I've been researching the past month or so into cycling and am looking to purchase my first bike in years. I was wondering if anyone on RM was into biking and could make any recommendations on equipment or accessories. I'm currently looking at a hybrid Trek 7100 and would like to stay with this type of bike as I want to do some riding for fitness and some for fun/comfort. Looking forward to hearing some good stuff.

I am a road rider and mountain biker (terrible mountain biker - no skills - too cautious). The only racing I do is in triathlons. Here is my 2 cents:

Buy a road bike if you will be riding on pavement. Do not mess with a hybrid if you are serious about riding. If you buy a hybrid and get involved with a bike club and club rides you will never be able to keep up with the group on a hybrid. You can ride a racing or touring bike for fun and comfort, and still go fast. There are all sorts of styles. I personally, am more comfortable on a racing bike for long distance rides because there are more positions on the handlebars. With a straight handle bar there is one position and one position only. Plus, you can go much faster with a road bike!

Now that being said, I also own an old hybrid Raleigh that I use to run errands around town.

I own a Cannondale Cyclocross with a front suspension fork which I use to ride Rails to Trails (crushed stone) and the local gravel roads. I also raced cyclocross one time - I was comedic. I really enjoy the cyclocross for my "fun" riding. I can go anywhere, rough roads, gravel, faster on pavement than a mountain bike or straight handlebar hybrid. I also use it on the few occassions I commute to work because I have to travel across the Ohio River on a steel grid bridge.

I have an old GT Avalanche Mountain bike - hard tail (which means front suspension only). My next bike will be a dual suspension mountain bike. A true mountain bike is really only good for singlepath mountain bike trails. Otherwise they are too heavy and too soft (suspension) to ride on streets or easy trails.

I am reallye excited because I just placed an order for a new road bike to replace my 1996 Giant CFR II. My new bike is the Serotta Fierte Titanium. I don't have it yet, but I am counting the days. It should weigh a LOT less than my old Giant. I am hoping I can climb hills a lot faster.

Good luck on buying a bike. Most important issues: Make sure you are buying the right style of bike: road, touring, hybrid, mountain, cyclocross. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, make sure you get a good fitting so you get the right size/ dimensions.