I am very new to riding again, and I want to get the best bang for my dollar as well as best bike to fit me. I plan to ride 80% road and 20% off road on trails. Is a Hybrid the right choice as it was my first time on off road trails and I really enjoyed it. My main goal is to exercise and get into better shape.

Here are the bike that I road tonight.

Specialized Crosstrail Elite Disc $899
Trek 8.4 DS $849
Giant Roam 2 $599

I was told that the Specialized and Trek have similar components, and that the Giants are a step down.

I am wondering if I should spend the extra $250-300.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Giant makes nice bikes! And, you always get more for your dollar.

Only you can decide which is more comfortable, and which one fits, and feels the best. And, which one trips your trigger.

If the Giant does those things, its a heck of a bike, and you have money for other things.

Don't be afraid of the Roam. MHO

Hi Spander, if I were you since you'll be 80% on the road you should check out the Giant Seek 3. You don't need a suspension fork for 80% on the road. Plus, the Seek 3 has disc brakes.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...3/11501/55836/

If I had to do it all over again, I would get a hybrid without suspension forks instead of a mountain bike with suspension for my first bike. I would keep my touring bike as well, but if I knew more at the time I certainly would do it differently.

That Seek is a great line, and many offerings. Is the Seek 1 still in existence?

Actually, I might be riding more 60/40 road. Narrowed down to Specialized Crosstrail Elite Disc $899 or Giant Roam2 $599.....Here are the difference....are they worth the $300

[TABLE="width: 544"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] Specialized Crosstrail Elite Disc [/TD]
[TD]Giant Roam2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Frt/Rear Breaks[/TD]
[TD] Shimano BR-446 [/TD]
[TD]Tekto Hydraulic Disc[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]frt derailer[/TD]
[TD] Shimano FD-M430 [/TD]
[TD]Shimano Acera[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]rear derailer[/TD]
[TD] Shimano Deore [/TD]
[TD]Shimano Acera[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]shift levers[/TD]
[TD] Shimano SL-M390 Rapid Fire [/TD]
[TD]Shimano Acera[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Cassette[/TD]
[TD] Shimano 9 speed [/TD]
[TD]KMC X9[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Fork[/TD]
[TD] SR SuntourNexi Coil Alium [/TD]
[TD]SR Suntour NEX[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Crank[/TD]
[TD] ShimanoFC-M431 [/TD]
[TD]Shimano M391[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

I only see the Seek 0 and 3 for 2013. But that Seek 3 I'm thinking might make a great second bike...Hmmm...

I would still go for the Seek 3.

The specialized has slightly better components, but not really a big improvement. Neither fork is anything special. You didn't list wheels. Those will have as much impact as anything.

Is there a reason to avoid suspension forks for a hybrid?

Weight, if you don't need it. One more thing to go wrong. Saps energy when you are pedalling really hard, like uphill.

If you have a legitimate need, it a great thing, as long as it is able to locked out when you don't want it to be moving. Lockout will negate any pogo related energy absorption.

Nothing at all, but I appreciate simplicity. It is just another unnecessary part (for myself) that pretty much Wanderer here says. As well as, I like the fenders you can attach to a regular fork.

It's not difficult, at all, to attach fenders to a suspended fork. I assume that is why they put the hole in the bridge between the two legs......

Cheers for that. Looking for a hybrid bike and noticed that several suspension forks do come with a lockout - was wondering the advan/disadvan of them.

Anyone know much about Ghost bikes? There's a Ghost TR 7600 Alfine City Bike I've seen nearby and I'm impressed by the feature list almost as much as I am by the hefty pricetag

Really nice looking bike.

I have the Trek 8.4 DS and love it. I was looking closely at the Giant Roam 3 and just making a few upgrades. That Giant Roam 3 in matte black is a tough looking bike. It is also pretty reasonably priced at around $500.

That is a nice looking bike. If I just did not buy a bike...