BobIndy

Hello Everyone:
I am new to the forum and I could use some help. I am going to buy a Hybrid bike this weekend and looking at all of the choices in my price range of 400-450 dollars is making me a little crazy. Right now I have narrowed down my choices to three bikes, they are the Trek 7100, the Giant Cypress and maybe the Trek 7000 that does not have front suspension, I don't know if I really need it or not, the roads are a kind of bumpy but not terrible. I would like to get something of decent quality that could be upgraded later if needed. It seems like the main differences are in the running gear and I don't know if one is better than the other or not. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You: BobJ

10 Wheels

Post links to each bike would help.

SlimRider

To Bike Forums, BobIndy!

We will try to answer all of your cycling questions to the best of our abilities!

However, we could help you best, if we had a little more information.

What will be your primary use of this bicycle?

..ie..Recreation...Exercise..Commuting..etc

What type of terrain will you travel upon?

Can your budget be increased at all?

Do you anticipate climbing any hills?

TIA

- Slim

BobIndy

Here are the links to the bicycles that I am looking at.

https://bgindy.com/product/12giant-cypress-131229-1.htm

https://bgindy.com/product/12trek-7000-72941-1.htm

https://bgindy.com/product/12trek-7100-72954-1.htm

The bike will be used mostly for recreation and exercise. I will be riding on county

paved roads, I do not plan to do any off road riding or climbing any steep hills with it.

I will need to stay very close to my $450 max budget, I would just like to find a good

solid bike that will be reliable.

Thank You: BobIndy

SlimRider

BobIndy, at your current pricepoint, I would try to avoid any bicycle with a suspended fork. Therefore, that would eliminate two of the bicycles presently under your consideration. Also, if your terrain will primarily be flat or without hills, a single speed bicycle might be more suited to both your needs and your pricepoint.

Are you willing to consider a single speed bicycle?

Single speed bicycles are generally less expensive and come with less maintenance requirements. Less maintenance required, usually means more reliable too!

- Slim

PS.

BTW- How tall are you?

Dunbar

Those are all good choices for your intended riding. The suspension fork seems almost mandatory in these more upright comfort-style bikes. They all come with twist shifters which I don't care for. You might see if they can get a 7300 on closeout for a reduced price. That model comes with trigger shifters which are much nicer for making gear changes.

The only other thing I would caution you is to make sure the bike shop isn't selling you the incorrect size. Bike shops will often push bikes they have in stock even if the size isn't optimal for a particular customer.

ottawa_adam

Bob, those are all good starter bikes. I agree with Dunbar, in that I'm not a fan of twist shifters.

There isn't much advantage to a front suspension fork, either, if you're going to be riding most on roads. Suspension mostly absorbs energy and makes you work harder.

Since you've already narrowed down your choices, I'll resist recommending other brands/models.

All in all, they're all decent bikes and should be fun to ride. If you buy them from an actual local bike shop, the shop should back up your purchase with some limited time service as well, which is always a benefit.

Good luck and let us know how you fare!

SlimRider

Just a word of caution, BobIndy.

Logic should dictate to us, that the more moving parts you have, the greater the possibility for mechanical failure. Suspended forks of excellent quality are usually found amongst your higher priced bicycles. Even those forks are subject to failure after extended use. Therefore, I usually try to discourage would-be cyclists against the purchase of entry level bicycles that have suspended forks. In many cases, at the entry level, the fork will be the first component in need of repair.

Why Dunbar says that they're almost mandatory, I don't know...

As long as you're riding on paved streets and hard packed dirt trails, you should be just fine. Those suspended forks will be of absolutely no good use you or themselves, by traversing potholes, curbs, roots, rocks, or crevices.

- Slim

OTOH I will agree that twist shifters aren't as reassuring, reliable, and exact as rapid fire trigger shifters. Many people experience accidental shifting while riding and some find it awkward to turn their wrists while riding. Trigger shifting seems to be the preferred method of shifting, by consensus.

ChowChow

For your price range etc. I would suggest this https://penncycle.com/product/11trek-7.1-fx-72032-1.htm

SlimRider

You might also want to checkout REI's online outlet store:

www.rei.com/outlet/category/22000003

- Slim

PS.

I like the Giant Cypress too! However, I would personally prefer this one. After a quick rear derailleur and shifter change, it would be totally awesome!

www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/cypress.st/9019/48871/

ChowChow

Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me Slim.
https://www.rei.com/product/820690/di...11-special-buy

SlimRider

You're welcome, ChowChow!

I was going to recommend that very bicycle, but I wanted to know his height, first. It only comes in a 15 in. frame!

Dunbar

By mandatory, I mean it's hard to find comfort bikes without suspension forks. Especially with decent spec shifters and derailleurs. I'm not a fan of suspension forks either for road riding but I got the impression the OP did not want a flat-bar style bike.

SlimRider

Yep! Agreed!