Originally Posted by
MRT2
A couple of quick points.
1. You need to compare model to model, not brand to brand. I own a Trek and a Salsa. 98% of the time, I prefer the Salsa because it is better suited for the rides I do. My wife owns a Trek hybrid and a Jamis road bike. She mostly rides the Jamis because it is both a better bike and a better bike for the riding she does. My son used to own a Trek mountain bike but now rides a Kona. It is a better bike in just about every way, as it should be for what we paid for it.
2. In the US, Trek and Specialized are marketed as premium brands, meaning that at a given price point, you pay $50 to $100 more for a comparable Trek or Specialized than you will other brands.
3. In general, major brands make comparable products at each price point.
4. Stay away from entry level bikes with suspension forks. The bike might be nicely built, but the fork will suck. If you really need a bike with a suspension fork, up your budget by at least a few hundred. For most riding on pavement or groomed surfaces, a hybrid with a steel, carbon fiber, or aluminum fork will be fine.
Thanks I like the idea on the comparisons that makes sense. Im also starting to think that getting a bike with shocks would be more than i need and i can save some weight and some cash on the spend. Considering were buying two and also need helmets, bike rack for the car etc. I really want the car rack because I think that opens more places for us to go to keep it fun and exciting. I have seen a Kona and a specialized and was pretty impressed with them. Our Giant/ Trek dealer opens on Monday so that should help me narrow it down for sure.