So who knows something about bicycles?

Triton

Triton

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Aug 8, 2000
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Specifically I'm interested in hybrid bicycles but I really don't know anything at all about what are quality brands etc. That probably means of course that a quality bike would be wasted on me anyway, but there you have it. I was looking at performance bike .com and they've got several that seem to be in my price range (500 dollars or less) but they may be crap for all I know. Diamondback? Breezer? Something else entirely? I'm just riding this on 10 mile or so rides a few times a week as part of my exercise program so I don't need that carbon fiber wonder that costs multiple thousands of dollars etc. etc. So what's good?
 
I purchased a mtn. bike from bikesdirect.com and had it assembled at a local bike shop for fairly cheap, so far it's been a good deal. While I don't know much about hybrids, the Kona Smoke has caught my eye, and it's pretty cheap for a brand name bike. There's a lot of info at bikeforums.net, too
 
Diamondback is a great brand, also If you do want some quality Specialized is great and priced well.
 
Thank you for the suggestions guys. I'll check out that forum as well.
 
Specialized, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, GT... Diamondback is good too. Stay away from dept stores... you'll get a crappy 50 lb bike with crappy components.
So, $500 budget, lessee here, you're looking at 21 or 24 speed (3x7 or 3x8 drivertrain), aluminum frame.
You can get a lot for your $$ at bikesdirect, bicyclebuys or roadbikeoutlet... The diamondback at performance is okay, though.

If you've never been on a bike, or haven't for a while, I suggest going to a bike shop, at least to try a few and find your size if you plan on mail-ordering.
 
I'd say get fitted before you do anything. That's the biggest factor in getting the right bike for you.
 
I just purchased one today. if you are looking for a hybrid check out the Specialized Crosstrail Sport and the Raleigh Misceo. You can use them as road bikes and mountain bikes. There are 3 models in each line, and the cheapest is less than $500 i think.
 
With a $500 budget I would recommend two ways to attain a bike that you actually want.

1. Save more money
2. Search locally for used bikes. I see plenty of $1000 bikes on Craiglist going for a few hundred that are in good shape.




If you are planning on using the bicycle any decent amount you want something that is backed by a quality name. Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Giant, Raleigh, and others.

With bicycles you want to spend as much as possible. Money does buy quality when talking about bicycles. :thumbup: also a :thumbdn: :p
 
Read the posts above again. ;) They are spot on.

Make sure you fitted first, buy a recognized brand, and if you are patient look for one that was ridden twice last year and is now used as a coat rack. :)
 
The only problem with buying a used bike from a "stranger" is how will you know if it functions as it should? It's a great way to get a better price, but only if you are getting a quality bike, not a bent frame.

Go to a real bike shop, not only to get fitted, but look at their used bikes. I got a $500 Specialized Hard Rock for 1/2 price, so I paid $225 after tax. It was broken in, and had been tuned up. They had a 30 day warranty on the bike, so if I had any issues they would have helped out with some adjustments or repairs.

For the amount of riding you'll be doing, I would look for a quality used bike, that has been at least checked by a bike tech, if not from a store. At least go to a store to get sized.
And, have fun!
 
Cyclist for about 40 years. Maintain and set up a fleet of 25 police bikes. Repair and refurbish bikes for re-sale....

Anyway.... Someone with no real background wanting to "get into" cycling faces a confusing array of types, styles, and prices these days.
First thing to ask...What do you intend to do with the bike? Cruise around the neighborhood with the kids? Ride the local rails-to-trails? Commute? Serious fitness training? Bombing through the woods on tough trails?
Essentially, you can break the myriad of bikes into three styles.
1. Roadsters. Bikes intended to travel on pavement, and at decent speed. They have narrow, high-pressure tires, "drop" bars, and so forth.
2. Mountain bikes. Intended for off-road use, they feature fat knobby tires, low gearing, tough components, sturdy frames, etc.
3. Hybrids. Also called "fitness" bikes and "comfort" bikes these days. A road-type frame with mountain-bike type components and intermediate tires.
A possible fourth category is what companies are calling "urban" bikes.... Think of a mountain bike with road tires.

Of these, the hybrid is a good choice for many casual riders. Upright riding position, easy to control, reasonably capable on pavement and also handles "improved" trails pretty well.
Also, they tend to be cheaper...
Almost all of the major brands will try to put out a bike at all "price points". They are as alike as peas in a pod. You are looking at a spec-built frame, manufactured in China (often in the same plant) with various brand-name components bolted on.
It's only when you get up into expensive iron that you get made-in-the-US frames and deluxe components.
In the price range you mention, you should be able to pick up a fairly decent major-brand hybrid or fitness bike. I just sold a very nice Trek for only 250.00.
Make sure it fits! A good shop will help you pick out a properly-sized bike.
 
Katdaddy said:
I'm going to show my ignorance here. What I'd involved in getting fitted for a bike?
Click to expand...

a quick fit involves height measurement, inseam measurement, torso length, arm length, femur length, shoulder width. From there, someone experienced can get you into the proper size frame, and get the bike set up with proper seat height, seat distance behind the bottom bracket, the proper stem height, proper reach, and proper handlebar width.

most reputable shops will help you with a quick fitting for free. A custom fitting can cost several hundreds of dollars...
 
You've been given several good names to look for and I'll add Bianchi. They make a hybrid in your price range that looks to be pretty decent. If I was in your shoes I'd probably look closest at Specialized; in the sub-$700 bikes it appears to me that they have a better spec sheet than most of the other brands.

pelotonjon said:
I'd say get fitted before you do anything. That's the biggest factor in getting the right bike for you.
Click to expand...

A huge +1.
 
Wow, thanks for all the insight everyone! I will definitely go by the local bike shop and figure out what size bike to get and see what they've got on the used rack too. I figured that as with everything the more you spend the better the item gets however, I'm just using this bicycle to ride 2-3 times a week as part of my fitness regimen so I don't have to have something that's super high end. I've got an old Trek mountain bike that I'm using now, but it seems to be less than optimal on the paved streets and trail I've been riding on. I can't help thinking that better gear would lead to improved performance. Craigs list is a good thought too, I'll start haunting that. I'm in no hurry so I can definitely do this right.
 
Definately up your budget if possible. One good site to look at would be Jensonusa but i would recommend a good shop as others have said. I'm an avid mountain biker so i don't know a ton about hybrid bikes but as far as brands go: kona, Jamis (excellent stuff), specialized, santa cruz, salsa cycles, surly, canondale, trek etc. Alot of these companies offer all different types of bikes so you should be able to find what fits your needs. In my experience, hybrid bikes aren't as great as choosing either a mointain or road bike. The two types are pretty different and its hard to find a "happy medium". If you're only going to be riding on the street, a road ir commuter bike would be best. If you want to do some trail riding, go for a hard tail (front suspension only) mountain bike. They are excellent off road and are more than adequate for on road use. Hope this helps and good luck in your search.
 
get fitted, ride a few different styles at a local shop, then feel free to order online with the info you have. I ride a Jamis Durango, might step onto a full suspension bike next year. I'll agree with others saying to up your budget if possible. Good luck with the search!

Tony
 
I guess if I try stuff out at the local shop I'll probably buy at the local shop, after all if I don't and nobody else does either I guess eventually there won't be a local shop. I guess that's another discussion entirely. :) Thanks for the advice. I do appreciate it.
 
an older guy viewpoint ....before it was stolen, I rode a GT ATS4, the low end full suspension mountain bike from GT (with an elastic absorber and articulated rear) for what I wanted as an around town, flat surface casual rider, the rear suspension was really not necessary, and absorbed a lot of pedal energy... the RockShock fronts however saved my butt several times....liked the Shimano derailleur and especially the rapid shift...after a motorcycle accident and some rotator cuff problems, the extreme forward position of the handlebars caused me to change necks several times (clamp on), and that became expensive to achieve a more upright riding position to take the strain off my shoulder...also, changed the width of the tires to around 1.95 to reduce rolling friction, and added heavy duty thornproof tubes...really never used the either of the two smaller crank sprockets... as much as I like the GT a Specialized or Trek would probably have been a better choice.. not too many mountains in Florida
 
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