CaRaBeeN

Hello,

- Title tells about my riding expectations. When I go out with my wife and baby with child seat, we'll be riding around slowly around bikepaths so on.
But when I go out alone, definetely will hit the dirty roads,up and downs hills so on.

- I want maximum desire. The bike I picked, during working-hours I should desire to ride her when I get home. Riding must be smooth and joyable,I must forget about stress of the day...

- Don't want to lean forward on bike that much,don't want back-pain when I get home after couple of hours riding. Therefore I prefer more upright riding position..

- Age 32,Weight 90kg,Height 187cm (sorry for metric units) I should get back to sporty-healthy life..

- Definetely I don't want thin tires, so like Trek FX,Specialized Sirrus series are out of the list.

- Enough with summary, here are my final list:



* Trek 8.5 DS -> 1.400 USD
https://www.trekbikes.com/int/en/bike...eries/8_5_ds/#
This is the expensive one. Which is obviously not in my budget but if I decide with DS series , I'd like to force myself to afford this top model.

* Specialized Crosstrail Sport Disk -> 830 USD
https://www.specialized.com/zz/en/bc/...name=Multi+Use
This I don't know..If it promise more comfort riding position over DS I can pick this one

* KTM Life Motion -> 830 USD
https://www.ktm-bikes.at/trekking/off...on.php?lang=EN
This is the most price-performance model if you look to the components. But when I seat it I don't like to lean forward position (but that position is also same with DS more or less)

* Specialized Crossroads Sport -> 650 USD
https://www.specialized.com/zz/en/bc/...name=Multi+Use
Well this looks really comfy due to its upright position. I haven't seen it at my LBS yet, but If I really like the upright position I may pick this one as well. Also looks budget friendly.

Actually Trek 7500 would be another choice which will stand beside Specialized Crossroads (more upright position), however design is totaly different with overseas model of 7500

I couldn't find models for me at Cannondale,Scott and Corratec.
One more brand I can look for is Giant Roam. Haven't seen yet.

Please tell me your opinions about my story.
Thanks.

richard4993

Go for the 8.5 DS. I have a Utopia which is pretty much the 2011 version of the 8.4 and I have nothing but good things to say about it. Just got back from a 45 mile ride on it about 30 minutes ago.

zerogravity

The $1400 price tag on the DS 8.5 seems a bit high..i wonder if you can get it from an online shop in the US for cheaper...that, and if you know a business that will let u ship it using their UPS account, they might save you on shipping as well.

nymtber

Is that the same KTM that makes motorcycles? Because that would be awesome!

If you don't like the forward leaning position, I would say the crossroads is the better choice (or trek 7500). If you are really going to do offroading, single track etc, I would go with the DS/crosstrail/KTM. If your riding wide and fairly smooth roads, the crossroads/7500 type bikes sound like you will enjoy the upright position more.

I personally don't like to be THAT upright. I like my Sirrus the best, and it was built with a pretty short top tube. Upright, but still leaned over enough. My dad, however, really likes his 2011 Specialized Crossroads...

jbchybridrider 

I,m interested in your link to KTM bicycle's. I didn't know they made such a large range of bicycles and they seem really high end, there not sold in Australia only there motorcycle's.
Having experience racing there motorcycles for many year's I would get one just for the novelty factor. In fact just for a moment I thought of selling all my bike's and importing one.

CaRaBeeN

@zerogravity
That's true it's a bit overpriced here. After I decide exact model, I'll look for importing options from US. I have some friends living in DC.

@nymtber,jbchbridrider
Yes that's the same KTM that well known with their motorcycle's. They indeed look great. However I heard some dislike comments about 6061 frames, which is also used by many other well known companies.


Ok,let's get back to the beginning.
What would you pick in between Trek 8.5 DS vs Trek 4900 Disc?
I respect G.Fisher signature on 8.5 DS. But to be honest, I want to feel safer during my light-duty offroad rides.
It seems 8.5 will handle light-duty mountain biking, but what if I want more and try to push limts of that bike?
I started leaning on MTB's as well. On the other hand, tires on 4900 Disc comes too tick for my eyes..
Obviously I can't yet decide in between Hybrid's or MTB's........