Bike advise
I am looking to purchase a new bike. I am not into racing, or serious trail riding. There are however a lot of gravel roads around here. I am thinking a hybrid would be a good choice. ? I am not looking for a carbon fiber bike or anything like that; I just want a good serviceable bike, something that won't fall apart in the first 3 months. Anyone have any advise on what I should be looking at.
Work is for those who don't know how to fish.
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin, 1759
Hey,
Here's a picture of the bike I recommended to my buddy back in Iowa who also has lots of gravel, some pavement and bits of rutted dirt road. It's a 2007 Specialized Rock Hopper and he bought it used (with minimal miles) off of Ebay for $600. As you can see (I hope), he has a rear rack and bags (panniers) he uses to carry his stuff.
This is the second Rock Hopper I've recommended to new bikers looking for a versatile, all purpose bike. They both feel the bike is a perfect fit for their needs.
He searched Ebay for someone close to home selling a RockHopper so he could pick it up and avoid shipping costs and having to put the bike back together after it had been dismantled. I have a similar type mountain bike for my daily rider except it's a Fuji Tahoe I got on clearance a couple years ago here in Denver. We all replaced the mountain bike tires with less knobby tires so the bike runs well on literally any surface.
My buddy riding his RockHopper along the Missouri River. He had to ride 40 miles on pavement/gravel to get to this level 3 road he's on in the picture.

Boner
Here's a picture of the bike I recommended to my buddy back in Iowa who also has lots of gravel, some pavement and bits of rutted dirt road. It's a 2007 Specialized Rock Hopper and he bought it used (with minimal miles) off of Ebay for $600. As you can see (I hope), he has a rear rack and bags (panniers) he uses to carry his stuff.
This is the second Rock Hopper I've recommended to new bikers looking for a versatile, all purpose bike. They both feel the bike is a perfect fit for their needs.
He searched Ebay for someone close to home selling a RockHopper so he could pick it up and avoid shipping costs and having to put the bike back together after it had been dismantled. I have a similar type mountain bike for my daily rider except it's a Fuji Tahoe I got on clearance a couple years ago here in Denver. We all replaced the mountain bike tires with less knobby tires so the bike runs well on literally any surface.
My buddy riding his RockHopper along the Missouri River. He had to ride 40 miles on pavement/gravel to get to this level 3 road he's on in the picture.

Boner
I have a Trek 4500 mountain bike which serves me well, but for the area I ride in, I don't need a mountain bike, so I have also been looking at the Trek Soho series or the Sport Urban. I have also looked at the Trek 7000 series. I have had my Trek 4500 for about 10 years and have had to do minimal work to it, and for the most part just a good tune up overall.
Here's the bike I ride (though not the trail version) and it is head and shoulders more comfortable then the typical upright, lean-over-until-your-wrists-and-butt-goes-numb bike. Check it out:
http://ransbikes.com/Dynamik%20Trail07.htm
Also go to crankforward.com for more information.
A bike that is similar in geometry but looks more "normal" is one of the Townie bikes made by Electra:
www.electrabike.com
http://ransbikes.com/Dynamik%20Trail07.htm
Also go to crankforward.com for more information.
A bike that is similar in geometry but looks more "normal" is one of the Townie bikes made by Electra:
www.electrabike.com
I just recieved this bike for my birthday:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1262/2930 5/
Giant Boulder SE
Got it out the door for about $350 including taxes, a water bottle / cage, and helmet.
I love it, it's light, not over the top (Yet, eventually I hope to get one that's a bit over the top when I have more confidence riding and this one wears out), and I'm not afraid to take it anywhere but the most intensive off-road trails.
Look around on thier site, they also have one - the Rincon - that's more of a commuter type bike, but still has mountain bike qualities to it.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1262/2930 5/
Giant Boulder SE
Got it out the door for about $350 including taxes, a water bottle / cage, and helmet.
I love it, it's light, not over the top (Yet, eventually I hope to get one that's a bit over the top when I have more confidence riding and this one wears out), and I'm not afraid to take it anywhere but the most intensive off-road trails.
Look around on thier site, they also have one - the Rincon - that's more of a commuter type bike, but still has mountain bike qualities to it.
I test rode a lot of bikes and fell in love with my Raleigh Venture 4.0.
SO comfortable, lots of good features for the heftier rider...Raleighs are high quality and this one has pretty decent components that will last if you dont abuse it.
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/comfort/venture-40/
SO comfortable, lots of good features for the heftier rider...Raleighs are high quality and this one has pretty decent components that will last if you dont abuse it.
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/comfort/venture-40/
-Adam - 6'6" - From 450 lbs to GOAL in 9 months...
Phase 1: Completed 10/2008.
Phase 2: Weightlifting - Goal: Add 40 lbs of muscle. Completed 2/15/2011.
Phas 3: Cut to 10% body fat.
MY STORY: imthebiggestloser.blogspot.com/
I don't know how good of a bike it is but, I finally bought a Specialized HardRock Comp. Aluminum Frame 21 speed, 3 years old so it does not have the disk brakes. It is used but doesn't look like it has been rode much if at all.
Work is for those who don't know how to fish.
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin, 1759