local bike shops — how to choose

[Greenbelt]

@lordofthemark 25570 wrote:

What would you say to someone who wants to do a short commute, mostly short weekend rides, an occasional longer weekend ride, and who already has a mountain bike for dirt and gravel trails?

Ever consider a touring bike? Not cheap, but also very versatile, though not quick and fun to ride as a regular road bike. I commute on one of these. It’s essentially a medium-heavy steel road bike with a carbon front fork and disk brakes and decent gear components. Sturdy enough to handle heavy loads, but still pretty fast — way faster than an MTB anyways. The extra weight is a drawback for climbing, but it does have a granny gear. (This isn’t a problem for me as my commute is pretty flat and there are no long hills that I ride regularly.) I took off the too-cute fancy silver fenders and replaced them with regular Planet Bike fenders.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Who is “you” in this reply? I’m not the one who labelled the Trek FX series, Cannondale Quick, Fuji Absolute and the like “hybrids.” The manufacturers did that. If you don’t like that they call their bikes made for both trail and road use hybrids just because they aren’t crappy bikes, take it up with them. I didn’t redefine anything.

@mstone 25561 wrote:

Well, I don’t understand why people redefine what is meant by a hybrid bike and then don’t understand why people denigrate some other kind of bike.

edit to add: I suppose that was a bit terse. Basically (IMO) the heritage of “hybrid bike” is “cheap, flat handlebars, no specific purpose, cheap/blingy ‘comfort’ additions like fluffy seat or useless suspension”. As soon as you start talking about a bike that’s designed to fill a particular role reasonably well, the term “hybrid” is useless and you need to use a more specific term that captures the intended role. Maybe it’s not fair that “hybrid” has that kind of baggage, but it also isn’t fair that a good number of people won’t consider a bike that doesn’t have flat bars because the industry has pushed slammed-down low/uncomfortable road racing bikes for so long. The first thing (again IMO) is to understand where and how you’ll be riding, then start figuring out what kind of bike is good for that. And, unfortunately, it will probably involve going to a lot of different stores after extensive internet-based research because very, very, very few places have a good selection of multiple types of bikes from multiple manufacturers.

[mstone]

@ShawnoftheDread 25582 wrote:

Who is “you” in this reply? I’m not the one who labelled the Trek FX series, Cannondale Quick, Fuji Absolute and the like “hybrids.” The manufacturers did that. If you don’t like that they call their bikes made for both trail and road use hybrids just because they aren’t crappy bikes, take it up with them. I didn’t redefine anything.

Trek FX is filed under “town/fitness”, not hybrid. Cannondale under “Recreation & Urban”. Fuji does prominently use the term hybrid, but always with a modifier like “Performance Road Hybrid” or “Commuter Hybrid”. So I still stand by my position that describing a bike as a “hybrid” is about as useful as describing it as “having two wheels that are the same size”.

Just look back at the history of the term. “Hybrid” was invented by the industry to describe bikes that pulled cheap mass-market components from road racy lines and mountain bikey lines after the industry itself decided that all cheap mass market bikes needed to fit into a road racy or mountain bikey bin. The various attributes of a “hybrid” existed on bikes long before the term was invented, and a bike that can be generally classified as “something non-enthusiasts want to ride” was merely reinvented after the industry realized it had forgotten about that market segment. At this point there’s enough variety that more descriptive terms are necessary.

[GuyContinental]

@mstone 25572 wrote:

Quote Originally Posted by lordofthemark View Post
What would you say to someone who wants to do a short commute, mostly short weekend rides, an occasional longer weekend ride, and who already has a mountain bike for dirt and gravel trails?

use the mountain bike for the short commute, buy whatever you want for whatever kind of weekend ride you plan to do

I concur- use the MTB for most things and get something fun with drop bars for those longer rides (or else you probably won’t do them). The catch there is if your MTB is not exactly bike rack fodder (i.e. it’s nice) then it’s not a good candidate as it will get damaged and could get pillaged. FWIW I don’t subscribe to the “one bike to do it all” theory and instead roll with the “right tool for the job” theory and have lots of bikes (and an understanding wife):

Road Bike for daily commuting and and long rides
CX for adventures, wet weather commuting, commute detours, kid-hauling and traveling
SS MTB for w/e riding and racing
FS MTB for travel MTB, marathon & adventure races and what passes for hard biking around here (rarely used)
1×9 MTB beater for daily kick-around riding (and bike racks), errands and some kid-hauling

(and I want a Tandem for mass-family riding)

Although if I found myself living someplace where one bike was the limit, it would be a CX with a second set of wheels for long rides.

[dasgeh]

@lordofthemark 25570 wrote:

What would you say to someone who wants to do a short commute, mostly short weekend rides, an occasional longer weekend ride, and who already has a mountain bike for dirt and gravel trails?

What surfaces do you ride on? How fast do you go/want to go? How much do you carry?

[5555624]

@lordofthemark 25570 wrote:

What would you say to someone who wants to do a short commute, mostly short weekend rides, an occasional longer weekend ride, and who already has a mountain bike for dirt and gravel trails?

If the MTB has knobby tires, replace them with something smoother and ride it. If it turns out you like the commute and want to do longer weekend rides, then think about getting something else. You may decide you like the MTB. If you’ve already got bike, get out there and ride it.

[vvill]

@consularrider 25493 wrote:

Bikenetic is the one closest to my house and I have been taking my bikes there for work since they opened this year.

Same here – it’s the closest, close to a trail, and bikeable from my house. I’ve been very happy with them so far (although I have two bikes that I bought from Performance that I still take there for basic free services). I have also used Bike Pro Shop in Alexandria once and they were fine (although a bit pricey).

[acc]

Bikenetics has worked on my bikes since last winter. I can’t say enough positive things about the shop and the people who work there. Visiting the shop is like dropping in to see friends.

ann

[Mark Blacknell]

Great advice, so far. My only addition is to underline the warning to stay away from Big Wheel Bikes on Lee Highway/Lyon Village. Search “Big Wheel Bikes” on the forum, if you want details.

[xmlwave]

Wealth of info in this thread! I couldn’t wait till the weekend, so I visited three local shops:

– Performance Bicycle at Bailey’s Crossroads
– REI at Bailey’s Crossroads
– Bike Club on Washington St (Lee Highway) in Falls Church

The friendliest place with the biggest selection was Performance Bicycle. But more about that in a moment.

On the opposite spectrum was Bike Club. The guy there effectively dismissed me for my audacity to look for $500 bike. He even told me that other shops will outright kick me out. Ouch. I guess I am not the right demographic for them, but I was expecting friendlier interaction. At REI the guys were friendly and offered some options, but the prices were outside my range.

So, back to Performance Bicycle. They have some decent prices for hybrids, and now I am contemplating five rather distinct options.

1. Diamondback Insight Fitness Bike for $350
2. 2011 Fuji Absolute 3.0 for $400
3. 2011 Fuji Absolute 2.0 for $600
4. 2012 GT Tachyon 3.0 Fitness Bike for $550 (I think, but not 100% certain)
5. 2012 Charge Tap Fitness Bike for $550

I test drove Fuji Absolute 3.0 and 2012 GT Tachyon 3.0 Fitness Bike; didn’t have time for more. The GT didn’t feel right. Not sure why, but I was expecting more from such pricey bike.

They didn’t have Diamondback Insight in my size, so I couldn’t test drive it, but I really liked the feel of 2011 Fuji Absolute 3.0. Fuji Absolute 2.0 should be the same and the guy there recommended it for the upgraded components.

In light of the price/perfomance ratio of the above bikes, which one would you recommend for cruising on the Arlington trails and occasionally commuting to work (in DC) for about 10miles each way.

I am thinking of buying the bike this weekend.

[KLizotte]

I can’t speak to the quality of the above bikes but I would highly recommend trying out a few more bikes just in case since you’ll find dramatic differences between frame styles/sizes. Also, even if you think the Fuji is “your” bike, you should still see if you can try it out at another store or two because it will give you the ability to try it out in different terrain/traffic situations. The area around Performance Bike in Bailey Crossroads is not bike friendly unfortunately. If you can find a store carrying the same bike near a bike trail or more residential area, you will have more opportunities to really test it out. Going up a hill is much different then riding on the flats.

I walk by Hudson Trail Outfitters every day and they have been advertising a bike sale and I think they carry Fuji. Spokes also has a good range of lower priced bikes and they are very nice to the customers (Bike Club sounds evil).

Keep in mind that you will have to buy a rack, pannier, bell, lights, water cage(s), and inner tube(s); and if you don’t already own one: pump, multi-tool, tire lever, water bottle(s), helmet. Some stores offer free financing.

I would also ask if the stem is replaceable (if necessary) and if they will do it for free. Sometimes after a month of riding, one finds that a shorter/higher/longer stem would make things more comfortable. Most reputable bike shops will replace the first one for free.

[jabberwocky]

One thing about Performance bike, if the store you went to doesn’t have your size, have them check other stores in the area (or call around and check yourself). Especially in that price range (which are the biggest sellers) odds are another shop in the area will have the one you want. There are several Performances in the area.

As for the GT “not feeling right”, thats very common. Different manufacturers have different approaches to geometry. Thats why its good to test ride.

[vvill]

The Charge Tap is an interesting commuter since it’s steel, comes with full fenders and an internally geared hub (IGH), so it’s the most different of your choices. It’s also more unusual/less generic (and a prettier bike imo). The more traditional level top tube could make it a touch harder for riding with non-bike clothes. I’d guess it’s a touch heavier than the others since both frame and fork are steel, and the hub will also be heavy.

The other choices are much of a muchness: entry level aluminum fitness-hybrids with wider tires and wide gearing and it comes down to your preference really. Any of them would be worthy casual/around-town bikes with some zip. It looks like they all have standard stems/handlebars so you can change the stem in future if you need.

The Fuji and GT both have carbon forks so may ride a little more comfortably. Keep in mind that when you test ride a bike it probably won’t be set up ideally for you. You might want to ask them to adjust, at the very least, the saddle height for you before you test ride. The GT has a bit of a smaller wheelbase so the handling may be a teeny bit racier/sharper/less stable. The Fuji has the cables runs over the top of the top tube which makes it easier for shouldering if you need to carry it up stairs, etc.

Btw here are the links to most of those bikes for anyone else:
Fuji 2.0
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1118664_-1___400316
Charge
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1108607_-1___400319
DB
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1117668_-1___400316
GT
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1114671_-1___400316

[pfunkallstar]

The Charge Tap definitely fits the bill of a “ready-to-go commuter bike.”

[ShawnoftheDread]

I agree with vvill on the look of the Charge Tap. That’s a nice looking bike, and much different than the others. But it’s also quite a bit more than the Fuji 3.0 and the Diamondback.

On the two Fujis, others here with more experience will correct me if I’m wrong, but it doesn’t seem like the component difference between the 2.0 and the 3.0 is enough to justify the $200 difference for someone looking for a more entry-level bike. It seems the money is mostly going for the carbon fork. But I’ve never ridden a carbon fork, so can’t comment on how much better they are than the 3.0’s aluminum/steel fork. The cranks, brakes, and gears seem similar enough between the two that I’m not sure you’d notice the differences for some time. I’m sure I wouldn’t.

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