Hi guys!
So I am pretty new to biking and am looking into getting a new Hybrid bike. Admittedly, I am on a budget and looking to spend anywhere from $300-$425 on a new bike. Am willing to spend a bit more (up to $500) if I think it's worth it.

So I am a female and 5'10" which I think means I'll need a large. And I won't put my weight on here, but let's jut say I'll need a sturdy frame! Also I live on the central coast of California, if that gives anyone an idea of terrain.

Not necessarily interested in getting a "Women's" bike specifically, I really don't care either way, and frankly, I am not too big of a fan of the powder blue and the other crap colors they come in (albeit at the end of the day, color won't be a deciding factor, if the bike comes in powder blue and it's the best deal, I'll buy it).

My buddy at work is recommending a Diamondback. Is this a good choice? Does anyone out there have any other suggestions for a good starter hybrid bike?

Thank you for any feedback!!

SLO has a bunch of Bike Shops , drop By and test ride them.. every brand will have a range..

Taiwan has majority % of the bike Production, now , and in many cases one factory builds for a number of different brands

those brands are the Importers names ..

so the what you get for what you pay is pretty equal ..

so Go forth ,1st) .. make the rounds , find your Favorite Bike Shop, .. and then get a bike there

pick the shop first. the bike will be fine .. and you will enjoy doing business with the right shop. thats part of the sorting.

No expert here but as I understand it a woman's frame has different geometry then a man's to suite the (obviously) different “geometry” of a woman. I'm sure style also plays a part.

You didn't say what type of riding you wanted to do (on-road, municipal paths, mountain) but here are three suggestions which would be good for road/light trails at the upper end of your price range.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...w/14851/66200/

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...3_7_2_fx_wsd/#

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...ess/vita/vita-

I've noticed here are plenty of left over 2013 woman's models around here and as the 2014's are starting to show up their prices have been dropping.

Hey thanks guys!
Those are excellent suggestions and points. Thanks so much for the links Arny56! Will definitely be checking those out!

Also a good suggestion to find a bike shop I like- I'm super-lucky because SLO has a huge biking community, so it's a major hobby of a lot of folks here. FietsBob, did you used to live here? Sounds like you've at least hung out in SLO for a little while! Out of curiosity, what was your favorite bike shop? I am thinking of hitting Flander's first because I have a couple of friends who really like it there and it's not too far from my house. Plus I can say "Flander'ses" like Homer Simpson would...

But seriously thank you guys for the help!!!

Most important...that it fits you properly and you like it, or you won't ride it. Better components help to make it more reliable, so the money spent there can pay off.

Be sure of the conditions you want to ride in, if it's purely road and pavement, skinnier tires will be o.k. and be lighter, but if you want to ride on dirt or rougher trails or the streets are rough, 32mm or wider tires make for a nicer ride and choice of tires with more durability/grip.

+1
I could not have said it better!

Look at the Giant Cypress...I think you can get on it for about $385...very nice built bike...Other brands also but Giant seemed to have the best prices....

I have a 2013 21" Fuji Absolute 1.4. I'm 5' 11" 195 lbs with shorter arms and legs than typical for 5 11. I put a shorter stem on my 1.4, and it's been perfect ever since. Performance bike has the 2013 model marked down to like $550. So far I've been very pleased with my bike after 1100 miles. I noticed the spokes on the rear wheel are getting loose, and there is some rust starting (I ride on the beach a lot). I also know there are some cheaper Fuji Hybrids available at performance bike that probably would have been good enough.
I was getting back into riding, and I thought I wanted a bike that was easy to ride...but I think a road bike would have been a better choice for the long term...Since I ride near the ocean alot, I am frequently riding into the wind, and with a hybrid, the upright seating position is kind of a pain. I rode 50 miles today, and I think a hybrid is only more comfortable than a road bike the first 15 minutes of the ride.

some minor assembly required but the prices account for that.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...e_express8.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...tte_x_disc.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._adventure.htm

I bought my wife a new Fuji Absolute3 LE from Performance Bike. $426 out the door. She loves it.