Hi,

I know zero about biking, expect how to pedal I'm looking to buy a new bike, and wonder if you can offer some tips on the type I should be looking for?

I've narrowed my choice to a Trek for the moment, due to availability here and from recommendations. However, I'm really confused on which type of bike I want/need.

Here's my planned usage:
- short trips around cycle paths in city
- longer day rides on roads
- ability to have panniers on bike and a baby seat - will be carrying a small child sometime.
- don't really like the MTB style of sitting - would prefer to be more upright.

I have around 500 euros to spend.

So... when I look on the Trek wesbite, which types and models should I first look at (and maybe a note as to why?)

Thanks for the help - hopefully I'll be able to learn a thing or two

If you want a strong framed bike that will handle the panners consider the Trek 520, it's a touring bike and is a very comfortable bike to ride.

If you know so little,why narrow it to a trek or how did you narrow it down to a trek.What other brands are at the lbs?

well, due to not really knowing the difference between a hyrid/touring/comfort etc bike, I wanted to explore the range with just one brand. Once I find the type of bike I need - then I can start comparing to other brands.

Seemed better than saying - list all the bikes which fit this critera! :-)

ps. wife has a trek 750 and she's happy with it. Many others have said trek is a good brand... so that's the reason for that starting point! ;-)

another way to find a starting point is to define your intended use, as you did:

sounds like a hybrid or a comfort bike. they have similar geometries, but a hybrid is a bit more of a road bike -- larger wheels with skinnier tires -- and a comfort bike is more of a mtb -- smaller wheels with fatter tires. i suggest that you look at hybrids. both styles of bikes are compromises, but the hybrid is less of a compromise and, for some reason that i fail to understand, hybrids seems to have better spec for the price.

so... go to a bike shop and ask to look at the hybrids. the trek hybrids are quite good, btw. so are specialized, and quite a few other brands.

Use the Matchmaker at Gary Fisher. It asks you questions and recommends a bike for you. Trek owns Gary Fisher.

Keep in mind that your cycling habits may change. I personally thought about the comfort bike at first. I am glad I didn't make that mistake. Unless you are convinced that you are going to be on the pavement most of the time, I would go with a Mountain bike.

The tires alone are a reason to stay away from a comfort/hybrid in many cases.

really not sure about MTBs... I'm wanting a seating position with is less "aggressive!" and more relaxed..! :-)

thanks for the link, it recommended the Zebrano or Tiburon!

Anyhow... I'll dig into the treks a bit more and see which hybrid seems most suitable. thanks for the tips.

I have a 03 felt SR71 for sale,flatbar roadbike.

E500 is not a great deal. You can get good-enough quality for riding, but nothing high-end. A touring bike such as Trek 520 would start at maybe E1500.
In your price range, a hybrid bike, or a flat-bar road bike would do the job. The flat-bar road bike is really a higher performance model, capable of riding on trails, but faster on the road. They usually come with the threaded fittings for luggage rack and fenders.
If you do go for the road bike, make sure it has as much room as possible for fatter tyres and fenders, some model have more clearance than others.

In your price range, most manufacturers are alike. Pick yourself a good bike shop, and look at the makes which they supply. Ask them how they check the bike assembly, do they check the spoke tension, can they upgrade tyres etc.

Pick a frame which is the correct size for you.