Claude wrote:

Had my Shogun Metro LX stolen from the garage on Monday night and hence
looking for a new bike. I was happy with the Metro LX and can get a new one
for $999 at Melbourne Bike Centre - its attractive because of the LX/XT
componentry, albeit a little heavy. Does anyone have any views on other
options or places in Melbourne to buy (including used)?
Thanks
Claude

Having not looked at hybrids I don't know their RRP but $999 seems
pretty expensive, doesn't it?

As for recommendations, I suppose it depends on what you want to use it
for. I was happy with my first bike until I tried a new one, you know?
If you pay cash, you could get a road bike for that price, and it won't
be as heavy. I bought a learsport 8000 for $1320 including freight to
BrisVegas, their model with tiagra components is $1099 rrp so they'd
bring it down. I love this bike, it's my commute and training bike, it's
not my race bike.

But if you carry a heavy backpack and ride for more than about half an
hour I wouldn't recommend a roadie for the commute unless you want to
develop nice callouses on your bum, and a hybrid is probably a better
choice, particularly if you're off the main roads, possibly worse
surfaces and/or don't mind the extra weight anyway. Where I used to
commute, buses would regularly pass with about 2 cm clearance. I was
fond of jumping the kerb to save my life and the MTB made the landings a
bit more cushy.

I know a lot of people hold the view that, considering a hybrid and a
mtb at the same rrp, the mtb generally has a better frame. I have no
idea about that, and to be honest I don't see why that would be true. I
only had a short commute so I left the off-road tyres on my mtb but I
know a lot of people who use slicks - which basically converts your
bike.

I forgot your question so I don't know if I answered it.

Tamyka