Another noob, hybrid-shopping
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Another noob, hybrid-shopping
Shopping, and looking for advice.
Background: Chicago woman, 5'9", 170. Want to take cycling up for fitness, lakeside pleasantries, but also to participate in a charity ride I've been invited to ride in next summer (two days, 200 miles).
After checking out several LBS options and test-riding several bikes, I'm torn between the 2013 Jamis Coda Sport and the 2013 Raleigh Cadent FT2. I really like both bikes (although I'd need to change saddles on the Cadent). Thanks to "end of the model year" sales, they're both in my price range (ideally under $500, tolerable at $600.
Any thoughts on the supremacy of one over the other? I've ridden both a couple times ( as well as a few alternatives) and these are the two that really seem to suit my frame.
Thanks in advance!
Background: Chicago woman, 5'9", 170. Want to take cycling up for fitness, lakeside pleasantries, but also to participate in a charity ride I've been invited to ride in next summer (two days, 200 miles).
After checking out several LBS options and test-riding several bikes, I'm torn between the 2013 Jamis Coda Sport and the 2013 Raleigh Cadent FT2. I really like both bikes (although I'd need to change saddles on the Cadent). Thanks to "end of the model year" sales, they're both in my price range (ideally under $500, tolerable at $600.
Any thoughts on the supremacy of one over the other? I've ridden both a couple times ( as well as a few alternatives) and these are the two that really seem to suit my frame.
Thanks in advance!
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Welcome to the forum.
Personally I wouldn't want to ride a hundred miles a day on any of those bikes.
Have you ever done such a thing before?
What is your age, fitness level and ability or desire to ride in a more aggressive position?
Have you considered or had any experience with an actual road bike?
Out of those two, looking at the components, I believe the Raleigh is the better bike.
Personally I wouldn't want to ride a hundred miles a day on any of those bikes.
Have you ever done such a thing before?
What is your age, fitness level and ability or desire to ride in a more aggressive position?
Have you considered or had any experience with an actual road bike?
Out of those two, looking at the components, I believe the Raleigh is the better bike.
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They are nice bikes but with the distances you are indicating, it looks to me like you would need more of an endurance bike... like a Dolce for example...You might find a leftover...
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik.../dolce-compact
I started earlier this year with a Hybrid and after a month i switched to a road bike and to me it's a lot more comfortable for even 25 mile rides so i can't imagine doing 100 plus miles on a hybrid...this is my opinion only so take it or leave it but give yourself the option...If you have a performance bike around you can get a good deal there ....look at the geometry of the Dolce, it's like the Roubaix...it's designed for distance. You can always put a stem riser if the bars are not high enough...That is what i did to my CAAD8...
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik.../dolce-compact
I started earlier this year with a Hybrid and after a month i switched to a road bike and to me it's a lot more comfortable for even 25 mile rides so i can't imagine doing 100 plus miles on a hybrid...this is my opinion only so take it or leave it but give yourself the option...If you have a performance bike around you can get a good deal there ....look at the geometry of the Dolce, it's like the Roubaix...it's designed for distance. You can always put a stem riser if the bars are not high enough...That is what i did to my CAAD8...
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Welcome to the forum.
Personally I wouldn't want to ride a hundred miles a day on any of those bikes.
Have you ever done such a thing before?
What is your age, fitness level and ability or desire to ride in a more aggressive position?
Have you considered or had any experience with an actual road bike?
Out of those two, looking at the components, I believe the Raleigh is the better bike.
Personally I wouldn't want to ride a hundred miles a day on any of those bikes.
Have you ever done such a thing before?
What is your age, fitness level and ability or desire to ride in a more aggressive position?
Have you considered or had any experience with an actual road bike?
Out of those two, looking at the components, I believe the Raleigh is the better bike.
A road bike would be more ideal for century riding. That said however, I have seen my share of performance hybrids doing centuries, as well. Drop handle bars allow you to have more hand positions. Also, while in the drops, you can assume a more aerodynamic position for greater speed.
Save up about $400 more and get a Giant Defy, a Jamis Quest Sport, or a Raleigh Revenio.
Last edited by WestPablo; 10-17-13 at 05:47 AM.
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Thank you for the suggestions so far. I'm 46, moderately good shape (lots of running/romping with the dog, some yoga). The ride next summer is not a race, and I really don't enjoy pure road bikes -- you can consider that a vestige of growing up on a horse ranch, but I just don't like the positioning. The budget is a hard limit.
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Thank you for the suggestions so far. I'm 46, moderately good shape (lots of running/romping with the dog, some yoga). The ride next summer is not a race, and I really don't enjoy pure road bikes -- you can consider that a vestige of growing up on a horse ranch, but I just don't like the positioning. The budget is a hard limit.
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I've been riding a 2013 Jamis Coda Sport since early September. It performs perfectly, and I've found it to be a very comfortable ride. Granted, I haven't taken it for any 100 mile trips yet, but for three 35-ish mile excursions and about a dozen more at 20+ miles, it hasn't been anything but a pleasure to ride.
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Have you also tried Trek FX series? 7.2 FX should be around your budget. Or perhaps a used road bike? Multiple hand positions on a road bike is a good idea for comfort reasons during your century ride. Keep us posted on the choice you make. It'll be fun no matter what you decide!
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I did 70-mile rides on my Trek FX when I had it and didn't have any issues. You won't go as fast on a hybrid compared to a road bike, but if the bike fit is good and you're comfortable you shouldn't have a problem doing 100 miles.
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My Giant Cypress (2010) has done 100km (62miles) on numerous occasions. The seat required a change to a narrower type and rack and fenders and bar ends were added for different hand positions. I also changed the pedals to SPD/flat and can ride clipless or street shoe. In newer bikes, check out some of the fitness models. They are sort of flat bar road bikes.
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We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
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Thanks folks! Yes, I did try a Trek and it and the Cannondale Quick were in my second rank... I liked them, but not as much as neither really felt "me" as much as the Jamis Coda Sport and the Cadent. (First thing I learned as a lurker when I started shopping a month ago? Get on the bikes and ride. )
Anyone have any thoughts if I took the Cadent down a notch, to the 2013 FT1 or FT0? Those are much the same price as the Coda Sport; the LBS is getting a little squiggly on price (now he's asking $675 on the FT2), but they do provide/install a kickstand, reflectors and water bottle cage, all of which I'd want to add to the Jamis Sport.
Anyone have any thoughts if I took the Cadent down a notch, to the 2013 FT1 or FT0? Those are much the same price as the Coda Sport; the LBS is getting a little squiggly on price (now he's asking $675 on the FT2), but they do provide/install a kickstand, reflectors and water bottle cage, all of which I'd want to add to the Jamis Sport.
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Thanks folks! Yes, I did try a Trek and it and the Cannondale Quick were in my second rank... I liked them, but not as much as neither really felt "me" as much as the Jamis Coda Sport and the Cadent. (First thing I learned as a lurker when I started shopping a month ago? Get on the bikes and ride. )
Anyone have any thoughts if I took the Cadent down a notch, to the 2013 FT1 or FT0? Those are much the same price as the Coda Sport; the LBS is getting a little squiggly on price (now he's asking $675 on the FT2), but they do provide/install a kickstand, reflectors and water bottle cage, all of which I'd want to add to the Jamis Sport.
Anyone have any thoughts if I took the Cadent down a notch, to the 2013 FT1 or FT0? Those are much the same price as the Coda Sport; the LBS is getting a little squiggly on price (now he's asking $675 on the FT2), but they do provide/install a kickstand, reflectors and water bottle cage, all of which I'd want to add to the Jamis Sport.
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you might also be able to find a nice used Trek FX. I got 2 this summer for son & wifey, just be sure to get the right size! they both love theirs.
you might need a 15" but here are some 17.5" to look at
https://chicago.craigslist.org/search...xAsk=&hasPic=1
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/4112804920.html
you might need a 15" but here are some 17.5" to look at
https://chicago.craigslist.org/search...xAsk=&hasPic=1
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/4112804920.html