Nicer hybrid bicycle for wife. Recommendations?
#51
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I sort of agree with you. A nice road bike is just so much more like flying than even a spiffy hybrid. I asked if she would test ride one just to see what it's like, but she wasn't interested. And as I get older, I've learned that I have to let other people (and not just my wife) make their own decision, even if it's not the decision I would make.
#52
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In fact, we've yet to buy a bike. She is leaning towards the Cannondale Quick (SL1), but the last time we went to the LBS we were still working out the sizing because they didn't have all the sizes on the showroom floor. And then it got cold and then....
It will happen, and it will probably be the Cannondale, but it may not be for a while.
#53
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Congratulations on your n+1.
In fact, we've yet to buy a bike. She is leaning towards the Cannondale Quick (SL1), but the last time we went to the LBS we were still working out the sizing because they didn't have all the sizes on the showroom floor. And then it got cold and then....
It will happen, and it will probably be the Cannondale, but it may not be for a while.
In fact, we've yet to buy a bike. She is leaning towards the Cannondale Quick (SL1), but the last time we went to the LBS we were still working out the sizing because they didn't have all the sizes on the showroom floor. And then it got cold and then....
It will happen, and it will probably be the Cannondale, but it may not be for a while.
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#54
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I sort of agree with you. A nice road bike is just so much more like flying than even a spiffy hybrid. I asked if she would test ride one just to see what it's like, but she wasn't interested. And as I get older, I've learned that I have to let other people (and not just my wife) make their own decision, even if it's not the decision I would make.
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Maybe I missed it, but has anyone suggested getting a drop-bar road bike . . . and then swapping out the drop-bars and shifters for flat handlebars and the appropriate shifters? Maybe even that 50-something sales lady would make the swap as part of the deal. (She sounds like a good, conscientious sales rep that can really identify with your wife's needs and wants.)
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#56
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Maybe I missed it, but has anyone suggested getting a drop-bar road bike . . . and then swapping out the drop-bars and shifters for flat handlebars and the appropriate shifters? Maybe even that 50-something sales lady would make the swap as part of the deal. (She sounds like a good, conscientious sales rep that can really identify with your wife's needs and wants.)
#57
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Haven't thought of it. Apart from the obvious advantage that it could later be returned to a true drop-bar bike, what would be the advantage over a true flat-bar road bike such as a Trek 7.x FX or a Quick? I don't get the impression that one would get better frame materials or componentry at the same price point, just a different geometry.
I have one of the ancestors to the FX series. It's a Trek Single-Track 930. Compared to my CF road bikes, the 930 is a real dog. However, it can carry the weight. With front and rear panniers/racks, it can take me cross country, (if I'm not in a big hurry), with everything I'd need.
If this is something you want to investigate, start by asking that sales lady if it is even possible, then if it is financially efficient.
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Maybe I missed it, but has anyone suggested getting a drop-bar road bike . . . and then swapping out the drop-bars and shifters for flat handlebars and the appropriate shifters? Maybe even that 50-something sales lady would make the swap as part of the deal. (She sounds like a good, conscientious sales rep that can really identify with your wife's needs and wants.)
#60
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Congratulations on your n+1.
In fact, we've yet to buy a bike. She is leaning towards the Cannondale Quick (SL1), but the last time we went to the LBS we were still working out the sizing because they didn't have all the sizes on the showroom floor. And then it got cold and then.... It will happen, and it will probably be the Cannondale, but it may not be for a while.
In fact, we've yet to buy a bike. She is leaning towards the Cannondale Quick (SL1), but the last time we went to the LBS we were still working out the sizing because they didn't have all the sizes on the showroom floor. And then it got cold and then.... It will happen, and it will probably be the Cannondale, but it may not be for a while.
Totally understandable, you want the bike to be right. Finding one to try is difficult. What we did to approximate size was get the specs of another bike that was very similar and try it for reach and so on. I didn't think about the cold and end of season- our summers are tough here, but weather is great right now.
I would've gone with the Cannondale Quick, I think it's a great bike- except they don't have a woman's in my size. I'm almost 5'11 and the Quick XT wasn't big enough. We tried a "unisex"-men's Quick Lg, and that would've been fine-except I hated the colors . Well, unless I wanted to upgrade to a Carbon or SL-way over my budget.
Specialized has a woman's Vita XL, which has a big enough frame. Once it arrived, they used the Body Geometry System to fit it. I'm pleased with the bike, just getting used to it. It is fast!
I'm the OP and I'm not totally sure either, but from the way she talks about it, she may never go for the full roady experience - not the bicycle and not the other things that go with it (distances, speed, pedal system, outfit, attitude, etc. etc.). If she ever gets there, there's always n+1, so we're shopping for the right bike for now.
Haven't thought of it. Apart from the obvious advantage that it could later be returned to a true drop-bar bike, what would be the advantage over a true flat-bar road bike such as a Trek 7.x FX or a Quick? I don't get the impression that one would get better frame materials or componentry at the same price point, just a different geometry.
Anyway, you and she have something to look forward to come spring!
#61
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Thanks
Totally understandable, you want the bike to be right. Finding one to try is difficult. What we did to approximate size was get the specs of another bike that was very similar and try it for reach and so on. I didn't think about the cold and end of season- our summers are tough here, but weather is great right now.
Totally understandable, you want the bike to be right. Finding one to try is difficult. What we did to approximate size was get the specs of another bike that was very similar and try it for reach and so on. I didn't think about the cold and end of season- our summers are tough here, but weather is great right now.
#62
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I didn't notice from your previous post that you're in Las Vegas. Definitely the seasons are not the same as in Minnesota. Some winters (though not this coming one), I bug out to Las Vegas for a long weekend in January (e.g., MLK Day), just to do some road riding in the middle of the winter. There may be other candidates (Tuscon?) but for that time of year, Las Vegas is hard to beat for a quick cycling vacation. I rent a bike at McGhie's and then go up to Red Rock Canyon/Blue Diamond Rd. Some times I also join one of the bike clubs on a group ride that goes up to the gunnery range or something like that. There sure is some great riding there. And in the midst of the Minnesota winter, that little respite does wonders for my attitude.
#63
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I didn't notice from your previous post that you're in Las Vegas. Definitely the seasons are not the same as in Minnesota. Some winters (though not this coming one), I bug out to Las Vegas for a long weekend in January (e.g., MLK Day), just to do some road riding in the middle of the winter. There may be other candidates (Tuscon?) but for that time of year, Las Vegas is hard to beat for a quick cycling vacation. I rent a bike at McGhie's and then go up to Red Rock Canyon/Blue Diamond Rd. Some times I also join one of the bike clubs on a group ride that goes up to the gunnery range or something like that. There sure is some great riding there. And in the midst of the Minnesota winter, that little respite does wonders for my attitude.
McGhie's is a very good store, as is Las Vegas Cyclery/Escape Adventures. They do rentals too and their new place is quite impressive. Actually, most of our LBS aren't bad at all. I suspect a lot of the big cycling events and visitors are in no small part responsible for the quality of our roads, shops, and infrastructure.
Anyway, glad you like it here! (Hmmm. Maybe McGhie's has a Quick, or LV Cyclery has a Vita in their rental fleet )
#64
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One thing you will notice about the flat bar road bikes is the size of tire they will take vs the maximum size tire a road bike will take. My Specialized Sirrus has V-brakes and lots of room for a 32 or 35 mm tire, should I decide to put some larger ones on for a smoother ride on rough surfaces. Bar ends or different handle bars will give her more than one hand position for longer rides. Bring this subject up with the lady working with her at the shop.
or you could just get her one of these and avoid the drop bars.
or you could just get her one of these and avoid the drop bars.
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