Buying a bike part 1

Oh what joy to be able to post on this subject, vicarious satisfaction knows no bounds!

What sort of bike?

Road bike

You know what a road bike looks like so here is a Cannondale cross bike

Pros:

Light, sexy, fast, aesthetic advantage over all others

Cons:

Fragile, not greate on rough roads/tracks etc, a little impractical with shopping etc

Cross bike

Lemond cross bike

Pros:

Cool factor, disc brakes, practical and light

Cons:

Maybe expensive as in a niche

Hybrid

Trek Soho "fitness bike"

Pros:

Practical, comfortable and durable

Cons:

Geeky/nurdy, bit expensive as again a niche and not really a decision, but the result of failing to make a decision

Mountain bike

This is a Cannondale Urban bike, but it is just an MTB with slick tyres

Pros:

Good value, reasonably practical, disc brakes, cool (extra cool if you get a 29" wheel bike, but then more expensive), versatile. Could be good to get 2 sets of wheels - 700c and 26"

Cons:

Unoriginal, not good on the road, attractive to thieves

Conclusion

Yeah well, I dunno, probably best to get one of each!

But if you only want one, it depends on what you want to do, but I can't help thinking that a road bike is not what you want unless you plan to start riding more on the roads for fun rather than to get from A to B. Otherwise, go with the cross bike or find a cooler hybrid like Trek Soho

Of course you could buy this one, everyone will want it!

It is a Seven, but how about this Moots (from Steamboat Springs so supporting local business) old school touring bike, this is really nice and pretty suitable I would say.

That's it, drive to Steamboat Springs and get the guys to make you one of these, it will be ready by spring and I'm sure they'd do you one with disc brakes if that's what you want.