Iief

Hi everyone;

Although road bikes are more efficient than cruisers, I'd rather go a bit slower to get back that upride riding stance. I just find riding upright 10x more enjoyable.

Are there any multispeed bikes with skinny road tires and an upright riding configuration?

Thanks

Velo Dog

Rivendell (rivbike.com) specializes in that. I have two of their bikes and like them a lot, but they're pretty expensive now (~$3000; I bought mine used years ago).
It's not hard to set up a more conventional bike to allow an upright position, though. You could use a shorter stem (shorter horizontally, taller vertically if you're lucky enough to have a quill stem) and swept-back bars on a road or touring bike, or start with a mountain bike and swap to road tires. A lot of people have done this, and it works fine.

I <3 Robots

Look maybe into a hybrid bike with flat bars. Something along the lines of a Cannondale Quick.

Iief

I'm doing some reading now on comfort bikes--how close to the performance of road bikes do these come?

Campag4life

If you want to know about the performance of particular bikes...post which one(s) you are interested in for feedback.
As to riding upright...be careful what you wish for. I don't embraced an aggressive position for the distance riding I do which can be fast riding at times but not formal racing. If you get into cycling, there typically is a sweet spot for position on the bike. For most, this is not bolt upright which places a lot of pressure on the sitbones and you can't pressurize the pedals. An in between bolt upright and aggressive pro position I believe to be best for the average cyclist. A lot about best position is colored by inexperience. Best set up for each rider tends to take a lot of experimentation as we differ greatly on flexibility and strength and these things can also change with more riding.

ericm979

Not riding upright is what makes road bikes perform better than hybrids. The rising position is more aero (obviously depending on how the bike is set up). And the position allows you to put out more power (unless you are too bent over, then you make less power).

But if you find riding upright more enjoyable, do it. Just don't expect it to be as fast as a proper racing position or even what most non racers use.

PolishGuy

I second the Rivendell option. Velo-Orange may be another possibility. PG.

Commodus

Well, it depends what you mean by 'skinny road tires', and how much you're willing to spend, and what sort of handle bar you like. Sort these things, and someone here can give you an answer.

CenturionIM

Jamis Coda Sport, steel frame flat-bar road bike.

Dudelsack 

Bacchetta Giro ATT.

gregf83 

Why not just get a hybrid bike w/o skinny tires? Skinny tires won't make your ride more comfortable.

SteveFromNY

I think a hybrid bike with skinny tires will suit you better. If you have lower back problems, getting more aero with lost flexibility will shorten your "comfy" riding time.

lechat

The Coda Supreme, no longer offered I thinks, had a carbon/steel frame and nicer components.

Doohickie

How upright do you want to go?

hamster

You can take any road bike and configure it in a fairly upright position. Just get a short stem with adjustable rise and mount it at the highest possible point on the steerer tube. It's much better than getting a crappy hybrid.

Scooper

These.

Get a decent road bike with 25c or 28c tires and put a stem and handlebar on it that will put you in the upright position you're looking for. Forget hybrids and comfort bikes.

BoSoxYacht

Get a Cervelo

IthaDan 

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik.../sirruslimited

Dunbar

The Coda has a pretty short head tube. For upright you want to start with a taller head tube and add a stem and bar to get the desired position.

bike56

Yes,I did it for the wife.The bike is still fast and kind of fun

Walter

1. Any road frame that'll take a quill stem.

2. Check out Nitto Technomic quill stems for desired height/reach (there will be one)

3. Bars in the bend you prefer.

4. Move braking and shifting over though if you're replicating the cruiser experience you might want a single speed freewheel.

5. Might need to shim bars and change shifters, might not.

6. Go for a ride.