Just a quick and dirty post. I'm looking for clean lines, hydraulic brakes, hardtail, what they call "urban" or "street" bikes. I like these two:

2013 Jamis Coda Elite
https://www.myjamis.com/SSP%20Applica...cat_grp=strt_2

Trek 7.4 FX Disc
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...fx/7_4_fx_disc

Wondering if there's anything a little cheaper. Maybe $600 or so? Doesn't have to be late model. I'm fine with older models. Single speed is fine too. Just seeing what you guys have.

Thanks.

Maybe the Novara Buzz? No experience with it, but saw it at REI and liked the looks. Runs $599.

https://www.rei.com/product/837487/novara-buzz-bike-2014

Whoops...just noticed they are mechanical brakes...

Hydraulic brakes on a city bike? Even a single speed? That's quite a nuisance to maintain, unless you happen to be a plumber.

epic: if you're deciding between those two,I'd go with the Coda. Steel frame/CF fork will ride better than the FX's all alloy.

There's also Kona's Dew Plus and Dr Dew. They're a touch more MTB-ish than the Coda and FX,but still plenty quick and ride nice. I've owned two Codas and four Dews(still have my Deluxe),and IMHO you can't go wrong with either.

Yeah,cuz look at all the problems car and motorcycle owners have with their brakes. Only issue I've ever had with hydros was letting a shop try to bleed one set(they were DOT,my bleed kit was used for mineral oil and I didn't feel like getting another one) and they screwed them up. Unless you're going to be swapping bars around there really aren't any real issues with hydros,and many pluses over mechs.

Thanks for the responses guys. Cat, they do have a disc brake version which is getting real close to what I want. Dynaryder, the dew plus is pretty close as well. I do like The Coda's cleaner lines, but also really like the look of the 7.4. I'm posting a few pictures to give you guys more of an idea.


Cat, this is the Novara Big Buzz. This is so close to what I'm looking for. An "urban" or "street" bike with clean lines, and I feel the disc brakes make it look aggressive.


I don't know what this bike is, it's off the trek site from a while ago. They've changed their site a little, luckily I saved this picture. Again, I like the clean lines and actually really like the one chainring on this one, makes it look simple, which is why I wouldn't mind a single speed either, super simple. Obviously no disc brakes on this one, but I think it would make it look a little more aggressive if it did.

Any more ideas?

I'd say the 7.4 and the Big Buzz are the closest to what I want, besides maybe a single speed that looked just as bad ass

Why not get just the Buzz? It's cromoly - the Big Buzz is alloy throughout and I remember reviews that commented on how rough the ride was.

How about the 7.4 FX with V-brakes? That's got a carbon fork (as opposed to the alloy fork that comes with the 7.4 FX Disc).

I had a Road Buzz with basically the same fork as the current Big Buzz. It sucked with 42mm tires. Wound up returning the bike. Those pinpoint forks are the worst.

I second the Novara Buzz recommendation. I have ridden it, and it was nice.
I prefer mechanical brakes too.

One thing I'd check is the type of shifters. The Big Buzz I test rode about two months ago had thumb-thumb shifters, which was quite awkward for me. I'd much prefer the thumb-index type. If you're fine with the thumb-thumb shifters, then it's no issue.

Single speeds are only good on the flats. Otherwise, I'd go with the Coda Elite.

+1

test ride them , and talk to the dealer , they may have deals ,

Accessories are usually discounted, at point of sale. ie: mudguards racks and lights .
so budget for those , wont be discounted in the future (maybe)



actually hydraulics have an advantage, no user required adjustment as the pads wear.

mechanicals , you have to do that manually.

Curious to hear your story. And vatdim's. Cheap hydros are like cheap anything else,but good ones rock. They're almost the standard in the MTB world,the next big thing in cyclocross,and you find them on more commuter bikes every year.

Yeah, the elite does look nice. Anything with a smaller price tag? Maybe $600-$800?