Ok, so Im moving, I have some little money that I can treat myself with.. what lines of bikes do you recommend?

Most of the riding will be commuting on semi-rural paved roads - not much heavy duty off road-... any recs?

Need more info.

Do you want the traditional drop bars like a road bike, or do you want flat bars so you're sitting upright (more comfortable, but not as aerodynamic).

If you want the drop bars, I'd think about a cyclocross bike. They look like a road bike, but there's more room so you can run wider tires w/ a little bit of knobs on them. Plus, cross bikes would be easier to ride roads w/ potholes & a bit of dirt on them (they're made to be raced off-road somewhat).

That's what I'm thinking.

I don't know enough about manu's cyclocross lines to recommend one. I know Redline makes decent ones, along w/ Bianchi.

What's your budget?

fp

Yeah Im thinking drop bars.. I was looking at Kona's asphalt line (Jake the Snake specifically)? My budget is well, as little as I can spend to get a nice bike that I wont run to trade-in after 6 months. I know how much cyclocrosses cost.. so Im prepared.

EDIT: Now Im wavering, I could go with the flatbars as well.. in fact, Im thinking comfortability over ergo.. Im not going to race or anything.. so

You have a shop nearby? What do they sell?

It's important you actually sit on the bike before you buy, just so you get the right size.

You'd better do some more research on what you want, first. It's like you say, you don't want to trade it in just because you didn't make the right choice.

MTBR.com has a road site- you can offer up your questions on one of their forums and get lots of opinions.

Too tall for me (i'm a hair over 5'9") but I'm long torso, shorter legs...

Good price, nice components.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alan-Cross-Ultral-C ... dZViewItem

great bike...

honest price so far...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cannondale-Cyclocro ... dZViewItem

and it's in Michigan.

Damn, i'm thinking about bidding on it.

There are many shops around- and I am more than willing to travel to pick up a bike- Im more worried about getting the right bike than convenience of what the shop sells (Ill travel the tri-state area).

I will check that site out thanks.. I like the redlines and bianci

You know if I wasnt moving, I would think about it. BUT Im thinking of buying new this time- esp. since I need to figure the right size of the bike.. Im a small guy.

ok Im looking at the Specialized tricross....

I think Im going to pull the trigger on the Specialized tricross comp double... stop me.

that bike seems a little expensive for what you've said you'll just be doing. i'm riding a specialized allez now and it's tremendous - and cheaper.

Ride a few first, I like the Redlines and Bianchis too, especially the Bianchi Axis.

I do like that specialized though.

Those wheels look like they'd be a pita to true.