Best city bike for $800?
 

Hello

i need a good city bike to commute from work and grocery stores. I also plan to take it on trails once in a while.

I see most people riding MTBs on roads instead of city or hybrids, is there a reason for it?

Whats the best city commute/leisure bike would you guys recommend? My budget is around $800.

Important to me:
1. Comfort
2. Style
3. Light weight (whats the difference between aluminum and aluminum alloy frame, are they the same thing?)

in this order .. lol

Id really appreciate your feedback as I dont know much about city bikes

Thank you

Moved from General Cycling.

A lot of people ride mtbs because they tend to be (slightly) cheaper than a road bike, most claim they are more durable, or they like to hit the trails on the weekends and they don't have the room/finances for more than one bike.

-Comfort: Go for test rides, as everyone has their own definition of what that term is.
-Style: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
-Lightweight: Again, different people have different ideas of what that is. Some people have no issues with 30 lbs, while others think that anything over 25 is a boat anchor.

Older mountain bikes are generally cheap and plentiful on the used market everywhere so they tend to be popular.

If you are looking for a city commuter I would consider steel over aluminum. It can be more comfortable and soak up pot holes and road buzz better then aluminum. If you get an aluminum bike I would recommend one with a carbon fork or steel fork. What is your concern with weight? For a city bike the only weight concern should be if you have to carry it up and down stair every day.

A non-suspension hybrid will suit most of those needs. Many of the "mountain" bikes you see on the road are cheap department store bikes that you wouldn't actually want to take on a trail.
Not sure what you mean by stylish. Everyone has their own opinion on that.
Aluminum isn't necessarily harsh - it depends on the tubing shapes and sizes. If you want "light" you pretty much have to have aluminum, unless you go for something like a "fixie" or a road bike, which will limit your trail useage.
The Kona Dew Plus is a pretty good deal:
http://www.konaworld.com/dew_plus.cfm
You don't mention your gender, but they also make a step-through with disc brakes, a real plus in my books.
http://www.konaworld.com/coco.cfm
The Giant Escape City comes complete with racks and fenders:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...y/11500/55828/
As does the Jamis Commuter series:
http://www.myjamis.com/SSP%20Applica...cat_grp=strt_1
There are a ton of bikes out there that would work and be in or under your budget. You really need to test ride a few and decide which one feels best. Don't forget to budget for things like a helmet and bags to carry stuff as well.

Mountain bikes are sturdy and last a long time with minimal maintenance. A lot of the mountain bikes that people use for commuting are 10 years old or more and may be hand-me-downs or bought cheaply 2nd or 3rd hand.

For beginner commuters, my advice is to get something cheap (probably used), so you won't be super heartbroken if the bike gets stolen. For short rides, how well the bike fits you is more important than any other feature. As you get more experienced, you may decide you really want certain features and then you can buy a better bike, and by then you'll be better informed on how to protect your bike against theft.

Alloy and aluminum are used interchangeably. Steel is also an alloy, but for some reason no one ever calls steel bikes "alloy". The frame is only a fraction of the total bike weight. A bike with a 5 pound frame may weigh 20 or 30 or 40 pounds once you add in the components and accessories.

Can't answer that question without knowing the basics
- target cruising speed
- terrain
- condition of pavement
- size tires you want/need
- luggage you will carry
- need for beater vs nice bike.


My bike is totally different from everything described above. The tool should fit the task.

Trek FX 7.4.*

Al frame, carbon fork, all the eyelets, including mid-fork. Decent mid-range components. Will take wide-ish tires with mild knobs, like those on the Trek DS (Dual Sport on/off bike). The disc-brake version of the FX 7.4 will push you over budget, but rim brakes work fine and keep the bike lighter -- disc brake version has alloy fork instead of carbon.

*Full disclosure: I work at a Trek shop, so I'm suggesting what I know. Pretty much every manufacturer will have a similar bike at a similar price. As long as you get a major brand bike-shop bike, brand almost doesn't matter. Spec's and colors will vary between brands; go with what you like the most. ...And that might even include the shop experience you get while buying.

narrow it down .. brands you can find in the local shops, so test ride , buy and get repaired, as needed?

What brands do they sell in you favorite shop ..

You can get a nice bike for $800. When you say "trails", does that mean dirt and mud, or fine gravel rail trails? If fine gravel or paved, you'll be fine with a hybrid or urban bike. Check out what your local shops are offering and pick the one you like the best. Mountain bikes are horrible for the road. Most people ride them because it's what they had in the garage and they can't afford another bike.

Can't recommend for you with so little info, but I can tell you that I bought a Trek Allant little over 2 years ago for 10 mile each way year round commuting in Minneapolis, 70% bike trails and the rest city streets. Almost 7800 miles later, and I still enjoy it. Fenders, rack, curved (not straight) handlebars, semi-upright riding posture (good for arthritic necks), fits studded tires in winter, and the price was right. I may get a faster summer bike one day, but this is good for what I need it to be good for!

+1.

I would also recommend the Marin Fairfax SC4 ($799) and the Specialized Sirrus Elite ($820). I test rode all of them. They all ride differently but as far as I can tell, they can all take commuting and occasional unpaved road riding pretty well. I've test-ridden a few hybrids with a front suspension as well. My personal conclusion is that a front suspension is not needed in those situations.

FYI, I commute to work (10 miles one way) 2-3 times a week and ride on paved trails regularly (about 50-60 miles a week). I bought a Trek 7.5 FX and am extremely happy with my choice.

The Breezer Greenway Elite is, in my opinion, easily the best city bike for $800. Well, it's $809 and some change, and Calling a bike the best is really silly, but that's not important. What is important is that the Greenway Elite is fully kitted out with a dynamo hub, lights, fenders, rack and kickstand, and it looks redined and classy. Component spec is good for the category, with a few that set it apart, such as front rack mounts and a 10speed wide range cassette. Riser bar gives it a touch of attitude, and durable, all-weather grippy aluminum cage pedals. Oh, and a bell.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...=t&cagpspn=pla

http://www.breezerbikes.com/images/p...ite_M_SIDE.jpg

Thanks everyone for their valuable input.

I wanted to give you some more background information. I live in LA. So most riding will be on pavement with occasional trail-rides and riding on Laurel Canyon

I was considering a hybrid? Is that a good choice for me?

I really like the Trek bike, is that considered a hybrid?

Have you looked into the Linus Roadster 8? Great riding and super comfy Chomoly frame/fork, 8-speed internal gear hub, great styling. Just a thought.

http://www.linusbike.com/models/roadster-8/

The category of bike is not important. You'll have much more success by defining as closely as possible your needs, riding conditions, and ambitions, and then finding a bike that fits the job.

For example, LA may not demand fenders, while longer trips and more aggressive road riding might suggest a longer, lower cockpit. Maybe you won't ride at night and don't need lights, or will do so infrequently and can trade off a dynamo hub for a lighter wheel; maybe dealing with heat means you want nothing on your back and instead use a rack system to carry stuff; maybe you just want as light and fast as possible.

Start answering those questions, and you'll be on the way to finding the best bike out there for you.

For the Trek FX crowd:

I have been curious on these.

I have a Specialized Langster which is light, fast, and agile. I can easily cruise at 20-22mph. (30 minutes for a 10 mile commute). I would like a second bicycle for days I needed fatter tires. The specialized skinny 25mm tires squeezed on it, but some days I need something bigger – like 700x35c.

I want to keep the speed/agility of the Langster, but I’m thinking a cross bike would be over kill (and many don’t have rack mounts).

What is the difference between a cross bike and the Trek FX series – specifically for rougher urban road riding, commuting, some dirt road riding? (I don’t need drops, and high bottom bracket aren’t requirements for commuting)?

Here's what my daddy just bought for himself, for commuting. It's one heckova steal: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...quila_xiii.htm
If you plan on doing "trails," take a look at cyclocross bikes. I think they're by far the best for... everything!
EDIT: This bike is similar to the Trek, except A LOT better for a lot less money. Also notice that it fits all different width tires for different seasons and purposes.

The FX series (also called "fitness hybrids") are designed to be versatile for many uses: workout bike, city bike, commuter, etc. A cross bike will have drop bars, knobbier tires, usually cantilever or disc brakes, and a more road-bike style geometry. They're going to handle differently, with the cross bike being designed for racing and the FX designed for, let's say, "sporty comfort." The FX bikes are a little more upright in terms of posture, and are meant to be closer to road bikes in the speed and light weight categories (particularly the 7.5 and up) versus other hybrid bike styles. They're all rack- and fender-compatible as well, and the 7.2 and 7.4 do have disc brake options available if that's a factor. The FX in general is Trek's most popular hybrid line, and the best-selling bike family at the shop where I work.

That being said, if you think you might ride on trails, gravel, or rougher roads now and then, you might also want to check out Trek's Dual Sport line if you're interested in the FX, as it's a bit like a beefed-up FX with suspension and disc brakes.

I wouldn't say that this is a fair comparison to the Trek FX. They're different bikes for different styles of riding and for different purposes. That being said, after looking over the specs, I have my doubts about whether that Aquila is "A LOT better" than the 7.4 FX. It's a bit of apples to oranges, but the frame build and ride quality, I feel, is where Treks really shine. It's very difficult to compare bikes through photos and component lists, however. Bottom line, as it often is: go to your local bike shops and see what's available, ride some bikes, ask some questions, and get a feel for what you want/need vs. what you don't.

*Full disclosure, same as mconlonx, I also work at a Trek store, so I too am sharing info on what I know.

As far as Trek are concerned, they have CrossRip for entry-level Cyclocross. The interesting thing is that the CrossRip line is also listed under "Fitness" together with the FX series. That leads me to believe the CrossRip and FX are designed to handle similar riding conditions.

My 7.5 FX can handle anything including paved trails, rough roads (i.e. cracks, potholes and tree roots) and some off-road riding. I'd imagine the CrossRip can do that just as well if not better.

And the CrossRip bikes have fender and rack mounts. :)


I rode a 8.4 FX a couple of days before deciding on my 7.5 FX. The roads I tested the DS on may not have been "rough enough," but I didn't feel that the front suspension and fatter tyres were of much benefit, especially at the expense of added weight. Just my 2 cents.

Yeah, the CrossRip is sort of a "cross-style" do-it-all commuter bike moreso than a legit cyclocross ride. Between that and the FX, it's sort of a choice between drop-bars-and-disc-brakes vs. flat-bars-and-V-brakes. Personally, I haven't had a chance to ride any of the CrossRips, but I definitely like the 7.5.

Thanks for the clarification. That's the impression I got from the CrossRip. I just haven't had the chance to ride one either.