wearyourtruth

so my girlfriend and i are looking for a bike for her to use and i wanted to get your thoughts, especially any personal experiences with any of these bikes or ones you would suggest...

she wants a bike she can use not so much for getting to and from work (though she might) but more for being able to commute around the city. it would see mostly road use, but might find a path or two (definately no "trails"). it just needs to be a good all around bike, but she has to keep it under $350, which can be a problem. we've entertained the idea of converting an old touring frame to keep cost down, but nice old touring/cross frames are hard to come by on the cheap. so now we are looking into a hybrid. she likes the flat (or slight riser) bars as opposed to drops, but doesn't want anything really relaxed like a "comfort bike." she'd prefer it to be on the lighter side and is (currently) ambivilent to suspension. that said, we looked around and found several bikes that seem like they might work...

Raleigh Passage 3.5 $300
https://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=7&itemid=329
pros: good price, nice 40c tires, full gearing, rack/fender mounts
cons: nasty saddle, possibly a little too upright, grip shifters

Jamis Commuter $285
https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/...commuter1.html
pros: best price, looks hot with the single crank and straight fork, swept back bars
cons: another bad saddle, more grip shifters

Marin Kentfield $350
https://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_2...ntfield_2.html
pros: nice geometry, nicer saddle, shifters
cons: is it really that much different than the old trek some guy has in his garage and would sell for $50?

Kona Smoke $350
https://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...4&parentid=253
pros: fenders, non-suspension seatpost, nice saddle, fat tires, shifters, nice fork, nice stem
cons: cranks still crappy, might be too aggressive for her (but it's my favorite :-D)

Iron Horse Adventure $350
https://www.ironhorsebikes.com/Adventure1.html
pros: slightly more mountain geometry for off the road, a little suspension, shifters, saddle
cons: suspension is a double edged sword.., heavy

any opinions on any of these bikes? are there others i should consider? i'm keeping my eyes peeled on ebay and craigslist for a nice used sirrus or something, but in the meantime we might as well entertain the idea of buying new. thanks!

AndrewP

For riding on streets I suggest 32 mm wide tires, or 35 mm if there are many potholes. Fatter tires mean you have to work harder at pedalling. Grip shifters may not look cool, but they provide the ability to shift through several gears if you suddenly have to slow down for the traffic conditions.

newbojeff

Of these, one vote for the Kona Smoke. I don't have it, but I like that it comes with full fenders.

daredevil

Of that group, I like the Kona best. You could put 1.25's on it if you wanted to. No need for any suspension and the fenders are quite nice to have though you could add those to any of them. It's a solid bike for the price in my opinion. I wouldn't mind owning one.

donnamb 

She should go on some test rides.

slvoid

Based on looks, the Konda, but like donna says, take that thing in for a test ride.

nashcommguy

+1 for the Kona. It's more equipped for the money than the other ones. Rack, bags, lights, etc. can be added one at a time. The saddle and cranks can be upgraded over time, also.

wearyourtruth

yes of course, we are just seeing what's out there, then finding out who has them for a test ride

Tapeworm21

That Kona is absolutely kickass! Looks like a Specialized Globe (https://specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22080) only cheaper.

RonH

first choice - Kona Smoke
second choice - Jamis Commuter

dewaday

I'd go Kona also. Check if anyone around you has a 06 Kona Dew left over, great bike at the price if they'll knock $50 off the retail.

FidelCastrovich

My GF and I both have Kentfields. Very happy with the choice. Although the Commuter might be a better value.

GeoKrpan

The Kona Smoke looks really good to me. It looks like they allowed for plenty of room for fatter tires. Run the fattest you can find.

Here's another. I've had one for a year and really like it. It has steel fenders painted to match the frame and a Brooks-like saddle.
KHS Urban-X
https://www.khsbicycles.com/06_urban_x_07.htm

roughrider504

If I had to pick a bike from that group, it would be the Kona Smoke. I have never ridden one, but it looks like a really nice bike for the money.

keytree

Another Kona vote for the many of the same reasons already listed, plus it has a cro-mo frame. A solid inexpensive commuter.

wearyourtruth

we actually found a specialized sirrus today with a rack, bags, lights, and computer for $300. don't know the year, but it's white so i think it's 04 or later (right?). craigslist is awesome.

thanks for all your input, and i think we can all agree that kona is a sweet deal

max-a-mill

i vote for craigslist...

seriously 350 will buy you a decent old roadie that is far better for riding distance than some skinny tired mtb.

jdeane4

The Kona smoke is pretty cool. Or do the whole craigslist thing and see what you can find.

eegretCL

I vote for either the Marin Muirwoods or the Marin Belvedere