Im 6’2” 215lbs and in good shape for a 59 year old. I currently have a 14 year old Trek 7300 hybrid and Im looking to upgrade for under $1000. I ride 10-20 miles a few times a week on a bike path and a few miles around town on the sidewalks a couple times a week. I like to push pretty hard when I ride on the path. Im looking at a fitness type bike with carbon fork (for comfort) and disc brakes (why not?). I do not want front suspension or drop down handle bars. There are limited bike dealers in my area and none of them have the specific bikes I am considering but have step down models that they say would give me a feel for the bike I want and they could then order it for me.
Questions:
Does it make sense to test drive a bike that they claim is similar to the bike I want and base my decision from that? For instance test drive a Cannondale Quick 5 and purchase the upgrade to Quick 3.
Comfort is important and I am wondering if dropping down from my current tires to narrower 700x32c (or 700x30c in the case of the Cannondale) will be noticeable.
The four bikes I am considering are -
Jamis Allegro Elite
Trek FX3 disc
Connondale Quick 3 disc
Giant Escape 1 disc
Any input on these models is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Questions:
Does it make sense to test drive a bike that they claim is similar to the bike I want and base my decision from that? For instance test drive a Cannondale Quick 5 and purchase the upgrade to Quick 3.
Comfort is important and I am wondering if dropping down from my current tires to narrower 700x32c (or 700x30c in the case of the Cannondale) will be noticeable.
The four bikes I am considering are -
Jamis Allegro Elite
Trek FX3 disc
Connondale Quick 3 disc
Giant Escape 1 disc
Any input on these models is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.