vurt

Hi all, new here. Have not ridden a bike in decades and would like a bike to get to gym and around the neighborhood.

I have a herniated disc in the lower lumbar so I think I'm looking for a more upright riding position.

Browsing on Craigslist and googling around got me checking out hybrids like the Trek FX, Specialized Sirrus, etc.

I'm 5'5" with 29" inseam, my torso is 22.5", my arm length is 23.5".

I know nothing beats a test ride but I'm trying to narrow down options in my search.

Any advice or recommendations from the experts?

I've so far come across the following options on Craigslist:

2015 Trek 7.3 FX M 17.5" Black - $350 (Wondering if I can bargain this down or if this is a good price, it's probably the most aesthetically appealing)

Trek 7.2 FX - $270 (East Village)

sirrus sport - $350 (Brooklyn) (I understand the Sirrus and 7.2 are almost identical and both very popular)

Jamis Coda Sport, great for commuter and city biker! - $250 (This is suppose to have a smoother ride due to its steel frame but slightly less maneuverability than Sirrus and Trek)

GIANT TCR-SL Womens Xtra Small Road Bike (My friend thinks this is amazing value but it's more than what I'm comfortable spening on my first adult bike.)

Women's Giant Avail 5 (10 speed bike) - $400 (Harlem / Morningside) (Considering this only because my friend got me thinking about this style of bike)

like new small 2009 KHS Flite 250 at a great price - $255 (Ave U and Haring St) (This was one of the first bikes I came across on Craiglist, the owner is willing to part with it at $235)

What does everything think?

a1penguin

If you are looking for an upright riding position, you should eliminate all the road bikes.

I think the 17.5" Trek is probably the right size. The other biked do not have sizes listed. Some don't even have the year, so it's difficult to look up the used bike value.

The Jamis might be a good bike. 2012 Jamis Coda Sport - New and Used Bike Value indicates it's probably a fair value. And the rack is probably worth another $30-40. It's difficult to tell overall condition from the photos, but the tire tread on the Jamis doesn't look too worn. The specs on that bike indicate that it has 32mm tires, which should be good for plusher ride. I don't see the size listed on that bike. The good think about craigslist is that if there is something about the bike that you don't like, you can resell and possibly break even.

2009 KHS Flite 250 - New and Used Bike Value I think the KHS is overpriced and is lower quality bike overall. You can point out the blue book value and haggle over price.

The 7.3 is a very nice bike and if the bike is in good condition, it's a good deal: 2015 Trek 7.3 FX - New and Used Bike Value . It too, has 32mm tires.

Not sure about the FX 7.2. There's no year listed.

There are classes of bikes (city bikes?) that might offer more upright riding position than the typical hybrid.

There might be a sticky (or you can try googling) that gives a list of things to look for when purchasing a used bike.

If you haven't done any test riding of bikes to know what you want, then you should test ride some of these bikes. They look pretty reasonable and from the photos (although not great) the bikes look pretty clean. That doesn't mean that they are in good mechanical condition. The only way to tell is to test ride and shift through *all* of the gears and use breaks, etc.

vurt

Thank you for your thoughtful reply!

I'm leaning towards that too just based on what I am reading.

Does eliminating road bikes include the above hybrids I found? Or were you referring to the two Giants in my options?

By city bikes do you mean the European style with the swept back handles or will the hybrids do too?

The owner said he or she is 5'6" and the bike fits. I am guessing it is from 2015 if I trust the description of "New only used it about 4 times ! " but the 7.3 is probably better value at $50 more, will try talking that down.

I know the owner of the Sirrus said he's 5'8" I believe and has his seat up. He seems to suggest I could try it with the seat lowered but I'll prioritize the 7.3.

There is also a 20.5" option for the 7.3.

Wrenchspinnerjr

I love the Giant line up. I have a cypress and love it. If you are in Ohio I have a Sedona DX I'll sell you. That's a comfy ride and shouldn't strain your back

Wrenchspinnerjr

One thing I can say is make sure it is mechanically sound. You could get in a pickle if you miss something like wheel bearings. I've been bit before and it can cost more to fix than it's worth

vurt

Thanks for the tip!

Anyway I just found out the Giant Avail 5 is an XS being ridden by a lady of 5'4" and is 17" from the bottom of the seat to the ground. I imagine that is a feasible fit.

"Comes with bike computer with new battery, helmet, attached bike pump, and saddle bag." for $400?

Looking at the handlebars, is this the kind of road bike I should be avoiding? I imagine I'd be riding it very low with an arched back.

Supermau

I owned a 2015 Trek FX7.3 for about 700 miles before moving into a road bike. If it's in good shape I think $350 fairly reasonable, though there's always room to haggle. It's a sturdy bike that proved very reliable for me, until I got tired of it. ��

Wrenchspinnerjr

The avail, you will be hunched over. I have a bad back, that's why I went with the giant cypress. That and the Sedona are upright

vurt

Thank you! I guess I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Trek 7.3!

Wrenchspinnerjr

Good bike!

a1penguin

By road bike I do mean any bike with curved handlebars. Hybrids can come in many different styles. Some have features that more resemble a mountain bike (gearing and wheel/tire width) and others are more like a road bike (gearing and narrower wheels/tires). The one common identifier of hybrids is flat handlebars. This is a generalization, and others might disagree. You often see road bikes where the bars are lower than the level of the seat. Most of the hybrids I see have the bars at similar height to the seat. I consider city bikes to have bars that are higher than the seat. These provide a normal sitting like position. Any bike can have changes made to (seat position, stem) to provide some variation in back position. You can google images for "upright cycling position" and see a range of riding positions.

The first decision you need to make is what riding position your back issues allow. Then you can select suitable bikes.

The Giant Escape is another hybrid that is fairly popular here. Aim for the Escape 2 or higher.

Oh and you seem to have done a really good job learning about modern bike technology and scouting out bikes that meet your criteria.

vurt

Thank you! A lot of googling and lurking around here researching!

I'm now the owner of a Trek 7.3, managed to get it for $300 which my friend thought was good value.

I have need to get locks for the bike and I read on Sheldon Brown (same thing my friend recommended) to use a U-Lock plus cable.

Thinking of a Kryptonite Mini, but should I go for the New York or an Evolution? I understand the New York is the highest rated but also heavier. Will the New York be overkill?

This plus the cable will eventually / hopefully go into a saddle bag.

Wrenchspinnerjr

Congrats! That's a great bike a seems like a good deal. As far as the lock, I would go for the best and heaviest. Last thing you want is to have to walk home.

a1penguin

Congrats. The 7.3 is a great bike!

Dave Cutter

You should take a few minutes to watch this guys videos about locking up a bike in NYC. https://youtu.be/ryY-qMFLcfo

vurt

Hilarious, good video. So lock the seat to the frame, lock the back wheel to the frame and pole with a U lock, secure front wheel to U lock with a cable. And I should look for a Kyrptonite New York.

Dave Cutter

Don't forget the ball bearing in the stem bolt.

I think the guy is funny... and makes some good videos too. I think his advice is universal (not just NYC). I have a hard time even imagining leaving any of my bikes locked up on the street.

BlueLineBike829

Look to the Giant Cypress. Nice comfort bike that will get you where you want to go and you can pick a brand new one up for around $400. I just purchased a brand new Raleigh Detour 1 for $350 out the door, and it's a great bike. Perfect for what you're looking for. Upright position and it's more a fitness hybrid with its 700cc wheels. You'll love the bike. How can you go wrong with a new bike for $350!?

vurt

I'm looking for inner tubes. I understand the Trek uses 700x32 and I read in another thread the valve is 48mm. Does the valve size matter? This Continental tube is 700x32 but it's a 42mm valve.

canklecat

That Amazon link shows a tube with a Presta valve. Your Trek 7.3 probably came with rims for the rubber-covered Schrader valve tubes more commonly seen in the U.S. (same as on cars/motorcycles). The rim holes must be matched to the valves for best results. The Schrader valve diameter is 8mm, vs. 6mm for Presta. Schrader valve stems are usually around 36mm long, but vary.

Regarding the 700x32, that corresponds approximately to diameter X width. Tubes stretch - a lot - so a tube will probably be labeled to cover a range of 700x32c-40c, 700x35c-44c, etc.

Recent I swapped from 700x38c Specialized tires to 700x40c Michelin tires, both of the all terrain types for a mix of pavement and trail. The front tire has a Bontrager tube, 700x35c-44c. The rear tire has a Nashbar self-sealing tube, 700x35-38, and it works fine with the 700x40 Michelin tire.

10 Wheels

The Forward lean on a road bike will Strengthen your Core and actually help your back problem.