I am looking to buy a hybrid bike that I will mainly use for commuting (typically <2-3 miles each way), fitness, and riding around town. I'll be riding mostly on paved roads, and perhaps a few gravel paths or light trails (probably very few). I would also like to be able to use this bike for fitness and take it on semi-decent road rides and use it as a bad weather bike instead of my road bike. I don't have a lot to spend (<$200, and ideally <$150) so my options are limited by budget. These are 3 that I have found on craigslist and I would really appreciate any input on which of these bikes might be best for me, and which are good vs bad deals. Thanks!

1) Womens Schwinn Crisscrosss (year unknown) - $150
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/2426084288.html

2) 2000 Cannondale M300 with new Bontrager Hybrid tires - asking $185
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/2436517168.html

3) Diamondback Insight 1 Hybrid - asking $150
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/2439688041.html

Are you sure they are all the right size? The Cannondale and Diamondback are 2different sizes and both fairly large. Since you included a women specific bike I am assuming you are a woman. I am 5'8 and ride a 17.5 but could easily also ride a 15. There is no way I could comfortably ride a 19 or 21in frame.

If they do all fit and those were my only choices I would probably go with the diamondback because it is newer and doesn't look like it has been ridden very hard. I am not a fan of step through frames like the schwinn and the Cannondale looks like it has been well used.

Thanks for your reply!

I'm not positive they are all the right size, but I thought they were in the right range and I was planning on taking them for a test ride to be sure. If you think I am way off I would love some guidance so I can look for the right size from now on. I'm a 5'10 female and definitely have more legs than torso (inseam 33.5). For that reason, a WSD was the way to go for all the road bikes I tried because whenever I found a frame tall enough I was always way too stretched out in my reach on a mens bike (I fit well in a 56cm Trek Lexa SL and 57cm Specialized Dolce Elite). I wasn't sure if this would be as much of an issue with the more upright riding position on a hybrid. The person selling/riding the cannondale is a 5'7 female with long legs and she says it fits her well. The female that has the schwinn crisscross is 5'8. I assumed the diamondback would fit based on it being similar in size to the cannondale and by looking at the measurements for the 19" online. Perhaps I assumed incorrectly? I am a newbie and could definitely use any pointers! Thanks!

I am no expert but based on what you are saying sounds like the diamondback or cannondale would be your best bet. The schwinn might be too small. I would go see each of them for a test ride and see which feels right. I have a longer torso, my inseam is 31.5 so men's bikes tend to fit me fine. My hybrid is a 17.5 and my road bike is a 53cm with a traditional geometry both fit me very well although I would like my road bike to be more relaxed and upright.

I took the diamondback for a test ride and it fit perfectly and rode really well so I went ahead and bought it. It's in great condition and I'm very happy with it. Thanks for your input!