I'm currently riding on a Toys-R-Us $69.99 special-for the last 5 years. It works for keeping in shape and riding along with my 10 year old and his friends, but I'm thinking about getting serious about cycling, especially with a bike-a-thon fundraiser event coming up in April. Any thoughts about the 2007 MOTOBECANE le CHAMPION SL ? Saw it on ebay, and other sites for about $1200. Never heard of it before, but I have heard of Trek (thanks to Lance and the tour-de-Lance), but they seem outrageously priced, although the motobecane seems a little stratospheric as well. I do realize that bikes can easily cost 4 to 6 time more than even this motobecane model, but it does still seem excessive to me in my currently ignorant and uneducated view. Is this something I should spend that kind of money on? I spend a ton on my photo equipment, but that lasts forever and a day. My cheapo bike still works well, replaced the tires once, patched them more than a few times, but is heavy (28 lbs) and clunky compared to my business partners $2700 bike (don't recall what make/brand, but I do remember it weighs in at 17 lbs). Is it worth the extra $1100 to buy a bike like the Motobecane or a similar Trek model?:confused: I ride maybe an hour at most with my kids, usually on the hills of my neighborhood, sometimes we drive out to the American River and ride the trails there for about 20 miles. I weigh in at a hefty 150-155 on a 5'7" frame if that helps anyone.
Thanks in advance.
Leon

I ride a Specialized hybrid and love the thing. I don't ride it near enough right now and won't set any speed records with it, but it still keeps on going. They have a full lineup, as does Trek, Cannondale and many others. Check out their website. Do you have any local shops that can point you in the right direction? Maybe they have a few used rides that you can check out try on one of their organized rides.

Boy do I need to get back on the road again. I'm one of the few semi-roadies that actually uses the marked paths instead of taking up traffic

You might want to check in on this (http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=67) forum. Its the Norcal forum of Photographyrevew's sister site MTBR.com. Or there is a Norcal forum on Roadbikereview.com as well you could check on.

The guys on the Norcal board (It sounds like you're from around Sacramento area) can point you to a few different shops to get opinions & prices on bikes.

Thanks guys. I stopped off today at the cycle shop where I bought my son's Specialized mountain bike 2 years ago. He's almost outgrown it, but can still hang on a little longer till his birthday in May. I picked up a Trek 6000 Disk Hardtail aluminum for $650 before taxes. It's a lot more responsive than my current junker, at least half the weight (which must make my toys-r-us special about 50-60 lbs since this model apparently weighs in at 28 lbs), and seems effortless to ride. It's being tuned tonight and having a bottle rack attached. I'll pick it up in the morning and have my son's Specialized tuned as well. I'll donate my old bike to the hospice on the way and start biking anew.

Grats on the new bike. I was just checking in here to see the scoop :)

Thanks Trevor. Picked it up today, along with a Trek 4300 disc, 13"(xs), for my 5'0" wife because the 4300 wsd doesn't come standard with disk brakes, and the 13" mens is actually a bit smaller than the womens small. The guys at Bob's cycle center were very nice and replaced the stock seat with a very nice lady's seat. Also picked up a solo trailer for my daughter to ride in until she can ride her own bike (which she'll get on her birthday-also in may like her brother). I got the 17.5" Trek 6000 since I'm a little short, just standard model, no mods or upgrades. Not as nice as the 6500 and 6700 which I initially wanted, but noticeably lighter than the 4 series below it. Still rides a heck of lot nicer than my old bike by a galactic light year. My wife is equally happy with hers, since she has the women's version of my toys-r-us special. I decided to buy a lesser bike so that i could buy one for Alisa too-the family that rides together stays together-right?
Eventually I'll either treat myself to a really nice bike (like a motobecane or a trek top fuel sl or session 10), or start upgrading the components on my bike if I find myself becoming one with my bike's frame. I really didn't know what i was missing all these years riding the cheap kmart and toys-r-us specials. I'm glad I didn't scrimp on my son's bike though, and he gets to pick out his next bike on his birthday (gulp!). I'm thinking of getting a pure road bike too sometime (are the motobecane line up pretty good, or should i stick to trek?).
Pics-the Pacifica is my old clunker, pretty, but awful-now that I know the difference. The 6000 is the one by the garage door. Had to get a family portrait of the rides before going out on our evening trek.

Motobecane's are fine. Heck, most bike's are pretty good. There are lots of brands and choices out there so don't limit yourself to those two. Check out some other LBS's as some carry other brands that others don't.

I'm glad you're happy. It's a big difference going between mountain and road bikes. You might be amazed how much drag those knobby tires add :) In fact, if you're mostly riding on paved trail/roads I'd consider getting some slicks for your family's bikes. You'll be able to ride longer with less fatigue.

Have fun!

Make sure to visit roadbikereview.com. There is lots of info there from people asking similar questions to yours.