looking to purshase a bike

[raimin]

Since gas is so expensive, and my commute shouldn't be too long(only about 15 miles), i am looking to get a new roadish bike. I currently have a mountain bike, on 26" wheels. Road the path i prob will take this past weekend, and took about 90 mins. Some hills, involved, but was not too bad.

Has anyone looked at flat bar road bikes. I'm went to my local bike shops, and right now considering the jamis coda comp
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08codacomp.html

Fuji Absolute 2.0
http://www.fujibikes.com/2008/bikes.asp?id=465

cannondale road warrior 3.0

Looking at flat bar since I've been riding this mountain bike for last 8 years, and have not ridden a drop down since my old ten speed when i was a kid

i like the fit of the cannondale and jamis especially, since i have a longer torso, and shorter legs,

Any advise would be appreciated
bike are around the 700 price range, mostly deore derailures

[raimin]

can help move to automative and transportation... not sure how i posted in wrong forum

[cheapie]

jamis is a good brand. i've heard nothing but good about them. i'd check out the trek 7.5fx, the specialized sirrus, and maybe a couple others. a bianchi fixed gear might be fun as well.

and good for you. 15 miles is quite a commute. that's 30 miles a day. what i do sometimes is drive to work with my bike on the car, ride home, ride back to work the next day, and then drive home. cuts the riding in half but i still save gas.

[smeakim]

I ride a Cannondale Synapse to commute 16 miles each way in Colorado and love my bike. Based on the prices of the bike you are looking at, it might be wise to get a little nicer of a bike if you can afford it.

I was just talking with a buddy and the comments from one of the Team Directors of Garmin-Chipotle a pro cycling team said the difference between a 1500 and 5000 dollar bike when it all comes down to it for a non professional is not much. However, the difference between a 500 and 1500 bike is tremendous. I think the trek 7.5fx, or 7.6, or even the Portland are great choices. I have ridden a borrowed Portland before my bike and it was quite comfy.

You can get flat bars for any bike if that is a concern. I rarely ride on my drops so if that is a bit intimidating don't let it be. I spend most of my time on my hoods. Mind you they can also adjust the height and length of the stem to get you in a more upright positing. I am much more upright, but for 100 mile rides and because I don't ride professionally I like being more comfortable. Also with the cheaper bikes there is not much room for upgrading. If you move to something that is a 10 speed, with Shimano 105 components you can have some room for upgrades if you find you really like riding. Also a bike in the 1000-1500 range will last you quite a long time and you won't feel as though you need to upgrade anything if you don't want. Just make sure you ride a variety of bikes as they are all much different and feel different.

Just my two cents.

Side Note:
Make sure you go to a shop where they will fit you both to the bike and your cleats to your pedal stroke. A good fit will make all the difference.

[VTGreg]

I was just talking with a buddy and the comments from one of the Team Directors of Garmin-Chipotle a pro cycling team said the difference between a 1500 and 5000 dollar bike when it all comes down to it for a non professional is not much. However, the difference between a 500 and 1500 bike is tremendous.


I read the same article the other day.

Whatever you decide on, buy it from a local bike shop (LBS). You may save a few bucks buying it from a box store but you won't get the bike fit to you and most LBS's include lifetime braking and shifting adjustments on all bikes.

[raimin]

I looked at the trek 7.5fx, didn't like the fit as well.
Also was wondering opinion of aluminum vs steel. Heard that steel provide better ride because of stiffness issue. never rode al bike before, always on cromoly

Price is less of an issue, don't mind going toward the 1500 mark. Def enjoy biking, so not just saving money/gas price issue. may start touring within next 2 years, so looking for bikes i can tour with, and add racks on the eyelets. Not sure, if bying a diff bike for that or using same bike, so that puts options, when i was looking for a bike last week

and while i do love shopping online, to get best prices on electronics
i am buying from my LBS. IN Sf, all the store carries the specific brands, so ive been store hopping a bit between, independent lbs, performance, and sports basement

[smeakim]

You'd really like the Portland as both a bike to communte on as well as tour on. They are pretty nice. I have a buddy who has to ride steel becuase of some health issues and his Bianchi is as light if not lighter than my alumnium bike. His bianchi is really nice. I have never ridden it becuase its too small but he loves it. Mind you he has about 6 road bikes. Cannondale makes some really nice road bikes. If you want something really nice take a look at Felt or even Orbea but you are look at 2K+ for them. I have done a few metrics as well as a few centuries and love my Cannondale. It all really comes down to feel of the bike while you ride it but if you are serious about touring I would not get components below 105s.

[thresher]

I bought a Giant for my commute and I love it. Very solid built and it feels great. A little pricey at $400 but I look at it this way = I ride the bike 3 days a week minimum so it pays for itself in three months.