Bike advice

I'm looking for a hybrid type bike, with a suspension in the $300-$400 range. Any help would be great as i don't kn w what any of the technical terms mean.

I was really high on the Raleigh C200, and alternatively, the C40. I rode them both a couple times. The C200 gives you better performance, and has better shifters and disc brakes, but the C40 has a more upright riding position. I'd be buying one now, but my new commute will not be bike-practical, so I need a moped.

okay, i have a friend who is way into her bikes.

i asked her this morning about this.

da vinci, cannondale and salomon were the brands she likes best for hybrids.

some hybrids have shocks(either in the forks or under the seat) and some have carbon forks. carbon also absorbs some of the road vibrations.

so from here, it depends on what you want it for. is it for the road mostly? or are you going to want to take offroad and onto trails?

if you're going to take it on trails, get one with some kind of shocks.

if it's just for the road, carbon forks would probably be enough.

she also suggested going used, as there are a lot of good used bikes out there, and that cuts a lot of the cost off.

Well, if you are in the Rochester, NY area (or if you would like to make a special trip) i highly suggest going to Jeramiah's Tavern. They GIVE AWAY a very nice Raleigh M20 (or similar model) bike every Thursday night. You don't even have to do anything except go through the doorway where the nice bouncer will automaticly give you a raffel ticket and be there when they draw your number at 11:30pm. In the past 1 1/2 years richard and i have won two bikes (nomally by 11:30 most people have left so your chances of winning increase substantially)...and you'll most likly meet myself and my husband who you there on a weekly (if not nearly daily) basis.

Just a thought :-)

well, thats a mountain bike, so not what i'm looking for, but i may come up anyway someday.