stlspider

Hello again!

Thank you for helping me find a bike for my girlfriend. Now I need to buy one for myself. I know that there is an "around $500 MTB" thread, but I am looking for a hybrid for max $350. Also, if this ends up being a stupid post (due to my lack of knowledge), it can be buried in a couple of days.

So I was looking to buy a hybrid for under $350ish. Once I have an actual income and no loans in a year or so, I will probably fork out more for a better bike. I will mainly ride on roads and smoother trails. I have been to a few LBS's and have looked at some Giants, Fujis, and Treks. I am basically looking for a place to start and your opinions on which models I should look at. Thank you in advance.

jaldridge

I have a Bianchi Boardwalk hybrid and really enjoy it. I don't recall the price, but it's in your ballpark, I think.

khuon

I'm moving this to Recreational & Family as that's a more appropriate forum for this thread.

Groundhawg

I have a Trek 7100 hybrid. I really like this bike. I've had it for 10 months and it's been trouble free. Nice comfortable ride, and pretty speedy to. I can't comment on any other hybrids. This was the only one I've ever ridden. It's also in your budget. It retails for $309. Here's the link.
https://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/City...7100/index.php

If I were you, I would ride as many different hybrids as I could and buy the one that is the most comfortable for you. And fits the best. Good luck in your quest.

Bigmark

My Gary Fisher is GREAT! I have had no trouble with it. It is comfortable for me, but it may not be for you. Test ride as many as you can. I road a Trek 7300, and it was the same as my GF except the shifter. I did not like the twist shift, and that is why I purchased my GF. Take a minute to check out my web page, I have a write up on my bike. It may or may not help.

MichaelW

There is little difference bertween the brands, they are all basically Shimano components on a Taiwanese frame. The biggest difference is the quality of assembly which your bike shop needs to check. First pick your local bike shop (LBS).
A really good LBS will tune the wheels properly adding to the strength and reliablity of this most vulnerable part of the bike.

SaskCyclist

For that price range and your mechanical ability (I am assuming fairly novice), pick the LBS than the bike. The quality of service from the LBS will make your new bike a joy or a pain. Once you pick the lbs ride all the different bikes in your price range and base your decision on how the bike feels.

edp773

I test rode the trek 7200, Giant Cypress and Specialized Crossroads. All three seemed very comparable. I bought the Cypress and have been very happy with it.

Marylandnewbie

I bought a Fuji Supreme back in March and after 1200 miles am still very happy with it. It cost me $350 so it is is in your price range. But I agree with above advice: 1) find a good LBS where you feel comfortable and feel like you will get good support; 2) ride a whole bunch of bikes to get a sense of what you like and don't like; 3) make sure that the bike is fitted to you, well asembled and adjusted by your LBS.

There are probably no great differences between bikes in this price range, just matters of personal preference.

PinkFloyd

Here's another vote for the Giant Cypress.

Got mine about 11 months ago, put over 1300 miles on it before getting a road bike a couple months ago. I still kept the Giant as an extra and for my son to ride. It's fine for shorter (under 25 mile) rides. My biking buddy (who also has a Cypress) and I did a hilly 45 miler last fall and were both quite sore afterwards.

Get what fits you at a LBS you like and enjoy.

EXCALIBUR

I recommend the Giant Cypress SX. It's an easy to ride bike and is great for those short trips and medium-distance rides.

jvenugop

I'm very happy with my Raleigh C200. I bought it primarily to get some exercise, and have been quite successful in the month and a half that I have had it.

I echo the sentiments of MichaelW. They're all the same, give or take. The main difference appears to be the decals. Its like the PC world. Shimano = Microsoft. The bike brands are all assemblers, putting together standard parts and shipping them. Much like the Dell's of the world.

jvenugop

Some tips:

* Buy the store, not the brand. Most major brands are functionally equivalent at the same price level (don't buy obscure brands). All else being equal, the service your store provides makes all the difference.

* The sweet spot for hybrids is between $400-$500. Plenty of selection among various brands. Best thing to do is to start visiting stores, asking questions and taking test rides.

* Fewer gimmicks in a price range = better quality

farrellcollie

I have a Raleigh C40 which I like - it seems fairly bullet proof - I have had no mechanical difficulties or flat tires- the longest rides i have used it for are around 50-60 miles and I have commuted on it for a year. I have used it mostly on roads but also on some smooth flat trails (dirt or fine gravel) It is around your price range - the only caveat I have about the bike is that it is rather heavy.

sichang

I disagree that the differences between the entry level bikes are insignificant. I am new to the game and was interested in a hybrid myself. At first I didn't really want to spend more than $500 and looked at the Specialized Crossroads, Trek 7xxx and Giant Cypress lines. I first rode the Trek 7100 and 7200 and was surprised at how sluggish the bike felt and the shifting felt off. I followed that up with a ride on the Cypress DX and thought the bike was VASTLY superior. The frame felt much lighter, the components shifted a lot better and the bike just felt overall better to ride. I also rode the Specialized Crossroads and actually preferred the overall handling of the Giant Cypress not to mention that my lbs had the Cypress and was willing to offer at a substantial discount with lifetime adjustments.

After a couple rides and some back and forth with the FCR series - I ultimately decided to swap my bike for an FCR 3 but as far as hybrids go, I am a big fan of the Cypress. My gf purchased a Cypress DX as well and loves it.

sichang

Cypress DX can be had for $360 but I figure most bike shops will give you a slight break on the price (my lbs agreed to sell us two Cypress DX for $600 with no tax which I think he regretted after blurting that out and then thinking about).