General Cycling Discussion - Need hybrid buying help for a newcomer!

Hello. Im looking for a bike to ride to my college about 3 miles away from my apartment. I do some mild commuting with a bit of paved trail riding. I have been researching a lot and I have decided on a few hybrid bikes that store owners recommend for me. I really want a hybrid/townie with some front suspension. I have been looking at the Jamis Citizen 1 as well as the Fisher Tiburon. Im leaning towards the Tiburon but I want a little advice on the bikes or any other bikes that would suit me. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

What is your price range? Plenty of good bikes out there without suspension.

i have a hybrid called the redline 520 i got it for 300 bucks i think the store owner said it was 430 retail. you may strike a deal with the lbs. anyway the redline 520 comes with a kickstand, a chainguard to protect your pants, a bell, and kenda tires which i would replace with something like flatfproof tourguide panaracer tires. the gears are shimano alore.
anyway just another hybrid you can consider.

I was looking in the 300-400$ range.

well i don't know how it works at your lbs but when i went to mine i told them i was looking to spend only 300 bucks and they said i could have the redline 520 model. i think you might try out your lbs they might have last year models they are looking to move in their inventory and give you a price break.

The redline 520 looks nice. I went to a couple lbs but they didnt carry that particular model. If i had to get the citizen 1 or the Tiburon, which do you think would be better?

I have been researching a lot and I have decided on a few hybrid bikes that store owners recommend for me. I really want a hybrid/townie with some front suspension.

Why the need for suspension? The type of riding that you described doesn't require it. You might want to reconsider the suspension forks. Suspension forks are not only heavy, on entry level bikes they're poorly made, and unless your intending on hitting some serious off road terrain you shouldn't really need them. Plus suspension forks tend to absorb energy when you ride on a hard surface, making your job as the engine harder.

It's your money and sweat, but personally, I'd look at the rigid fork bikes in the same price range. You'll probably find a better rigid fork bike in the same range, since the price of the suspension forks is no longer a factor.

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FWIW
My hybrid has suspension forks and I'm planning on swapping them out at the end of the season, because I really wish it didin't. None of the off road trails that I ride really requires suspension.

well i don't know how it works at your lbs but when i went to mine i told them i was looking to spend only 300 bucks and they said i could have the redline 520 model. i think you might try out your lbs they might have last year models they are looking to move in their inventory and give you a price break.

I tried this when I was a noob and the shop sold me a hybrid that was two sizes too small for me. A 10 minute test ride didn't really show me how much my back and shoulders would hurt after 20 miles.

I know that about the suspension forks. A LOT of bike dealers have been trying to convince me to get a rigid fork, and I see their point, but I just PREFER them. I would be willing to sacrifice that bit of extra speed for the suspension. Besides, the biking I'm doing is pretty short, and super speed would not be an issue. Also, the roads here are pretty hilly, but I'm not sure if that factors in, thanx tho.

I suggest test riding both bikes and get the one that feels the best or most comfortable to you. I did this and ended up buying a Giant Cypress.

As a learning technique, I practiced pedaling up the hills on without bouncing the forks to get a smooth cadence.

why the need for suspension? The type of riding that you described doesn't require it. You might want to reconsider the suspension forks. Suspension forks are not only heavy, on entry level bikes they're poorly made, and unless your intending on hitting some serious off road terrain you shouldn't really need them. Plus suspension forks tend to absorb energy when you ride on a hard surface, making your job as the engine harder.

It's your money and sweat, but personally, i'd look at the rigid fork bikes in the same price range. You'll probably find a better rigid fork bike in the same range, since the price of the suspension forks is no longer a factor.

************
fwiw
my hybrid has suspension forks and i'm planning on swapping them out at the end of the season, because i really wish it didin't. None of the off road trails that i ride really requires suspension.

+100

I know that about the suspension forks. A LOT of bike dealers have been trying to convince me to get a rigid fork, and I see their point, but I just PREFER them. I would be willing to sacrifice that bit of extra speed for the suspension. Besides, the biking I'm doing is pretty short, and super speed would not be an issue. Also, the roads here are pretty hilly, but I'm not sure if that factors in, thanx tho.

Please listen to the people that know. After 3 months of riding you will want to ditch your suspension fork.


You need to ride for a while to get used to the ride of a rigid fork. Maybe a few weeks.


But in the end I guess you are going to do what you want anyway. :)

Maybe I can demo them. That would give me a good idea. Thanks for all the advice!

Maybe I can demo them. That would give me a good idea. Thanks for all the advice!

You might want to give a road bike a try too. I have a sport road bike. Kind of a hybrid with dropped bars. More relaxed geometry than a regular road bike. I like my hybrid for the trails but love my road bike on the roads. If I had to sell one the hybrid would go in a heartbeat.