearing will probably get on your nerves if you're used to higher end Shimano parts.

It's just going to be one of those 'it'll be fine for X but awful for Y' situations.

freeranger

I ride with people with all levels of speed and capabilities. The Lemond road bike likes to go-and it's more difficult for me to go slower on it, when the group with which I'm riding is a slower group. Plus, the Lemond is just plain fun to ride faster, and makes me want to go faster riding it. Basically looking for something I'd enjoy riding slower, but not so slow has my heavy mtn.bike with suspension and fatter, low pressure tires. The mtn.bike is not comfy for longer road rides--I tried it with diff tires and the geometry just doesn't work for me, except in the woods.

canklecat

Check around for a good used 1980s-'90s "mountain bike" -- those older rigid fork bikes were closer to what's now lumped into the hybrid genre.

My '92 Univega Via Carisma came with a Shimano Exage 500 CX group that's virtually identical to the Deore group of that same era. I have both the Exage 500 CX and Deore LX long cage RDs. One is labeled RD-M500, the other RD-M550. There are negligible cosmetic differences. Same with the Exage/Deore front derailleurs.

Depending on your local market you might luck into a really nice group on a chromoly frame/fork bike for $200 or less.

BTW, I have the same preference for casual group or solo rides. If I'm on my road bikes I'll turn every ride into a workout. But if I'm on my Univega I'm more relaxed, sit upright and enjoy the view without turning it into another attempt at Strava PRs. I even switched from flat to albatross bars to make it even more pleasant to ride casually.

Skipjacks

Then yes.

The lower end hybrid will work fine for your needs.

If you are an experienced rider with built up leg power already, you'll be able to go all day on the hybrid. And you'll probably feel like you are barely putting out the effort if you are riding with a slower group. But you won't tip over because you are barely turning the cranks like you would on a road bike trying to stay balanced at 7mph.

GrainBrain

The only thing I'd swap out is the cassette for an 8 speed 13-26.

camjr

For your uses, that Fuji is a nice option. Ride it, and if it fits and feels good, run with it.

I've got a 2013 Absolute 2.1 with Alivo RD and Altus FD, and it's been bulletproof and smooth.