'Fitness' bikes - your opinions?

[Bluebell72]

I am thinking of getting one of these - I'm mostly a hybrid rider, as although I do the miles (200+ a week) my back is a mess and I don't have the range of movement I used to - so a road bike is out, as any protracted time leaning over becomes very painful for me.

I want something lighter than my current everyday Cube, but with flat bars.


http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_gb/bike/2012/115/Fitness+Bike/S-PRESSO+300-D

Any suggestions folks?

 

[madpensioner]

I am thinking of getting one of these - I'm mostly a hybrid rider, as although I do the miles (200+ a week) my back is a mess and I don't have the range of movement I used to - so a road bike is out, as any protracted time leaning over becomes very painful for me.

I want something lighter than my current everyday Cube, but with flat bars.


http://www.merida-bi.../S-PRESSO+300-D

Any suggestions folks?

200+ miles a week - i think you could give me advice - the one thing that solve your back is light weight training to strengthen your back muscles and make them more flexible - I do 140 miles per wk in summer and 50/60 miles in winter with weight training - my back never suffers and im 71 yrs - simple plastic dumbells will do 3 kg each - all the best Leigh

 

[vickster]

I have always been very impressed with Whyte's offerings, very light bikes with disc brakes etc...if one of the available sizes (S - up to 5'6 or M - up to 5'10) works for you and you can get top one of their branches (they are more down south), this is a very good deal with the 2012 models being £900

http://www.cyclesuk....2011_W11CAM1S-1

JE James have too (in S/L), they are closer to Hull in S Yorks
http://www.jejamescy...item166229.html

 

[HLaB]

I am thinking of getting one of these - I'm mostly a hybrid rider, as although I do the miles (200+ a week) my back is a mess and I don't have the range of movement I used to - so a road bike is out, as any protracted time leaning over becomes very painful for me.

I want something lighter than my current everyday Cube, but with flat bars.


http://www.merida-bi.../S-PRESSO+300-D

Any suggestions folks?

Fitness bikes is just a generic term, others say fast hybrid, flat bar road bike, etc. Lighter still I think are the Spesh sirrus, giant Rapide, ridgeback flight, boardman hybrid, Marin Fairfax and various others, you might want to check them out. Merida's have a good name though, but myself for distances, if I couldn't go drop, I'd go for a bigger chainring, good luck!

 

[Bluebell72]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Pauln]

I too have trouble with my back and I ride a Boardman hybrid, it is fast and fairly light. I really do like it.

 

[VamP]

I have always been very impressed with Whyte's offerings, very light bikes with disc brakes etc...if one of the available sizes (S - up to 5'6 or M - up to 5'10) works for you and you can get top one of their branches (they are more down south), this is a very good deal with the 2012 models being £900

http://www.cyclesuk....2011_W11CAM1S-1

JE James have too (in S/L), they are closer to Hull in S Yorks
http://www.jejamescy...item166229.html

+1 for Whyte

Maybe test ride a cross bike or two as well (Saxon Cross is a good example). Riding on the hoods is IMO not any more leaning forward than flat bars on a bike with nice relaxed geometry such as the Saxon Cross.

 

[Jezston]

200 miles a week in one hand position doesn't sound like too much fun.

If your back is a mess, have you considered a recumbent?

 

[Bluebell72]

200 miles a week in one hand position doesn't sound like too much fun.

I have bar ends as well!

My back is only bad if I am in a load bearing position for any length of time.
I went to pilates and that helped a lot, but I've got out of the habit, a sorry excuse I know.

I think I'm just in the mood for a new bike and will get winter tyres for it ready-to-go.

(there should be a money-tossing smilie)