What are the best entry-level hybrids?
03-23-12, 06:24 PM
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What are the best entry-level hybrids?
I posted about a Trek a couple days ago that I had found on Craigslist but unfortunately it seems to have been taken. I love looking through the threads on here and seeing what is out there but my budget is quite a bit lower than most, which is why I am frequenting Craigslist in the first place. What I wanted to ask is, if my budget is about $200-$250, what are my options in this bracket? Heck, even up to $300 (which is a long-shot). I figure a hybrid is in my best interest because while most of what I do will be on the road I will probably go into "kid mode" and decide to do something silly that I wouldn't want to do on a road bike. I have been looking at Bikesdirect and the Motobecane Jubilee but I'm not sure if it would be a good choice. I can't wait to get to the point where I can add accessories so I am pretty pumped to make a good decision that will last me a while. I will read up some more on this forum but if anyone has any suggestions then I would be open to them.
Thanks fellers!
Thanks fellers!
03-23-12, 07:51 PM
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To Bike Forums, Edmund!Edmund, your best bet is to continue to research Craigslist. Find a bicycle with a chromoly steel hybrid or road bike frame and upgrade it in time.
Additionally, you could join a bicycle co-op. Volunteeer enough time to become a member and locate a donated steel frame, through the co-op. You can begin to build and upgrade your bike right there at the co-op, under the leadership of skilled bicycle mechanics.
Alternatively, you could order this really nice single speed online:
www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_504148_-1_202339
Good Luck!
- Slim
Last edited by SlimRider; 03-23-12 at 07:56 PM.
03-23-12, 08:06 PM
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On your budget I'd go with craigs list just like SlimRider suggested and the steel frame, but you want to look over any aluminum frame bike for cracks, especially if you find a deal that's too good to be true.
You can pick up a good used older model mountain bike and turn it into a hybrid by changing out the wide knobbies for some slightly narrower street freindly tires, if that will be your riding style.
I've got an old Trek 850 mountain bike I bought new in 1996 and I've gone through several sets of tires, chains, and various other parts I wore out, but the chromoly frame and wheels have held up just fine and I couldn't break that bike, so I made it into a hybrid and although I've got newer bikes, I'll never get rid of the old Trek, which I still love to ride.
There are a lot of deals out there if you have patience.
Good luck!
You can pick up a good used older model mountain bike and turn it into a hybrid by changing out the wide knobbies for some slightly narrower street freindly tires, if that will be your riding style.
I've got an old Trek 850 mountain bike I bought new in 1996 and I've gone through several sets of tires, chains, and various other parts I wore out, but the chromoly frame and wheels have held up just fine and I couldn't break that bike, so I made it into a hybrid and although I've got newer bikes, I'll never get rid of the old Trek, which I still love to ride.
There are a lot of deals out there if you have patience.
Good luck!
Last edited by Jimbo47; 03-23-12 at 08:22 PM.
03-23-12, 09:18 PM
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Motobecanes are a really good deal, but they make you appreciate what a LBS does to make a sale. Assembling, tuning, fitting, going back after a month for some more tuning, endless advice, and most of all helping you get the right type and size bike.
I just got a Motobecane and couldn't be happier with it, but I'm out of work right now and have far more time than money. I think they are a good option for those who would prefer to spend time over money, reasonably mechanically adept, and not too proud to pay a LBS for a tuneup if necessary.
But the cheapest option would probably be Craigslist, if you get lucky and the right bike shows up.
I just got a Motobecane and couldn't be happier with it, but I'm out of work right now and have far more time than money. I think they are a good option for those who would prefer to spend time over money, reasonably mechanically adept, and not too proud to pay a LBS for a tuneup if necessary.
But the cheapest option would probably be Craigslist, if you get lucky and the right bike shows up.
03-23-12, 09:42 PM
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Hey Edmund! I second (or is it third or fourth) the suggestion to keep looking for good used bike. A good steel frame will last a long time, and parts can be changed out to make it more hybridy over time. I actually have a really nice cruiser that I'm just giving away on kijiji (like Craigslist for Canadians) even though I could probably sell it for $400, so keep an eye out for something like that where you are. One thing I have done with mountain bikes is changed to a larger front crank to give more higher gearing found on hybrids. This forum is a great place to pick up some technical expertise to do much of the work upgrading your bike on your own, lots of people willing to help out here. Good luck finding a bike!
Last edited by Deathly Hallows; 03-23-12 at 09:46 PM.
03-23-12, 09:47 PM
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Hi Edmund,
Welcome! As others have stated, looking for a good, used bike is a great option. I wouldn't limit your choices to steel frames, however. Aluminum frames are perfectly fine, as long as you look them over well.
Ordering online can present a challenge, in that you'll need to assemble the bike. If you're not mechanically inclined, you will likely need to bring the package into a bike shop and pay them to put it together for you.
Once you find a few viable options, it wouldn't hurt to post the links on this thread for some experienced users to comment on.
Just make sure that whatever you get fits you well. Otherwise, you won't enjoy your riding.
Good luck in your quest!
Welcome! As others have stated, looking for a good, used bike is a great option. I wouldn't limit your choices to steel frames, however. Aluminum frames are perfectly fine, as long as you look them over well.
Ordering online can present a challenge, in that you'll need to assemble the bike. If you're not mechanically inclined, you will likely need to bring the package into a bike shop and pay them to put it together for you.
Once you find a few viable options, it wouldn't hurt to post the links on this thread for some experienced users to comment on.
Just make sure that whatever you get fits you well. Otherwise, you won't enjoy your riding.
Good luck in your quest!
03-23-12, 10:43 PM
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Edmund, if you're ever given a choice between a used aluminum bicycle and a used chromoly steel framed bicycle, I would hope that you will behave intelligently, and select the chromoly steel framed bicycle.
Aluminum has a shorter fatigue life than steel. Each time it's used, it gets closer to its end date, or its fail date. That is not the case with steel. In order to safely select a used aluminum framed bicycle, you would have to know something about its history.
I mean, did it sit in the garage for most of its five years since purchase, just collecting dust?
-OR-
Did Fat Albert take it on downhill mountain bike races every weekend, after a week of commuting in a pothole-ridden warzone of a city?
These types of things quite seriously affect the life within an aluminum framed bicycle. These things would in no way affect a steel framed bicycle.
- Slim
Aluminum has a shorter fatigue life than steel. Each time it's used, it gets closer to its end date, or its fail date. That is not the case with steel. In order to safely select a used aluminum framed bicycle, you would have to know something about its history.
I mean, did it sit in the garage for most of its five years since purchase, just collecting dust?
-OR-
Did Fat Albert take it on downhill mountain bike races every weekend, after a week of commuting in a pothole-ridden warzone of a city?
These types of things quite seriously affect the life within an aluminum framed bicycle. These things would in no way affect a steel framed bicycle.
- Slim
Last edited by SlimRider; 03-24-12 at 12:46 AM.
03-24-12, 09:52 AM
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If you want to buy a bike from BD, check out their gently scratched store, bikeisland.
https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=2231
It's the Jubilee Deluxe that costs $399 on BD, but only $210 (a steal) on BI. There's not much selection on sizes, so you have to be 6 ft or taller. I bought another bike from BI and it was $100 less than BD with minor scratches.
https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=2231
It's the Jubilee Deluxe that costs $399 on BD, but only $210 (a steal) on BI. There's not much selection on sizes, so you have to be 6 ft or taller. I bought another bike from BI and it was $100 less than BD with minor scratches.
03-24-12, 09:20 PM
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If you want to buy a bike from BD, check out their gently scratched store, bikeisland.
https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=2231
It's the Jubilee Deluxe that costs $399 on BD, but only $210 (a steal) on BI. There's not much selection on sizes, so you have to be 6 ft or taller. I bought another bike from BI and it was $100 less than BD with minor scratches.
https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=2231
It's the Jubilee Deluxe that costs $399 on BD, but only $210 (a steal) on BI. There's not much selection on sizes, so you have to be 6 ft or taller. I bought another bike from BI and it was $100 less than BD with minor scratches.
Oxford: Windsor Oxford Stylish Urban 3 Speed Bike
03-25-12, 10:02 AM
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Keep checking Craigslist. About a month ago I found a 2011 Trek 7200 that the owner bought new but then wasn't able to ride it due to an unrelated injury.He had the original receipt which showed he paid about $550 for it from a LBS. He actually bought 2 bikes(one for the wife).Anyway ,I bought it for $200!!!! So keep looking, it will pay off.
Last edited by ZR2guy; 03-26-12 at 06:29 AM.
