Conference noted::bicycle

    Hey Everybody,
    Re-1:  I have a Trek 2300 road bike (trying to sell it) (had a 2100)
    and I am very impressed with it.  It seems to me that Trek has road
    bikes figured out.  The geometry is excellent.  I am not very impressed
    with Trek MTB's.  This is just my opinion so take it for what it is
    worth.
    
    I don't know if you know you Greg Hurboldt is (a world class pro
    mtber), but anyway he has a contract with Gripshift.  This past weekend
    in Durango at the IHBC, he was cussing the gripshift stuff pretty
    harshly.  Form what I understand, it is not worth the money.  Again, my
    opinion so take it for what it is worth.  Good Luck in making your
    decision.
             Keep Pedallin'
                  Bob

    When looking for hybrid bikes, consider the kind of riding you will do. 
    Most "hybrids" are really intended for slow road riding.  They will be
    heavier and have a less efficient riding position than road bikes, but
    are not durable enough for off-road use.
    
    Some hybrids are made for off-road use (to some extent).  These will
    almost always have Shimano Deore components.  Deore LX is the lowest
    quality level; many people getting at least Deore DX quality.  Above DX
    are XT and XTR, though these are rarely found on hybrids.  Even the
    Deore LX level is much better than non-Deore Shimano stuff, though
    (e.g., Exage).
    
    Ken
    

    You have probably decided on which bike to buy already.  If not, here
    is some info.
    
    Last year, I purchased a Hybrid.  I looked around for a good deal based
    on component groupings and ride.  I bought the Schwinn CrissCross.
    
    The CrissCross has a mix of SunTour XCT/XCM componentry.  These are
    equivalent in price grouping to the Shimano 200 series (which the Trek
    has).  I prefered the shifters and the feel of the CrissCross over the
    Trek.  In my area (and possibly in yours) the Trek 720 and CrissCross
    should be comparably priced, around $330 - $350.  Also, Schwinn must
    run a promotion because in the spring they typically offer a $50
    discount of any Schwinn bike.
    
    By the way, I also weighed the shop when I bought.  I bought the
    Schwinn from a group that spent some time with me, encouraged me to try
    different bikes, explained to me the different component groupings,
    etc.  The Trek guy fed me the line that "Trek is the preferred
    bike...".  That kind of talk got me angry.
    
    Anyway, if this doesn't help the originator of the topic, I hope it
    helps someone to ask a lot of questions, and expect good answers. 
    Bikes cost money, we deserve competent sales staff.
    
    Jack Boyle
    

I did make a decision.  I checked several places out, even got 
one shop to beat the price I had for the Crosscut.  But in the 
end, I returned to the original Schwinn dealer who went through
the trouble of building the size I wanted to try over the weekend.

I really noticed the difference from riding the other bikes.
The bike felt really comfortable.   The owners /salesperson
does a lot of riding.  He never pressured me into buying any 
particular bike.  I had one dealer, say, so when do you 
want it!   Iam looking forward to using this bike for a long time.


Thanks for the input.  

Bill

    So you (.4) got the Schwinn. I picked the Trek 720,
    and it rides beautifully.  The Trek frames are highly
    recommended (at least they were two years ago when I
    bought my other 720 which unfortunately was recently
    stolen -- it was locked -- from Harvard Square).  I 
    was very happy with that bike. The new one, which I 
    got at the sale price, differs from the old one in that
    this one has the grip shifters.  I too was concerned 
    about these that they would work as well as the
    old system I had.  I think I'll like them. 
    
    Betty Ann Tyson

    Some info for anyone interested.
    
    The Schwinn dealer that I buy my parts at has taken on TREK! I was
    down there during lunch and he showed me a TREK 720. Nice bike I'm
    going to bring my wife down over the week-end to try them out. He has a
    sale going on until the end of the month. List price $419, sales price
    $359.Sounds good to me! I took a short ride on one and I really liked
    the shifting!!! The components seemed to work fine.
    
    I may finally go for a couple of new bikes. I tried a year ago, but did
    not complete the task. I think the time has come!
    
    Bob