Hello everyone,

glad to find such an active, supportive and informative community.
I have read many threads already here relating to my concerns and it has been very helpful in making my decision... yet I got confused at this point and hoping for your support.

I am looking for a hybrid bike. Reason: daily commute, fitness and light trials over weekends. I used to use a fixed gear bike earlier and was happy with it.. now trying to upgrade with a geared one.. thought I will mostly use the bike on 3-7 gears..

Can someone help me in making a decision between Schwinn Searcher 4, diamondback dual sport and diamondback edgewood - all 2013 models.

I know none are apple to apple comparison here. But just getting a deal at Sports Authority for 100 USD off(voucher) for diamondback dual sport and diamondback edgewood making my pocket lighter @ 349 and 229 respectively.

Schwinn is not sold in Sports Authority.. hence not getting any deal there.. but I am considering it from a LBS for 349(my top budget limit). all others - Trek etc were higher for my budget.

if I consider Edgewood - Can I adjust the handlebar to make it lean much forward so that my body weight will be pushed front - consequences?
Will the gears slip in this bike as I read in many threads?

Thanks all for your advises in advance

I see that many have viewed my concern.. but there is no reply!
Can one of you throw some light and help me make a decision

You posted 9 hours ago...this is not a real time chat place. This was posted 9am Pacific time while most people are at work and now it's 6pm here, got home 30 minutes ago, and I'm making a pot of tomato chicken.

Go ride all of them and see which one you like best. The Edgewood i doubt you can move the bars much more forward and down; if you want a quick bike, this isn't it. This is your sit up tall and ride slow kind of bike. As far as the dual sport, I have no idea which one you're referring to. I'd go for the rigid one, but only because I'm not a fan of suspension for around town.

I would go with the Schwinn Searcher, have seen all 3 bikes in person.. & the Searcher has the lock out Fork. Also welcome to the Forum, and if you will post links to the bikes in question. You will have more feed back. Link : https://www.bikeshopliquidators.com/p...FVFo7Aod-nEApQ

There also was a member on here with one, (The Searcher) & he loved it..

This is a good time to be in the market for a bike. 2013s should be heavily discounted shortly. You may be surprised what you can get a FX for..... or many others. Go visit some bike shops and start asking questions, and let them know your budget.

Hi jsdavis, I am sorry for expecting an early response... just that I have short time to make decision.. sorry again... and thanks for the suggestion.

thanks all for your quick suggestions... and yes.. I will make sure I will post with links from next time

My references were for the following bikes:
1.schwinn searcher 4:
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/bikes/searcher-4-mens

2.diamondback dualsport Trace:
https://www.diamondback.com/trace-mountain-dual-sport

3.diamondback edgewood: I learnt from performance bike shop that the handlebar can be moved forward.
https://www.diamondback.com/edgewood-...-casual-hybrid

Hi Tejas,
Have you checked out some of the Giant bikes?

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...specifications

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...4/11523/55894/

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...1/11522/55889/

For the money, and versatility, I'd vote for the Trace......

Giant is more expensive than my current choices.
DB trace and Schwinn Searcher both are 29er and comes with shimano Altus derailer.
-The trace has a disc brake and speed range (12-32t) ( not sure if this is the right terminology)
- Searcher has linear pull brakes and speed range ( 14-34t).

I do not know which of these are better.

Disc is better. Everything about the Trace is a better bike......................... Trace has higher ranges to go faster. The Schwinn has more mountain bike ranges, and slower. Trace will ride, handle, and be more efficient to ride.

I'd get the Trace too, from the list you've posted.

Nashbar is offering 20% off today and the Diamondback Trace Sport can be bought for $320, if you don't mind doing mail order. I bought an Insight from them for my daughter at a much lower price than I could find anywhere else. It's a very good bike for that price.

hi deerfly and Wanderer,

how easy is it to assemble the bike myself if I order it online from nashbar.

and thanks for referring me to nashbar.com.

But the bikes that I gave the linkys to was the list price, you can get them a lot cheaper and even more cheap on the 2012 models since they are making room for the 2014 models in the fall.

The bike arrived about 5 days after I ordered it and it probably took me 1 and a half hours to put the bike together, and that included adjusting the derailleurs and brakes. It came with an assembly manual that covers everything. I had no problems at all but I’ve always been a bit of a wrench head. The 20% off deal seems to come up every couple of weeks, so if you did go the mail order route, I would wait till it comes up again. Good luck.

thanks a lot everyone for your valuable inputs.. I will shortly update my decision along with the bike pic

thanks again

Did you have to tru the wheels?

The wheels were straight, but that's not to say they would all come that way.