General Cycling Discussion - Hybrid Bikes

I am looking for a bike mainly to ride on road and sometimes go on trails, I live close to a regional park. I only know of Trek, Gary Fisher and Giant that offer hybrid bikes. I want to know what other company offers them. Would like to get a bike that is under 30#, with a suspension fork and seat post and hopefully under $400.00

Any help is appreciated, Thanks.

I am looking for a bike mainly to ride on road and sometimes go on trails, I live close to a regional park. I only know of Trek, Gary Fisher and Giant that offer hybrid bikes. I want to know what other company offers them. Would like to get a bike that is under 30#, with a suspension fork and seat post and hopefully under $400.00

Any help is appreciated, Thanks.

do you really think you need the suspension forks?
I bought a 7700 FX Trek, it doesn't have a suspension fork, I like it.
Those three brands are pretty good ones, especially if that's what your local dealer has.

I don't know if I will need it. But since most hybrids have it, i want to get one with the suspension. I guess it will make it easier or more comfortable to ride. Will only ride up to 20 miles a day if I do ride.

Another option is the Specialized Crossroads. Does anyone have any experience with that bike? I know the Front and Rear Derailleurs are not that good, but the bike is a good price. I guess i can get that one and change the derailleurs for Deore and the crank.

Pablo, I recently purchased a TREK 7100 [I have a post in this forum praising it]. I believe it meets all of your requirements. Even the 7200 would be under your price range. My 7100 is stock factory, but with added Rapid Fire shifter [and because of that they changed out the derailer in the rear with an Altus]. I mostly ride on a gravel trail and it works very well. Check them out!

Not many of the hybrids I've seen have suspension forks. And there are plenty of other brands. Cannondale, Schwinn, Raleigh and Specialized come to mind immediately. Mongoose may still, as well, but be careful, Mongoose also ships a lot of *-mart-quality iron as well.

Not many of the hybrids I've seen have suspension forks. And there are plenty of other brands. Cannondale, Schwinn, Raleigh and Specialized come to mind immediately. Mongoose may still, as well, but be careful, Mongoose also ships a lot of *-mart-quality iron as well.

Cannondale for 400 or under??

Get a Trek

I have a Trek 7100 love it. I bought my wife a Giant Cypress, good bike but I like the Trek better.
Both around 300.00 Go with the Trek you won't be sorry

Good luck, Tony

I have a Marin Hybrid which I really love. Rides nice, shifts smooth, and so far has performed great.

I was just looking at that Trek 7100 before I found this thread. Sounds like you guys really like it. I want a new bike, but don't want to spend a fortune. If I save my pennies, maybe by next summer I can buy a new bicycle. :) :) :)

I looked at the Marins, look good but have never ridden one.
I have ridden, my wifes Giant Cypress, my buddies Fuji Crosstown, and my Trek 7100, I think the Trek outshines the others hands down. Go for it bro......

Tony

just want to let everyone know that I just bought a 10 month old 2004 Trek 7300 FX with a RST T4 suspension fork and seatpost suspension. Thanks everyone for the advice.

Good for you, you won't be sorry, now get out there and put miles on it !!!!!

Tony :D

I haven't seen many hybrids with suspension forks.

If you're looking for a sturdy hybrid, I can tell you my Specialized Sirrus holds up pretty well. It's a trooper, for sure.

Koffee

I have a Marin Hybrid which I really love. Rides nice, shifts smooth, and so far has performed great.

I'm curious, which model do do have? I had a Kentwood for a couple of weeks... liked it, but returned it because it had creaky noises coming from the bottom bracket and crank area.

I haven't seen many hybrids with suspension forks.

If you're looking for a sturdy hybrid, I can tell you my Specialized Sirrus holds up pretty well. It's a trooper, for sure.

Koffee

yup.. i second that! sirrus holds up very well, especially when ur cruising downhill at 35mph in an aero position. :D

rui

My wife has a Marin San Rafael and likes it a lot. Comes with front suspension, is stylish, and has nice components. The built quality is also very good. The weak point may be the saddle but that's easy to upgrade.

My wife has a Marin San Rafael and likes it a lot. Comes with front suspension, is stylish, and has nice components. The built quality is also very good. The weak point may be the saddle but that's easy to upgrade.

The thing I don't like about hybrids --Marin included-- is the sloping top tubes. Because I'm tall, I have to raise the seat fairly high; the slant makes the long seat post / seat combo look ridiculously "up in the air." Too bad, because I really liked the Marin overall - especially the *Fairfax,* which doesn't have the suspension fork (just adds unwanted weight,imo.)

I'm a little late on this recommendation, but I thought I'd chime in with what I ride. It's a Marin Muirwoods, which is one of what Marin calls their "urban" series of bikes. Chromo frame, no severe sloping on the top tube, and decent components for the price. The only downside for some folks, which is actually a plus for me because I ride trails, is the fact is has 26" wheels(lots of tire choices for off road). I made a few upgrades to mine, but it's really a good bike stock.
http://www.marinbikes.com/graphics/z_04_muirwoods.jpg

I don't know if I will need it. But since most hybrids have it, i want to get one with the suspension. I guess it will make it easier or more comfortable to ride. Will only ride up to 20 miles a day if I do ride. <snip>

Well I hope you're not making a mistake. I bought new a Specialized Expedition (Limited Edition) at the end of 2003. Good comfort but... big heavy suspension fork and seat, big fat tires, heavy adjustable handlebars, SLOW as molasses... and if you have hills to climb.... forget about it! I put it on consignment at my LBS. I have two other bikes that I much prefer, neither one of them have suspension. They're lighter, easier to handle, faster, more fun, and the money I saved by NOT having suspension made for better quality components. Think about it!

Despite my best efforts to get people on a road bike, or at least a flatbar roadbike, most people inisist they want a upright hybrid with suspension. Hybrids are designed for people who average 8-10mph, and ride maybe 10mi at a time about 2x a month. They don't withstand daily use, they aren't going to be fast, and they don't hold up to heavy riders.

Typically, 3 months later they come back tell me they love riding but want a faster bike with no suspension that they can take on group rides, and wind up buying a full out road bike/cyclocross bike/flat bar road bike. Personally I would spend more now and get something nicer and save the cost of buying another bike later, but its your call.

Isn't it funny how sometimes you know exactly what you want, yet in reality you have no clue whatsoever? :) When I first started looking a couple months ago, I knew a Trek 7300 was the bike for me. I needed something with longer legs than the Raleigh I was riding. Except the new Treks weren't out for 2005, and no 2004's were to be found.

So I looked. And looked. Rode a few bikes. Clicked a metric ton of Internet links. Giant? Nope. The only one I liked, the SL, was too much money. Specialized? Nope - I know a guy who had his literally fall apart, piece by piece, on long rides. Gary Fisher? Nope. No suspension, by that point in my research I'd decided against it. Marin? Nice, apparently, but I don't know anyone who's ever seen one. Nearest dealer is barely in my area code. Cannondale? No offense, but no black bike for me riding at the Jersey shore. Fuji? Pulll-ease.

I actually started learning what I needed for my desired use. Found something really, really nice at a nearby shop, except it was already owned. Spun it around the block with the owner's permission. Ordered one.

My Jamis Coda Comp arrived last week, and boy, am I glad I chose to spend the extra cash and get something more narrowly-focused. Now I feel like a genius. :)

Moral of the story? Don't bet the horse until you know the field.

I'm a little late on this recommendation, but I thought I'd chime in with what I ride. It's a Marin Muirwoods, which is one of what Marin calls their "urban" series of bikes. Chromo frame, no severe sloping on the top tube, and decent components for the price. The only downside for some folks, which is actually a plus for me because I ride trails, is the fact is has 26" wheels(lots of tire choices for off road). I made a few upgrades to mine, but it's really a good bike stock.
http://www.marinbikes.com/graphics/z_04_muirwoods.jpg

That's a nice bike and the chromoly frame makes it even better. I like this bike all around. A hybrid with an alu frame and limited hand positions means it will be a rough ride. The chromoly frame is a must when it comes to buying a hybrid in my opinion. Other hybrids that I would include in this list is the Bianchi Strada and Jamis Coda. In fact, I would prefer either one because of the 700 cc wheels. It's too bad they were beyond the $400.00 dollar limit.

Despite my best efforts to get people on a road bike, or at least a flatbar roadbike, most people inisist they want a upright hybrid with suspension. Hybrids are designed for people who average 8-10mph, and ride maybe 10mi at a time about 2x a month. They don't withstand daily use, they aren't going to be fast, and they don't hold up to heavy riders.

Typically, 3 months later they come back tell me they love riding but want a faster bike with no suspension that they can take on group rides, and wind up buying a full out road bike/cyclocross bike/flat bar road bike. Personally I would spend more now and get something nicer and save the cost of buying another bike later, but its your call.

I agree. I don't hold it against them if they see this suspension on an alu frame. In fact, if they choose an alu frame hybrid, they really ought to look into a suspension seat post or Brooks Champion flyer because it's going to be a rough ride. There would be NO need for suspension of any kind if the frame was made from Reynolds 525.

I actually started learning what I needed for my desired use. Found something really, really nice at a nearby shop, except it was already owned. Spun it around the block with the owner's permission. Ordered one.

My Jamis Coda Comp arrived last week, and boy, am I glad I chose to spend the extra cash and get something more narrowly-focused. Now I feel like a genius. :)

Moral of the story? Don't bet the horse until you know the field.

Jamis is the most underrated bike out there. I would prefer the Reynolds frame anyday over a hard alu hybrid from Trek.

I ride my TREK 7100 once a week and most of the time, it is more than 20 miles on a gravel bike route. I see nothing wrong with it at all. I've gone at a fair rate of speed, but mostly stay around 10 mph because my wife likes that speed.

About the frame, isn't the chromoly frame going to be heavier? One of the things I like about my 7100 is the weight. Is it all just a matter of personal opinion? By the way, I weigh 140 lbs., so my weight isn't much of an issue.

Those Marin bikes sure are cool. Not as expensive as they look, either. There are many under $400. There's a bike shop in town that sells them, I think I'll go check them out sometime.

BTT

What about the weight differences between the chromoly frame and the aluminum frame?

My Jamis Coda Comp arrived last week, and boy, am I glad I chose to spend the extra cash and get something more narrowly-focused. Now I feel like a genius. :)

Moral of the story? Don't bet the horse until you know the field.

How is that? I'm getting a little tired of my 1998 Specialized Cross-Roads and it's 48t chain ring. I like the straight bars, but the seat's a little uncomfortable and I'm tired of getting dusted on the roads. I'd like something light, comfortable and faster than the crossroads, with straight bars. I have a cervical disc problem, so drop bars are WAY out of the question.

My rides are generally 10-15 miles per session, mostly flat, spinning the straights at 65-70 RPM, 13-15 MPH. I do a weekly 20 mile roundtrip commute to the office on casual Fridays from April through October. I have done long rides up to 35 miles. I also rotate between the crossroads and my new Cycle Genius ALX 20 squared recumbent. I really like rotating.

Coda Comp seems to have the best grouppo among the $500-$1000 hybrids, and I like the seat and the 52t chainring a lot. I also think I can get my bike dealer to give me an end of season discount if I wait 4-6 weeks to buy it. I also plan to give the Felt SR-91 a test drive.

So how's your Coda Comp? Do you have any other suggestions? Anybody?
:o

The suggestion to go with a cross bike rather than hybrid is a good one. Fuji makes a good cross bike. You'll get better components and have a lot more options for the bike. More than likely the only change you would have to make to the bike would be to switch to a straight bar. A friend of mine converted her cross bike to a roadie and uses it for our group road rides.

I just ordered on of these babies for my city commute. It will be serving a different purpose than casual trail rides, but might be worth a look...

http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k5images/2K5_DewDlx_Side.jpg

The suggestion to go with a cross bike rather than hybrid is a good one. Fuji makes a good cross bike. You'll get better components and have a lot more options for the bike. More than likely the only change you would have to make to the bike would be to switch to a straight bar. A friend of mine converted her cross bike to a roadie and uses it for our group road rides.

Thanks for the info.

I, too, am I graduate of out fine state university and a big fan of the Chief.

Devinci is another company that made hybrid bikes.
Note: Devinci bikes are made in Canada

Isn't it funny how sometimes you know exactly what you want, yet in reality you have no clue whatsoever? :) When I first started looking a couple months ago, I knew a Trek 7300 was the bike for me. I needed something with longer legs than the Raleigh I was riding. Except the new Treks weren't out for 2005, and no 2004's were to be found.

So I looked. And looked. Rode a few bikes. Clicked a metric ton of Internet links. Giant? Nope. The only one I liked, the SL, was too much money. Specialized? Nope - I know a guy who had his literally fall apart, piece by piece, on long rides. Gary Fisher? Nope. No suspension, by that point in my research I'd decided against it. Marin? Nice, apparently, but I don't know anyone who's ever seen one. Nearest dealer is barely in my area code. Cannondale? No offense, but no black bike for me riding at the Jersey shore. Fuji? Pulll-ease.

I actually started learning what I needed for my desired use. Found something really, really nice at a nearby shop, except it was already owned. Spun it around the block with the owner's permission. Ordered one.

My Jamis Coda Comp arrived last week, and boy, am I glad I chose to spend the extra cash and get something more narrowly-focused. Now I feel like a genius. :)

Moral of the story? Don't bet the horse until you know the field.

AND ONE YEAR LATER....????

Are you still happy with your Jamis Coda Comp? REading these forums has been helpful, esp. reading about taking my time looking, for a first time hybrid. thanks for your reply!

I bought a '04 Jamis Coda Elite recently and it is the bee's knees for recreational riding. It seems to fit my frame just right and I'd describe it as a fun, pretty efficient bike. No, it won't beat most road bikes up a hill, but it is extremely versatile, leaning toward the road bike end of the road bike - mountain bike spectrum. The components are top notch for the price. Seats are a personal preference, but I find the stock seat it comes with suits my comfort level just fine.

I don't think, however, that I can do 100K to 100 mile rides nearly as well as I could do with a dedicated road bike. So, for longer rides, I'm thinking of getting one of those again.

I test drove only two hybrids prior to buying the Elite though: the Trek 7500 and the Jamis Coda Sport. I prefered the Jamis over the Trek, mainly for fit and feel. I also wanted a frame material that wouldn't fatigue as much as aluminum and also would soak up road vibrations better, so I went with the steel.

I bought a Gary Fisher Nirvana for $380.00 and love it. I narrowed my choice to the GF and the Trek (I forget the number but it was the same price +/- $20.00). I chose the GF because I was more comfortable with the rapid fire shifters, flat handle bar and the superior deraulliers. The GF also has 700c x 35c tires while the Trek and others I saw were often closer to 42c or larger. Since I ride primarily on pavement, this was a benefit to me. Good luck.

Despite my best efforts to get people on a road bike, or at least a flatbar roadbike, most people inisist they want a upright hybrid with suspension. Hybrids are designed for people who average 8-10mph, and ride maybe 10mi at a time about 2x a month. They don't withstand daily use, they aren't going to be fast, and they don't hold up to heavy riders.

Typically, 3 months later they come back tell me they love riding but want a faster bike with no suspension that they can take on group rides, and wind up buying a full out road bike/cyclocross bike/flat bar road bike. Personally I would spend more now and get something nicer and save the cost of buying another bike later, but its your call.

Thats why they should buy a hybrid with road gears ;) and then put areo bars on it.

I put 28's on my hybrid, yeah the suspension fork adds weight, but on my commute to work down these crappy back country roads it is nice.

Then again I just proved your point of spending more money now.... hybrids with road gears jump in price.
It will be a great trainer, and I also bought it knowing in a couple years I would buy a road bike. Meaning in a couple years I can put 40's or bigger on my hybrid, and have the best of both worlds.

I will never regret buying and owning a hybrid. As far as the suspension fork and hills, It only makes me better at climbing when I am forced to stay seated, and pedal smoother.
Climbs is the only negative about my hybrid a Giant Cypress SX. And the difference between a cypress and a cypress sx is night and day.

I also have to wonder if all the negative talk about hybrids is because they bought bottom of the line cheap hybrids.

I'm riding my Specialized Crossroads hybrid 50-80 miles per week, sometimes more, and up to (so far) 40 miles per ride. I've replaced the handlebars (needed more hand positions), saddle (soft gooshy stock saddle is seriously uncomfortable over any distance of more than a few miles), tires (28s over stock 38s), and pedals (got clipless). After all of that, the bike is comfortable, and goes fast enough for me -- I'm able to easily maintain 15-16 mph on flats, and have taller gears left for when my fitness level improves.

Would I have been better off saving my pennies for a road or touring bike? Sometimes I think so, but I really had no idea when I bought the bike whether I would ride it much or not, and a few hundred dollars is still a lot of money to me. Even with the modifications I've made to the Crossroads, I still have under $500 into it all together. And it's standing up well so far to what I would consider moderate use.

Do I want a better bike? Of course I do, but the bike I have is just fine. I have a couple of friends riding basically unmodified 10-year-old entry-level mountain bikes. They ride as much as I do or more, and frequently do 50-60 mile charity rides. They think I'm crazy even to have spent what I have on my bike. They're living proof that you don't need great equipment to love riding -- or to do (what most people would consider) a lot of it.

Still, I'm hoping to get perhaps a touring bike next spring. But I don't regret buying the hybrid. I like it and plan to keep it around for bad-weather commuting and unpaved rail trails (where it really excels).

I'm riding my Specialized Crossroads hybrid 50-80 miles per week, sometimes more, and up to (so far) 40 miles per ride. I've replaced the handlebars (needed more hand positions), saddle (soft gooshy stock saddle is seriously uncomfortable over any distance of more than a few miles), tires (28s over stock 38s), and pedals (got clipless). After all of that, the bike is comfortable, and goes fast enough for me -- I'm able to easily maintain 15-16 mph on flats, and have taller gears left for when my fitness level improves.

Would I have been better off saving my pennies for a road or touring bike? Sometimes I think so, but I really had no idea when I bought the bike whether I would ride it much or not, and a few hundred dollars is still a lot of money to me. Even with the modifications I've made to the Crossroads, I still have under $500 into it all together. And it's standing up well so far to what I would consider moderate use.

Do I want a better bike? Of course I do, but the bike I have is just fine. I have a couple of friends riding basically unmodified 10-year-old entry-level mountain bikes. They ride as much as I do or more, and frequently do 50-60 mile charity rides. They think I'm crazy even to have spent what I have on my bike. They're living proof that you don't need great equipment to love riding -- or to do (what most people would consider) a lot of it.

Still, I'm hoping to get perhaps a touring bike next spring. But I don't regret buying the hybrid. I like it and plan to keep it around for bad-weather commuting and unpaved rail trails (where it really excels).


Exactly!!! I am with all of that except I went above the $500 mark :mad:

and instead of a touring I will be buying a roadbike or a recumbent with large tires. :D

What updgrades did you make? I've had my Muirwoods for a few months and love it. I've only added bar extensions. I'm curious what you added.

Also, can someone explain the pro/con to 26" wheels v. 700c? Why the different nomenclature?

Also, can someone explain the pro/con to 26" wheels v. 700c? Why the different nomenclature?

26" wheels are mountain bike standard. 700c are basically 27" wheels and better for everyday, all purpose riding. I have had to ride my MB for my 25 mile every day commute a few times -- I was screaming for my hybrid after 3 days!! It was too icy for me to consider riding my road bike.

Thanks for the info.

I, too, am I graduate of out fine state university and a big fan of the Chief.

May the Chief continue to live on!!! GO ILLINI!!!!

Dump the front shocks - look at a Kona Dew!

That's a nice bike and the chromoly frame makes it even better. I like this bike all around. A hybrid with an alu frame and limited hand positions means it will be a rough ride. The chromoly frame is a must when it comes to buying a hybrid in my opinion. Other hybrids that I would include in this list is the Bianchi Strada and Jamis Coda. In fact, I would prefer either one because of the 700 cc wheels. It's too bad they were beyond the $400.00 dollar limit.

My search was down to the two mentioned above after having rode hybrids and found them wanting in the speed department. Although they were indeed comfortable, some feeling like a limousine. This is not to slam hybrids, but newbie buyers should know that they can lean toward either the mountain bike or touring bike feel, depending upon the make, model and included components. I didn't want a dedicated roadie only because for the time being I can only own one bike. So my choice needed to be versatile. And I wanted steel in order to get some comfort without the need for mechanical assistance, such as suspension. The final decision was the Jamis, if only for the geometry, which my LBS recommended after measuring. I have to say, so far I ride this thing miles and miles for long stretches of time. It's got good pickup. I have it set up for commuting and done so in a way so that I can strip it down at will and take it out for lighter weight speedy rides. The frame is both strong and forgiving and I intend to upgrade the components as they wear down.

I'm riding my Specialized Crossroads hybrid 50-80 miles per week, sometimes more, and up to (so far) 40 miles per ride. I've replaced the handlebars (needed more hand positions), saddle (soft gooshy stock saddle is seriously uncomfortable over any distance of more than a few miles), tires (28s over stock 38s), and pedals (got clipless). After all of that, the bike is comfortable, and goes fast enough for me -- I'm able to easily maintain 15-16 mph on flats, and have taller gears left for when my fitness level improves.

Would I have been better off saving my pennies for a road or touring bike? Sometimes I think so, but I really had no idea when I bought the bike whether I would ride it much or not, and a few hundred dollars is still a lot of money to me. Even with the modifications I've made to the Crossroads, I still have under $500 into it all together. And it's standing up well so far to what I would consider moderate use.

I just bought a Crossroads, and I'm enjoying it very much. I ride 'most every evening, between 5 to 8 miles through my very hilly neighborhood. Would have liked more of a road bike, but the budget wouldn't let me get much above $300. The Crossroads fit me well, and has noticeably smoother shifting than similar bikes I tried (Giant, Trek and Raleigh). I'm glad to hear you were successful in upgrading yours, I may do the same in a year or so if my riding evolves sufficiently.