Eternal

Greetings all from a newborn bike enthusiast.
I recently started riding again after not having ridden since kidhood and loving it.
I wanted to pick some of your brains regarding bike choices.
To avoid backaches, I opted for an upright ride but wanted something lightweight with gears so that knocked the cruisers out as well as the standard street/road bike with the downturned curly handlebars and not too sure about a mountain bike, so I test rode some hybrids and ended up with a Trek 7000 (used from 2007).
As much as I like this bike, I learned very quickly why my self named “bike snob” neighbor kind’ve hrmphed at me when I said I was looking for an inexpensive used bike on CL.
Anyway, I’m thinking of upgrading, selling my nice little trek and picking up something new. I had to replace the rear derailleur and seat post on this bike as soon as I got it so I can see why getting a nice shiny new bike with warranty is better in many cases.
I was hoping I could get a little feedback here on the following topics:
First, among the hybrids, Trek, Schwinn, Raleigh, Carmel (Specialized) etc, what are the primary differences besides longevity of components? And if you have a particular preference…why?
I’m going to test ride a few of these tomorrow at my lbs.
Second, is there anything I might be missing regarding the benefits of other styles of bicycle? Because of the poor condition of the streets here in Brooklyn NY, I almost wish I could just put some mtn bike tires on a hybrid.
Third: What would be the most lightweight hybrid bicycle I could get under $600.00?
My Trek was ok until I added the bike lock and if I added fenders, a basket etc, I don’t think I could manage to get it up the stairs of the train stations here anymore 
And Finally, I keep hearing that peoples bikes get stolen even when they are locked up.
I have a heavy chain lock with a small U that secures it. I can put the chain through the frame and both quick release tires but frankly, I’m still not comfortable about its safety.
What would be a lock that would make a thief seriously think twice about trying, and is there such a thing as one in titanium or something else lightweight?
Still researching on my own, but thought it might be good to ask here.
Ok that’s enough from me for a hello I suppose
Thanks in advance to all who offer a response.
Best wishes,
~E

rutledj

I just went through what you did. I didn't (and still don't) know much about bikes but I ended up getting the 08 GT Transeo 1.0 (List $700, Paid 470). I liked the fact that it had a front suspension fork that could be locked when not needed. Seems like a good bike for the money.

You might check out this thread where I debated amongst the Trek and GT.

https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/520236-need-help-choosing-between-two.html

Best of luck.
Rut

Retro Grouch 

So who did you buy that bike to satisfy? I think you should tell your neighbor that he has crabgrass.

Kimmitt 

Why worry about being lightweight when you're riding upright anyways? You're gonna lose more weight getting out and exercising than the differential on the bike.

Go ride a cruiser, see if you like it. 15 lbs difference, max. And if you want, throw fat cruiser tires on your hybrid if that's a better fit for your roads. They're your tires and your bike!

Finally, check out the Electra Townie, because it's pretty much made for folks in your position.

Eternal

I want a light weight bike because if it's too heavy, I wont be able to carry it up/down stairs when I need to which I do/will.
I di dnot understand the second part of your comment re how my losing weight affects the differential on the bike. I dont want lighter for speed, just for portability.
15 lbs is quite a bit if you have to carry the rather large object up a flight of stairs.
At least for me it is.
You did pose another question though, just out of curiosity, I wonder how much I might lose riding an average of 21 miles a week?
I'm also hoping to increase my mileage as I gain experience, as long as time permits.
Eventually, I would like to become a commuter, that's my goal I think, to ride to and from work daily which in my case would be about hmmm... at least 12 miles a day? maybe more.
Would a cruiser be suitable for that?
I haven't had a chance to ride a cruiser with gears but I was not as happy on the one single speed cruiser I tried as I was on my Trek.
Will check out the bike you suggested however.
Danke

ChuteTheMall

In a similar situation, I recently chose the 2009 Trek 7.3fx because it's far lighter than my old mtn bike (1989 Novara Pondorosa) and far more comfortable than my old road bike (1974? Trek 2200). It's more of a flat-bar road bike than many hybrids, no suspension gizmos.
Got it on sale for $599.

Hopefully, it will turn out to be the best of both worlds for urban bike paths and city traffic. I carry it up 3 flights of stairs so I know why we didn't get an affordable mountain bike.

You won't want those heavy, slow mountain bike tires unless most of your riding is off-road.

Kimmitt 

Yeah, if you're carrying the bike around, weight is a much bigger deal. Sorry for not making that connection earlier.

edp773

I prefered the Giant Cypress for comfort over the Trek 7xxx series, but the weight will be similar.

Have you considered a comfort road bike? These have a more upright riding position with larger tires than normal road bikes. Two bikes to look at are the Giant OCR3 and the Raleigh Cadent. A Specialized Seqouia is a good bike too, but a little more expensive.

Panthers007

The Trek FX series are very nice machines. I highly recommend them.

Wanderer

The Specialized Crosstrail comes standard with 45mm wide tires. Very comfy indeed.

Panthers007

45mm?? Yikes! Hybrids usually run 28C - 35C. 45mm sound more like a MTB.

rweccentric

I have pretty much the same problem you do, so I am very interested in what people have to say about a hybrid bike choice. I can't recommend any particular bike since I am still looking but I can offer some other options that I am considering:

Kona - Smoke
KHS - Urban X
Giant - Seek 3

These are under $600 and the last two are Aluminum so they might be lighter. Anybody have any experience with these? Thanks.

Ka_Jun

I'm also waiting for the LBS to get their shipment in from Kona. Good review, here, if you're interested.

Cone Wrench

+1
I just bought one for my daughter. I'm very impressed. FX 7.2 WSD - aluminum frame and chromoly forks. You can go even lighter with the higher models with carbon forks, but for a bike that's going to be left alone, carbon makes me nervous, in case it's damaged by passersby.

Pumaguy

+2
I also voted for trek, I own 08 7.3FX and my lady owns a same version in wsd, both great bikes very light nimble and a lots of fun to ride, I would definately recomend one to anyone!