I'm looking for some experienced opinions. About 11 years ago I bought a Specialized Stumpjumper and used it about 4 times or 30-km a week on street and trails. I met my wife 8 and I switched from biking to inline skating and didn't get much use out of the bike so I sold it about 5 years ago. Now we have a five year old and a one year old and we are having a hard time keeping up with the 5 year old on the bike while skating and occasionally pushing a jogging stroller so we are now thinking of buying a pair of bikes for my wife and I.
Our budget for the two bikes including taxes is $750 CAD out the door. It was easy when I bought my last bike because I didn't have as tight a budget and I was able to buy one of the better models from one of the better brands. Now with a tighter budget it looks like it might be a little togher. What we need now are two bikes that will be ridden mostly on residential roads, a few sidewalks and some dedicated paved bike paths. My wife will use hers to ride with my 5 year old into school pulling a bike trailer with our 1 year old when weather permits and I'll use mine maybe once or twice a week to go on a family ride. So I don't really expect either bike to be used more than maybe 100 kms per season. I'm thinking a hybrid type bike with some sort of mild suspension would be best for the both of us but the suspension can be omitted if necessary.
We started our shopping this weekend and I'm now realizing our budget might make it difficult to get two good quality bikes...
We started at Canadian Tire. There were a few hybrids there and we specifically saw a Raleigh Prism for $300 and a Raleigh Sport for $350 but the problem was that they were on the top display rack out of reach and their "bicycle guy" was on lunch. We didn't want to wait so we moved on to our next stop...
Sportchek was the next place we stopped. It seemed like they had all of their stock on the floor, which was better than Crappy Tire, but they only had one hybrid -- a Nakamura CB100 for $224. I did a bit of adjustment to the seat and took it for a spin. It seemed quiet and comfortable. I lowered the seat a bit for my wife and she took it for a quick one too and she had no problems with it. They only had the one in stock and they said they could also order in the woman's model. This looked like a great bike at a great price but we were still looking around.
Our last stop was into Sporting Life which I though of as more of like a specialty bike shop. The teenaged sales person there straight out told me that we shouldn't buy anything less than their Giant Cypress model at $400 and even with that model we might be wasting our money and should move up to the Cypress DX model at $500. I proceeded to tell him that we saw the Nakamura at SportChek and he said it was a sub-crappy house brand and that Raleighs used to be good 20 years ago but they aren't anymore. He sort of ignored me from that point on and went to assist someone else.
We're now left wondering if he was talking crap about those other brands just to sell his or if it really was the truth. I did have a Raleigh about 30 years ago and it was a good bike at the time. My sister had a Nakamura about 6 years ago and hers seemed to stand up well to a lot of use and she seemed to like it before it was stolen. I tried to do some internet research on the Nakamura brand and nothing really shows up except a couple of comment here on this board that they are. I know you get what you pay for generally, but would the additional $170 to $400 we would have to spend over our budget to buy his Giant brand bikes be that worthwhile, considering how much we would use the bikes and how we use them?
Thanks in advance for any information or wisdom that can be shared.
SeaBee63
05-04-05, 12:38 PM
What!?!?! No one has an opinion on this? You know this is the internet don't you? ;)
Should I maybe repost this topic to the General Discussions forum?
jeff williams
05-04-05, 12:48 PM
http://www.sportchek.ca/product_description.jhtml?id=prod2851589&fromSpecificCategory=true
Frame Hi-Tensile Steel Great durabilty and strength. Crap
Brakes V-Brakes Provides exceptional gripping power for quick and smooth stops ?Who's brakes?
Accessories Rear rack for storage and kick stand Rather some Shimano components than add-ons.
Suspension Front-fork and seat-post suspension Reduces vibrations on your upper body and posterior making the ride more comfortable. Nice way to say rides like hell without.
In house brand...if they are not saying who made the components, they are likely generic and awful.
http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?year=2004&model=10783 -The Cypress features a lightweight 6061 aluminum frame with Ideal Body Position Geometry. The aluminum suspension fork and 7-speed Shimano Altus gear system are all part of a great ride.
This company makes some good bikes.
Cypress:
Specifications:
color Men's/ Women's: Black
Men's: Merlot/Silver
Women's: Blue/Silver
size M: 15", 17", 19", 21", 23"
W: 15", 17", 19"
frame Light weight 6061 alumimum, Comfort-Designed "Ideal Body Position Geometry"
derailleur Front: Shimano C102, Rear: Shimano Altus
derailleurshifters Grip Shift MRX, 7-speed
cranks Giant, 28/38/48T
pedals Comfort Platform
handlebar Steel 1.25" rise
stem Adjustable Alloy
brakes Alloy, Direct pull w/ power control
saddle VARIABLE-DENSITY Comfort
seatpost Alloy Micro-adjust Suspension, 30.8, QR Seat lever
rims Alloy, 36H
hubs (Front) Alloy, 36H, QR, (Rear) Shimano RM-40, 36H, QR
tires Cross Comfort Anti-Puncture, 700x40c with Slime Sealant Filled Tubes
cassette Shimano 14-34T, 7-speed
spokes Stainless steel 14G
additional Chainguard
The dx will get you an 8spd cassette (seven is kinda redundant -everything is 8-9), perhaps a better cassette. A probably better fork, but still no winner.
You should look into Trek etc to see the comparision of components you'll get at your price range.
I don't really like the bikes...I'd go with the Giant DX recommendation, the kid was not fooling, but he is trying to sell Giant bikes.
Other companies, stores may have better offers -buy a reduced '04 model of something more HQ.
Good luck.
SeaBee63
05-04-05, 07:33 PM
The dx will get you an 8spd cassette (seven is kinda redundant -everything is 8-9), perhaps a better cassette. A probably better fork, but still no winner.
You should look into Trek etc to see the comparision of components you'll get at your price range.
I don't really like the bikes...I'd go with the Giant DX recommendation, the kid was not fooling, but he is trying to sell Giant bikes.
Other companies, stores may have better offers -buy a reduced '04 model of something more HQ.
Good luck.
Thanks for your reply. I did a quick check on the Trek dealers in my area and it looks to me like the '05 Hybrid or Comfort models, like the 7100 or the Navigator 100 both start at around $450 CAD which is out of my budget range. As I said, I haven't shopped for a bike in at least 10 years, so I was wondering if I might find '04 models of similar specifications in the $350 CAD range?
I'll call around tomorrow and see what I can find. I'd like to go around to the shops, but the weekends are the only convenient time for me and I'm busy for the next 5 weekends with a whole bunch of family functions and stuff. By the time I get a chance to get out and shop around the season will be over, or at least up here in Canada's two weeks of summer. ;)
http://tbn.ca/retailer/rtdb/at.htm Go through the Can online retailers and see who has what.
I'm in Can, run Google to find bike retailers in your province and see what you can find.
That Norco might do, on the road mostly =semi-slick smaller tires and off you go.
Fuji seems to have some entry bikes, but I know nothing of them.
cdnguy
05-05-05, 12:39 AM
Norco has a pretty decent entry level bike I think it is called the Katmandu, and I believe from my visits to my LBS that it is reasonably priced ($350 CAD).
lin
05-06-05, 08:41 AM
I recently got a Trek Navigator 100 (04 model) for $400 CAN + tx of course. Last year's models often go on sale. I like the bike very much so far.
I wanted to try to get a used bike but none of the local bike shops had the kind of bike I wanted secondhand.
SeaBee63
05-06-05, 09:49 AM
Norco has a pretty decent entry level bike I think it is called the Katmandu, and I believe from my visits to my LBS that it is reasonably priced ($350 CAD).
This Norco looks like it might meet our needs, based on what I've learned in the past week -- any thoughts? The retail on it is $404 but I suspect we might be able to do a bit better on that if we're buying two.
FRAME: Aluminum Tear Drop tubing with Anti Flex Stays. Suspension Comfort 700c Geometry.
FORK: SR M2000 700 c suspension fork with 50 mm travel.
HEADSET: 1 1/8? threaded
CRANKS/CHAINGUIDE: Suntour NEX 200 48/38/28T 170mm, Silver on Silver , W Guard.
PEDALS Resin ATB
CHAIN: KMC 1/2 X3/32 ? Z50
FREEWHEEL: Shimano TZ 37 7 speed 14-34 T
FRONT CHANGER: Shimaon C 051 31.8 top pull
REAR CHANGER: Shimano TX 30 Long cage direct mount.
SHIFTERS: Shimano EF 29 7 speed EZ fire.
BAR: Aluminum 40 mm rise 15 degree sweep 600 mm wide.
STEM: 25.4 Quill type adjustable rise 90 mm or 110 mm extension
GRIPS: New Dual density comfort grip
FRONT BRAKE: Alloy V brakes
REAR BRAKE: Alloy V brakes
BRAKE LEVERS: Shimaon EF 29 combo levers
FRONT HUB: Formula OV 31 Q/R 100 mm OL
REAR HUB: Formula OV 31 135 mm OL. Quick Release.
RIMS: 700 C Silver anodized trekking rims. 36 H
SPOKES: 14 G Stainless with Brass nipples
TIRES: Kenda 700X35C Smooth rolling tread design.
SADDLE: Velo Comfort saddle with Elastomer springs
SEATPOST: Suspension seat post with micro adjust head. 27.2 X350 mm
COLOURS: Blue/Met Black
WEIGHT: 32.5 lbs
SUGGESTED RETAIL: $404 Cdn.
SIZES: 14/16/18/20/22,(15,17,19 L)
SeaBee63
05-06-05, 10:01 AM
I recently got a Trek Navigator 100 (04 model) for $400 CAN + tx of course. Last year's models often go on sale. I like the bike very much so far.
I wanted to try to get a used bike but none of the local bike shops had the kind of bike I wanted secondhand.
Yeah, I've saw the Navigators on the Trek website and thought I would try to find a local dealer. There's one out in Misissauga that I might be able to get to. I was also thinking maybe the 7100 looked good -- but what do I know.
JenM
05-06-05, 11:19 AM
I really like cruisers. I have a single-speed Dyno, but I really like the Electra Townies.
PinkFloyd
05-06-05, 09:45 PM
I've had a Cypress since Aug 2004 and have over 1200 miles on it (and I'm 240-250 lbs). It's been a great starter bike and, even though I bought a very nice road bike (for longer stuff and club rides), I decided to keep the Giant as an extra, for bad weather riding and for short recreational/fitness rides. For $289 USD, it's turned out to be a heck of a value.
My riding buddy has the Cypress DX. 8 speeds instead of 7, nicer front forks (adjustable), slightly better wheels. I do like my handlebars better though (not as much "swoop"). For the kind of riding you are describing, the standard Cypress should be just fine.
Get plenty of LED flashing red lights for the rear, especially for rides with the kids.
dedhed
05-07-05, 12:04 AM
I've bought 4 hybrids and 1 mt bike in the last 1½ years due to wife, children, theft etc.
each of these has been less than $400 US. I will recommend staying away from "no name" stuff even if your only riding 100km (62 mi?) a season. While many people can and do run these without problems. for example our now teen kids had 20" Murray "Doom" 5 speeds that got pounded and did many 25 mi charity rides with next to no maintenance or problems. I do feel an entry level, quality manufacturer does a better job. I've found most of these bikes are very comparable and often run the same or very similar components in this price range. I would go into the shop and say, Look we want to buy two bikes right now here's what we have to spend. We have small children and bike frequently. These children will be needing bikes, helmets, accessories etc over the next 20 years. Try to let them know you want to be a regular customer.
The bikes we've bought have been a '02 Marin San Rafeal bought in '03, an '03 gary fisher Nirvana bought in '04, an '04 trek 7100 in '04, a raleigh M40 Mt. in '04, and a '02 Raleigh C500 bought in late '04 to replace the Fisher that was stolen. The only problems to date were a bottom bracket on the fisher at 800 mi replaced under warranty while I waited and a rear rim and cassette on the Marin at 500 mi under warranty. The Raleigh C500 I did buy on Ebay for $400 US W/shipping but it has higher end components. The trek and M40 are our teens bikes so they don't see much use but the Marin (Currently 3K mi), Fisher (1.1K when jacked), and C500 (currently at 300 mi) are commuters that run 1000 - 2000 mi(goal) for the year. I also found It takes another $100 US in accessories if you want to do any serious riding for racks, pump, bottle cages, bags, lights, bell etc. I would say check the best deals and service in your area and ride a couple different ones to find what feels good for your budget. Quite frankly I don't find many big differences between the different "major" brands in this catagory. I think all such as Trek, Giant, Specialized, Raleigh etc give you a comparable, decent bike at this level for the use they see. I'd also say check Ebay if you know what size you might need and are not afraid to buy sight unseen. When I was looking to replace the fisher I saw a lot of new and lightly used entry or just above bikes for sale. Seems a lot of people buy new bikes with good intentions, then never ride them and want to clean out the garage.
Longhorn
05-07-05, 07:22 PM
My husband and I just bought new '05 Trek bikes for almost exactly your budgeted amount. I got a Trek 7200 for $400 and he got a Trek Navigator 200 for $380, I think. We've only had them a couple of weeks but have gone on several rides, including a 28-mile ride today, and are both very happy with our purchases.
Good luck!
SeaBee63
05-30-05, 11:58 AM
I'd like to thank everyone for their suggestions. My wife and I bought two 2005 Trek Navigator 100s for about $420 CAD each this past weekend. I was out for a ride with my daughter on Saturday and I'm quite please with this bike. The shifter/derailleur components don't seem to have the same precision as the ones that came on my Stumpjumper but that might just be that they weren't adjusted properly before we bought them. I'll see what I can do to fine-tune them a bit further.
I know we spent more than our original budget on these, but I feel we did get adequate quality at a minimum price.