After a life time of road cycling I find myself confused about what bike to get. My wife is interested using her mountain bike that has been sitting in the garage for ten years. also we are on our 50's. My problem is that my road bike will not work on the trails she wants to ride. She will no be going fast or riding for more than an hour per session, so I want to get a bike that will do the trials but let me have some fun when she wants a day off.

I was thinking hybrid that will take the easy trails, but be better on hard surfaces than a mountain bike. I want to stay under $400 ($350 sale price is better) since this will be a second bike that will hot get heavy use.

So what do you guys thinks? Mountain bike, or hybrid? I especially am interested in actual models you suggest.

I've spent the last 3 days riding on gravel trails on 250 gram tubular tires and 300 gram rims. No issues.

Heavy bikes are a misery. A mountain bike feels like riding a farm tractor after being on a road bike. A hybrid will be halfway as miserable.

Unless your riding involves going over head-sized rocks at high speeds, do not get suspension (including a fork). It just adds useless weight, energy-sapping suspension bob, and loose and dodgy steering.

Thanks for the advice about not getting a suspension. I will not be riding over big logs and rocks. Light is important.

Still anyone with suggestions for a specific bike in my price range?

I've gone thru 10 hybrid/mountain bikes over the 5 years of commuting 24 miles per day.
The best two bikes I had were both Specialized Hybrids.
My favorite was my Specialized Globe San Francisco -2 it was very fast fun and light.
I paid $400 on sale and was worth every cent. The 2nd was the Specialized Crossroads Sport....very nice easy ride and was about $350 new in 2013.
Whatever you do stay away from the wal-mart/target bikes. I learned my lesson the hard way. Plus also watch out for anything from bikesdirect.
Their low-end models are very very bad.
If you are looking for a 2nd bike you can look for a good used one on craigslist. I've always had good luck there.

Good Luck,
-Brian

I like hybrid bikes & commuted 200kms a week & the odd off road trail. I used a Trek Fx & it was great & never let me down.

Don't know if you'd find a cyclocross bike in your price range? Would have to be second hand...

BEST idea.. hands down.

What I would do as well.

That is just SO not true! I started with a $300 BD road bike. It was amazing for the price! Put 3000 trouble-free miles on it my first year of riding.

Another vote for a cyclocross bike. I doubt if you'll find one for $400.

If you browse through the Hybrids section you can find similar threads.

Most of the sub-$400 hybrids have 7 speed freewheels... I would personally opt to jump up a step at least to the point where you can get an 8 speed cassette.

The Giant Escape is popular for entry level hybrids, and the Escape 2 has a cassette, and is about $460. Some clearance sales might be going on, and you might do well this time of year...

I ride a Trek 7.3 FX, and love it on the trails I ride... But I think the 7.2 is the lowest model with a cassette, and it is $500+

You might be able to find a nice used hybrid pretty cheaply depending on your area. I bought my 2011 7.3 FX on CL last winter for $200 or so (about 3 years old at the time). It works like new, and is one of my better decisions when it comes to spending on a bike.

You may be overthinking this.

What kind of a bike does your wife have?

If you've actually put a few miles on your road bike, and your wife hasn't, you may be a stronger rider than she is. In that case, no sense in going out and spending a fortune on your dream bike while she rides a beater.

Plenty of MTBs and Hybrids on Craigslist and at thrift stores for around $100 or less.

Get out on the trails, then see what you think.

Suggestions for cross bikes are good. They occasionally show up on Craigslist depending on the size of your market.

i saw a used 1994 Schwinn CrossTrail for $200 at a shop. I have never heard of that bike before. I am wondering if it is a department store Schwinn bike. It looks just like the Schwinn Crosscut. In my older age my hand are getting numb faster ( yes I use a proper grip) But the Glenn handle bars. seem like they might be a solution.

My only problem is that it looks way over priced. the shop was firm on the price even though onlikek says about $106
1994 Schwinn CrossTrail - New and Used Bike Value

Any suggestions?

I would check out craigs list and buy a mid to late 90's rigid mtb. Then I would put on road tires and you will have a reasonable light bike that can go most places.
If you want to go new check out the Giant Sedona or the Giant Roam.
Sedona (2016) | Giant Bicycles | United States $360
Sedona DX (2016) | Giant Bicycles | United States $440

You are quite right about the Schwine bike being overpriced. Are you willing to pay 50% off the MSRP when it is now 21 years old? It could have sold for less than the MSRP. One easy way to find the MSRP and what components came on the bike is to look it up on Bikepedia. It doesn't show in 1995 but does show up in 1994 (hence it is already 21 years old) 1994 Schwinn CrossTrail - BikePedia It was a low end entry-level bike store bike in 1994 (judged by the Shimano Tourney/Alivo components used on it. The store is looking for a sucker buyer who doesn't know much about bikes to charge that much. I'd stay far clear of that shop.

I also think a cyclocross bike would be perfect for you. Won't be so easy finding one at your price point though.

I really want to thank all of you for pointing me in the right direction.
I just bought a Trek 930 (link) for $140 from craigslist. (SHX model?)
The bike is actuality in very good condition with nothing to do but buy a missing kickstand? Maybe not, my racing road bike doesn't have a kickstand LOL.

It is much lighter than I expected with the shocks
I have no idea what years it is.
It is the Green/Purple pearlescent paint with white lettering.