pavithra_d2004

Hi
I am pavi from India, Chennai
Cycling for about 2 months, ride twice a week- 40 kms,
Want to buy a bike. I ride for fitness and passion, not majorly for commuting purpose
I am planning to do a 100 km ride soon and am training
Planning to buy a hybrid bike first and ride for a some time and then later on invest in a road bike if i feel the need
I am looking for a fast, light weight, comfortable hybrid bike that's available in India to buy
I have no technical knowledge about bicycles, when I visit stores I don't even understand the technical words the shop guys use, there is so many options and its so confusing
My budget is around 600 usd
Can someone refer some suitable bikes... thanks :-)

NormanF

You'll want a hybrid that can take at least 40 c tires.

Or an urban 29er.

With either of them, you can ride on tarmac, trails and gravel paths.

With the first, something like the GT Grade Comp.... which is slightly above your budget

For an urban 29er, like the Marin Muirwoods or Giant ToughRoad SLR 2.

sail

What brands are available to you? What kinds of surfaces will you be riding on?

chong67

Go with Giant as they the one making bike for everyone.

ganchan

It looks like Trek is readily available in India:
Top 10 Cycle brands in India

They make some good hybrids that should fit your budget range.

altondavis2

the Hero bikes look pretty good

pavithra_d2004

Hi.. Trek, Scot, Canondale, Schwin, Giant are some of the brands available here, I mostly ride on main roads, city outskirts, no off road riding

sail

Narrow the bikes in your price range to the ones you prefer (ya gotta like your bike regardless of what we recommend) and test ride them, preferably in short time frame so each is fresh in your mind. Not just 50 meters in the parking lot, even riding around for 15 minutes will give a much better idea. They will feel different and hopefully one will speak to you. The shop could be important to you if your not mechanically inclined and will need their assistance from time to time.

Riding on main paved roads should allow you to get something with tires in the 32mm width range which will give better speed and more lively handling than fatter tires and still allow non pavement riding if a hard packed surface. Of the brands mentioned, since I am not familiar with Scot and the Schwinn brand is not what it used to be, I would concentrate on Trek, Cannondale and Giant. For a place to start the Trek FX 7.3 @ $660, Giant Escape @ $670 and the Cannonade Quick 5 @ $600 are all in your price range, certainly there are others. I would not concern yourself much with the components, they will all be fairly similar and decent enough. The frames will have differences but the quality will be there from the major manufacturers, it's the fit and feel you should be most interested in.

pavithra_d2004

Wow sail

Thanks a lot... yes i kinda like cannondale quick 5 :-)

NormanF

How good are the roads in Chennai? Get a bike with fatter tires if they're not smooth. It would make a difference in your daily commute. At least 35 c is good and will feel fast enough even over potholed and chipseal roads.