General Cycling Discussion - Trek Bike buying question

I am looking to get into biking. Not sure if I will like street or trails more. So I am between a Trek 7200, a Navigator 2.0 and a 4800 MB. I would like something versatile enough. I guess the most versatile option would be to get the 4800 and put Navigator tires on it. I think it might give me the most choices. Seem reasonable?

That's probably a good idea, if you don't know what you want to do. Hybrids are nice, but they are not suited for fast off-road riding, no matter what the website says.

Well, what I did recently was go for a Trek 4300. If you have more money available to you, go for higher.

I slap on a pair of slicks when I'll be riding mostly on pavement. I was sold on the mtb since it's more ruggedly built and should be able to handle more abuse than a hybrid.

Form follows function. While all the bikes you list are nice indeed, I'd suggest that you define what it is you'd like to your bike to do. Saying 'streets' isn't very well defined; saying 'no more than 20 miles per week on streets' is. Then, find a bike that matches your expectations. Renting or borrowing a bike to get the feel could be an option. HTH

Is Trek the ONLY brand you've looked at? There are many other brands that are just as good (or better) and some cost less.

He might only have access to a Trek dealer. Throwing more choices in the mix at this point will only make things worse. Once he decides on what type of bike he wants and what his pricerange allows for, then we could throw more brands at him.

Part of the problem is I'm not sure what type of rider I will become. I don't think I will be a racer of any type. Mostly exercize so I am thinking that I will probably do more street. Maybe an hour or two a night. But I also like the ability to be able to take it on a trail. Nothing heavy duty but beginner trails I think would be fun. My price range is around 400$ or so. My dealer sells Trek and Specialized. I am in N Jersey though so finding another brand shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for the help so far.

Part of the problem is I'm not sure what type of rider I will become. I don't think I will be a racer of any type. Mostly exercize so I am thinking that I will probably do more street. Maybe an hour or two a night. But I also like the ability to be able to take it on a trail. Nothing heavy duty but beginner trails I think would be fun. My price range is around 400$ or so. My dealer sells Trek and Specialized. I am in N Jersey though so finding another brand shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for the help so far.


A mountain bike is an excellent place to start. It will allow you to go on paved roads, unpaved roads and off road. No other bikes are good at all of those. It won't be long after you buy, that you will decide what really appeals to you, but there is only one way to find out.

The guy at the bike shop keepspushing me toward the Navigator.

The guy at the bike shop keepspushing me toward the Navigator.

How old are you? The Navigator is a comfort bike which is very upright and built for comfort. It is not fast, nor capable of much road work, and certainly not any off road work. It is for the casual rider who just wants to ride and possibly sight see.

You have to be very sure that this is all you EVER want to do, because this bike has those limitations. The mountain bike again, is good for slow, sight seeing rides as well. It really does all things pretty well. At least it does ALL THINGS better than any of the other bikes in my opinion.

"You can hybridize a mountain bike, but you can't mountainize a hybrid" -someone.

A mountain bike is an excellent place to start. It will allow you to go on paved roads, unpaved roads and off road. No other bikes are good at all of those. It won't be long after you buy, that you will decide what really appeals to you, but there is only one way to find out. In response to the red wors: Actually, certain types of road bikes can be pretty decent off road. Like cyclocross bikes, and even certain touring bikes. However both of those are out of this price range, so I agree that a mountain bike will be best. Both on road and off road it will be faster than the hybrid, unless the hybrid is of Trek's FX series, which are road oriented (but not great at off road).

That'll be enough trolling from me, sorry.:o

I'd say go for the best mountain bike you can afford. It will last you a long time, probably. Just budget in a pair of tires for road use. Happy trails (roads?)