Hybrid Bicycles - buying new hybrid

Buying it for my son for graduation. Our bike shops only had Treks so that makes it easy I'll buy him a Trek. Now they are carrying Felt also. Does Felt make a good hybrid for about 1,000 dollars? Or should I go with the original plan Trek 7.5.

He wants one to ride to class around campus

You should give him a gift card for a bike so he can ride a few different ones. If either of these don't fit him he won't enjoy riding it. And you'll need a good lock.

Campus and a $1000 bike. Not the best of combinations. Don't skimp on the price of a lock.

good point

Thanks I may do that

The Trek 7.5 would be a very good bike for him - maybe. Fit is everything! As much as I liked the ride of the 7.5 I couldn't get my body comfortable on it. A Cannondale Quick 3 was a better fit. So yes, Felt might be better - or the Trek. He's got to try them out to know. A gift card might be the way to go. Or just take him bike shopping.

Agree strongly with advice to get a good strong lock.

If the college is in a very low crime rate area and campus bike theft is almost unheard of, then by all means get the Trek 7.5FX. Of course, the Trek Atwood, might be more practical for a college setting. You can add fenders to keep him dry and unsoiled. A rack can be added for the porting of books or bookbag.

The Atwood costs half as much as the Trek 7.5FX...Less liability...

Another choice would be the Dahon folding bike below:

226025
The Dahon Speed D7 (folds in 15 seconds flat) @ $639.00
No Lock Needed, Just Take It With You!

- Slim :)

PS.

*Alternatively, if the campus theft scene is poor, perhaps the GMC Denali ($160) or the Schwinn Varsity ($250), often found at Walmart would be an attractive idea.

The Trek 7.5 would be a very good bike for him - maybe. Fit is everything! As much as I liked the ride of the 7.5 I couldn't get my body comfortable on it. A Cannondale Quick 3 was a better fit. So yes, Felt might be better - or the Trek. He's got to try them out to know. A gift card might be the way to go. Or just take him bike shopping.

Agree strongly with advice to get a good strong lock.

I can't believe I didn't think of the theft thing. Yes I think there is like most campus's a lot of theft. Maybe he can keep my old comfort bike at school and get him a better bike so we can go riding together. Thanks

Slim ...... thanks I like the folding bike idea :)

Another one to consider is the Trek DS 8.5 for $950
Another reason the gift card may be a good idea. Fit and feel is always the best route.

I ride an 11 Utopia which is pretty much the current 8.4 DS. I've been very happy with the bike, its fast and it has that front suspension so it give you a little bit of a smoother ride.