Hey there,

So I'm just getting back onto a bike after a very long hiatus. I am an avid runner, but the humidity in Toronto is killer and I've borrowed a friends bike and found I could go a lot longer with a lot less issues, plus it's a lot easier on my joints.

I've found some Norco hybrids at a local place that I really like, just wondering if anyone has any experience with them. My budget is 600 bucks tops, ideally less as I'm a student paying out of pocket for my classes, so money is tight.

https://www.norco.com/bikes/urban/urb...nce/vfr-forma/

I don't know Norco, but the specs seem reasonable for the price. You have a lot of options in the hybrid segment for a $600 budget, though. Major brands like Trek, Specialized and Giant all have a couple different lines that you might try out. If after trying out some similar bikes for comparison, the Norco feels right, then I would go with it.

If you are comfortable doing your own tune-ups and minor repairs, you also have the used bike option, or bikesdirect.com.

OP is in Canada, so BD isn't really an option. BD will only ship to US addresses, though they will take Canadian-issued credit cards. https://www.bikesdirect.com/canada.htm

Welcome To Bike Forums, Greginto!

I've got just 3 questions for you:

1) How tall are you?

2) Do you have any hills or serious inclines you'll have to climb while commuting?

3) Does your school have a high bicycle theft rate?

1. I'm 5'10

2. Yes, several.

3. Not taking the bike to school (online classes) using it for commuting to and from work, about 15KM's either way.

I'm not comfortable doing tune-ups, but am going to try and learn. I can get some good tune ups a local dealer for 50 bucks, and the guys and girls are quite friendly and what not and will help me learn.

Well Yes!

In that case, I think that your best Norco choices would be either the Forma or the Indie.

You Have Great Hybrid Taste!

Thanks, I ended up buying an Indie 4 today, but I may upgrade to the 3. The sales person at Cyclepath was really helpful (And didn't hurt that he was cute), patient and yeah, that sold me on it. Anyhow, it arrives on Wednesday so here's hoping it's the ride I'm hoping for!

Thanks again for the help!

You're most welcome, my friend!

PS.

The Indie 3 is definitely a better bike...

https://www.norco.com/bikes/compare/#|indie-3|vfr-3

I'm torn between the Indie 3 and the VFR 3, on my budget, is the difference between these two bikes really worth the extra 100 bucks? I'm doing a fair bit of commuting + hoping to use for my fitness needs to reduce the impact on my knees that running is taking. Sorry, I thought I had figured this out, but now I'm wishy washy.

Yes. IMHO the extra $100 would be worth it...However, if it places you into a financial bind, then don't do it! You will still be the owner of a fantastic bike, either way!

Jmho, IF you could afford to go up to the VFR 2, then it would be the VFR hands down, but the VFR 3 against the Indy 3, I'd take the Indy 3 for it's step up componets for the price! Now, get the LBS (shop) to change out those 700Cx35 or 38 tires to 700Cx28 tires, that will make less road resistance and make the bike better for, road work, while still giving you a bit of "cush" comfort over 700Cx25's, YMMV. Whatever you choose, ENJOY!

I wouldn't consider the Indie 3 a full step up from the VFR 3 in components - maybe a half step? The real differences are the change from 8- to 9-speed, disc brakes, and the Alivio rear derailleur. I can't quite tell what differentiates the VFR line from the Indies. Is it a difference in geometry, where one is more relaxed, and the other more quick/aggressive? For the minor difference in components between the two, I would choose based on comfort and fit instead. FWIW, I like the look of the VFR frame, with its more swoopy shaped tubes, better. I am still a little leery of low cost disc brakes, especially outside of mountain biking, but I don't have any experience to back this up.

Agree, "step up" may have been the wrong wording. For me the VFR is a "fitness" bike and Indie is a "commuter" bike but still the VFR 3 seems lacking over the Indie 3, now the VFR 2 is SWEET but out of the OP's budget from what I gather. Lower end mech. disc brakes work well but seem to have some issues with "squeaking" or rubbing and need a bit more adjustment tuning more often than V-brakes in my experiance.

So I settled on the Indie 3 after riding the 2 (even though I could not really see myself shelling out the money on it) and overall the Indie was a much more comfortable ride, and the amount of speed I picked up was ridiculous on a downhill. I actually passed a car nearly just testing to see how much I could "coast" and quickly realized that hey, brakes are good to use! Overall I'm delighted with my purchase, I need to get a kickstand, a water bottle thingy ma bob and I should be set. I took it for a 1 hour spin after the purchase and got home soaked (thank you humid, hot Toronto). Anyhow, thanks all for the input, I feel like I got my monies worth, and the shop gives me once yearly free tune ups to boot, so that's a huge plus in my books for helping finalize the sale, and I got it at 10% off, which NEARLY covered the cost of taxes, minus 3%.

My thanks once again! As an aside, anyone know where to go to get the 411 on basics on Tune-ups and what not? Tools that are a MUST to have while traveling and what not. I got myself a day pack that's adequately sized, so I want to have things with me JUST in case and learn the basics.

Have fun. I don't ride more than a couple miles from home without: a bike-specific multi-tool, a patch kit, and a small pump. The Park Tool website is great for how-tos, Sheldon Brown's website is great for reference/history/deeper explanations, and Zinn's "The Art of Road Bike Maintenance" is a nicely illustrated print book.

Must-have - tire levers, puncture kit, frame pump. I haven't faced a puncture yet, and hope never to but a puncture is one thing that is quite common, and impossible to work around.

First, check to see if there is a bicycle co-op in your local vicinity, somewhere.

If there isn't, just come back here for more information. A co-op will actually show you how to dismantle and reassemble you bike. However, you have to know how to go about it. You can't just say, "I want you to show me how to put my bike back together, now that I've taken it apart!". However, one day you might want to disassemble your brake assembly and ask for help putting it back together. The next time, remove your chain and rear derailleur and ask for help placing them back onto the bike. Every weekend disassemble something and then reassemble it, until you've acquired some skills.

It's very important that you learn how to both fix your bike and make adjustments, because it will save you hundreds of dollars in the future.

You might see if your LBS offers basic repair/service classes or clinics for new riders. Check out parktool.com for all kinds of tutorials and a directory of bike shops that offer the 'Park Tool School'.