Hybrid Bicycles - Novara Buzz Big, Marin Muirwoods, Bad Boy 9.....OR ??? Advice Needed

I'm in the market for a Hybrid/Commuter bike.

My 2006 full suspension with street slicks isnt cutting it anymore. Hills suck and I'm not putting on enough miles and havent hit a dirt road in it yet.

I spent nearly 8 hours today driving around Berkeley, Castro Valley, and hit several REI's and bike shops checking out bikes.

I test road the Novara Buzz Big and the Cannondale Bad Boy 9. I like the Buzz Big but didnt think I was gonna spend $799. I started at $300 on craigslist now I'm full retail at a store :lol:

I'm looking for a bike to add a rack and pound the pavement, light grocery shop, hit the gym. My route includes going off a couple curbs and some light dirt paths. Either bike needs to be able to withstand some that.

The components on the Buzz Big are sram x5, hydro brakes, wider tires (32 compared to 28 on the Bad Boy 9).

I just discovered the Cannondale Quick CX4 which looks nice and also had the Raleigh Miscoe on my list (only $529 but low end components).

Thanks in advance

Don't take this the wrong way, but asking for clarification.

1. I think you mean Big Buzz, not Buzz Big.
2. Which Muirwoods model are you referring to? The Muirwoods with 26" wheels or the 29er? I think you're interested in the 29er, as that one has disc brakes like everything else on your list.
3. The Raleigh is Misceo.

The Big Buzz has the best warranty. I like the looks of the Misceo myself. The CX4 is a bit gaudy for an urban bike. Another, lower cost option would be the KHS Urban X (http://khsbicycles.com/06_urban_x_12.htm).

Take any and all of them for a test ride. A lot of bikes look good, but then you ride, your impressions may change a bit.

Don't take this the wrong way, but asking for clarification.

1. I think you mean Big Buzz, not Buzz Big.
2. Which Muirwoods model are you referring to? The Muirwoods with 26" wheels or the 29er? I think you're interested in the 29er, as that one has disc brakes like everything else on your list.
3. The Raleigh is Misceo.

The Big Buzz has the best warranty. I like the looks of the Misceo myself. The CX4 is a bit gaudy for an urban bike. Another, lower cost option would be the KHS Urban X (http://khsbicycles.com/06_urban_x_12.htm).

Take any and all of them for a test ride. A lot of bikes look good, but then you ride, your impressions may change a bit.

KHS bikes are not around me. You are right about the CX4 being a little over the top. The Bad Boy 9 and Misceo both look tough but I thats because of the flat paint. I plan on pealing off all decals no matter what I get.

Muirwoods 29er, you are correct. I've read its a good bike just heavy. Seams nearly a mountain bike with slicks. The Big Buzz has a more aggressive ride to I liked from doing some spins in the parking lot, plus the components on the Big Buzz are better than them all.

The Misceo is $250 cheaper than the Buzz Big. Gotta decide if the hydraulic brakes, Sram X5 drive train, warranty are worth it.

KHS bikes are not around me. You are right about the CX4 being a little over the top. The Bad Boy 9 and Misceo both look tough but I thats because of the flat paint. I plan on pealing off all decals no matter what I get.

Muirwoods 29er, you are correct. I've read its a good bike just heavy. Seams nearly a mountain bike with slicks. The Big Buzz has a more aggressive ride to I liked from doing some spins in the parking lot, plus the components on the Big Buzz are better than them all.

The Misceo is $250 cheaper than the Buzz Big. Gotta decide if the hydraulic brakes, Sram X5 drive train, warranty are worth it.
1. I plugged Berkeley, CA into the KHS dealer locator and it returned 5 results within 10 miles of the target center, including one in Berkeley proper (http://khsbicycles.com/locator/search-results.php). Of course, one can never be sure how accurate the info is on the web, but I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise.

2. I said "gaudy", as in I don't like the paint/graphics combo.

Welcome To Bike Forums, PsychBiker!


You can locate a KHS bicycle by going to www.khsbiycles.com (http://www.khsbiycles.com) and just type your zip code into the store locator search box.

Also, the Marin bicycle shop in SF can assist you with any Muirwoods models in which you might be interesred.

Also, checkout the Bike Kitchen co-op near 18th and Florida in San Francisco. If you can find a bicycle frame there, you can build a bike right there under the watchful eyes of experienced bicycle mechanics.

You could also purchase a bike online from bikesdirect and finish your build at the co-op. You might also just buy a frame online and build it up at the co-op, after obtaining membership.

The Motobecane Cafe Latte ~ $400
www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/cafe_latte_x.htm (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/cafe_latte_x.htm)

The SOMAFab Bicycle frames
http://store.somafab.com/roadframes.html

* If you're on a budget and you want to purchase from a LBS, then the Misceo is just fine...

BTW

No1mad gave you excellent advice!

Thanks again for the new info.

The REI I went to had a 17" Muirwoods also, looks like I'll be giving that a test ride tomorrow. It's $699 so in the price range. I want to be under $850 ish after taxes.

Seems like you guys are pushing steel framed bikes, any reason behind that? The Misceo is chromoly for $530 with poor components and wheels. The Muirwoods is chomoly with upgraded parts, not as high as the Big Buzz. The guy at the LBS said he would recommended their 5 year maintenance plan because he "guarantees" the wheels coming out of true on the Misceo. I'm going to have to find a medium tomorrow to test ride.

Thanks again for the new info.

The REI I went to had a 17" Muirwoods also, looks like I'll be giving that a test ride tomorrow. It's $699 so in the price range. I want to be under $850 ish after taxes.

Seems like you guys are pushing steel framed bikes, any reason behind that? The Misceo is chromoly for $530 with poor components and wheels. The Muirwoods is chomoly with upgraded parts, not as high as the Big Buzz. The guy at the LBS said he would recommended their 5 year maintenance plan because he "guarantees" the wheels coming out of true on the Misceo. I'm going to have to find a medium tomorrow to test ride.

Frame material doesn't really matter, if you're buying new. Many devout cyclists like to purchase bikes every 5 -10 years, anyway. OTOH, if you want to keep your bike for the remainder of your life, you'd prefer to invest in steel. The frame material is the heart of the bike. The components can be changed or upgraded at anytime.

The Misceo would do just fine, until your low tiered components wore out. Then you could easily upgrade to Deore XT or something much better. It's really no big deal, if you can't afford great components right away, as long as you have patience. ;)

That said, I'm glad you're interested in the Muirwoods! :thumb:

I'm in the market for a Hybrid/Commuter bike.

My 2006 full suspension with street slicks isnt cutting it anymore. Hills suck and I'm not putting on enough miles and havent hit a dirt road in it yet.

I spent nearly 8 hours today driving around Berkeley, Castro Valley, and hit several REI's and bike shops checking out bikes.

I test road the Novara Buzz Big and the Cannondale Bad Boy 9. I like the Buzz Big but didnt think I was gonna spend $799. I started at $300 on craigslist now I'm full retail at a store :lol:

I'm looking for a bike to add a rack and pound the pavement, light grocery shop, hit the gym. My route includes going off a couple curbs and some light dirt paths. Either bike needs to be able to withstand some that.

The components on the Buzz Big are sram x5, hydro brakes, wider tires (32 compared to 28 on the Bad Boy 9).

I just discovered the Cannondale Quick CX4 which looks nice and also had the Raleigh Miscoe on my list (only $529 but low end components).

Thanks in advance

Try the Cannondale Quick 4. You don't need the extra weight of shocks that are on the CX4. It's a good urban bike, and will be easier to get up hills. The 4 is fine on light dirt paths.