Best 'low-end' comfort bike?
 

First post, so I wanna just say hello first and foremost.

After 10 or so years im getting back into riding, (used to have a circa 90's Rockhopper) and am interested in getting a comort/hybrid as my next bike. Seems like theyre quite popular these days with all the brands making their own versions. Which one do you guys think is a good performer in the $250-$350 dollar range?

Thanks

Dez

Giant Cypress DX. My dad LOVES his.

We have Specialized Expedition Sports and love them. Ours have the mountain bike tires, but they also made a comfort bike with hybrid tires, which (I think) was called the Crossroads.

However, I checked the lineup for 2009 on their site, and could not find any comfort bikes listed for Specialized in the coming year. Maybe you can get a deal on a leftover 2008, or find something on Craig's List within your price range.

Just a caveat, though: if you are planning to ride often over longer distances, I would suggest you lean more toward a hybrid. I am keeping my comfort bike for shorter casual rides, but "outgrew" it more quickly than I expected.

Here are the 2009 Comfort bikes from Specialized


http://www.specialized.com/bc/_img/s...cn_enlarge.gifEnlarge in Gloss Blue or Satin Gold
2009 Carmel 26 Models MSRP http://www.specialized.com/sp.gifhttp://www.specialized.com/bc/_img/g...tindicator.gifGlobe Carmel 3 26"$550women's Globe Carmel 3 26"$550Globe Carmel 2 26"$470Women's Globe Carmel 2 26"$470Globe Carmel 1 26"$390Women's Globe Carmel 1 26"$390

2009 Carmel 700 Models MSRP http://www.specialized.com/sp.gifhttp://www.specialized.com/bc/_img/g...tindicator.gifGlobe Carmel 3 700c$550Women's Globe Carmel 3 700c$550Globe Carmel 2 700c$470women's Globe Carmel 2 700c$470Globe Carmel 1 700c$390Women's Globe Carmel 1 700c$390

"Which one do you guys think is a good performer in the $250-$350 dollar range?"

What the hell? It don't take that kinda money to have a bike that your butt finds comfortable
as long as it rides well it can be an old ugly dog of a bike!:rolleyes:

You must have some sorry bikes if you think that 300 bucks is too much for a nice new ride. :lol:

I wish we were still in the days where 350 was the price of a descent bike, but times have changed and greed has won. But I have what I feel is a descent bike and it was 720. There is no way I would ever pay 8500 for a bike that some of them have. If they want that kind of money for a bicycle then it better come with a good looking red head.

Descent bike? Is that one you go down on?

Some of those $8500 bikes come with SRAM Red components, is that close enough? :D

When I have my mid-life crisis, I may well buy an $8500 bike. Still cheaper than a sports car or a divorce.

Oh, yeah, and advice to the OP:

A well-fitted bike, and good service where you buy it, are as important (probably more important) as the brand and model. Try a bunch, and try a few different local bike stores (often abbreviated LBS on this forum) if possible.