iwire

I am fairly new to biking. I used to bike a lot when I was a younger with my dad. Fast forward 15 years, I have decided to bike to Metro Station since it's only 2-3 miles each way. I also want to get into riding on paved pathway or road (maybe) for joy/exercising.

I have a a budget of under $400. I am willing to go higher up to $500 but really want to stay under $400.

I'm 6ft tall if that matter...need to loss some weight LOL but that 's another issue.

Here are my options (all of them are LBS/their online store purchase that will come with some sort of free tune up etc)

1) Origin 8 Cutler 7 - around $375

2) GT Zum $399

3) GT Traffic 4.0 $399

4) Marin CS1 $350

Any other suggestion you can direct me that I could ordered from them..

sonatageek

So all but the Origin are aluminum frames.

The ZUM is just 8 speeds so less gear range. That may or may not be an issue. If you are in a hilly area I would want the option of a low gear range.

I don't see a lot of component difference between them, but that is a tied to the price point they are aiming for.

For the $50 savings I would tend toward the Marin, and you could put the savings toward some fenders and/or a rack.

iwire

I like the Marin too. This one doesn't come with life time tune up only once maybe. which frame will fit better? 19" or 22"?

I am not too familiar with the overall terrain in NOVA but I would say there is some rolling hill but not too crazy

sonatageek

Any chance that the local REI would have both sizes in stock? It would be worth trying they both. My hunch is the larger size would be correct for you, but I am not certain about hybrid sizing.

The 22" is the largest size and I found the sizing chart for the CS3, which looks like the same frame/fork and just a different mix of componets.

https://www.marinbikes.com/us/bikes/d...-cs2/#geometry

sonatageek

Nashbar has another possibility, and it is well below your price point. It would come to about $275 with shipping. You would want to take it to a local shop for a check/tune up, which would add maybe another $50 to the total.

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...47_-1___204285

iwire

Thanks for the link. How much typical LBS charged for installed? I would love it do it myself but I don't have any tools

sonatageek

There is not that much that needs to happen as far as final assembly out of the box, but a LBS would adjust the brakes and shifters and check the wheels (are they true and also if the spokes have good tension).

The build up and the free tune may actually make the bikes you identified as the better buys. I did a quick search and a tune up in NOVA is around $85, which is what would be involved in doing the final build and check of the bike.

iwire

thanks..unfortunately, i don't think they have it in stock. I have to order both then return one lol

pierce

if this is an REI, talk to the bike dept. manager, maybe he'll get both in so you can try them, and pick the one you like better, then sell the other on the floor. they tend to be pretty proactive about customer service at REI, at least around here.

iwire

Thanks all...What you think about 2011 Trek 7.1? I can get an used pretty good condition for like $250....