Hey Everyone,

This is my first post after quite a bit of lurking. This forum have been fantastic in terms of initial research and will continue to be used moving forward. I'm looking at purchasing a hybrid with more of a focus towards road but with a more upright seating configuration (the primary goal is to use the bike to commute to work which is 10 miles each way, with a secondary goal to just ride around town on the weekends with a max round trip of about 40 miles). The Giant Escape, Trek FX, Specialized Sirrus, and Cannondale Quick are some that seem to fit what I'm looking for in a bike. While the general consesus is to get the best model you can afford, I'm trying to get an idea of what aspects of the bike can be upgraded in the future. The reason is to determine whether to continue saving and holding off on buying a bike now for a better model a few months from now. Due to Covid, my savings rate for the bike is not as aggressive as I would like it to be.

For example, I could go ahead and buy a Giant Escape 2 in a couple of weeks or continue to save for an Escape 1 later this year. The benefit of getting the Escape 2 in the near term is that I get to start using it sooner (duh) but also figure out what parts I want to upgrade as time goes on. Maybe the stock Escape 2 will keep me content for longer than I anticipate. The counter-argument in favor of the Escpae 1 is that it should have all the upgrades I will want/need for quite some time. Futhermore, it could be that the cost of the upgrades on the Escape 2 would outweigh the cost of the stock Escape 1 but this leads me to my original question: what are the key components of a bike to look at that are the most expensive to upgrade? Also, what tends to be the first types of upgrades made when buying your first bike? For the FX and Escape models, the forks (among other components) tend to be made of better material as you go up the models. I feel like this alone makes waiting to get the higher model worth it.

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

I think the Escape 1 is worth the wait - for me, its the front fork thats the deciding factor with smaller width tires.

Some manufacturers are starting to show their 2021 models. Once that gets in full swing there will be plenty of 2020 models that will see a price drop. But as far as your questions goes... you can upgrade anything. Heck, you can upgrade a $7000 bike if you want.

The main differences are that the Escape 3 has a steel fork, the 2 has an aluminum fork, and the 1 comes with a carbon fork and carbon seatpost. Otherwise, none of the components on any of them are exciting. Your goal, on any of them, would be to swap everything to Shimano 105 level components (need the hybrid versions, flatbar, for brake and shifter).

105 level components, if you bought them on your own, are about $450 by themselves.

If I was looking for a daily commuter and weekender bike and facing budget limitations, my main requirement for any of the bikes you mentioned would be for it to have, at a minimum, mechanical disc brakes. Any of the components that come with these bikes will serve you for many years. I have bikes with component levels ranging from Tourney to Ultegra and they all work just fine. Riding comfort to a great extent can be improved with saddle and tire choices. I would look for a bike that can be ridden safely in all types of weather hence the disc brake requirement.

If it were me, I would want to be riding as soon as and as affordable as I could. These are just my personal opinions and others may beg to differ. Ultimately you must choose what is best for you.

Me, I would wait for the better model - heck, in another month, you may be able to buy it for the price of the 2. No sense in buying more parts than you need, and you get all of them on the one!

MHO

Thank you all for your responses! I decided to wait it out and get the Escape 1. The color and composite fork were the main determining factors. From my understanding, it's a 2x9-speed and parts are all above the Tourney line which is something I also wanted.
[MENTION=55920]pcunite[/MENTION]: It's funny you mentioned the Shimano 105's because I had already been looking at these parts. I'll have to wait a bit and break in the bike but I know myself and will want to start tinkering sooner rather than later.

Hard to upgrade frame and fork.

Drivetrain is low level anyway, and is a wear item. Easier to upgrade later.

I went for a mid tier model (Cannondale Quick 3) and upgraded everything. I don't know if I saved anything compared to the Quick 1 but at least installing things will give me something to do during lock down. The frames seem to the same for the most part.

So far, this is what I've purchased:

Shimano 105 components (50/34 175mm crank, 11-32 cassette, chain, clamp on front derailleur and long cage rear derailleur, BB80 bottom bracket and SL-RS700 shifters).
Ritchey Zeta Comp Wheepset with 11 spd freehub.

I had to get a few extra tools as well but at least I'll be able to work on my bike from now on.

The Quick 1 costs $600 more and doesn't have a Shimano 105 crank or bottom bracket, so I still feel good about going this route. Unfortunately, my bike's shipment has been delayed but at least I have most of my new parts.

After talking it over with the wife, I am now the proud owner of an Escape 1 (she had already picked up an OT shift to help cover the difference in price). Picked it up this morning and love it so far. I’ll be holding off on any upgrades anytime soon but lighter tires and the 105 set are definitely on my wish list.

My first big goal will be to ride to my work and back (10 miles each way). I underestimated the elevation change and heat here in Vegas....

Congrats - now go ride it!