mdh1975

I am looking to buy a new bike. Mainly will see city commuting use and dirt paths. I was looking at the Marin Hamilton 29er because of the price point and simplicity. Is there any reason that say the Trek Soho S or Swobo Sanchez would be a better bike for what I would be using it for to justify spending more?

knucks

IMO, all of those bikes suck.
I don't know how much all those you listed cost, but I say just get a Redline Monocog.

lns55

Maybe something like an IRO Rob Roy would work. You can set it up fixed or single ( or both with a fixed/free hub ) and you can put bigger tires on it for the paths. It has a pretty relaxed geometry for smooth riding. And the IRO is going to be a much better quality bike than those two you mentioned.

dervish

dont get the swobo, ive heard bad things from friends about em

ralphm2k

This...

https://www.swobo.com/catalog/product...?cPath=201_205

... but with a three speed hub.

bigbadwimp

Something cross-style. That is my useful input.

eogie

https://vassagocycles.com/jabberwocky.html

Haven't heard a single bad thing about these bikes. I'll be building one shortly.

deadly downtube

buy a swobo, i work next door and they are nice guys!

jdms mvp

because u need street cred

shaan

if you dont get a pista concept i wont think you are cool, you wouldnt want that now would you?

rickyaustin

The OP is new - don't mess with them

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mdh1975 - It looks like you have a $600ish budget. You can do plenty with that. Take a good look at IRO https://irocycle.com they specialize in single speed bikes. Try the bike builder, and after you build 50 of them (because it's fun) you may decide on something. They have a nice range of bikes, including the Rob Roy which will allow wider tires for the off-roadish stuff.

Also look at Surly Cross Checks - you'd have to custom build it, but that's the way to go anyways.

Many around here support the bikesdirect.com offerings, but the 'you get what you pay for' light in my brain goes off, and I can't personally buy from them. They may work out for you though.

I would stay away from Trek if possible.

mdh1975

Thank you for the replies and opening my mind up to the other options out there. Right now I am very interested in the Jabbewocky and trying to figure out a new budget to afford it.

Ken Wind

If you're riding dirt paths not trails, then a cross bike will be fine. When it rains (if it rains where you live), you'll want to put some fenders on the bike, so make sure whatever bike you get can accommodate them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Marin, and the IRO Rob Roy somebody mentioned would also be good. Another good choice would be the Bianchi San Jose. I like the Monocog, but it is not built for commuting.

Rusty Piton

Word to the Swobo. But get a new saddle. The swobo saddle is the worst ass hatchet I've ever sat upon.

making

I dont know if this will help or not but here is how I think about it when I bought my raod bike. I road a $500.00 bike then a $1000.00 bike. Then I rode a 1500 and 2000 dollar bike. I could tell an amazing difference in the 500 dollar bike and the ones I had rode 35 years eailerer. It was also amazing the difference in the 500-1000 dollar range. But the jump from 1k to 1.5 or 2k just were not that great. I ahve lost a lot of weight in the last year or so maybe now I could appreciate an upgrade. I jsut dont think it would be a smart move for me to go spend 2500 bucks on a bike I could not really appreciate. I am cool enough now.

schnee

Cross bike is the best ever. Nothing like blazing through streets, then dirt singletrack, then a grass field, then hopping curbs, and on pavement again. It's the best combination of freedom and speed.