Hi All,

Looking at getting a hybrid to replace a Mongoose Solution my ex wife gave me in 2003. I always felt it was too small, I have the seat post up to the limit, and even then I feel like a clown in a circus, but rode the bike on and off. Took it to a local bike shop to see what could be done, they could put in new seat post, handlebar post and rewire it all but even then the frame is really too small for me. I'm 6'1". The Mongoose had a front suspension, suspension on seat and in middle of body, a mountain bike. Finger tip shifters, 24 speed, if was my size I would have been happy with it.

I realized I enjoy riding a bike more than going on elliptical for cardio. At least I can ride the area and change my scenery. I am in south florida so summers may be hard. I just turned 60, but have no issues on elliptical, walking, doing any cardio...

One shop showed me a Specialized Crossroads Sport at $519 and would give me $50 for my old Mongoose. IIRC the Sport model went to 24 speed and had the suspension on the saddle. He had a large frame one but not already put together so I couldn't sit on one.

Another shop showed me a Trek Verve II, came in black and bright red. Ergonomic grips, seat suspension, etc. He had a 22.5 size frame. Got on it, may be a bit tight when straddling, have about 1" below the crotch. Got on seat, can touch ground with tip toes, which is good. He has it for $549 and will give me $100 for the mongoose.

So I have not bought a bike in a while. Any ups or downs to one make over the other? These are the two shops in town. There is one more about 30 mins south of me. I can see what they have.

Another option is to restore my 1974 Schwinn Sports Tourer. I had to find the right frame size in a shop far from my house back then. It has Campangnolo Gran Tourismo gears, nervar crank, TA Headset, weinmann rims, double butted spokes, Brooks saddle, center pull brakes, QR hubs ( don't remember brand) . It also has rondonneur bars with campy end shifters that I put in. Have not rode it in 8-10 years so needs tires, a "tune up" and cleaning. I know its not a hybrid, but its a nice riding bike on the road. We do have some areas here where you can ride on dirt roads that can be bumpy and this is not the bike for that....

So input on these two brands appreciated, input on other models/brands too in the $500 +/- range...

Take a look at the giant escape 2. I love mine, it's well worth the price and gets great reviews

Seems like a good bike for the $.

I was hoping to buy from LBS if possible. I know I can get most any bike for le$$ online. The shop that sells the Treks said they include lifetime adjustments of brakes, gears...

I could buy online, save $, then have to go thru the pain of selling the old Mongoose....

I will see what other models the locals have. There are more shops about a 30 minute drive from me. The two local ones are 15 mins away at most.

For Trek, the FX 1 and 2 are in your price range. The FX series has been consistently great and if you like the LBS you went to, that is a plus. It's a little more rigid and aggressive than the verve and doesn't have the suspension fork, but do you think you would really need it where you are? I grew up in the Orlando area and if the paved trails are anything like where you are (fantastic) then I doubt you would need the extra comfort of the suspension fork. My Dad is around your age and still in Florida, he went with the FX and loves it! The lifetime adjustments are great too at the LBS if you're not comfortable doing those things on your own, although they are pretty easy things to pick up over time. You could always check the LBS inventory and see if there are any closeouts on 2015/2016 FX series in your size. I'm a big guy too at 6'3 and I always check there first as they usually have some of the larger frames left over on closeout.

I did a quick search on the Verve and my old LBS had a Verve II closeout in 22.5 inch for 475 but not in your area. I wouldn't sell my bike back to them personally unless you really didn't want to hassle with selling it yourself. For that price, you could always hang on to it and have a backup for any friends/family, or if you have to leave yours at the shop for a few days for any reason.

Realistically, any of these options will be an improvement over what you have now, having a bike that fits is a shockingly great upgrade over one that doesn't!!! Best of luck in your search!

Thank you

The Verve II doesn't have a suspension fork, just on seat post.

I like the adjustable handlebar stem...

Any opinions on Specialized vs Trek bikes?

It seems all the different brands have similar models that are geared up the same. Just a diff name?

Thanks again

Ah I see I need to look at the Verve again! I don't have an opinion on Specialized vs. Trek. I've ridden Trek my whole life for the sole purpose my closest LBS was a Trek store when I first started and I've never had any reason to leave the brand. I'm familiar and comfortable with it and I like it. I'm sure you will find people the same way with other brands. I don't know enough about other brands to judge, but I'm sure some on here will chime in with some advice.

If you don't have any brand loyalty, try what feels the best and is from a shop that treats you well is my best advice!

Ends up we were BOTH right! The 2017 VerveII ditched the suspension fork the 2016 Verve II had in lieu of a bigger tire.

I was amazed how light the bike was without the suspension fork, under 28lbs.

The Fx2 is 25.6lbs and the Fx3 is 24.05lbs.


I'm not sure what the weight of the respective Giant Escape's are, but they are probably very similar and cheaper than their Fx equivalents.


There is even a disc brake version of the Giant Escape that is still cheaper than the Fx3.

do you know what size you need?

https://treasure.craigslist.org/sear...scape&hasPic=1

https://treasure.craigslist.org/sear...ek+fx&hasPic=1

https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/chl...984125066.html

I'm newly returned to cycling. I liked Trek back in the day, so I decided to go with them again. For what it's worth, I'm one year older and one inch shorter than you. I went with the Trek DS 8.3 and it was close to your price range. Has front suspension which can be locked out when you're on the road. I think it would now be just DS 3, and you may need to go to a DS 2 or DS 1 to get in the $500s, but they're good bikes. I've had it a year, put some good miles (road and trail) and really liked it. Just something else to consider that your LBS may have in stock.

EDIT: And I went with the 21 size frame.

Honestly I'm more of a trek guy but that stems more from me liking the geometry of my Xcal over the specialized hard tail (I forget the model)

Trek also was the only company that had a bike specced the way I wanted when I was looking for an all weather commuter (700c, steel frame, upright position, disc brakes, rack/fender mounting)

However, recently I put a Specialized Roll on layaway. Kinda a cool machine, and I think there's one in your price range. Suspension seat post, 27.5x2.3 tires and is fairly light for what it is (the one I looked at was 29lb)

Both brands are fantastic, just gotta find the bike you prefer.

Also, +1 to keeping your current bike as a back up

Hi All

After a lot of research I went with the Trek Verve 2. It was at a decent price at $549, it had suspension on the seat post, finger tip shifters, really nice bike. He gave me $100 for the old mongoose. It's just TOO small for me. The seat post was already up too high, above the Min mark and still too low.

I will get my 1974 Schwinn Sports Tourer refurbished. Has not been ridden in 8 years so needs tires, tubes, perhaps front and rear hubs redone. It has Campagnolo Gran Turismo gears with Campy handle bar end shifters.

I wanted to buy from a LBS and this guy gave me $100 for the Mongoose and also more off when I paid cash. So out the door it was $450 cash.

Picked it up Thursday night late, this weekend was out of town on a trip so when I got back Sunday took it out for a few miles. Easy to pedal, incredibly easy to shift... its a dream of a bike. Went out Monday for a few miles and while I had to clean my large parrot cages today and got home 6:30 still went out for 2.5 miles just to get the blood pumping. Looking forward to riding more this weekend. Want to get out a good 30-45 mins. Shouldn't be an issue. I have not biked for a long time but it's just building up the stamina so I need more time. Hard to do weekdays as I work. But soon it will be lighter out later. ... But I also want to get a light. Our neighborhood is well lit up but I want a light so the old people can see me better. That and a freekin bell so when I come up on someone they know it...

Congratulations! Enjoy the bike. Just looked it up, and it looks like a winner.

Get the lights!!! Makes you a LOT more visible to the geezers (which I am one of).

I've heard good comments about Trek Verve 2) Congrats!)