PTzach

I'm looking for an entry level bike that can do a little bit of everything, and only looking to spend a few hundred bucks. I've decided I want mechanical disc brakes and lockout suspension, and have been eyeing models like the Trek DS and Giant Roam. I've spent my fair share researching and educating myself online since I'm a noob, but can't decide what would be best for me. I'm having trouble finding good deals on Craigslist for the type of bike I'm looking for, but not sure if I want to pay for a new bike! I understand I might have to fork up some more money than planned, but what details and components or whatever should I be focusing on? Also, I've noticed bikes with rigid forks are much more popular on Craigslist. If I see a good deal can I safely throw on a suspension fork? Really any advice would be appreciated

hokiefyd 

Welcome to the forum!

If you post the link to the Craigslist region you're searching, perhaps some of us can help you root something out. There's often great value in buying a nice bike used. You sometimes have to know a little bit about how to tune a bike up, replace sticky cables, change a tube, etc. If that stuff doesn't scare you, you can sometimes find real bargains on bikes with flat tires where the owner just didn't want to mess with it and puts it up for sale.

A few hundred bucks should buy you a half-decent bike used. You'll have a hard time finding a Trek DS for that kind of money, but you can often find older Trek 7000-series Multitracks. Here are a few examples from my area:

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...104660418.html

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...110327910.html

I live pretty far west of DC, but that's my closest market with a lot of bikes. If you're looking for suspension forks, you might also need to look at mountain bikes. But keep searching. I really lucked up last summer and found a 2015 model Trek Verve 3 on my local Craigslist for $250. The bike was barely a year old, and the guy bought it from the local bike shop and just never rode it. I was happy to pay $250 for a year-old bike that he probably paid $650 for. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but the deal was too good to pass up. I wasn't looking for something with a suspension fork, but now that I have it, I really enjoy it.

Esthetic

Try apps like LetGo and Offer Up as well.

When i was shopping you could find something like a mint Cannondale Quick CX5 for $300.

That said, Giant's own website has Affirm Financing available, and they will ship the bike to your local LBS (or if the LBS has it in stock they'll sell it to you).

In case the bike you really want is a tad over your budget at the moment and you'd like the flexibility to pay it off in 3/6/12 months, while also getting the LBS treatment ans post sales support (free tuneups over X amount of time, etc...) Just another option going new if you chose Giant.

tbo

craigslist is very hit and miss. It varies a lot by location. I used to live in Southern California and CL was amazing for bikes. Here in coastal Central Florida, it's very slim picking indeed. What I see here is mostly rusted WallyWorld single-speed beach cruisers. Absolute junk. One out of a hundred bikes is worth the effort.

Buying a used bike as a self-professed noobie is fraught with danger. One way is to set a budget of less than half of what you spend on a new bike and realize that this may be a learning experience, rather than the final bike of your dreams. If you learn the right things (how it fits, bike condition, frame style, maintenance requirement, how much you use it) from a $100 bike, that might be money very well spent, even if it is not a keeper. You could get lucky and find your unicorn (it happens), but just don't depend on it.

PTzach

Right now I don't know anything about how to tune up a bike, but I'm confident in my ability to learn! I can't post links for CL yet since I'm new, but anywhere between Sioux Falls, SD, Omaha, NE, Des Moines, IA, and Minneapolis, MN work for me.

PTzach

Yeah my LBS services Giant, and the Roam 3 is only $435. That doesn't seem too bad for a new bike with disc brakes and lockout, but I don't know much about the quality of the parts?

hokiefyd 

Giant use good stuff on their bikes, and the Roam 3 is a very solid value. The drivetrain is on the lower side of middle class, but it works fine. The front derailleur is a Shimano M191, which is from the Tourney group. The rear derailleur is listed as "Acera", and is probably an M360. It uses an 8-speed Shimano Hyperglide HG31 cassette, and a Suntour triple crankset. My Trek uses an identical drivetrain, and it's smooth and very functional. Not top-of-the-mountain, but fully serviceable for this type of bike. The Roam 3 has a basic shifter/brake lever combo set on the handlebar that will work well. The disc brakes should also be fine; they're basic mechanical units.

The only thing I wish this bike had that it doesn't is an adjustable quill stem vs. the threadless headset and stem that it does have. If the handlebar height is not to your liking, you'll need to buy either an adjustable stem or at least a stem of a different angle/length to suit your geometry. Adjustable quill stems afford the user some adjustability without having to buy additional parts. Given the price point, though, you'll be able to afford to replace the stem if you need to.

If you're not comfortable working on bikes, yet, then a used bike is probably not the best option. Or -- at least not the best option for your primary bike. You could always buy something like this Giant and start riding, then pickup a low-cost used bike off Craigslist to just start wrenching on.

PTzach

Yeah I'm thinking I should go new unless I find one on CL in great condition. How do the components of the Trek DS 1 compare to the Roam 3? DS 1 is more expensive and no lockout, but overall is it worth spending the extra money compared to the Roam, and swapping out the fork later if I choose to?

therealjoeblow

Swapping the fork is a fairly expensive proposition.

If you are in Canada, for some reason the Roam specs are different than in the US. In Canada the Roam 3 has Rim Brakes, but in the US it has Tektro Mechanical Disc's, the same as the The DS1.

The Roam 3 has one grade better rear derailleur (Acera) vs the DS1 (Altus)

The Roam 3 has a better quality cassette, and is also 8 speed vs the DS1 at 7 speed

As you note, the Roam 3 has the NEX fork with lockout, the DS1 has NEX with no lockout.

The DS1 is $115 USD more than the Roam 3...

Conclusion - as usual, the Trek bike is way overpriced for what you get compared to Giant. The Giant Roam 3 (US version) has better components across the board, and is significantly lower priced (25% lower!!). But that happens every time you compare Trek to Giant - Trek is pretty much always overpriced.

FYI, in case you didn't know, Giant manufactures Trek's frames for them. That's one of the reasons the Treks cost more, they are buying their main part from their competitor. Basically you're buying a Giant with a different logo on it and paying more for no good reason...

Cheers
TRJB

PTzach

Wow that helps a lot. Thanks! How about the Roam compared to a Trek Marlin 5? The Marlin has Shimano Tourney derailleurs...is that even lower quality?

Wanderer

Why do you want a suspension fork? Maybe you really don't????

Anything with the name Shimano on it works well. The more expensive you go, the better it gets. Don't shy away from Tourney, if the rest of the bike is a good deal. MHO

MAK

I agree. If you're going to ride on paved roads, a suspension adds weight, doesn't necessarily make the ride better and can actually drain energy. They also add cost in most cases. If you're going to be riding off road, yes, a suspension works.

Will you be riding in the rain? If not, disk brakes may not be necessary. They too add weight and cost.

therealjoeblow

Tourney is the bottom of the line, basically the same (low) grade of components that you get on bikes from Walley's world and other big-box stores.

The Shimano MTB component hierarchy goes like this (from bottom of the line to top)

Tourney
Altus
Acera
Alivio
Deore
SLX
Deore XT
XTR

IMO you do not want a relatively expensive LBS (Local Bike Shop, name-brand) bike with Tourney components. In that case, if that's what it has, I would just buy it for $150-$200 from the big-box store. The point of a more expensive LBS bike is to get better components and a better initial setup than you do at the big-box store.

The Marlin 5 is a mountain bike (not a hybrid) with bottom of the barrel components, and a more MTB oriented suspension fork that is a lot heavier than the one on the Roam. The Trek site says the Marlin 5 is 32.5lbs which is fully 3 lbs heavier than the Roam. But they are quite different bikes...

The Roam is a fantastic bike, I own a Roam 1, it's the perfect city bike IMO if you ride the kind of mixed terrain that I do - about 1/3 poorly paved roads (lots of potholes and cracks), 1/3 gravel MUP trails, and 1/3 paved MUP trails. The suspension on the Roam performs excellent on this kind of terrain, don't let any naysayer tell you otherwise. But it is NOT a hardcore offroad mountain bike, it's a mixed-use hybrid so used for it's intended purpose it works well and is a great mix of quality, weight and cost.

As others have said though, if you are only going to ride on smooth well paved roads, you may not want the suspension fork, But as I said, if you're going to be riding rough roads and paths, then it works extremely well.

Cheers
TRJB

PTzach

Right now I have a rigid fork, and I get uncomfortable with larger bumps. I think suspension would make my ride a little smoother when I'm off the pavement. I'll be heading out to South Carolina in a few months, and also want my bike to be able to handle anything out there (besides crazy mountain stuff since I'm a noob). I guess since I already have a rigid fork I have a hard time convincing myself to get another rigid.

As far as components, thanks for your advice! I definitely get caught up in what's better and worse, but probably not necessary since I'm a beginner.

PTzach

I test rode a Trek DS 2 today, and compared to my 40 year old Schwinn...it feels like the best bike in the world 😂😂😂

therealjoeblow

Well, that depends on what you want out of the bike.

If you're going to ride it occasionally (say once a week, for a few KM's around the block) then the lower end Tourney/Altus/Acera are probably OK.

But if you're going to ride it say 3 nice long rides a week (50 km's each) for 1/2 the year (this is pretty typical of an enthusiastic rider out for fitness), they you're looking at about 4,000 km per year, and after 2-3 years when your low end parts are worn out and don't shift properly anymore you're going to be ticked that you didn't buy a better grade of bike.

If you are in the latter category, I would suggest you look at something with Deore in the drivetrain - Deore or better are "lifetime" components for most people, and you should get 10+ years of heavy use out of a bike in that range, but for sure not with the entry level parts if it is used extensively.

At the end of the day, you have to be realistic about how and how much you are going to use the bike and buy it in the appropriate feature and quality range.

Cheers
TRJB

AU Tiger

Don't overlook the value of a name-brand aluminum frame vs. the hi-tensile steel frame you'd probably be getting at the $200 price point. Combine that with the better initial setup that you mentioned, and you could make a good case that the LBS bike is worth it even with Tourney components. Especially since you can easily upgrade to higher level derailleurs when the Tourney wears out or when you're ready for smoother shifting.

PTzach

I'll ride it for leisure throughout the summer, and hoping to get some long rides in once or twice a week. If it only lasts a couple years that's great. I have one year left of grad school before I start making good income, so when that time comes I'll have no problem getting a higher end bike!

PTzach

Found a 2006 Specialized Stumpjumper disc on CL for $375. Owner claims it's only been ridden a few times, and going off bicycle blue book I could probably get it for a little less. Brand New price was $1600. Does that look like a good deal assuming the bike is in good shape? Still can't post links, sorry.

hokiefyd 

There are certainly better components than the Tourney line, but I don't agree at all that you might as well buy a big box bike if your LBS has something with Tourney stuff on it. From personal experience, I can attest that a $330 Raleigh with Tourney is a much better-built and better-feeling bike than a $230 Target Schwinn with Tourney, or a $230 Diamondback with Tourney. The frame is lighter, the hubs and wheels are usually a recognizable name vs. no-name, and you get a much better after-the-sale experience at the box store.

Tourney is a very functional system. It won't be as refined as something like a Deore or Alivio, but it's a very workable piece for someone who doesn't choose to spend more on a bike.

hokiefyd 

Some of Trek's frames may be built at the Giant factory in Taiwan, but that's certainly not to say that there are no differences. In fact, Giant has made frames for such notable names as Schwinn, and also for other box-store and private label bikes. The frames for Trek, just as for any other customer of Giant, will be built to Trek's specifications, with the wall thicknesses and tapering and jointing that they specify. I don't know where the frames are painted and finished, but there may also be differences there.

Trek is also an American-owned company with American design and manufacturing facilities. Most of their bikes are produced overseas, but they also have American production capability. My daughter's '97 Trek 850 was built in the United States, for example (if the screen-printing on the seat tube can be believed).

Giant absolutely does offer a value proposition that is hard to beat in terms of components received for the price paid, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that a Trek is basically a Giant with a different logo, and that there's no good reason to pay more. Different people will place a different value on the factors noted above.

hokiefyd 

I think you would probably enjoy a suspension fork. I enjoy the one on my bike, and it's moving (absorbing) pretty much constantly, even on smooth pavement. I have my preload set about as low as possible for my weight (I set it so that it compresses about 30-40% when I sit on the bike). I've tried higher preloads, but that really limits the suspension's effectiveness. Basically, I want "Cadillac smooth" with this bike, and it delivers. In fact, it rides like a big Suburban. Very smooth, very solid, very stable. Mine's a Trek Verve 3 (2015 model, when they were fitted with suspension forks), but it's not far off from the DS 2 you rode. In fact, the DS 2's MSRP of $650 is right exactly where the 2015 Verve 3 was.

The DS 2 has an identical drivetrain to my Verve 3, and I think it works great. All else being equal, I prefer an 8-speed drivetrain because there's chain compatibility with 7-speed, and ALL of my other bikes are 7-speed, so I can buy multiples of things like chains and extras like MissingLinks and everything is interchangeable with everything in my fleet. 9-speed uses a thinner chain, 10-speed uses a thinner chain still, 11-speed is even thinner, etc. 6, 7, and 8 are all the same, which I like. The DS 2 also has a very nice hydraulic disc brake setup.

I think the DS 2 is a solid value in the Trek lineup. Today's Verve 3 has a rigid fork, and changed to a 9-speed drivetrain. I don't like either one of those changes. I prefer suspension, and I like the 8-speed compatibility with the rest of my stuff. If I were buying a new Trek today, it'd probably be a DS 2. I would not step down to a DS 1; it comes with a freehweel and mechanical disc brakes. The extra 100 bucks to setup to a DS 2 is VERY well worth it.

Above all else, though, buy a bike for how it fits you, and how you like things like colors. In the end, any of the components we're talking about here are going to be fine for moderate use. The difference between Altus and Acera and Alivio is really splitting hairs in my opinion. You can change components later if you don't like something, but you can't change the color (not easily, anyway), and you can't change a bike's basic geometry. Go test ride as many bikes as you can in your price range. If a DS 2 fits you best, great. If a Roam fits you best, great. If a Specialized or Cannondale or Jamis fits you best, great. Buy what fits YOU and the rest will fall into place.

Esthetic

I rode a $880 Trek DS3 and after riding a $570 Roam 2 i thought what in the world was so great about a $300 more expensive Trek....and that got worse when i dug into the components.

If i recall correctly, both the DS2 and the Marlin 6 i rode were also $660-$880 range. That said i was really impressed with the ride and quality feel of the bikes, no hate on my part. I just demo'd a ton of bikes from Trek, Specialized, Cannondale... and settled on Giant. It impressed me and fit me well just as the Specialized Crosstrail Disc and Trek DS3. Honestly without deliberating the specifics, i could've been happy with any of those.

You should try to demo a Roam 2 if possible so that you can get a feel for the hydro brakes. Being my first new bike in 15 yrs i treated myself to the Roam 1 because it was outfitted with the best drivetrain in its class/ price range and wanted to experience that for once seeing this was to be my only swiss army bike i'd use for years. But test driving the Roam 2 is what sold me on Giant (having known nothing about the brand up to that point), that's a helluva bike for $570. The blue is actually really attractive in person, but the silver option (with black and red accents) was my 2nd favorite of the 2017 color options next to the Roam 1. Good looking bikes and frames, capable, smooth drivetrains and a lot of fun to ride.

I agree with the sentiment that you should demo as many bikes as possible , and TRJB hit the nail on the head as far as trying to get better quality drivetrain from a LBS bike than what you can get from Wally World since you should get better gear for your hundreds and not just a brand name. Good luck with whatever you choose.

therealjoeblow

That's also a hardtail mountain bike, like the Marlin, not a Hybrid...

Your thread title and opening post said you wanted advice on a Hybrid, but based on some of the bikes you are asking about, I'm not sure if you really want a Hybrid, or just a good deal on any hardtail bike with a front suspension fork.

Sounds like you haven't quite figured out what you want yet, so it's difficult to provide meaningful advice.

Cheers
TRJB

therealjoeblow

DS2 is still way over priced for what you get, again compared to Giant...

The DS2 is $660 vs the Roam 2 at $570, and while they are fairly closely matched component wise, the Giant is still offering a few better parts for lower cost (better FD, better brakes, better crank, 9 speed vs 8 speed, the extra gear makes quite a difference to me in finding just the right groove sometimes).

Cheers
TRJB