Appraiser Biker

My question, is, in general, would the Trek 330 be a good starter road bike? I can buy this bike for $75 and it is in good condition. Or, would I be better off with a new bike like the Giant Escape which I can buy locally from a good bike shop for $400? I am 62 years old, have a Giant Sedona, which I comfortably ride 5-7 miles on greenway paved trails along the river a couple of days a week (weather pending here in northwest NC mountains!). However, there are a couple of 30-40 mile rides I would love to do on Saturdays but I am incapable of doing with the Giant. I have had a horse rear up and fall backwards on me plus rolling me into a concrete block barn foundation in 1986 which punctured my right lung plus 2 ribs broken against my spinal column. In 1991 I got rearended in a car wreck in 1991 which broke my neck and crushed 3 vertabrae between my shoulder blades. Between the accidents, my age (62) and being overweight (240), I know 30-40 miles doesn't sound like much to most bikers but that would be a big accomplishment for me. I am truly thankful that I can get out of bed, much less being able to ride a bike again. Appreciate any good advice.

oddjob2

At $75, go for the Trek, if it fits. Ride as is for a while. If you need to change to wider, more compliant tires, upright bars, or a new saddle, it sounds like you have the budget for it.

Have you tried a recumbent bike?

Good luck on attaining your goal!

digger531

+1 for the Trek

FastJake

Trek sounds good at $75 provided it fits you. Try it out first and make sure it's comfortable. No sense trying to make a bike fit that doesn't.

Good luck on your riding, 30-40 miles is a lot better than no miles! And more than I've been putting in this winter

Phil_gretz

I'm going to say the opposite. It so happens that I saw several Giant Escapes at my favorite shop last Friday, as I had stopped in to chat about a mechanical issue. The bike is well set up - with a triple front crankset and very wide-range cassette. The shifters are on the straight bars, they're trigger style. The bike shop can assist you with setup, and get the bar height adjusted for your comfort.

The 330 will have downtube shifting and a fairly narrow gearing range. I wouldn't suggest these for your situation at all.

All of these issues point to the new Giant. That'd be my advice. Have the bike shop put the Escape on a bike trainer and, wearing the shorts that you plan to ride in, spend a few minutes getting a feel for the bike and its controls. Ask the bike shop staff what options you have in gaining a bit more comfort. You'll be miles, hours, and dollars ahead.

Good luck. PG

Bianchigirll 

I am going to rock the boat and disagree. While to us the Trek may seem like a good deal, it may not be for you. You want a bike to ride not to tinker with or have someone else tinker with. We haven't seen the Trek so we don't know what kind of shape it is in.

However my biggest concerns are gearing and riding position. Your riding a mountain bike{MTB** several times and week and are used to the gearing (I am assuming your using them and not riding in the same gear all the time) and shifting. Your also used to the more upright riding style the MTB has to offer.

The Trek while a good deal is geared differently and will put your hands/head in a lower riding position causing you stretch you neck, Not a huge deal it will be something you have to get used to. The gearing on the other hand will be much different. You need to reach down to shift and there is no tiny 'granny' climbing gear for the big hills.

While a hybrid style bike may not be the best for a 30-40 mile jaunt I think you may be better off on it than a road bike. I think with a narrower tire like a 700x25 and some barends that will give you an extra hand position, or two, it might be more comfortable than stretching out on a road bike.

Are you looking at the Escape City or a used Escape of some type? A used one perhaps? https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...specifications

Appraiser Biker

It is a new Escape 3 at a local bike shop. BTW you mentioned something that I definitely needed to consider- neck position. Due to the auto accident I mentioned I have a degenerative disc in the second vertabrae in my neck (hair line crack in accident) which hurts bad when I keep my neck in a raised/back position for a long period. Definitely, the flat bar would be much easier on my neck position. Thanks for the advice.

bent-not-broken

This forum will automatically reccommend the Trek which sounds like a deal. I will echo the last posts, that that probably is not th ebike for you. Any hills and you will be glad to have the extra gears.

Appraiser Biker

THANKS to all who replied. I really appreciate your advice and recommendations.