Hey guys,

So I'm new to the forum and bikes in general. I am currently a college student who is getting sick of driving to campus everyday now that the weather is getting nice. I've started looking into some cheaper bikes that are in my price range ($500 -$700). So far I can't decide between the Giant Roam 1 or the Giant Seek 3. I like that the Roam 1 can be used more for trail ridding and that it has some suspension for a less bumpy ride. The Seek 3 is lighter and faster and seems to be more of a commuters bike (which is what it will be mainly used for) but has no suspension what so ever and is a very bummpy ride. My commute to class everyday is roughly 2 miles and contains several hills. What bike would be the better pick? I've already contacted my LBS and they are building a Roam 1 in my size for a test ride on Monday. Any suggestions or advice would be very helpful!

Thanks!

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/....3/9016/48860/

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/....1/9024/48881/

Actually, they both have desirable features. I prefer the avid BB5 brakes on the Roam1 as compared to the Tektro on the Seek 3. I don't like the suspended fork on the Roam 1, but I prefer that it has a 9 speed cassette as opposed to an 8 speed on the Seek 3. The Roam is 100% Acera, whereas the Seek 3, has partial Tourney

It's really all about personal preference here...

If it were me, I'd get a Jamis Coda Sport instead!

PS.

IMHO, the Roam 1 gets the slight nod.

College? get a functional used bike and a REALLY good lock.

Or a folder.

I doubt the OP is going to find a folder in the $600-700 budget unless he finds a bike on Craigslist.

Ooops! ....Fietsbob is right!

Most college campuses are targets for bike theft. That said, you should most probably check out the bicycle theft statistics of your college with campus security. This information will give you the basis for determining just how much you'd really like to invest in a bicycle. If your campus is typical of most college campuses, then I would suggest that you depend upon your local Craigslist for a used chromoly steel bicycle frame from the 1980's and not purchase a brand new bicycle at this time. When you go to test ride your CL bike, make certain that you take someone with you who "knows bikes".

However, if you feel that you must buy new, then I would suggest that you go online with either bikesdirect.com or nashbar.com.

For example:

The Gravity Avenue ~ $300
www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/avenue_fb.htm

The GT Tachyon 4.0 ~ $360
www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_534115_-1__202383

Good Luck!

PS.

There's also....

The Giant Cypress.St ~ $350
www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/cypress.st/9019/48871/

My bike was $550 at REI and I'm very pleased with it. I wouldn't win any road races or be able to ride it up/down mountain trails but I wouldn't want to either. Mine is for commuting by bus/bike and pleasure riding for fun on paved or dirt roads/bike trails. He wouldn't be able to get a Brompton or a Mezzo for that price but Tern and Dahon make good bikes in the $600 range. If I didn't get my Tern I was going to get the Dahon Speed D7 for $550. Montague makes a folding mountain bike for $799 if he wants something for commuting and trail riding.

Stolen bikes are a huge issue on campus. But I am a upper level architecture student. We have our own desks and work spaces located in a secure building. Most people bring their bikes to their work areas or lock them up right outside the building. It wouldn't be left there over night, which is when campus security says the most thefts happen. The only problems with buying for Craigslist is that the majority of the bikes being sold, although very cheap in price, are stolen. I had a friend who bought a bike only to have someone prove it was there's and the police take it away. They never found the guy who sold it to him and he never got his money back.

I will be graduating next year, so the reason for wanting a new bike is pretty simple. I want it to last a few years so I can get the most out of it. I don't know very much about bikes so I wouldn't know where to start when buying a used bike.

Alright then MikeyJoe23,

If you want a bicycle that will last for decades and never want to purchase another commuter bicycle ever again, I would suggest that you purchase a bicycle that has a chromoly steel frame. Currently, the Jamis bicycle company offers the most reasonable prices in chromoly steel hybrids. The Jamis Coda won Bicycling Magazine's editor's choice award for being the best hybrid bicycle of 2011. The Coda is one of the most agile, versatile, and comfortable hybrids ever made. It's truly amazing! You have a choice between the Coda Sport, an entry level hybrid, the Coda Comp, and the most highly esteemed Coda Elite, which has disc brakes included with its great componentry. The Coda handles the paved urban streets, just as well as the wooded dirt trails. If things get too rough on the mountainous trails, you can always outfit the Coda with wide knobby 38mm tires to traverse the those more challenging forest trails. If you'd like to carry packages or an attache case with you while cycling after the monsoon rains, you can easily equip the Coda with both rack and fenders. The fenders will aid in keeping you clean and dry. Therefore, free from the affects of puddles.

Since the Coda is made of chromoly steel, you'll eventually be able to upgrade the level of componentry far beyond that which Jamis currently offers. Perhaps twenty years from now, it could very well be repainted and upgraded with only the best in componentry. It will be just like being the owner of a brand new bicycle all over again, without the worries that the frame possesses accumulated stress fatigue. That's just how steel is made!

www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/12_codasport_rd.html
(click on the black color)

At any rate, whatever you should decide to do, I wish you the very best in finding the most comfortable bicycle that brings you the greatest amount of happiness.

- Slim

Got any Raleigh dealers around? If so, consider the Misceo. If I wasn't so keen on getting an IGH next, this would be on my short list.

Something tells me fietsbob's advice is still valid. Or get a new bike and a couple of REALLY good locks.
Is there a bike co-op in the area? Used might also be good to really nail down the type of bike you really want.

From what I suspect in your links, you are really looking for a Soma Doublecross... [oops... no... that's what I want...]

My vote is for the Seek. SlimRider made some good points on the differences but I like the no nonsense look of the Seek. No paint so it won't get scratched up. I also like the side plates they put on the top tube to protect it.

The reason I don't like the Roam is the front shock. In my opinion no one needs shocks for commuting. If you need more cushion put on bigger tires with more air. Less weight, does the same thing, absorbs rough rides.

Both will work, but as I said I would choose the Seek.

I mentioned the Raleigh Misceo earlier, but for not too much more, a KHS Urban X can be had. Reynolds 520 tubing, disc brakes, fenders, and a rack. But you may not have a KHS shop near you. That being said, if one had to stick with Giant, I'd take the Seek over the Roam.... but I'd take the Via over the Seek (for my needs).

Thanks for all your help guys. I've been reading everyone's post and looking into the bikes you mentioned. I will take the list to my LBS and see what the owner has in stock. He's a pretty straight shooter so he should be some help.

Whatever you go for, get a couple of high quality U locks and a cable just to make sure the tires are secured well. Plus, many locks even just in appearance are great deterants from theft; a theif is going to go for the easiest to steal bike. Also, park it next to a more expensive bike if you can. In a theif filled world, it's always good to have bait. (Or as blasphemous as it sounds, decorate you bike with some mud and let it dry so it looks to be an old clunker.)

Also, ask your LBS if they have any used bikes in stock, or some models from last year on sale, so you can afford a good bike and wouldnt be out much if it was stolen.

Also...

Bikes with 'removable' goodies (QR seat, QR's on wheels) are always easy targets for theft. Think about getting a seat leash or seat bolt for commuting,
and skewers that use an Allen Key instead of the quick release. Anything to deter a thief will help.

Here's another tip; take a business card or a card with your contact info, and slide it up into the bottom of your seat post!

This actually worked for me when I had a bike stolen from my garage; 5-0 caught the perp, and when it came time to ID my bike... off came the seatpost,
and voíla; out came the card!

Boy, was the perp sure surprised...

Alan

I know there's not a lot of love here for the Seek series of bikes, but I have a 2009 Seek 2 and like it and the understated look of it. In fact, that's the reason I bought it after having a bike stolen not quite three years ago. Mine has Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic brakes and is a 9 speed, though. I don't know if the Maxxis tires on the Seek 3 are better than the Maxxis tires that came on my bike, but mine were flat magnets. Overall, I really like the bike and have never seen another commuter type bike in a LBS that I wanted more.