[bdshan]

I am looking to buy my first new bike in almost 15 years. I have riding off and on throughout that time. I am looking at a hybrid. I am planning on riding mostly on paved roads, but I also want the ability to take my kids on the trails in the local park. I have been trying to establish a list of bikes to source and test ride. Below is what I have come up with. based on your experience can you rank the bikes I have listed. I know I'll choose the one that is the most comfortable for me, but would like a baseline to focus my energies.

Jamis Coda Elite
Specialized Sirrus Comp
Kona Dr. Dew
Cannondale Quick CX
Bianchi Camaleonte 2
Fuji Absolute 1.0/2.0
Felt Speed 50
Scott Sub 20

[rkoscelnik]

I have a Giant Cypress for this type of riding. I have ridden it 50+ miles down the trails in South Dakota as well as street rides in Colorado. Also use it to commute occasionally. I think its a great bike for trails and road...can't say anything about the bikes you listed as I haven't really ridden any of them.

[flanderscycling]

1) Bianchi, because all good cycle gear is "made in Italy", except for EM-frames, who come from Belgium (as you could know)

[froze]

I like Kona's because I own a Lava Dome and it's very well built, but otherwise I don't really care because I've never ridden any on your list.

[rola643]

Trek Bikes | Bikes | Road | 7.5 FX

[bdshan]

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

I got a chance to test ride a couple bikes over the weekend. Wasn't super impressed with the selection some of the local shops had. Should I contact the store before hand and have them build the right size bike I want to test ride? Makes sense to me but I don't know what is common practice in the industry.

Anyways here is a short summary.

Coda Comp - 21.5"
A bit too big for me, but the only thing in the Coda line the shop had. Next closest Jamis dealer is about an hour away. First time riding a hybrid with the skinny road tires. I found the ride to be very stiff, which lead to some great handling, but I felt every bump and imperfection in the road. I wasn't really prepared when the front tire went up on a small rock then jumped off it a couple inches to the side. Shifting was very smooth. Like I told the shop the front derailleur needed adjustment. I rode for about 3.5 miles and developed numbness in my fingers, which is one of my biggest complaints about my current 15 year old bike.

Camaleonte 1 - Mens Small
May have been a tad small, but I was comfortable. Took this one out on what would be my primary riding scene, suburban streets with a touch of gravel parking lot thrown in for varied terrain. I thought the ride was much smoother than the Coda, but the shifting was clunky. And again the front derailleur needed adjustment, had trouble going up and when I was on the biggest ring and would downshift it would skip down to the smallest ring, very annoying. Handling was good, had great stopping power. I was comfortable in the gravel as well, and on retrospect not so sure I would have like the Coda in the gravel given the rock experience.

I am going to try to find another Jamis dealer with a properly sized bike. In the mean time I found single shop that has Bianchi, Fuji, and Kona. I am going to contact them today to see if I can arrange to test ride my selected models in the proper size back to back.

[wild]

I ride a Fuji Absolute 1.0 I have about 2500 miles on it since March it seams to go thrugh chains fast I got about 1500 miles on my chain that I clean and lube every 150 miles or so, it has poped a cupple of spokes but I weight 240#. I like the disc brakes, and it rides good. I think a 8 or 9 speed might get more ware on the chain, but I have heard some one with a 2.0 complain about the brakes on thers.

Good luck on your quest for the right bike hope I have bin of some help.

I think my next bike will be a touring bike low gears and heavy duty for this pacaderm

[momule]

Your LBS will not build a bike for you to test ride but they may give you some comparables to try and then tell you about other options. If you trust them then trust them but it never hurts to find another bike shop with demos to ride. My point is that your LBS will look at you as somewhat of a newbie and why would they want to build a bike only for what they consider to be your somewhat uninformed viewpoint. Again, if you trust them then ride what they offer per your conversation and then be prepared to go to another bike shop if you have second thoughts. You would be amazed at the difference of opinion tween different shops... You are the buyer so you have the power.

[spoco57]

I love my Fuji Absolute, though mine is the 3.0. Light perfectly geared and good geometry.... it all fits me and my style well. Have fun choosing.

[momule]

I really would hate for you to buy a hybrid without testing one or two in the Cannondale line. I am riding a Quick CXFS and love it. although they don't make it anymore. You're looking at $1000+ though and for casual riding with the kids on pavement and some easy trails it might be overkill. The other option would be the 2011 CX4 or the Quick 4. Both of these are excellent bikes with price points around $700 or less and while they are not suspension bikes they're solid, light, responsive and fun. If you need suspension forks and disc brakes the Cannondale F4 was a great bike.

I think I'd buy a gently used 08 or 09 and take it to my local shop for appraisal if I had to do it again. They'll work with you if you spend some initial money on a tuneup or accessories. You're doing your homework and that's most important. If you're looking at anything other than a 2011 model check out this site for information about many of the steeds you are considering: BikePedia

I like thinking about buying a new bike second only to riding the one I already have. Take your time and enjoy !!!