Please Help Me In My Ignorance!
 

This is a desperate plea for help. :cry:

As I just posted in my introduction, I'm a senior citizen who's been riding for a long time and whose mountain bike just died, but who knows almost nothing about the new technology. I've been doing a crash course and originally set a deadline of tomorrow (!) to buy a new bike so I can get back to riding. I'm also feeling pressured because I'm hoping for a good deal on last year's model and they're going quickly....

Because I haven't done much "mountain" riding on my mountain bike in the past few years, I've decided on a hybrid this time. I'll be riding it mostly in town for fitness and exercise, but want to be able to occasionally go off road on easy trails.

The more I look, the more confused I become. Following are the best deals I've been able to find on what look to me like fairly good-quality bikes (for me, anyway)

Specialized Crosstrail Disc $540 US
Specialized Crosstrail Sport Disc $700
Giant Roam 2 $590
Trek 8.3 DS $520
Cannondale Quick CX 3 $695

All of these are 2014 models except the Giant, which supposedly is a 2015 (although the Web page says "Roam 2 (2015), Model Year 2014" -- what does that mean?) All appear to have similar features, except that the Trek has mechanical disc brakes, while all the rest have hydraulic brakes.

I was at the point of deciding, until I got a chance to ride the Cannondale tonight, and now I'm back to a maximum state of confusion:(. Although the Cannondale is one of the most expensive, I liked it a lot and the dealer offers lifetime service/tuneups (hydraulic brakes excluded).

Can you help me decide (please)?

Thanks in advance,
Warren

Push your deadline out a few more weeks and keep shopping. Have you considered a flatbar road bike? I'm a old fart too and your knees will appreciate it. Theyre light and just a dream to ride compared to a MTN bike. Also I recomend asking the folks at the 50+ forum.
oh..if you got the eyes my avatar has me and my old hybrid specilized crossroads there. A nice inexpensive bike in 1997. I still have it but it's a tank compared to my roadbikes.

I have a Roam 1 and I have been happy with it but I would say you really need to ride them all and find the one that is the most comfortable. If you can, ride them more than just around the parking lot.

They are all solid brands and any of them will be good bikes

Thanks, Corben.

Thanks, Shanej. I've ridden them all, a little beyond the parking lot, but not much.

My problem is that I really have a hard time judging which is the "most comfortable." I guess maybe if I could try them all one after the other I might be able to tell, but as it is, I really can't tell the difference.:(

I assume that as far as frame and geometry go, the Roam 1 and 2 would ride about the same?

I was at the same spot as you a month and a half ago. All depends on how ones feels the bike. I tested a few brands at the same range as you (Trek, Cannondale..), and decided to buy the Specialized Croostrail Sport Disc at $710 model 2015. The day I tried it I just couldn't believe it how great it felt.. I simply love it and enjoy every second my rides. My advise is not to go for what you simply had in mind but the one you FELT IT better. Best Wishes on your decision.

Thanks. You got a great deal. My local Specialized dealer won't go below $750 on a 2014. I have to go a few miles to get your price, still on a 2014. I did like the Crosstrail Sport Disc when I road it; I need to compare again, I think.

(Sorry, thought I'd sent this this morning, but I guess I forgot to click the "Post" button.