Hello, looking at getting into cycling and I feel a Hybrid would suit my needs and also for my wife. I'm just looking at an entry level to start and I like the looks of the Trek DS1. This is around $699.00 Canadian in my area and seems to be the right price point. Just wondering about other brands that would be comparable in price and quality? I will most likely be buying it in the Windsor Ontario area.

The DS1 looks like a nice bike.
Will you be mainly be using this bike on paved road / crushed gravel bike paths? If so, you probably don't need the DS1's heavy front suspension.
Have you looked at the Trek FX2 or FX3? Same price range, 5lbs lighter and better components.
That's the route I'd go if I was looking for a "do it all" bicycle.
(But then again, I never go "off roading").

The DS1 is a good bike. I have the DS4 and I love it for the riding I do. If you're going to stay on paved roads and paths then open your options up to other bikes. The Trek FX, as Klink suggested, is a nice very series of bikes. Take a look at Cannondale and Giant as well. If your not sure about the type of riding you will really be doing then get a bike that is comfortable, that you will ride for a year or two and possibly upgrade with a ride and feature set that fits you best. Visit a few local bike shops and try the bikes out for fit and get to know the people there. In my opinion your LBS is almost as important as the bike you buy.

Thanks, a lighter bike sounds like a good option. The area I live in has a mix of roads and trails and i thought the trails would be where i would spend most my time until i get more confident. That's why i figured the front shocks made sense but was not aware of the added pounds.

Thanks jase33. I plan on getting out this week to start looking. It's still winter time here so it may be a good time to buy I figure. I for sure want something that offers some comfort but on the same token if I want to ride some distance I can. Years ago when my wife and I got mountain bikes we made the mistake of getting her a men's model, this time I see there is a lot of options for ladies for bikes even in the hybrid line so I think that's the best idea.

Unless you plan to be riding some really rugged single track, with lots of tree roots and rocks, the front suspension isn't necessary. If you plan to ride mostly on asphalt and crushed gravel bike trails the front suspension will actually slow you down. Not only are they heavier (and eventually will require some maintenance), but they tend to "pogo" when climbing hills (unless it has a lock-out feature - which is usually only found on much more expensive suspension forks) making you work harder. The first bike I got after "being away from cycling for awhile" had a similar front fork as the DS1. I loved that bike - except for the front suspension. But as I mentioned I don't ride single track / off road.

FX is Trek's line made around Not having a suspension fork , they weigh less too ,,

[High End Suspension forks would double the selling price of the DS Bike ,

But they can be added after the sale if you wish.]

I assume you have many bike shops in your area. Check them all out both in the store and then online. Giant Escapes may be good for you. Someone mentioned the Trek Fx 7.2 and 7.3 as good choices. Look at Specialized, they have some good bikes as well. Fuji seems to have created a niche for this market. You can find all kinds of bike brands online but I recommend you buy from a shop so that you can make sure you get one that fits you well. Buying a bike sight unseen can work if you have plenty of experience with bikes; otherwise you're better off in a shop. For $700 you will be getting a bike with an aluminum frame, carbon fork and 8 or 9 speed cassettes with a triple front. The name brand models that I mentioned in this price range will all be pretty similar.

Thanks. A few shops I went to today suggested that our area has enough paths and trails that the shocks would be an advantage but stressed the ability to lock them out is nice. I have yet to be to a Giant dealer yet, all I have seen is Kona, Raleigh and specialized. The specialized and Kona both seemed very nice but were a tad more than the Trek DS1.

To get suspension lockout on the Trek DS, you have to go up to at least the DS2. If you end up riding a lot on paved paths, being able to lock up the front suspension would be great.

Okay that makes sense about the trek as i just looked on line and may have missed that. That also explains why the other bikes are a bit more, probably that and he said something about true hydraulic brakes as far as the levers go. I'm not 100% what that means he just said they adjust easier as they wear. The Trek dealer doesn't open up until next week in our area for me to go see those.

Just a tip - it's winter now and you can probably get a great discount on leftover 2016 trek models. The 2017 models came out in summer 2016 so if you can find a 2016 model you like in the size you like, bring cash and fight to bring that number down!

Thanks as i am new to this that's a great tip. Almost sounds like the same type of deal you can get on cars at certain times of the year.

Exactly that and, for the most part, the differences between model years are not so huge (sometimes they are) so it's absolutely fine getting the outgoing model. If it's one they have on their showroom floor, they will obviously be more motivated to get rid of it first.

I share this tip a lot because I had a bad first experience in 09 I think it was. I bought a bike that the salesman told me for me perfectly only to realize later that I needed the 1 size up from it. It was a model I think they were just wanted to get rid of so they pushed it on me by lying. I mean, the size (a large) wasn't Super small for me but all other treks that I have bought have been XL and they've always fit perfectly. Rookie mistake on my part.

Make sure the size you get is the right one for you.

Just sharing my experience as a newbie with you.

Okay that's good to know and that's scarry to end up in the wrong size. The one shop in my area says that they use some system called Juteau-Cantin Bike fit to measure you up and they say they need about 90 minutes to size someone properly. It sounds intense but on that note it would be good to be 100%.

I could be wrong, but I suspect most of these advance bike fits are for road bikes with drop bars and shorter top tubes, so I am not sure how applicable they would be to flatbar hybrids.

A couple of quick points.

1. You need to compare model to model, not brand to brand. I own a Trek and a Salsa. 98% of the time, I prefer the Salsa because it is better suited for the rides I do. My wife owns a Trek hybrid and a Jamis road bike. She mostly rides the Jamis because it is both a better bike and a better bike for the riding she does. My son used to own a Trek mountain bike but now rides a Kona. It is a better bike in just about every way, as it should be for what we paid for it.

2. In the US, Trek and Specialized are marketed as premium brands, meaning that at a given price point, you pay $50 to $100 more for a comparable Trek or Specialized than you will other brands.

3. In general, major brands make comparable products at each price point.

4. Stay away from entry level bikes with suspension forks. The bike might be nicely built, but the fork will suck. If you really need a bike with a suspension fork, up your budget by at least a few hundred. For most riding on pavement or groomed surfaces, a hybrid with a steel, carbon fiber, or aluminum fork will be fine.

Thanks I looked at some photos on their website and I bet you are correct.

Thanks I like the idea on the comparisons that makes sense. Im also starting to think that getting a bike with shocks would be more than i need and i can save some weight and some cash on the spend. Considering were buying two and also need helmets, bike rack for the car etc. I really want the car rack because I think that opens more places for us to go to keep it fun and exciting. I have seen a Kona and a specialized and was pretty impressed with them. Our Giant/ Trek dealer opens on Monday so that should help me narrow it down for sure.