Hello everyone, I have been looking around the site and learning what ever I can. Trying to really pinpoint the best bang for the buck so to speak, with so many great bikes to choose from in and around the $600-$1000 range. I'm checking to make sure I"m really choosing the correct one.

At this time that would be the Trek 8.6 DS, it seems to have a great balance for the money, I'm not paying anywhere close to the MSRP @ $1399 that is just crazy. One LBS wanted to change me $1500 + shipping, that is not going to happen.

8.6 DS - DuoTrap S - Trek Bicycle

Colors Ball Burnished Aluminum
Frame Alpha Gold Aluminum, DuoTrap S compatible, rack and fender mounts
Front suspension SR Suntour NRX, ATB rated, coil spring, preload, hydraulic remote lockout, 63mm travel
Sizes 15.5, 17.5, 19, 21, 22.5"
Front Hub Shimano RM66 centerlock alloy
Rear Hub Shimano RM66 centerlock alloy
Rims Bontrager TLR disc, 32-hole
Tires Bontrager LT3 Expert, aramid bead, 700x38c
Shifters Shimano SLX, 10 speed
Front derailleur Shimano Deore LX
Rear derailleur Shimano SLX, Shadow Plus
Crank Shimano T551, 48/36/26 w/chainguard
Cassette Shimano HG50 11-36, 10 speed
Pedals Wellgo alloy body w/alloy cage
Chain KMC X10
Saddle Bontrager Evoke 1
Seatpost Bontrager SSR, 27.2mm, 12mm offset
Handlebar Bontrager Low Riser, 31.8mm, 15mm rise
Stem Bontrager Blendr Elite, w/computer & light mounts, 31.8mm, 7 degree
Headset 1-1/8" semi-cartridge bearings
Brakeset Shimano M445 hydraulic disc
Grips Bontrager Satellite Elite, lock-on









Just because the value of many vs me + ColonelSanders, which was helpful, thank you ColonelSanders will be much better, If I can get some additional replies.

Thanks for all the help and I will do my best to help others as well, what a great community this is.

I'm a little confused. You are looking for the "best bang for your buck," but then say this bike is a price you are not willing to pay? That seems self-defeating.

As for the "best," especially with a hybrid it depends on what you are looking for. The DS has nice on and off-road versatility with its tires and suspension, but will consequently be heavier and slower on pavement than a hybrid like the Trek FX or Specialized Sirrus. But then those aren't really meant for trail use.

In the end, the best bike is the one that you're going to ride the most. Pick one, take the plunge, and get out there and RIDE!

All bike shops stick very close to the MSRP, even when they have sales, they barely go below it unless its a major off season closeout sale... So if that bike's MSRP is too high for you, your just gonna have to find a cheaper bike.

Yes and even I'm confused with what I'm saying. Let me put it this way is this bike a good balance for the costs? Thanks

There's MSRP and theres MAP..

yea if like the OP the 8.6 is too costly they buid a decent bike with cheaper components,
to hit a lower price point .

pretty much the same on all brands . various target price levels .
and the component pick is part of hitting that mark.

Yeah it does seem like it can be hard to find a better than MSRP, but it can happen, just takes some real work and timing. But yes you are correct, cheaper bike would be the better way to go, if I can't or am unwilling to pay the price they ask.

I think you need to figure out how you anticipate using the bike and what features are important you. That will lead you too your best decision. Good luck!

Hello Guys, Thanks for the replies, I feel the 8.6 will still be the best balance I can find for me. In the past most items in general are marked up and way over priced.
Seemly in the bike world, I'm now finding that is not always the case, so I tired to shop hard just to save a hundred and I'm fairly happy with the deal I'm now getting.

A semi LBS is being fair on costs and offering great customer service, surprising as they also have many others store locations. The trade off, is lack of service from this LBS as they are not that close, oh well.

I will be taking ownership of an 8.6 next week unless the test ride fails, thanks again.

From a guy who had the same issue as you 2 months ago:
Not sure if you really need the 8.6 if your worried about cost. i bought my first bike 2 months ago.. the 8.3 and absolutely love it. I ride with groups and by myself on the road and hit trails that are close to where i live... Not sure i would be any better or happier if i was riding a 8.6. the one cool thing i see on it is the remote lockout but i dont have too much trouble using the manual one on mine.
Anyway, one thing I learned is the cost of the bike is not all you will pay. I paid $700 for my bike plus about another $600 in accessories. These were necessary parts too (not competition stuff): taillight- $200 (i bought a very high quality one b/c i feel its the most important thing when riding on road), bike CPU-$275 (you could def get a much cheaper one.. bout $40-$80), and about another $125 on tire pump, bottle cage, bike shorts (you will want these on longer rides), head light, helmet, saddle bag and bar ends (got all these cheap at Academy sports and Amazon). And i plan on buying more parts as i get better.

Long story short, even if you plan on riding for just commuting and light fitness like myself, the money you put into the bike wont stop at the purchase of the bike... especially if you fall in love with cycling like myself (which it sounds like you will if youre willing to buy such a good bike).

Hope this helps..
From one newbie to another

I just bought an 8.2 DS a month or so ago for $50.00 under MSRP from a LBS. You *can* get them under MSRP but you gotta shop around. You are going for the 8.6 it sounds like. I am happy with my 8.2 since I live in a particularly flat part of Arizona where hills are rarely part of my route. So, I passed on disc brakes but would really like to be able to lock out the front end since most of my riding is on paved surfaces. Another thing I wish I had was another ring on the rear. It seems to be a slow grind even on the flat stuff. Good luck with your purchase, I am sure you will enjoy your new hybrid!

Yeah I agree with you, it's prob not a huge difference in function or form, its a matter of I kinda like the 8.6 little better than the others I looked at, maybe it's a looks thing for me, but the function is stellar as well. Is it worth $1000, maybe not, but then again, it was $1300+ so if you look at that way it's a really good deal right? We shopped hard and tried and tried to get a better price.

Plus trek is giving us $200 towards accessories, since we are buying two bikes, she is getting a 2014 Neko SLX and she loves it, the $200 gift card will get eaten up fast, so now it becomes an even better deal right? Yeah it's a game, but seemly we could be a little lucky here, with the right timing for now? Trek Summer Sale collection - Trek Bicycle

And I know some others have paid more for lower models as some of these LBS are crazy high, but it is what it is. We have not bought a bike in 20+ years, this fixed pricing model on bikes seems crazy to me now. Seems it's a smaller margin then other industries and most of the LBS must make their money from service and accessories. We think it's a good price for the bikes we are buying.

This is an unusual deal and we probably would not be able to get it again, costs are going up next year by 30%, most LBS told us this. Plus yes we will be buying all types of accessories to go with the bikes, will it make our lives any better, you bet it will, just yesterday we took the old bikes on a 30 mile trek and we both can't wait to replace our 20+ year old bikes.

We both work very very hard for our money and trust me we talked about this for a long time before finally deciding on a budget as we do not want to ever buy bikes again in our lifetime, if that can even be helped. You know for sure it does not really matter what bikes you own, I grew up with junk and made it work.

I guess it's a matter of what you want, can afford makes you feel like working another day and helps you enjoy the crazy lives we all have. So to that end, I say yeah I prob could just get a entry level bike and be happy, but am lucky enough, worked hard and I can now afford the 8.6, so why not. Plus we will use our bikes as much as we can, that much is for sure. We are addicted to it now.

At least it's not $3000+, which I see in other models and for me that I can not justify, but they are super nice as well, just not for me. But I deff like the styling of Trek's over the Cannondales now and I own a USA made Cannondale.

Fuji has a good reputation for making high-quality bikes at a good price-point.

Any good models that compare to the Trek DS 8.6, I'm going to pick the 8.6 up this weekend, so after that I can't pick something else. No returns with ease. Thanks