Well, It seems I'd be able to get a new hybrid bike! Awesome!

I was talking with my dad, who will be the purchaser, and I've done quite some research and stuff on everything like locks and security and bike safety and using roads and stuff. He said he wasn't actually concerned about the price (although a $1000 bike is out of the question), but he wants the bike to teach me responsibility, road safety, security, and to get some excercise (Typical parenting stuff), and I think that me bringing up the possibility of riding a few miles to some stores won him over.

So far, it looks like its going to be a Giant Cypress, its nothing quite fancy, being an entry level hybrid, anything at a LBS would be better than a Walmart bike, but hey, its a decent bike, I'll be able to go to the grocery store 2 mile away, and I am really happy about it, but yeah, i'm happy about this bike!

Are you sure you want a hybrid with front-suspension? It's something else expensive if and when it fails. Your call - and Dad's.

I didn't notice the suspension seat-post either. I believe Kona makes a hybrid with a suspension-fork. But it can be disabled for the times you wont need it - which is virtually all the time.

If you're only doing asphalt and light trails, skip the extra bulk of the suspension stuffs and go for better components. You'll still get a comfortable ride, and when you're zooming you'll thank us later. Otherwise looks great-Congrats!

I heard some forks have a knob that lets you switch between having front suspension and making it rigid. Does the Giant Cypress have this.

Also:
Any bikeshop bike is better than a walmart bike, I'll take the lowest end bike at an LBS.

The Cypress really does not need a suspension fork as the ride is so laid back and the tyres are so plush... it is a very nice riding bike and folks I know who have them are quite pleased.

In response to your question - No. The Giant Cyprus does not have the option you're thinking of. I think it's a Kona-bicycle. I'll go look for you...

... Rats! I can't find it with the search. But it was discussed here - on a thread about HYBRIDS that could be ANYWHERE <koff> <koff>.

If you and your father can swing $489, try out a Trek 7.2 FX. For Kona, look at the basic Dew bike at $449. Both bikes have very respectable components sets without the extra suspension, are built well, and have lots of happy riders. =)

You're referring to the Kona Dew FS of which I own one (a 2009 model). I'd disagree with you about disabling the front suspension most of the time. I find that the only time I lock out the fork is while climbing hills. It's definitely nice on rough pavement or when crossing fields, etc.

I suspect that the Dew FS is a bit out of the price range ($800 Cdn) -- but if not, I'd highly recommend it.

If you can't afford the quality of the Dew FS and don't think you'll need the suspension, I'd agree with everyone else that you'd probably be better off without the suspension fork as bikes without suspension for the same price are going to have better components.

You might want to check out the base model Kona Dew -- no suspension but a decent build with good value for the buck (under $500 Cdn) and loads of positive reviews.

Agreed regards the suspension option here. It's rarely something you'd need - unless a sink-hole 60-feet deep opened in the road you were traveling. Most folks I hear from who got the suspension-fork say it was a mistake, and wish they'd used the extra money for something else. Like a helmet.

Other than used, its the lowest priced LBS hybrid I've found though, at $380, can't really beat that...

I've no regrets with mine, in fact I'm quite pleased with it. And I got a helmet too.

mushrooshi, you might find a good used (and not too old) hybrid within your price range that's better quality than the Giant. Check CL for your area.

I've been hunting on craigslist for bikes, but no one replies back my emails, and when they do its either already sold or the frame is too big.

I figured I might as well go new; don't have to run around everywhere in town for something that may or may not be what I am looking for, the bike could be stolen (I've seen a post that said 'lots of bikes, $50', and they ranged from generic NEXT or Magna bikes to a couple of Treks), and I don't think anti-theft guarantees on locks honor used bikes. There was a perfect Gary Fisher Kaitai for $250, and my size for the frame, and only 1.5 years old, but the guy hasn't replied to 2 emails I sent today or 3 days ago.

I think you will like the Cypress. And if you want to save a few bucks look at the Cypress ST. It doesn't have a front suspension. https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...le/2303/32211/

For most riding you have made a good choice.

There is no Cypress ST in my area. I was looking at it though.

Don't count on the anti-theft guarantees to do much for a new bike either -- there's some pretty strict conditions that must be met before they pay out on the insurance. I've never heard of anyone getting a payout.

Instead of looking for the least expensive option, determine with your Dad what your budget is (I know with my Dad, if I did a good job of convincing him, he would give me enough money to get something considerably better than low-end) -- once you know how much you've got to spend, you can look for the best value in that price range.

You'll also need a good lock and cable ($40-50), a helmet if you don't already have one ($30), a water bottle and holder ($15), plus any taxes -- if you can swing it, get a rear rack too. If you have a total budget of $600 to $650 (which is considerably less than $1000) you can probably get a pretty nicely decked out bike that will end up costing less in the long run because it will have better, and more durable components, and you'll want to ride it more because, well, because it'll be nicer to ride than a cheaper bike. Sell it to him, man. Sell it.

I've got a crap Schwinn lock from a few years ago, I'm only going to be using that for locking the wheels, and I am definitely getting a decent U-lock with a cable. Or I'll use the Schwinn lock as a second lock.

I've got a helmet

I'll just transplant the water bottle holder from my crap huffy to the bike; come on, even Huffy can get that right

Also, rear rack as in car rack or the thing that holds stuff on the back of a bike? The bike will fit inside my dad's crossover SUV when you put a seat down.

I'll read about the anti-theft guarantees... Thanks for the tip.

Rear rack on the bike.

I think that other than a good lock, the only accessory I'd get right now is a el-crappo bike computer at Walmart or something, and when I actually get a job I'll add a rear rack and a better bike computer and stuff.

Make that: The people I know and have read about this situation. If it works for you - you're in the minority. If it works for you - GREAT!!

Ride On!

Silly question, but I would like to know it:

I'm not that physically fit (part of the reason I'm getting a bike), but if I have an entry level hybrid, and for some reason some random wants to chase me on presumably a huffy/next/schwinn/walmart mountain bike, could I outrun them easily?

No. You'll have still have to work your ass off to get away.

You are looking at what Giant calls a comfort bike. Speed is not the main concern. You can only go as fast as you motor will let you so you will need to work on your motor to get away from anyone.

I ride in Hollywood and our streets are crap. I really like having the seat suspension but I too opted for no front suspension once I was told about the extra weight and extra effort. My husband bought a GT Fitness Series Nomad which has the front suspension that can be locked off. Oddly, his bike is larger and has the extra suspension but somehow feels lighter than mine unless that's just an illusion.

I have a carbon fork that came stock on the 7.5 - and I'm just waiting for even the slightest...

...excuse. Then it's going steel. Now if this thing had come with an aluminum-fork, I'd probably change my tune regards front-suspension. That would, indeed, be like riding a jackhammer down the road. But steel is quite springy and flexible. To demonstrate this - holding a bike with a steel-frame by the saddle & stem, place your foot on the side of the bottom-bracket and push (not kick). You'll feel it give and spring back. Try this with an aluminum-framed bike - no discernible give at all.

According to the website, it is a comfort bike, but I thought comfort bikes had mtb wheels and had high grannybars...

On Giant's website, it lists Hybrid bikes as electric bikes . So I guess they tried to lump the Cypress in a new category and chose to put it in comfort .