Trek Hybrids

"Gunny" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've been a biker since I got serious about biking when I lived in
Belgium some 25 years ago. As I've aged, I've found the road bikes to
be somewhat unforgiving on arthritic joints so I switched to a Jamis
Hybrid about five years ago. I'm now used to the more upright
position and it's quite forgiving to my back, wrist, and elbow joints.

So, I'm ready to upgrage. I liked the Jamis, but I'd like to replace
it with a better quality bike and today I looked at the Trek line of
Hybrids at a local bike store and was mildly shocked at the price.
The Trek 7700 Hybrid was $1,200. Told the young fellow selling the
bikes that my first car, a Datsun 2000 station wagon, purchased in
1968, cost me $2,000 exactly. He was stunned!!! Jeeez, do I feel
old.

I guess I can cough up $1,200, but I'd first like to ask here if there
is anyone who has found a good quality hybrid for less than that, or
if there is anyone reading this in that has experience with Trek
Hybrids that would say: just pay it and enjoy it, they are fabulous
bikes.

What is it you expect a Trek to do that a Jamis doesn't?

R

I have 3 Trek bikes so I like them ok but a friend has a Jamis and I
wouldn't say that the Trek is "better quality" than the equivalent
Jamis.

Gunny said:

I've been a biker since I got serious about biking when I lived in
Belgium some 25 years ago. As I've aged, I've found the road bikes to
be somewhat unforgiving on arthritic joints so I switched to a Jamis
Hybrid about five years ago. I'm now used to the more upright
position and it's quite forgiving to my back, wrist, and elbow joints.

So, I'm ready to upgrage. I liked the Jamis, but I'd like to replace
it with a better quality bike and today I looked at the Trek line of
Hybrids at a local bike store and was mildly shocked at the price.
The Trek 7700 Hybrid was $1,200. Told the young fellow selling the
bikes that my first car, a Datsun 2000 station wagon, purchased in
1968, cost me $2,000 exactly. He was stunned!!! Jeeez, do I feel
old.

I guess I can cough up $1,200, but I'd first like to ask here if there
is anyone who has found a good quality hybrid for less than that, or
if there is anyone reading this in that has experience with Trek
Hybrids that would say: just pay it and enjoy it, they are fabulous
bikes.

Anyway, if you've got time the time to offer your opinions, I'd love
to hear them.

Many thanks,
Gunny

Gunny said:

I've been a biker since I got serious about biking when I lived in
Belgium some 25 years ago. As I've aged, I've found the road bikes to
be somewhat unforgiving on arthritic joints so I switched to a Jamis
Hybrid about five years ago. I'm now used to the more upright
position and it's quite forgiving to my back, wrist, and elbow joints.

....

Anyway, if you've got time the time to offer your opinions, I'd love
to hear them.

Many thanks,
Gunny

RANS makes a couple interesting bikes, not a lot of people have seen-
Go to: http://www.ransbikes.com/
and look at the "Sport Series", in particular the Fusion and Cruz
models. I have a Fusion; it's much better comfort than a regular upright
and it still rides and looks fairly normal. Padded shorts and gloves are
not necessary to ride it.

Some other bikes that offer a similar riding position for less money are
the Lightfoot Surefoot, Day6Bicycles (both sold online) and the Sun
SunRay (sold through dealers only). These are not as
performance-oriented as the RANS models are and they use a "normal"
saddle, but ergo-type saddles should work better on these bikes. I
haven't had any direct experience with them, but these cost less than
the RANS bikes and (I would bet) can be built into something one could
turn a lot of miles very comfortably on.
-----
It's just my opinion, but if you're after riding comfort, don't buy a
conventional bicycle of any type--and don't think that spending more
money will get you a more-comfortable conventional bike, because it
won't. All that gets you is a /lighter/ bike, but even an expensive,
lightweight bike will hurt to ride just the same as a cheaper bike would.
~

Rich Clark said:

"Gunny" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've been a biker since I got serious about biking when I lived in
Belgium some 25 years ago. As I've aged, I've found the road bikes to
be somewhat unforgiving on arthritic joints so I switched to a Jamis
Hybrid about five years ago. I'm now used to the more upright
position and it's quite forgiving to my back, wrist, and elbow joints.

Quoted message said:

So, I'm ready to upgrage. I liked the Jamis, but I'd like to replace
it with a better quality bike and today I looked at the Trek line of
Hybrids at a local bike store and was mildly shocked at the price.
The Trek 7700 Hybrid was $1,200. Told the young fellow selling the
bikes that my first car, a Datsun 2000 station wagon, purchased in
1968, cost me $2,000 exactly. He was stunned!!! Jeeez, do I feel
old.

Quoted message said:

I guess I can cough up $1,200, but I'd first like to ask here if there
is anyone who has found a good quality hybrid for less than that, or
if there is anyone reading this in that has experience with Trek
Hybrids that would say: just pay it and enjoy it, they are fabulous
bikes.

What is it you expect a Trek to do that a Jamis doesn't?

R

Nothing, really. You know how it is: just as with cars, you have one
for a certain number of years and you get a hankering for a new(er)
one. It's one heck of a lot cheaper to indulge this desire for a
newer model with a bike than it is with a car (mine is 15 years old
and I hope to keep it until it hits 20).

Gunny

Quoted message said:

RANS makes a couple interesting bikes, not a lot of people have seen-
Go to:http://www.ransbikes.com/
and look at the "Sport Series", in particular the Fusion and Cruz
models. I have a Fusion; it's much better comfort than a regular upright
and it still rides and looks fairly normal. Padded shorts and gloves are
not necessary to ride it.

Some other bikes that offer a similar riding position for less money are
the Lightfoot Surefoot, Day6Bicycles (both sold online) and the Sun
SunRay (sold through dealers only). These are not as
performance-oriented as the RANS models are and they use a "normal"
saddle, but ergo-type saddles should work better on these bikes. I
haven't had any direct experience with them, but these cost less than
the RANS bikes and (I would bet) can be built into something one could
turn a lot of miles very comfortably on.
-----
It's just my opinion, but if you're after riding comfort, don't buy a
conventional bicycle of any type--and don't think that spending more
money will get you a more-comfortable conventional bike, because it
won't. All that gets you is a /lighter/ bike, but even an expensive,
lightweight bike will hurt to ride just the same as a cheaper bike would.
~

Thanks. I took a look at your suggestions online, but I am gun shy of
recumbent or semi-recumbent type bikes.

I bought a recumbent stationary bike for bad weather days and then I
began having problems with numbness in one of my legs. I went to the
doc and he said it was a back-related problem. If it had been
neuropathy of some sort, he said the numbness would have been
bilateral/in both legs.

My wife asked me when it first began and when I traced it to four or
five months before, she pointed out that I got the recumbent about
six months previously. I got off that bike and stayed off it and
within two weeks, the numbness was gone. Sold it, lost about $200 in
the deal and then got a Greg LeMonde stationary bike which is simply
in a class of its own. A fabulous stationary bike...and it ought to
be. It, too, cost about $1,200 bucks.

Gunny

Quoted message said:

So, I'm ready to upgrage. I liked the Jamis, but I'd like to replace
it with a better quality bike and today I looked at the Trek line of
Hybrids at a local bike store and was mildly shocked at the price.
The Trek 7700 Hybrid was $1,200. Told the young fellow selling the
bikes that my first car, a Datsun 2000 station wagon, purchased in
1968, cost me $2,000 exactly. He was stunned!!! Jeeez, do I feel
old.

You speak as if that's the only Trek offering; that you have no choice but
to buy a $1200 Trek or something else. Why? Trek has a full range of
hybrids, from under $300 to $2200. Nobody's saying that you're buying a
klunker if you don't buy the high-end versions. I might also point out that
your Datsun 2000 station wagon wasn't exactly top of the line in 1968
either. A very nice, practical, and well-priced (compared to domestic
offerings) vehicle. But you could have spent *far* more money on a car back
then.

And I won't even ask you what your current residence might be worth now,
compared to back then... oops, just did! :>😉

Quoted message said:

I guess I can cough up $1,200, but I'd first like to ask here if there
is anyone who has found a good quality hybrid for less than that, or
if there is anyone reading this in that has experience with Trek
Hybrids that would say: just pay it and enjoy it, they are fabulous
bikes.

Forget about the pricing, relative to other things. The only thing that
really matters is whether the bike is worth the $$$ to *you.* Today. And
then maybe 40 years from now you can shock somebody with stories about your
Trek 7700 hybrid that only cost $1200, when that person is contemplating a
$24,000 commuting bike with linear-induction motors that use the rims for
rails.

But if you're looking for somebody to tell you that the 7700 is a very nice
bike, ok, I will. Keep in mind I'm totally biased, since I make a living
selling them. But I'll admit to having sold quite a few more than I thought
I would, given the price.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Gunny" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've been a biker since I got serious about biking when I lived in
Belgium some 25 years ago. As I've aged, I've found the road bikes to
be somewhat unforgiving on arthritic joints so I switched to a Jamis
Hybrid about five years ago. I'm now used to the more upright
position and it's quite forgiving to my back, wrist, and elbow joints.

So, I'm ready to upgrage. I liked the Jamis, but I'd like to replace
it with a better quality bike and today I looked at the Trek line of
Hybrids at a local bike store and was mildly shocked at the price.
The Trek 7700 Hybrid was $1,200. Told the young fellow selling the
bikes that my first car, a Datsun 2000 station wagon, purchased in
1968, cost me $2,000 exactly. He was stunned!!! Jeeez, do I feel
old.

I guess I can cough up $1,200, but I'd first like to ask here if there
is anyone who has found a good quality hybrid for less than that, or
if there is anyone reading this in that has experience with Trek
Hybrids that would say: just pay it and enjoy it, they are fabulous
bikes.

Anyway, if you've got time the time to offer your opinions, I'd love
to hear them.

Many thanks,
Gunny

Quoted message said:

Forget about the pricing, relative to other things. The only thing that
really matters is whether the bike is worth the $$$ to *you.* Today. And
then maybe 40 years from now you can shock somebody with stories about your
Trek 7700 hybrid that only cost $1200, when that person is contemplating a
$24,000 commuting bike with linear-induction motors that use the rims for
rails.

Mike, if I talk to someone in 40 years that itself will be the stunner
(I'd be 108 years old), not how much I paid for my bike.

Thanks for the input, much appreciated.

Gunny

Gunny said:

I've been a biker since I got serious about biking when I lived in
Belgium some 25 years ago. As I've aged, I've found the road bikes to
be somewhat unforgiving on arthritic joints so I switched to a Jamis
Hybrid about five years ago. I'm now used to the more upright
position and it's quite forgiving to my back, wrist, and elbow joints.

So, I'm ready to upgrage. I liked the Jamis, but I'd like to replace
it with a better quality bike and today I looked at the Trek line of
Hybrids at a local bike store and was mildly shocked at the price.
The Trek 7700 Hybrid was $1,200. Told the young fellow selling the
bikes that my first car, a Datsun 2000 station wagon, purchased in
1968, cost me $2,000 exactly. He was stunned!!! Jeeez, do I feel
old.

Ya making the same dough now as in 1968 Gunny? Do a search on that new
fangled thing called a computer and see what $1200 is in 1968
money...THEN compare to your 1968 Datsun..a Nissan basic is what,
$15,000 today???

Quoted message said:

I guess I can cough up $1,200, but I'd first like to ask here if there
is anyone who has found a good quality hybrid for less than that, or
if there is anyone reading this in that has experience with Trek
Hybrids that would say: just pay it and enjoy it, they are fabulous
bikes.

Anyway, if you've got time the time to offer your opinions, I'd love
to hear them.

Many thanks,
Gunny

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Gunny said:

I've been a biker since I got serious about biking when I lived in
Belgium some 25 years ago. As I've aged, I've found the road bikes to
be somewhat unforgiving on arthritic joints so I switched to a Jamis
Hybrid about five years ago. I'm now used to the more upright
position and it's quite forgiving to my back, wrist, and elbow joints.

So, I'm ready to upgrage. I liked the Jamis, but I'd like to replace
it with a better quality bike and today I looked at the Trek line of
Hybrids at a local bike store and was mildly shocked at the price.
The Trek 7700 Hybrid was $1,200. Told the young fellow selling the
bikes that my first car, a Datsun 2000 station wagon, purchased in
1968, cost me $2,000 exactly. He was stunned!!! Jeeez, do I feel
old.

Ya making the same dough now as in 1968 Gunny? Do a search on that new
fangled thing called a computer and see what $1200 is in 1968
money...THEN compare to your 1968 Datsun..a Nissan basic is what,
$15,000 today???

....
Did so here in Canada (Bank of Canada is really helpful): $2000CDN from
1968 translates into less than $12000CDN today. Yeah, I thought it'd
be more than that.

fred said:

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Gunny said:

I've been a biker since I got serious about biking when I lived in
Belgium some 25 years ago. As I've aged, I've found the road bikes to
be somewhat unforgiving on arthritic joints so I switched to a Jamis
Hybrid about five years ago. I'm now used to the more upright
position and it's quite forgiving to my back, wrist, and elbow joints.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

So, I'm ready to upgrage. I liked the Jamis, but I'd like to replace
it with a better quality bike and today I looked at the Trek line of
Hybrids at a local bike store and was mildly shocked at the price.
The Trek 7700 Hybrid was $1,200. Told the young fellow selling the
bikes that my first car, a Datsun 2000 station wagon, purchased in
1968, cost me $2,000 exactly. He was stunned!!! Jeeez, do I feel
old.

Quoted message said:

Ya making the same dough now as in 1968 Gunny? Do a search on that new
fangled thing called a computer and see what $1200 is in 1968
money...THEN compare to your 1968 Datsun..a Nissan basic is what,
$15,000 today???

...
Did so here in Canada (Bank of Canada is really helpful): $2000CDN from
1968 translates into less than $12000CDN today. Yeah, I thought it'd
be more than that.

Interesting. According to:

http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

$2000 in 1968 is $11667 in 2006 (in US dollars). The inflation rates
are very similar in the US and Canada.

For what its worth, I have a Specialized Globe A1 hybrid that I bought in
1998 for something like $450 USD and it has been a great bike for weekend
paved and unpaved bike path and city street riding. I'm thinking of buying a
road bike soon and will be looking at Specialized again.

j

"Gunny" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've been a biker since I got serious about biking when I lived in
Belgium some 25 years ago. As I've aged, I've found the road bikes to
be somewhat unforgiving on arthritic joints so I switched to a Jamis
Hybrid about five years ago. I'm now used to the more upright
position and it's quite forgiving to my back, wrist, and elbow joints.

So, I'm ready to upgrage. I liked the Jamis, but I'd like to replace
it with a better quality bike and today I looked at the Trek line of
Hybrids at a local bike store and was mildly shocked at the price.
The Trek 7700 Hybrid was $1,200. Told the young fellow selling the
bikes that my first car, a Datsun 2000 station wagon, purchased in
1968, cost me $2,000 exactly. He was stunned!!! Jeeez, do I feel
old.

I guess I can cough up $1,200, but I'd first like to ask here if there
is anyone who has found a good quality hybrid for less than that, or
if there is anyone reading this in that has experience with Trek
Hybrids that would say: just pay it and enjoy it, they are fabulous
bikes.

Anyway, if you've got time the time to offer your opinions, I'd love
to hear them.

Many thanks,
Gunny

fred said:

Quoted message said:

Ya making the same dough now as in 1968 Gunny? Do a search on that new
fangled thing called a computer and see what $1200 is in 1968
money...THEN compare to your 1968 Datsun..a Nissan basic is what,
$15,000 today???

...
Did so here in Canada (Bank of Canada is really helpful): $2000CDN from
1968 translates into less than $12000CDN today. Yeah, I thought it'd
be more than that.

In 1968 a catalogue Paramount would have cost you about $ 250, just a
bit more than the Gitane Tour de France I purchased that year. Those
bikes were not the top of the line (I seem to remember that a custom
Paramount was about $ 500 back then) and would be a $ 1,500 bike
today. The Schwinn equivalent to the hybrid would cost from $ 70 - $
120 from Schwinn, and not be in the category of a $ 1,200 Breezer. So
the 6x scaling up seems to be more or less in line, but the bikes
today are better quality, by and large, with more features. A $ 70
Collegiate was no great bicycle.

Curtis L. Russell
Odenton, MD (USA)
Just someone on two wheels...