qAnAthemA

Hey everyone,

Looking for a new bike for no more than 800$ which meets these criteria: straight handlebar, multi speed, relatively light (around 10 kilos), good for road/bicycle trail as well as some unpaved trails (nothing extreme), good opportunities for repairing/upgrading (well known hubs, bottom brackets, etc). Are there any solid choices for the buck or should I consider buying used bicycle?

Thank you everyone.

downeaster59

Here are a few places for you to start:

Trek DS
Giant Roam
Specialized Crosstrail
Cannondale Quick CX

Each one comes in several versions. The range usually runs from $500-$1000. Any of them should fill your needs. I have the Quick CX 4, and like it a lot. Try a few at local bike shops and see what fits you best.

hokiefyd 

Your weight criteria will really limit your choices. 10 kilograms is only 22 pounds. There aren't many hybrids that meet that criteria -- most of the popular ones, including the great choices listed above, are closer to 30 pounds (about 12-14 kilograms).

If weight is a strong criteria for you, you might wish to consider the "fitness hybrid" market -- bikes like the Trek FX, Giant Escape, Specialized Sirrus, Cannondale Quick (non CX), Jamis Coda Sport, etc. I'm not a weight snob, and I ride some heavier bikes, but your weight criteria will pretty much eliminate the suspension fork. You didn't mention one, and you can certainly ride trails without one. I own both types (a hybrid with suspension and one without) and both have their pros and cons. My hybrid with suspension is 34 pounds and my hybrid with a rigid fork is 28 pounds.

DorkDisk

Find a good local shop and ride what they offer. At this price range manufacturers offer basically the same stuff; look for a good shop that will advise you on the pros and cons of each bike.

Some bikes will have a better frame or fork, where others will have better components. If you want to keep it and upgrade down the road, focus on the best frame and fork - look for formed Al and carbon forks or butted chromoly at this price, hydraulics over cable pull, thru axles if possible for better future wheel compatibility and rigidness, and non-proprietary frame bits because ten years down the road the parts can be hard to get. For a long term keeper, a good wheelset is a great purchase. One can definitely tell which of my bikes I like the most (and their age) by their wheelsets.

A sub 23lb hybrid with gears is very difficult at this price point, I would consider 25 a good weight at this price. Something like a Raleigh Redux 2 with an AL frame and fork, big 650b schwalbe balloons, and a 1x9 weighs about 26lbs. With folding tires the weight will go down about a lb. Narrower tires will also drop some weight. A hollowtech crankset will drop another pound... 2016 Buyer's Guide: Raleigh Redux 2 | Bicycling

Swap parts as they wear out, immediate upgrades should focus on contact points: grips, pedals, and saddle. Tires will be next upgrade I'd recommend after wearing out the stock ones.

Used is a great way to go. However, the buyer must know what bike is lightweight and be able to discern make, model, size, and general condition from one bad photo. 800 can get you a very nice lightweight used bike. I have about four bikes (3MTB, 1RD) that are light enough that bike people do a double take when they lift them. Two were built up from frame by myself and two were bought used for less than a third of what my suspension fork cost me at wholesale.

prq9218

I have a Giant Roam 2, fantastic bike.

dson78

I started with a Roam, not sure which model, it was a great bike and i would recommend it to any one.

TomForde

Absolutely love my Sirrus Comp Carbon. Sirrus Sport would be the one in your price range and not a bad option at all.