I currently commute 8 miles RT with on a Giant OCR1 with a large Chrome pack on my back. I'd like to buy a bike that I can mount rack on and hang panniers so I can avoid back sweat when it's hot. I'm moving to Pittsburgh and I'd also like to be prepared for the winter whenever there's a little snow on the ground. So I'm looking for something with thicker tires, but not overly thick.

There's a great used bike market (I don't mean a physical market) in my city so I'm confident I can find some good options, but I'm wondering what models would be suitable. I don't have any used experience with disc brakes and I'm a bit nervous about the amount of negative reviews I've seen regarding early brakedown and constant maintenance. I'm also not too familiar with the Shimano component series for these bikes so I'm looking for some suggestions.

I'm hoping to spend up to $600 for something used that's about 2006-present. Right now there's a 2011 Specialized Crosstrail Sport Disc up for $650 with some upgrades.

Besides the Crosstrail, I've seen the Giant Roam mentioned, but those seem to be too new to be on the used market with reasonable depreciation. What other bikes would people suggest?

I've heard good things about the Trek FX series.

The FX series is nice, but you can get so much more bike for the same amount of money if you look at other brands.

Reality Check.. How is a stranger across the country, or around the world going to tell anything
without seeing it in person.

if it's not new , wear and tear is a hidden factor.. find a friend, with some mechanical savvy,
near where you live,* to go with you when you shop for used bikes.

* you don't say.

I'm looking for recommendations of bikes that would suit the conditions I stated and I gave a couple of examples of what I thought would be reliable and not bottom of the barrel stuff. I'm asking if those ideas are good and if there are other similar or better options based on people's experiences. I'm not sure where you got your whole "reality check" impressions.

Can you suggest some other brands/models? I'm patient and have found great deals on Craigslist ($125 for a 2003 Specialized Epic Pro is probably my best so far), but obviously I can't be too picky when it comes to Craigslist. Just missed out on a $200 2010 Cannondale Quick CX.

Cannot read minds or tea leaves..

What brands are in the Shops around where you live ?, learn about them.

those will be the ones that people who live around there will be re selling..

Here the LBS sells Trek Felt Redline and a few others .. orders QBP stuff when requested../

there is a Specialized dealer but they are 2 towns away so they are rarely seen around here ,
unless someone drives for a hour + to go get them, there.

and there is the natural lateral similarity across brands of same category and price point.

So you know what you need, the ability to mount a rack, mid-size tires. Specialized Sirrus is a popular commuter, and Trek FX is as well. You may also look at cyclocross style bikes. There are the pure racing cross bikes, but they are becoming popular with commuters as well since they give you the combination of road bike and off road, and they normally have rack mounts. Trek and Specialized both have an 'entry level' cross bike, the CrossRip and TriCross (I think those are the names). Cross bikes also have cantilever brakes and will accommodate tires up to 38mm, some even larger. I would also consider an older steel hybrid like Trek MultiTrack. I bought one from the co-op and have put several hundred miles on her and she's pretty much bulletproof. Raleigh has some nice commuters like the Port Townsend.
If disc brakes are important, you may also want to look at the Charge Hi-Filter, not sure you'd find it on CL, Performance Bike carries them at about $899, a little north of your price range, but they have disc brakes and fenders included (and they are quite nice looking to boot).
Then of course, always be on the lookout for a Surly Cross Check (canti brakes) or Salsa Vaya (disc).
You may also check out the Novarra Buzz at REI, you could get that new in your price range. https://www.rei.com/product/837487/novara-buzz-bike-2013
REI also carries the Marin Muirwoods for a little more, also with disc brakes: https://www.rei.com/product/845701/ma...29er-bike-2013
The Buzz and Muirwoods are both straight handlebars. There are two REI locations in Pitt.
Bikes require maintenance, old or new, just plan on that.

+1 to fietsbob's response.

If you know your measurements you could always try to find something online. Nashbar/Performancebicycle/Rei/etc sell bicycles a lot cheaper that brick and mortar shops, and some of them are factory seconds/older models that are selling for half the price. If you don't care about brand recognition you should take a look at Fuji or GT. Both bicycles offer great mid-range hybrids at a very reasonable price.

• GT Tachyon/Transeo
• Fuji Absolute
• Giant Escape/Roam
• Specialized Vita/Sirrus
• Jamis Coda
• Cannondale Quick
• Raleigh Cadent

There are so many to choose from. Find something that fits and that suites your needs. Personally, I am partial to the Giant Escape because it's perfect for commuting and fitness.

Thanks for the recommendations. I do know my size and in reference to fietbob's post, I can find any brand listed in this quote and your post. I should have clarified on "mid-range" a bit. When it comes to road bikes, I've ridden Sora components and then after a bad accident, jumped to 105 components and never want to go back. So I'm basically looking for the 105 level components of the MTB world, or at least a mix with a solid rear derailleur.

So, you are looking for a hybrid with Deore XT components?

Check out the 2013 Fuji Absolute 1.4. It's a perfect hybrid between a MTB and Road bike with Shimano Deore RD.

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...400001__400001

Looks like it is mostly Acera components, with a Deore RD. Nice bike, but is it good enough for OP? I could be wrong, but IMO, OP was not clear when he said mid range hybrid suggestions. IMO, when most folks think mid range hybrid, they think Acera, Alivio level components, maybe with a Deore RD.

All Deore, or especially Deore XT components on a hybrid is not mid range, but close to top of the line for a hybrid.

I'll leave the bike choices to others. But if I were moving to Pittsburgh I'd want a bike with a triple crank and enough gearing in the back to handle the steep roads in the area. As far as winter goes, you want wider tires not thicker tires. Whatever bike you get. As long as it can handle a 2 inch wide, or wider tire. You should be good to go. In a town with steep climbing everywhere you go. A studded tire with lots of studs would probably be better than one with a lesser stud count. YMMV. When you get there. Talk to some local bikers about riding in winter. Good Luck.

My '04 Pt Reyes is LX/XT with Mavic wheelset and Hayes hydros. The last Pt Reyes('10) was Deore with WTB wheels and Tektro hydros. Manufacturers have been dropping the specs on many of their hybrids(and other models) to keep prices down. I'd suggest either raising your budget a little,or lowering your spec expectations.

Problem with looking used is finding what you want in the right size.

[MENTION=99453]scoatw[/MENTION] I did mean wider, but said thicker.
[MENTION=345151]License2Ill[/MENTION] I haven't found too much of an issue finding 54cm frames.

Just yesterday I was able to pick up a 2012 Specialized Crux Elite with mostly (upgraded) Tiagra components, a computer, and new bike pump for $500. Wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but it was too good of a deal to pass up. I'm still looking for something that fits all of my criteria, but I'm patient.