Is there something in the middle between LBS and Walmart?

maurycy

I am looking for a hybrid bike. I need something from lower shelf. Nothing fancy as I already have road bike. I need it for short weekend trips with my kid in the back seat (you know, fatter tires, flat handlebar, more stability, etc). I went to Sports Authority and they had Diamonback bike for about $350. The only problem with this one is that they are "one size fits all". Then I went to LBS and the cheapest model they had was Jamis (forgot the model but it was the basic one) for $520. This was the cheapest option plus they will not have my size at all. It has to be special order shipped from CA for $$ more. So where else can I get a bike? To be honest, the $520 price tag is way more than I want to spend but on the other hand I do not want $90 Walmart bike.

So what other choices do I have? I am not considering used because I am 6'4" and finding used hybrid bike with 21-23" frame is almost impossible.

Thanks.

The BikeForums Team

-adv-

This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.

Ready to buy? Check out these two online bike stores:
- http://www.nashbar.com (you can find the latest bike nashbar coupons in this thread)
- http://www.performancebike.com (you can find the latest performance bike coupons in this thread)

Cya on the forums,
- The BikeForums Team
- http://www.bikeforums.net

Nycycle

You can get a Hardrock in 23" for well under $400 and they are one tough bike.
Give you that upright feeling yet you won't be stuck with one you'll hate in 2 years.
Hybrids.......no comment......

Andy_K

Between Walmart and LBS there is Performance Bike. Generally, ordering bikes online is a risky proposition, so I won't refer you to their web site, but if you're up for a trip to Philadelphia or Newark, Delaware you could try them out.

You really ought to be able to get a Jamis under $520. Their website lists their Explorer at $300. If the LBS carries Jamis, they can probably order one of these for you and let you try it out.

maurycy

After I checked the Jamis web site, the bike that my LBS had was Jamis Coda. It's MSRP on Jamis site is $475 so I guess I picked a wrong LBS if they are selling over MSRP (unless there is something extra included in the price that I am not aware of).

By hybrid bike I did not mean less sturdy MTB. I would rather have 700c wheels with flat handlebar than MTB. Something like the Jamis Coda that the LBS had.

I went to Performance Bike's web site and found two bikes that I like. Any comments about them?
GT ZuM 5.0 $260
Mongoose Crossway 250 $250

They have different sizes but how does L or XL relates to frame size? My current road bike is 61cm so is it L or XL?

And what happened to steel frames? Not available anymore? I just simply do not like the feel of alloy frame.

Thanks to all who replied.

st0ut

i just looked at a sporting goods stores web site.. a place i go to when i need soccer balls and cones. Nations brands and the prices there where actually more expensive than a LBS for less quality..
Schwinn Solution FS AL 26" Men's Mountain Bike

Item Number: 2856725 function viewReviews() { change('1'); parent.location.href='#showReviews'; return false; } pr_read_review="javascript:void(viewReviews());"; snippet(document); Product Rating

0 stars
(0 Ratings)

Write a Review (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/reviews/index.jsp?productId=2856725&pr_campaign_id=product_page)

The Schwinn® Solution FS AL 26-in mens' mountain bike is equipped with a Shimano® ...
http://dsp.imageg.net/images/product_fullProductInfo.gif (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2856725&cp=2367828.2716578.2712462.1264882.1399085&parentPage=family&searchId=1264882#1)

Free Shipping on Bikes $249.99 and Up! (See Promotion Details (javascript:showCustomPopUp('/promo/index.jsp?promoId=2977888','promo','width=450,height=500,toolbar=no,status=no,menubar=no,scrollbars= yes,resizable=no');))

List Price:$299.99*
Our Price:$249.99

Vs

Gary Fisher Tarpon

Silver Series aluminum

Wheels

Alloy hubs; Matrix 550 rims | Bontrager Connection Trail, 26x2.0 tires

Componentry

Shimano Acera rear derailleur, Shimano EF50 shifters, Shimano C051 front derailleur | SR Suntour XCC-T208 48/38/28 crank | Tektro V brakes w/Shimano EF50 levers | (Full Specs) (http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/tarpon/fullspecs)

Suspension

SR Suntour M-2025, 63mm travel

MSRP

$329.99*

Sizes

XS (13") | SM (16") | MD (18") | LG (19.5
http://dsp.imageg.net/images/pixel.gif

http://dsp.imageg.net/images/pixel.gif

Andy_K

I think the GT ZuM looks like an interesting bike. It's only got one chainring, but I find that I do most of my riding in the middle chainring anyway, so the idea of avoiding the maintainence hassles of a front derailer appeals to me. I've put about 2600 miles on a GT Timberline I bought last May. It's very heavy, but it's been a pretty decent bike. It would be a good commuting bike -- as a recreational bike, I don't know. Of course, it's got the 26" tires.

The Mongoose doesn't look bad either. The brakes look a little cheap, but otherwise it seems OK.

I hate when companies call their bikes S, M, L, XL. It's fairly meaningless. The Mongoose site has specific geometry for the Crossway (http://www.mongoose.com/bmx/ProductDetails.html?id=2646). That's probably what you need to look at. Of course, you really need to ride the bike to see how it fits.

RonH

Try a different bike shop. The shop I work at sells Jamis and Raleigh hybrids that start around $325.

maurycy

Thanks again for all the help. I will look at local LBS for the bike and if I can't find anything decent I will probably take a ride to Phila to Performance Bike store.

bbattle

I am looking for a hybrid bike. I need something from lower shelf. Nothing fancy as I already have road bike. I need it for short weekend trips with my kid in the back seat (you know, fatter tires, flat handlebar, more stability, etc). I went to Sports Authority and they had Diamonback bike for about $350. The only problem with this one is that they are "one size fits all". Then I went to LBS and the cheapest model they had was Jamis (forgot the model but it was the basic one) for $520. This was the cheapest option plus they will not have my size at all. It has to be special order shipped from CA for $$ more. So where else can I get a bike? To be honest, the $520 price tag is way more than I want to spend but on the other hand I do not want $90 Walmart bike.

So what other choices do I have? I am not considering used because I am 6'4" and finding used hybrid bike with 21-23" frame is almost impossible.

Thanks.

Trek 7000 is $310. 22.5" frame (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/bike_path/7000_series/7000/)

UtahWasatch

REI just ended a great sale. Had some nice bikes including; cannondale, K2, marin and novara. I consider them, REI, that 'tweener kind of store. Also has really good return policy: you dont like it, return it. Not sure my LBS would do that.... Keep an eye out for future sales!

gcottay

+1 on RonH's suggestion. Many bike shops will have a selection to fit you and your budget.

deraltekluge

Diamondbacks are not "one size fits all". From their website for the Kalamar hybrid (http://www.diamondback.com/bikes/hybrid/kalamar-08/) (their cheapest)...

Sizes SM (15"), MD (17"), LG (19"), XL (21"), WSM (15")

dewaday

Nothing fancy, but good brand, really big tires and fenders included.
http://konaworld.com/08_smoke29.htm

road_rascal

My LBS here in Apple Valley MN has a range of bikes from about $200 up to over $3000.

maurycy

Thanks for all the recommendations. So far I was unable to locate any sub $350 hybrids in any of the LBS around me. There was one for $350 (last year's model) but it had 26" wheels and front suspension which I do not want. Plus it was heavy.

I have found another one with frame size 61cm (which I think is XL). Any comments?
Iron Horse Triumph (http://tinyurl.com/5l7232)

Thanks.

masiman

At this price level, the frames are pretty much not going to be a deciding factor in terms of quality. What you will really be looking for beyond the style, is the components. Decide if you what type of shifting you want (twist/grip, thumb, rapifire, brifter, friction, etc.). You will probably be in the twist/grip, rapidfire arena. How many gears you need (1-3, 6-8, 16-20, 24-27). 1 speed would be okay for beach riding (I will assume you are not into SS and FG type riding). 6-8 will do okay on shallow hills and slightly longer distances. 16-20 will get you almost anywhere on the road and light trails. 24-27 will give you those very low gears to get up those tough hills or for when you are really tired. You'll probably be in the 8 speed internal geared hub, 16-20, 24-27 crowd. You may be in the 1-3 crowd but I am making an assumption.

If you go traditional gears, you'll want to consider the level of the components. I am not super familiar with the lower end components used so others would have to help you there. In Shimano I believe the Sora and Acera are okay. I do not know what SRAM offerings there are.

Consider the brakes being used. Most have vanilla Tektro V-brakes. They are okay for the most part. I did have a pair fail on one of my kids bikes. It could have been bad but thankfully not. I replaced them with a nice set of Avid's. Disc brakes are nice but can be bigger headaches if they require maintenance. You will very likely not be fine with V-brakes, cantilevers or sidepulls.

You'll want a decent crank, not a cheap or odd setup. Sticking with a known brand at a known quality level will be fine. You'll want the cassette/freewheel to be widely available so that you can inexpensively replace it when it wears out (they do wear out). You'll want a standard headset, 1 1/8" or 1" are the most popular. 1 1/4" is available but not as widely used.

Not wanting/needing a shock is probably a good thing. At the price point you are at, the shocks are not very good IMO. They add weight and maintenance for little gain plus they force the manufacturer to spend money on the shock and not on other parts of the bike.

Stay away from bikes that do not have braze on cable guides. They almost all do have them now, but the ones that don't are always cheap bikes that I have seen. IMO, I have also noticed that bikes that do not have some bare cable routing are generally cheaper. There may very well be some exceptions, but that has been my observation.

Another very important part is the wheels. 26vs700vs650vs29, you'll be fine on any of them. Although I don't think you would be a good candidate for 650, it is too specialty and currently is harder to find tubes, tires and rims for. You'll want a well built wheel. The rim should be decent along with the hubs. The wheel should be round and true. The spokes should pluck and have decent tension on them. You should not be able to overly deflect them. Do not take the wheels if the shop can not get the wheels built well.

maurycy

Thanks for all replies.

I have decided to go with the GT Zum 5.0 bike. I know how to put the bike together plus I will be saving approx. $100 plus tax from the cheapest option I found at LBS. Fatter 26" tires I think are more suitable for hauling kid in the back seat or later in the trailer because I will not be riding at any speed that are going to break the record.

All the money I saved will go toward used vintage road bike that I am going to rebuild and paint in my spare time as a fun project.