Yoyo32

I am looking for a basic 3 or 7 speed bike (max $400) for use on the road or paved trails so I can ride with my 10 year old. Won't be going far or very hilly. I found these so far,
SE Bike - Tripel
https://www.sebikes.com/bikes/lifesty...-series/tripel

Giant - Escape 3
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...specifications

Which one would you go with or is there another one I should take a look at? Thanks!

BruceHankins

I'd go with the Giant, great value there. At $400 you have some options, look at Specialized, and Fuji also. Fuji make some really nice bikes for a good price.

VegasTriker

Both bikes you list are in the same weight range, around 28 pounds so that puts them in a much better weight class than most mass merchandiser bikes. The gear range limitations on the 3 speed bike are pretty serious. The 42-16 combination for the gears, 700CX28 tire, and 170 mm crank gives a 69.9 GI for the midrange on the Nexus hub and 51 for low gear, 95 for high. The Giant Escape with regular gearing has a spread of 21.9 to 91.2. It is geared like many mountain bikes, lower than most road bikes but a lot better than the 3 speed hub on the first bike. You get a lot more choices to get a comfortable cadence while riding. The drive train components on the Escape are at the low end of the spectrum but should work acceptably. Lots of people recommend internal hubs based upon maintenance needs for the regular drives but in reality it doesn't take all that much to maintain them, even for somebody who rides thousands of miles a year.

Yoyo32

The Giant is $70 more than the SE Tripel so maybe I should go for the cheaper one if it's not that much better. I don't get those numbers you mention so maybe it won't matter to a beginner like me. Thanks again for the input, much appreciated!

TrojanHorse

Ah, fly-by posters. Both people recommend the Giant and support their reasoning but he says "I ignore you both! because $70"

Good times.

BruceHankins

Well if you want cheap go to Target.

Yoyo32

I'm not ignoring anyone, I'm trying to have a discussion. The second poster mentioned gearing being better on the Giant but I'm not sure that's worth an extra $70. If someone said the components on the SE bike are absolute garbage compared to the Giant then that's more cut and dry.

demoncyclist

The SE is a boat anchor, and with only the 3-speed to work with, may not give you the gear spread you require. The Giant has an aluminum fame, so it will be noticeably lighter. The 7-speed derailleur system will give you a lower low and higher high, so you will have an easier time climbing hills, and keeping up with an energetic pre-teen. That $70 is money well spent if you actually enjoy ridign the bike. You might even ride without the kid.

Yoyo32

Thanks everyone, very helpful information.

catonec 

$399 give you alot of options.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...s/mirage_s.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...rage_steel.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._al_xi_sc3.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...afe_latte_x.ht
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...-sunfire-3.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...e_trail_x4.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ntainbikes.htm

cplager

Having more gear range can often make the difference between enjoying a ride and not being able to do a ride. (It matters less if you live somewhere flat with no wind. Where I live it matters a lot.)

atbman

I'm an enthusiast for Islabikes - https://www.islabikes.com/us/ and https://www.islabikes.com/us/bike_pag...rt-USA_web.pdf

They're outside your price range and far be for me, on t'other side of The Pond, to recommend that you batter the plastic. However, our experience is that they are superb value for money and, as a result, hold their s/hand price extremely well. They often fetch up to 85-90% of their new price after 12-18 months (and sometimes longer), making their weekly cost much lower than other brands.

We have a fair few of them in different sizes, along with on and off-road wheels, for use by our Kids club members, both at training sessions and in races and they've stood up pretty well to riders of a variety of skills and fitness.

But, in these straightened times....

Good luck and safe riding with whatever bike you get.

Ps. I'm not involved with the company in any way whatsoever

fietsbob

pay in cash or check , they have a security breach for credit card data.

Yoyo32

Thanks but these are kids bikes, I'm looking for a bike for myself to ride with the kids.

Yoyo32

Thanks, most of those handlebars are different than the type I was looking at but i see there are lots of options, thanks again.

fietsbob

bikes are made up of interchangeable parts .. nothing is compulsory to stay as delivered.

atbman

Ooops! Went back and re-read the original post

metz1295

have you made a purchase? I bought the sport version ($590) of this bike for my 12 yr old son and he loves it. it would be perfect for what you're wanting to do. the better components is worth the extra $100 over your budget.

Specialized Bicycle Components

fietsbob

Trek has nicely made kids bikes , they have the really huge Giant Corporation make them in Taiwan.

Trek Carries all the warrantees on what they sell .. different Dealer networks ..