Newbe looking for a new bike
09-01-20, 01:11 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 10
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Newbe looking for a new bike
Well, I've picked up cycling with my wife. We have alot of biking trails in Ohio and cant wait to get out on them! My wife just got her bike. She is pumped. I'm looking at three different options: Trek FX 2, Jamis Citizen 2 or 3, and a KHS Brentwood. These all are in stock. I need some help. I've been doing my research on all of them. Can you help me? The Trek will be 630.00, the Citizen 2 or 3 (17 model brand new) would be around 350.00 and the KHS 360.00. Thanks!!!
09-01-20, 01:32 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2281 Post(s)
Liked 1,710 Times
in
936 Posts
Well, what kind of help are you needing? Because I really wish picking out a new bike was a problem I have.
09-01-20, 01:39 PM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 10
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Just what you would buy. How much difference other than price is in the three bikes? Is the 17 model much different than the 2020 model on the Citizen? Just any help would be appreciated
09-01-20, 01:51 PM
#4
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 226
Bikes: 1991 Diamondback Apex, 2015 Trek Verve 3, 2020 Specialized Diverge
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 143 Post(s)
Liked 116 Times
in
58 Posts
I am not very experienced, but am also shopping for a new bike. I have a 2015 Trek Verve 3. It is similar to the Jamis 3. The older Trek Verves have front shocks. I think I would prefer to have the Trek FX rather than the Verve. But the shocks make the ride more comfortable. I currently have the pre-load turned all the way up on my front shocks. So they provide very little cush. But they add weight.
Depending on the trails you are riding, you might like the suspension.
I like the handle bars on the FX better than on the Jamis and Verve too. But that is personal preference. I am looking for a more aggressive ride.
The KHS Brentwood looks the most relaxed of the three but has no shock.
I like the Trek FX best of the three. But that is my personal preference for a more aggressive ride. You have to decide if that is what you are looking for.
I would make sure you pay attention to fit and sizing. Let the store adjust the bike correctly for you. I also have a mountain bike and I think I bought it too small. Maybe not. Mountain bike fitting runs different.
I am taking my time on my next purchase. Make sure I get what I want.
Depending on the trails you are riding, you might like the suspension.
I like the handle bars on the FX better than on the Jamis and Verve too. But that is personal preference. I am looking for a more aggressive ride.
The KHS Brentwood looks the most relaxed of the three but has no shock.
I like the Trek FX best of the three. But that is my personal preference for a more aggressive ride. You have to decide if that is what you are looking for.
I would make sure you pay attention to fit and sizing. Let the store adjust the bike correctly for you. I also have a mountain bike and I think I bought it too small. Maybe not. Mountain bike fitting runs different.
I am taking my time on my next purchase. Make sure I get what I want.
09-01-20, 01:56 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2281 Post(s)
Liked 1,710 Times
in
936 Posts
Well I can't say that I'm very familiar with any of them, but basically the decision is yours to make. After looking up those bikes, personally I like the Trek a lot better because I don't like the frame geometry on the Jamis or KHS. But then, I'm not in the market for an upright bike and am looking at a road bike after being on a hybrid for the past 4 years. It really depends on how much and what kind of riding you plan to do. If you're just tooling around town, any of them would be fine. If you're looking for more long distance riding, I'd have to go for the Trek but add bar ends to the handle bars.
09-02-20, 01:16 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,479
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7648 Post(s)
Liked 3,464 Times
in
1,830 Posts
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b.../fx-2/p/17455/
FX 2 is a versatile hybrid bike for fitness, commuting, or riding for the fun of it! It has a lightweight Alpha Gold Aluminum frame, 24 speeds and a wide range of gearing that's great in hilly terrain, and tires that are both fast on the road and stable on paths and loose terrain.
Alloy frame/fork
35-mm tires
Shimano Tourney and Acero, 8 speeds 11-32 48/38/28 triple
Looks like V-brakes Tektro linear-pull
Listed at 26 lbs …. Believe what you like
https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/citizen2-8sp.html
Al frame
Cheap suspension fork SR/Suntour CR8
38 mm tires
48/38/28T triple 12-32 cassette
Shimano Tourney TX-800 rear and Shimano FD-TY710 derailleurs
Promax TX-121 linear-pull with front power modulator and Shimano levers
Suspension seatpost, adjustable stem
32.25 pounds as listed
https://khsbicycles.com/bikes/brentwood-16/
steel frame and fork
38-mm tires
Shimano Shimano TX-51 and RD-TX35 derailleurs
Gripshift terrible shifter (well, I don’t like them)
Shimano FC-TY701, 48/38/28 triple,
Shimano 7-speed Mega Range, 14-34T FREEWHEEL, not freehub/cassette
Promax Alloy Linear Pull brakes
No weight listed but likely comparable to the Jamis Citizen 2 or more.
I wouldn't buy a bike with a cheap suspension fork but some like them. I wouldn't buy a heavyweight steel bike unless it was at a yard sale or off craigslist for under $100, and I planned to strip it for the frame. I wouldn't expect a suspensions seat post to last if I actually rode hard enough to need one.
It all depends upon how @ridingtherev plans to use the bike.
Sir--are you talking about 10-mph leisurely rolling strolls with the wife down flat, smooth, paved or packed-earth paths? Are these "bike paths" paved rails-to-trails, MUPs (multi-use paths, wide, paved paths for walkers, skaters, joggers and slow cyclists?) Are they packed earth, loose gravel, rutted, filled with rocks and roots?
How long do you plan to be on the bike and do you plan to break a sweat?
Any of these bikes should be fine for no- low-stress gentle riding. All come from reputable manufacturers, all have the same or similar low-end parts but mostly parts made by reputable manufacturers, so i would expect everything to work at a low level.
I am not a fan of cheap shocks or suspension seat posts---in my experience they don't do much of what they should, add a lot of weight, and are not durable. But that again depends on how hard you push them---but if you are not hitting bumps hard, why have them at all?
For the kind of cyclist who sits on the saddle as if it were a car seat, and spins the pedals ... maybe I guess. If that is your style of riding .... then consider them. But if they break ... scope out replacement costs before you by the bike.
All three bikes have similar gearing, but the 7-speed freewheel on the KHS is a lot less durable. Again, if you plan to ride at a walking pace, this will never be a problem.
Are the bikes worth the difference in cost? The Trek is more of a rider's bike, and is built more to be ridden. The Jamis (which incidentally was only $100 less than the Trek on the Jamis site---you might be getting a good deal on ours) and the KHS are more fun bikes or pleasure cruisers .... Not so good if pushed, but absolutely fine for people who don't intend to push them. After all a Cadillac is not a Porsche is not a Ford Taurus, but if you buy the one which best suits your needs .... it is the one which best suits your needs and everything is fine.
Also .... how many hills are you planning to ride? How long are they and how steep? Al;l of these bikes have decent gearing for climbing hills .... but if you ride on the flats only you might be able to get less bike for less money and still be happy. It is all about buying the best tool for the job.
the Jamis and the KHS seem to have very upright riding positions and adjustable stems which can be a bonus because you can raise and lower the handlebars with ease ... Some people like sitting upright with their hands high, some feel more comfortable upright with the bars lower, some people like a little lean. Again, personal preference.
Say … what bike is the wife getting?
FX 2 is a versatile hybrid bike for fitness, commuting, or riding for the fun of it! It has a lightweight Alpha Gold Aluminum frame, 24 speeds and a wide range of gearing that's great in hilly terrain, and tires that are both fast on the road and stable on paths and loose terrain.
Alloy frame/fork
35-mm tires
Shimano Tourney and Acero, 8 speeds 11-32 48/38/28 triple
Looks like V-brakes Tektro linear-pull
Listed at 26 lbs …. Believe what you like
https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/citizen2-8sp.html
Al frame
Cheap suspension fork SR/Suntour CR8
38 mm tires
48/38/28T triple 12-32 cassette
Shimano Tourney TX-800 rear and Shimano FD-TY710 derailleurs
Promax TX-121 linear-pull with front power modulator and Shimano levers
Suspension seatpost, adjustable stem
32.25 pounds as listed
https://khsbicycles.com/bikes/brentwood-16/
steel frame and fork
38-mm tires
Shimano Shimano TX-51 and RD-TX35 derailleurs
Gripshift terrible shifter (well, I don’t like them)
Shimano FC-TY701, 48/38/28 triple,
Shimano 7-speed Mega Range, 14-34T FREEWHEEL, not freehub/cassette
Promax Alloy Linear Pull brakes
No weight listed but likely comparable to the Jamis Citizen 2 or more.
I wouldn't buy a bike with a cheap suspension fork but some like them. I wouldn't buy a heavyweight steel bike unless it was at a yard sale or off craigslist for under $100, and I planned to strip it for the frame. I wouldn't expect a suspensions seat post to last if I actually rode hard enough to need one.
It all depends upon how @ridingtherev plans to use the bike.
Sir--are you talking about 10-mph leisurely rolling strolls with the wife down flat, smooth, paved or packed-earth paths? Are these "bike paths" paved rails-to-trails, MUPs (multi-use paths, wide, paved paths for walkers, skaters, joggers and slow cyclists?) Are they packed earth, loose gravel, rutted, filled with rocks and roots?
How long do you plan to be on the bike and do you plan to break a sweat?
Any of these bikes should be fine for no- low-stress gentle riding. All come from reputable manufacturers, all have the same or similar low-end parts but mostly parts made by reputable manufacturers, so i would expect everything to work at a low level.
I am not a fan of cheap shocks or suspension seat posts---in my experience they don't do much of what they should, add a lot of weight, and are not durable. But that again depends on how hard you push them---but if you are not hitting bumps hard, why have them at all?
For the kind of cyclist who sits on the saddle as if it were a car seat, and spins the pedals ... maybe I guess. If that is your style of riding .... then consider them. But if they break ... scope out replacement costs before you by the bike.
All three bikes have similar gearing, but the 7-speed freewheel on the KHS is a lot less durable. Again, if you plan to ride at a walking pace, this will never be a problem.
Are the bikes worth the difference in cost? The Trek is more of a rider's bike, and is built more to be ridden. The Jamis (which incidentally was only $100 less than the Trek on the Jamis site---you might be getting a good deal on ours) and the KHS are more fun bikes or pleasure cruisers .... Not so good if pushed, but absolutely fine for people who don't intend to push them. After all a Cadillac is not a Porsche is not a Ford Taurus, but if you buy the one which best suits your needs .... it is the one which best suits your needs and everything is fine.
Also .... how many hills are you planning to ride? How long are they and how steep? Al;l of these bikes have decent gearing for climbing hills .... but if you ride on the flats only you might be able to get less bike for less money and still be happy. It is all about buying the best tool for the job.
the Jamis and the KHS seem to have very upright riding positions and adjustable stems which can be a bonus because you can raise and lower the handlebars with ease ... Some people like sitting upright with their hands high, some feel more comfortable upright with the bars lower, some people like a little lean. Again, personal preference.
Say … what bike is the wife getting?
