Best Hybrid around $600
 

Hi, I've been looking for a hybrid to ride around town, but I haven't had the chance to test ride anything yet. I tried comparing the components, but I don't really know enough to really compare. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

These are the bikes I've been looking at:

Cannondale Quick 4
Giant Seek 3 - disc brakes
Jamis Coda - steel
Raleigh Cadent FT1
Specialized Sirrus Sport
Trek 7.3 FX

The best thing to do is got test ride them and see which one fits you best and go from there. Otherwise you're going to be hit with bike recommendations and the bikes might not fit you as well as one of the others suggestions might.


My opinion is either the Sirrus or the Jamis. The Sirrus is very nimble, but a steel frame just eats up road vibes like nobody's business so the Coda would be a sweet ride as well.

You have the Giant Seek on there but look past the hybrid pages on the manufacturers.

Giant Have the FCR3 that is $600 and this is what I would call a Hybrid. A known bike that I would recommend as a Starter.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...ad/2268/32201/

Just my $.02 on these:

Cannondale Quick 4 - carbon fork + wide tires mean it should ride smooth. SRAM trigger shifters allow you to use brake and shifter at same time,plus work with thick gloves/mittens.

Giant Seek 3 - only discs in the bunch. Will be better for bad weather,but will have to pay attention to fender and rack mounting.

Jamis Coda - yes it's steel. Should ride nice but that's not magic.

Raleigh Cadent FT1 - straight blade alloy fork. With those tires it should be ok,but you'll feel it on rough roads. Avoid if you have carpel tunnel.

Specialized Sirrus Sport - alloy fork with skinny high psi tires. DO NOT WANT.

Trek 7.3 FX - another alloy fork with ok tires,again for smooth roads and good wrists only.

Between the forks and tires,I'd say the Coda,Quick,and Seek should all ride pretty good. The Seek gets the nod for bad weather riding. I wouldn't touch the Sirrus unless your roads are perfect. Above all though,you have to ride the bikes and determine which you like best and which fits you best.

Over the weekend I tried these bikes:
Trek 7.3 FX & Giant Seek - liked both of these, but only rode on really nice roads.
Jamis Coda - rode on rougher & was still comfortable.
Giant FCR 3 & Specialized Sirrus - didn't like these, too much of a road bike.


How much would it cost to upgrade or exchange the handlebars and seat on the Jamis to something nicer?

I'm going to look at used bikes, Cannondale Quick 4, and Raleigh Cadent FT1 hopefully next weekend.

I have a Trek 7.2 FX. I bought it to replace my cheapo MTN bike. It has worked flawlessly for the last two years. I did add bar ends to give me some more hand positions. Depending on tires, most hybrids are not meant for real off roading.

Ride around town for what purpose? Commuting? On the road commuting? Trails? Serious off-roading?

For christ sake, how can you people be recommending anything!

Any feedback on Motobacane Cafe Sprint?
FrameHandmade Advanced Butted 7005 Aluminum with Rear Rack Mounts (brazeons), double water bottle mounts ForkMotobecane Carbon Fiber with one eyelet CranksetTruvativ Isoflow Aluminum Matte Silver Finish 30x42x52 TripleBottom BracketTruvativ Sealed Cartridge Unit PedalsAlloy road with toe clips and strapsFront DerailleurShimano for triple OR MicroShift for triple (NoChoice)Rear DerailleurShimano Deore for TripleShiftersShimano ST-R440 Precision Index Shifting podsCassette/ChainShimano Hyperglide 12-26t 9 Speed (27 gears total)/ Z-9000HubsShimano WH-R500 700c with Quick Release front+rearSpokesStainless Steel black finishRimsShimano WH-R500, 700c Black anodized with Machined brake trackTiresKenda Kwest Road 700x28 with Presta Valve tubesBrakesTektro Mini-V Aluminum Alloy Silver FinishBrake LeversShimano ST-R440 Precision Integrated Brake/Shifting HandlebarKalloy Aluminum with Comfort bendStemKalloy Adjustable Rise 0 to 60 degrees, Aluminum threadlessTape/GripVelo Dual Comfort DensitySaddleVelo Comp Comfort ShapedSeat PostAluminum Alloy Micro-AdjustableSeat ClampUltralite Aluminum Alloy Black Finish with QR

The Jamis coda is a great bike for the price, and I'm off the clock and not getting paid for this, but its really nice and if I wasn't interested in a newer road bike, I might really consider getting one.

Generally speaking, switching out the bars would likely be $100 or more after bars, stem, cables and labor, and that's just to raise the bars up. Double that to go with drops an sti's.

Coda's Nice

I just bought a Gary Fisher Monona for commuting. I picked it up for $600 at my LBS. I rode the 7.3FX, Seek 2, and FCR3 before deciding on the Monona. It's done wonderfully and I would suggest giving it a go - it has a great component set for the price range and a great frame.

I would recommend the Motobecane Cafe Noir over the Sprint ...

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../cafe_noir.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../cfn07_med.jpg

My girlfriend loves her Giant FCR2. If you're going to do a little off-roading, you may want to try the Specialized Crosstrail. I got the Elite and I love it.