Originally Posted by
hokiefyd
TThe fit and finish of the overall bike is what will differ the most between brands. And, by that, I don't mean "quality", but literally fit (how your body fits the bike) and finish (colors, satin vs gloss, etc).
If you like a blue Sirrus, then buy it -- the green Trek that you don't really like the color of isn't going to be a "better" bike.
This is important. Fit is number 1, but a lot of these bikes probably feel similar since they are general purpose hybrids and not all out tailored fit road bikes, so sometimes the deciding factor might be the color scheme and just how you like how one looks over another. If you like the way it looks, you'll ride it more.
Originally Posted by
Skipjacks
That sounds EXACTLY like the set up where I am.
You in northern Baltimore County by chance?
Nope, Twin Cities area.
Originally Posted by
Skipjacks
The good news is that you're overthinking it. You're on the right track. You're looking at the right bikes. Just pick the one that feels best.
You've not going to pick a piece of junk from that list. A Trek and Specialized bike in the same price class are going to be very similar quality. But one of them will just feel better testing riding to you. Pick that one.
If the roads you'll be riding on are in good condition, go with the rigid fork over the suspension. If they are a bumpy disgusting mess, go with the suspension (meaning Specialized Crosstrail over Specialized Sirrus, otherwise basically the same thing. Same thing for any other brand. There's a suspension version and a very similar rigid fork version of nearly every hybrid)
At his price point I wouldn't touch any suspension fork bikes, personally. Too heavy, too wallowy, to clunky...just a waste IMO.