First Hybrid purchase
 

Hi all, my first post :)

I've owned several bikes in the past but only ever used them recreationally - My last bike was a great looking Mongoose MTB that weighed more than the space shuttle!! Anyway I've decided to look into a hybrid bike because I happened on a Diamondback Insight 2 at Dicks Sporting Goods, and was impressed that it was so light for $499. As you can tell I have no experience at this and wouldn't even know if the Diamondback was any good.

So I've been looking for a week now but being a n00b, there are just too many options and I truthfully don't know what makes one better than the other! I actually really liked the Diamondback a lot, but figured I would shop around and see what's out there within a similar price point. My budget is $650 firm - I realize this is probably very little to those with experience and expensive bikes, but my goal is to simply get the best bang for the buck.

So I've narrowed it down to these:
* Cannondale Quick 4
* Trek 7.2 FX
* Diamondback Insight 2
* Novara Forza

Are there others in this price range that may be better/lighter? Any suggestions or advice on the ones I'm looking at

BTW I'm 5'9" and weigh 210lbs, if that helps to make a better the choice. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ian

I just wanna know, who brainwashed all the newbs ? Thinking "light" should be at the top of the list ?

There needs to be a preception test ...

... is a 23 lbs/pound jamis satellite comp, ( carbon fork, 520, new sora, tripple square taper crank... for 900$ ) Heavy or light ?

Thanks for the info xoxo, I'll check it out. @Martinus, it's just a guideline on one of my choices - you have to understand my prior bikes were lead weights :).

As another noob, I would definitely recommend sticking to a shop that can fit you to the bike and offer support after the sale. Online shops can give good prices, but you may end up having to pay someone to set it up and if something breaks you will have to deal with shipping back.

Jimbo

My frustration is not aimed at you, just this is sooooo frustrating ...

Yes, anything new ( excluding dept store bikes ) will be lighter, than that old 30lbs ten speed everyone has at one point had in their garage.

This IS, the def. of "light" :

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...psf7946240.jpg

BUT, ready for this. Thats 1K $ in a wheelset, 200$ saddle, 400$ crankset, etc ...

welcome to bf

First off when asking about specific bike models you should include a link to it just so everyone is looking at the same thing that you are.

of the 4 you listed Id go, cannondale, or trek. skip the other 2.

the moto that xolive posted is a great option. Id explore bikes direct and find something to my liking. good value from there.

I am a huge fan of Trek and what I have experienced from their bikes and my LBS that carries them. I have a friend who has that Cannondale and loves it. Ride both....pick which one fits you best

As every new bike is comparable to the next at any given price point, ^^that is the best advice.

All, thanks much for the replies. I'll try both and let you know which one I end up getting.

Where are you finding a Cannondale Quick 4 for your budget of $650 firm? Im finding them for $725. Thanks

I picked it up locally in Charlotte NC for $675.

I just picked up a Quick 5 with a computer ergon grips and a water bottle for $500 out the door...MSRP is $590....There are discounts to be had....I told the LBS i had $500.00 only so that is all i could spend including tax...He said come here....test rode and out the door i went....

I ran into the same problem when I went to the my local LBS. I saw that REI had it for $649. Unfortunately my local REI was not allowed to carry Cannondale. The nearest ones for me were Pineville in NC or Atlanta. I ordered, had it delivered to the Pineville store and went this past Sunday and had it fitted and came home after seeing some friends in Charlotte.

I was also a REI member so it gives me $64 in cash discount at the end of 1 year. Even if you are not a member the lifetime membership costs only $20.

The bike comes at $585 + tax for me, which is the lowest price I have seen for a carbon Fork. My local REI can do the maintenance for the bike, they just can't sell it.

@OP~got my daughter a Trek 7.1 FX last year as her 1st adult sized bike w/ 700c wheels at age 15. No longer using MTB style. she loved it! much happier with that style and wheel size. got the same for son and wifey this year. you can find used ones on CL but be very careful sizing them. I made a mistake for wifey and now son got a new bike he didn't really need and I would up buying a 2nd bike just so that my original plan of getting one for wifey came true. anyway that Dick's Diamondback bike looks a lot like our Treks that we are very happy with. if they have your size and you test ride it - I'd say it was a safe bet. the brand has been around a while too I think, which is a plus. you might ask if you can return it if you have buyers remorse after a week of riding it, just in case. if you can find/afford the Trek it might be a better bet if that style is new for Diamond back. the Trek 7.* FX model has a lot of followers and probably for good reason. you might also check the valve style and see if you are comfortable with Presta. if the bike comes with Schrader, you might find that more convenient, as do I. the 7.3 I got for wifey has Presta and I'll be drilling & swapping which is a minor hassle, but still a task I'd rather have avoided.

If you haven't already made your decision and purchase, I'd seriously consider trying a Giant Escape 1 priced at $640 on Giant's website. From everything I've read (and from trying out a few bikes myself before deciding to get the Escape RX 1) the Escape line should definitely be considered in this category and Giant reputedly offers very good value for money.

Thanks! I just looked and they didnt have a womens bike available for purchase at REI online or nearby. :( I noticed that further down this thread someone mentioned also looking into the Giant Escapes and that happens to be what I ended up purchasing. I ended up getting a '13 Giant Escape City W for $463 and out the door it came to $500. Not quite as fancy, but a good alternative for others looking. The 2014 bikes just came out, so prices are dropping!

$725 is full retail price for the Quick 4. I just picked one up at my local bike shop in NYC for $655. It's getting near the end of the model year. Some dealers are offering substantial discounts to clear their inventories for fall.