Hi guys,

I am total newb when it comes to cycling, but I would love to learn. I have a few questions that I hope someone more knowledgeable than myself can answer.
My wife and I are looking at the Specialized Crosstrail hydraulic brakes and Ariel hydraulic brakes, from what I know these are the same expect for the male and female differences. We like the bikes, but we wonder if any riders out there recommend a different brand or model?

Here's what we are looking for:
commuting around 15 miles each way (once or twice a week)
going on light trails on the weekends
decent brakes
decent build quality

With that said, I know that the crosstrail isn't totally kitted out with the best components, but that's okay with me. I keep asking the sales associates what other brands we should consider and they always tell us to stay with Specialized so it's been hard to cross shop bikes. The bikes come with SR Suntour NEX forks and promax hydraulic brakes, which a friend of mine said were really low end and won't last long. Opinions?

Does anyone have any advice? It would be greatly appreciated!

Where do you live?

Outside of the San Diego, CA area

Ah, sorry man, I can't really comment on the American bicycle marketplace or commuting conditions.

Good luck and someone around your parts can probably help out!

Looks like this one:
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/cr...=237264-157825

Certainly the salesperson wants you to stick with Specialized as it is what they sell. But here's another similar bike:
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/cr...=237264-157825

This is a 9-sp vs the 8-sp on the Spec. And a tad cheaper.

FWIW I would not commute 30 miles round trip with a straight bar & suspension fork (again). I started with that, then swapping out the bars for drops, then swapped out the bike for a full on road bike. now if I ride unpaved I ride this bike, if I ride paved I ride that bike. get a bike to do everything, it won't do anything well

One one of many brands made for importers ..

Given San Diego Location , they are not the only bike available.

Go to a number of bike shops test ride a bunch of bikes

Who you Buy From may matter more, than Which Brand you Buy..

Big OEM factories , Like Merida That makes the bikes Specialized sells,
have several more brands they also make.. + those they sell under their own brand.




.

Howdy, I'm from San Diego also (Poway actually)

Many wise people around here have said, the point of your first bike is so you can figure out what you want in your next bike. Your apparent price range (well over $100, but well under $1000) is a great place to start. Specialized is a fine brand, but there's nothing special (pardon the pun?) about it, there will be essentially equivalent bikes at the same price point from the other big boys like Trek, Giant, Fuji, Cannondale, as well as smaller (but still pretty big) brands like Jamis, Santa Cruz, etc.

You say "isn't totally kitted out with the best components, but that's okay with me" -- stick with that instinct. If you buy the crosstrail/ariel I'm pretty sure you will enjoy them. Use them for a year, ride with your wife a lot, learn more, if you find you want to upgrade, you should be able to sell either on craigslist for half what you paid.

Also your instincts (or your friends') are good, looking at the fork and the brakes. I wouldn't think that any other parts on a crosstrail would have any problem at all. A suntour fork won't have a problem either, it just won't be as good at damping bumps. OK, not the end of the world. Promax hydraulics I don't really know about. Shimano hydraulics are unassailably good, maybe you can find a competitor bike that has shimanos instead of promax. What would be better? Braking a little smoother, more sensitivity in your hand, less tendency to squeal. That said, promax hydraulics (or any hydraulics) will definitely be better than any mechanical disc brakes, so you're probably still doing pretty good.

Test rides tell all. Getting the right size/fit for your frame, and possibly getting the right seat for your sit-bones, will make more of a difference than an upgraded fork or brakes.

As you are in a big market, why not look at the used bikes in the area? As previously stated, if cycling catches on, it is highly unlikely that you will get it right on your first purchase. I went through about 5 before I learned what I liked.

Most important thing is that the bike is your size, even if it a amazing deal.

Both of those are the same bike. I think you might not have posted the link you intended to.


[MENTION=492844]eurodriver[/MENTION]:

Trek, Giant and Specialized all tend to offer similar bikes. Dealers typically sell one of those three (or sometimes others), but rarely more than one of the big three.

For the type of riding you describe, you might be better off with a rigid fork, rather than a lower-grade suspension fork. Also, good hydraulic brakes are worth paying for, eg. Shimano or TRP.

Ah, yes. My careless error. Here's the one I was thinking of:

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/roam-2-disc

+1 wgscott said what I wanted to say in way fewer words

I ride one sometimes - bought it for my GF. Decent bike. Its a "hybrid" which means it has slow and stable handling. Personally I like an agile bike, but others like the stability - most of the new "gravel" (and mountain) bikes tend to go in this direction . I like the tire size - I typically ride a Cross/Gravel type bike because that tire size is perfect (my road bike gets no love these days - who needs skinny tires?). The shock is kinda nice - I find myself bracing for a bump that never comes. Its a comfortable ride (i.e. not too bent over). Its not my typical style, but its nice when I'm not in a hurry.