Flatbar road bike choices

The giant perigee is better than the cypress.

The specialises sirrus is nice, However have a look at the Felt SR71/81/91 range. Much better equipment and handling for the $$. http://www.feltracing.com/HOME.html

I did!!

I second the Felt recommendation. I'm new to biking and test drove a Schwinn and Specialized that were in the same price point as the Felt. The looks, handling, ride, and equipment was so much better on the Felt. I have the S91. Although, my next bike with have the curl under bars. The upright position is costing me some speed.

You can always convert your bike to drop bars. If you loke the bike it's probably cheaper than buying a whole new one. I converted my old road bike to flat bars.

Scoffin said:

I second the Felt recommendation. I'm new to biking and test drove a Schwinn and Specialized that were in the same price point as the Felt. The looks, handling, ride, and equipment was so much better on the Felt. I have the S91. Although, my next bike with have the curl under bars. The upright position is costing me some speed.

OK, the SR91 is now on my list. A question, though: doesn't the SR91 (24 spd) use a combination of Sora and Tiagra components, while the Giant Cypress SX and Fuji Silhouette (both 27 speeds) use entirely Tiagra?

The think I like about the SR91, though, is that it has more of a real road bike frame, whereas the Giant and the Fuji are more of the true "hybrid" frames. I also liked the tires that come on the SR91.

gclark8 said:

The giant perigee is better than the cypress.

The specialises sirrus is nice, However have a look at the Felt SR71/81/91 range. Much better equipment and handling for the $$. http://www.feltracing.com/HOME.html

I did!!

Correction on my above quote, the Perigee in Aus is the Cypress in the USA.

The 2005 model flat bar range from Giant in Aus is the CRX 1,2,3 and look more like a OCR frame than a Cypress frame. These would now directly compare with the Felt range, CRX 3 : SR 91, etc...

mikdes said:

OK, the SR91 is now on my list. A question, though: doesn't the SR91 (24 spd) use a combination of Sora and Tiagra components, while the Giant Cypress SX and Fuji Silhouette (both 27 speeds) use entirely Tiagra?

The think I like about the SR91, though, is that it has more of a real road bike frame, whereas the Giant and the Fuji are more of the true "hybrid" frames. I also liked the tires that come on the SR91.

Got me. I'm new to all this. I just know my bike works. I'm not sure I want to get in depth and start knowing all the components and what's better than what. If I do that I'll have to start having the best and I don't want to spend that much money on biking. I save that for my boat, truck, and my hunting and fishing stuff. I trusted my salesman when he told me all the components on the Felt were better than what was on the Specialized in the same price point. That was all I needed to know along with the Felt having a better ride. Here is Felt's website, I know you can get the component info there. feltbicycles.comfeltbicycles.comOpen ↗

As far as converting flat bar to the drop bars, I was told by my bike shop that it would cost me over half of what the bike was worth new and suggested I ride it for a couple more years and then trade it in on a new one with the bars I want. Again, I'm new so he was probably pulling my leg, but I have to trust him at this point. He said I'd need new shifter's and cables, as well as the bar. Probably a $3-$400 dollar deal. I only paid $500 for the bike, and another $100 for pedals, different seat, and computer.

Like you, I am new to "serious" cycling. At least new to "regular" cycling would be a better way to put it. I have gone back and forth over my most recent purchase and even placed a hold on two Marin Lucas Valleys for my wife and myself. I checked out the Trek 7300fx, the Giant Cypress SL. The Fuji Shillouette, The Cannondale Road Warrior 800, and then finally the Specialized Sirrus. I had all but made up my mind to buy the Marin when I went to ride the Sirrus. When I went in to the shop, I really hoped I would not like the bike. Unfortunately or fortunately as it turned out, I absolutely fell in love with the Sirrus. It really [censored] my wife, who wanted the Marin really bad. I then took her over to ride the Sirrus. Once she rode the bike...we bought them both on the spot. We couldn't be happier! Good luck with your decision and remember, all those products are really nice. Go with what works best for you!

mikdes said:

Hello, all! I'm new to the forum and new to "serious" cycling. I say "serious" because I've ridden recreationally in the past and for very short commutes, but not since the early 90s and not for fitness purposes.

Anyway, I'm thinking of beginning to commute on a bike. My commute would only be about 2-3 days per week and only one way (I would take mass transit to work, then ride home). I think I've decided to go with a flat bar road bike, but am wondering what a good choice would be. Bikes I am considering are:

Fuji Silhouette (can get for $519 with 12 mos no interest, plus 10% back with a Performance Bike membership)
Marin Mill Valley ($699)
Marin Lucas Valley ($499)
Giant Cypress SX ($599)

I'm leaning toward the Fuji as it seems to have a pretty good component set for the money and I'm on a budget. The price plus 12 months no interest is really attractive. There's also a Performance Bike shop about 2 miles from my house. If price were not an issue I would likely opt for the Marin Mill Valley, but I did read one review of a user who had some problems with his.

I've read good reviews on all of these and also the Specialized Sirrus. Can I get some opinions?

Thanks!

I have a Fuji Absolute 3.0 flat bar road bike. I love the bike. I think flat bar is the way to go because its safer to ride than the drop bars and if you ride long enough you will realize how critically important safety while riding is. This is especially true if you are riding in and out of urban street traffic. You have quicker access to the brakes and it seems to me that you are in a better position to avoid danger than if you are riding the drop bars.

I have a Fuji Absolute 3.0 flat bar road bike. I love the bike. I think flat bar is the way to go because its safer to ride than the drop bars and if you ride long enough you will realize how critically important safety while riding is. This is especially true if you are riding in and out of urban street traffic. You have quicker access to the brakes and it seems to me that you are in a better position to avoid danger than if you are riding the drop bars.

I am looking for a flat bar road bike. I currently have a nice Raleigh hybrid, which is OK, but heavy. I have looked at the Specialized Vita elite, and at a Bianchi model. The guy at the store selling the Bianchis said that the concept of a "woman's" bike was just marketing hype. Is this true? What brands of flat bar road bikes are worthwhile? I am a casual rider - a 20-30 mile ride once a week.

I guess it depends o lot on howmuch you want to pay.

I have a Giant Escape and that would be perfect for what you're looking for. It is an excellent bike and has been pretty popular from my searches.

I was looking for a hybrid bike or fitness bike with flatbar and the Giant Escape was the one most recommended to me. The Giant Escape 2 which has a very affordable price point. I bought the Escape 1 though because the shop didn't have the 2 in.

Fuji makes nice flatbar hybrid type bikes. I never road them though. Trek is nice too.

The Giant Rapid looks really nice.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by DogDoc [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I am looking for a flat bar road bike. I currently have a nice Raleigh hybrid, which is OK, but heavy. I have looked at the Specialized Vita elite, and at a Bianchi model. The guy at the store selling the Bianchis said that the concept of a "woman's" bike was just marketing hype. Is this true? What brands of flat bar road bikes are worthwhile? I am a casual rider - a 20-30 mile ride once a week.

Read my above post. Giant Escape, Giant Rapid, Trek 7.1FX, 7.2FX,etc.. The Escape is really nice and very light. I have the Escape 1.'

Also, I've heard that the length of the frame is shorter on women's bikes. From the seat to the handlebars. It shouldn't be a ton of difference or anything that really matters. When I was fitted for my bike I was fitted on a Women's Giant Escape. They said there really wasn't a difference, not sure if it was them that told me the length might be a little shorter.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by americandream [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

The Giant Rapid looks really nice.

True that, great value and good specs.

I am very happy with my Fuji Absolute 3.0 flat bar bike although I'm always on the lookout for something that's better and faster. I much prefer flat bar over curved because I feel that I can access the brakes quicker.