Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

mafiaboylay2
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Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:51 am

Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby mafiaboylay2 » Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:14 pm

Hey guys,
I wanna get a Hybrid/Urban bike with a limited budget about $400 (including accessories like rack, fenders, lock and helmet). I'm a fresh fish in cycling so all of your help is much appreciated. I will be travelling for about 25k daily.
After doing some online research and got an awful headache with all the nitty-gritty details, I've come up with a few models:
Bauer Swift - Mens hybrid bike $220 + 20 shipping
Image
Featuring a Lightweight frame, 21 Speed Shimano Gears and Alloy crown front suspension fork, The Bauer swift is comfortable and a pleasure to ride on bike paths and city streets alike.
Frame Mens comfort style frame
Fork Front Suspension - 60mm Travel
Seat Comfort Saddle
Gear Lever Shimano Grip Shifters
Gears Shimano 21 Speed
Crankset Cotterless 3 piece
Freewheel Shimano 7 speed
Chain KMC
Brake Alloy "V" Brake
Spoke Stainless Steel Black
Rim Alloy double wall Rims
The Bauer Comfort plus $300 + $20 shipping
is a Hybrid bike designed for maximum comfort and ease of use. Assisted by the Smooth shimano 21 speed gears, Suspension fork, Lightweight and rust-free alloy components, and comfort seat with suspension seatpost
Image
Frame Lightweight Hydro formed alloy with replaceable tip
Front Suspension Metro 186 alloy crown suspension
Shift Lever Shimano EF-51 21 speed shifters
Derailleur Front Shimano
Derailleur Rear Shimano Altus rear derailleur
Brakes Alloy V-Brakes
Handlebar / Stem alloy handle bar and adjustable stem
Pedals Platform Pedals
Rims Swift 2500 double wall alloy rim
Tyres 700c hybrid tread
Saddle Bauer Ultra comfort seat with suspension seat post
Hybrid Bicycle 700c CX-100 Men"s Grey/Black 15" Frame By XDS $250
Image
Frame: Hi-Ten 700C
Frame size:
15"
FORK: Hi-Ten
SEAT: Comfort Saddle
GEAR LEVER: Shimano RS-35 Shifters
DERAILUER: Shimano TZ-30
CRANKSET: Cotterless 3 piece TRIPLE
FREEWHEE: Shimano 6spd
CHAIN: KMC
BRAKE: ALLOY " V" -Brake
SPOKE: Stainless Steel Black
RIM: City 700C*38C
Hybrid Bicycle 700c CX300 Men's Matt Silver/Black 15 inch By Progear $330
Image

Frame Aluminum Hybrid 700C
Frame Size 15"
Fork Zoom Alloy
Handle Bar 7005 Alloy
Head Stem Kalloy A Head Adjustable
Bottom Bracket Sealed Tech
Seat Pillar Kalloy
Gear Shifter Shimano Rapid fire 21 Speed
F. Derailleur Shimano C-050
R. Derailleur Altus
Crank Set Shimano alloy Triple 28/38/48T
Freewheel Shimano 7 Speed
Chain KMC
Brake Alloy 'V'
Hub Alloy Silver
Rim Silver Double Wall
Tyre Innova 700Cx35C
Colour Silver/Black
Gross Weight: 16kg

Thanks for reading up to here. I'd like a reasonably inexpensive bike with good quality. If you guys think the +200 dollars models are good enough (they all have 5 year warranty), I'd go for it. Otherwise, 100 dollars more is not a big issue.
I think I'd go to the store to try out and find out the right frame size and stuffs before buying online. I think buying online is a lot cheaper.
:mrgreen: Thanks a lot for helping me getting my first bike.

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clackers
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Location: Melbourne

Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby clackers » Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:47 pm

mafiaboylay2 wrote:. I'd like a reasonably inexpensive bike with good quality.
To be honest, that's too difficult in the $300 range, MafiaBoy.

The frame will be heavy at those prices. The components will be very low end, too - the sort that Shimano will only give a number to, not a name.

But if you spend more, some punch a little above their weight, like some Fluids from Anaconda or even the disc braked Bauer Suburban ($400).

Of course, second hand brings the price down on better quality (I scored a wonderful Scott hybrid from Bike Exchange last year as a commuter) , but if you're new to all of this, it's best to have a knowledgeable mate involved to stop you making a mistake! :smile:

mafiaboylay2
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Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:51 am

Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby mafiaboylay2 » Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:58 pm

Thanks a lot, clackers.
I'm definitely considering your recommend, Bauer Suburban.
Do you think the last one Progear on my post sort of meets some of the standards that you mentioned?

mafiaboylay2
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Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:51 am

Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby mafiaboylay2 » Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:45 pm

I've tried to look at BikeExchange and Gumtree for secondhand hybrid/urban but could not find one. Can you recommend any other sites? Thank you.

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clackers
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Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby clackers » Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:46 pm

mafiaboylay2 wrote: Do you think the last one Progear on my post sort of meets some of the standards that you mentioned?
6 speed? I'd say unlikely. You don't need much in the way of engineering tolerances to produce those kinds of components. The dangers include being roughly machined, aligned or fixed in place.

Something 8-speed like Shimano's Acera groupset is often on the entry level bikes of recognized brands, but of course, budgets are budgets.

mafiaboylay2
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Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:51 am

Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby mafiaboylay2 » Sat Jul 21, 2012 8:16 pm

Hey clacker, I've came across a few more models which seem to suit me.
Giant Transcend 2 $450 RRP (maybe cheaper online)
This one has all the rack and mudguards. It also has a comfortable saddle. I quite like it. If I buy it, I don't have to fit those components.
Image
Frame ALUXX FluidFormed™ alloy, comfort 700c
Fork Alloy ahead straight blade
Shock N/A
Components
Handlebar Alloy low riser 610mm x 30mm rise
Stem Alloy 25 degree
Seatpost Alloy 27.2 micro-adjust
Saddle Giant comfort w/gel
Pedals Flat Comfort
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano Altus 21 sp. EZ FIRE+
Front Derailleur Shimano TX51 31.8
Rear Derailleur Shimano TX31 7 sp.
Brakes Alloy V-brakes
Brake Levers Shimano V-brake
Cassette SRAM PG730 7 sp. 12-32T
Chain KMC 7 sp.
Crankset Shimano M131 28x38x48T
Bottom Bracket VP semi cartridge
Wheels
Rims Alloy double wall 700c x 36H w/reflective decal
Hubs Fr: Alloy QR | Rr: Shimano RM30 7sp cassette
Spokes 14G stainless steel
Tires Kenda 700 x 35c with reflective sidewalls

I also quite like this one. It's very light, only 12 kg. But the saddle is not really comfortable, which means I may have to spend $50 for another one. The seller also said that it may be fitted with mudguard but it may not be compatible, and it would be shaky. Other than that, nice look, light bike, very good parts.
Scott Metrix 40 ($450, discount $200)
Image
Frame
New Metrix V-Brake, 6061 Alloy, FlatBar specific Geometry
Fork
Metrix V-Brake
Headset
Ritchey OE Logic Zero, semi integrated
Rear Derailleur
Shimano RD-M 360 Acera, 24 Speed
Front Derailleur
Shimano FD-M191
Shifters
Shimano ST-EF 51
Brake Levers
Shimano ST-EF 51
Brakes
Tektro RX1
Crankset
Shimano FC-M171, 48x38x28, w/ chainguard
BB-Set
Shimano BB-UN 26, 68-122mm
Handlebar
Scott Hot Rod, T shape Flat, 600mm, 9° bend
Stem
Scott Alloy, 31.8mm, 4 bolt
Pedals
Wellgo 127 A
Seatpost
Scott Alloy, 27.2
Seat
Scott SC-19
Front Hub
Scott CO-21
Rear Hub
Shimano FH-RM 30
Chain
KMC Z-7
Cassette
Shimano CS-HG31, 11-32T
Spokes
stainless black, 14G, 2mm
Rims
Ryde DP 2000, 700C, 32H, CNC
Tires
Kenda Kwest, 700 x 32C
Weight
11.60 kg / 25.55 lbs

Cross City 4 (2012) $420, discount 180
Image
Frame ALUXX alloy: butted, FluidFormed™, replaceable dropout
Fork Cr-mo tapered 1 1/8th ahead
Handlebar Giant sport alloy flat 600mm
Stem Giant Unite Alloy adj. ahead stem
Seatpost Alloy suspension micro-adjust
Saddle Giant sport road saddle
Pedals Flat steel cage
Shifters Shimano Altus 24 sp. EZ FIRE+
Front Derailleur Shimano TX51 31.8
Rear Derailleur Shimano 2300 8 sp.
Brakes Tektro RX-1 85mm mini v-brakes
Brake Levers Shimano V-brake
Cassette Shimano HG50 8 sp. 13-26T
Chain KMC Z7 8 sp
Crankset Shimano M131 28x38x48T
Bottom Bracket Shimano UN26 sealed cartridge



1. Do you guys think I should just get the first one with all the accessories or get the second and third ones and then put on accessories, comfortable saddle ((coz I'll be riding on it for 25k daily or so), rack and mudguards to start with, would be about $100 more, I suppose?
2. The second and the third bikes, which one has better parts in your opinion?


Thanks a lot , I'm grateful for all of your help.

rkelsen
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Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby rkelsen » Sun Jul 22, 2012 9:49 am

Hi Mafiaboylay2,

Beware that you're not comparing apples with apples. Some of the bikes you've posted have very different geometries to the others.

Have you ridden any? If not, you probably should go and do some test riding to try and work out what you want. Eg: do you want an upright position, or would you prefer to lean forward?

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clackers
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Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby clackers » Sun Jul 22, 2012 10:21 am

These are better, MB ... notice how the prices have gone up! :-(

mafiaboylay2
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Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:51 am

Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby mafiaboylay2 » Sun Jul 22, 2012 10:26 am

rkelsen wrote:Hi Mafiaboylay2,

Beware that you're not comparing apples with apples. Some of the bikes you've posted have very different geometries to the others.

Have you ridden any? If not, you probably should go and do some test riding to try and work out what you want. Eg: do you want an upright position, or would you prefer to lean forward?
Yes, I've tried the Scott Metrix 40. To me as long as it's not too much leaning forward as in drop bar, it'd be OK. Because I'll be carrying a heavy backpack and I think with drop bar bikes my back would hurt. With flat bar or hybrid, I can put the backpack on the rear rack or carry it in upright posture.
Thanks for your advice.

mafiaboylay2
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:51 am

Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby mafiaboylay2 » Sun Jul 22, 2012 1:32 pm

clackers wrote:These are better, MB ... notice how the prices have gone up! :-(
Yes, probably I have to increase my budget. I think getting a good quality bike would be cheaper in the long run. Could you please give some suggestions for these bikes? Thanks for your help.

mafiaboylay2
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Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:51 am

Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby mafiaboylay2 » Sun Jul 22, 2012 2:16 pm

Hi everyone,
What do you guys think about this one?
REID AQUILA ROAD BIKE, ALL ALLOY, SHIMANO A050, ALEX RIMS TEKTRO BRAKES $41015 YEARS WARRANTY - FRAME + FORKS

FREE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP (VALUE $35)

FREE D-LOCK (VALUE $25)

FREE LIGHTS (VALUE $20)

FREE DRINK BOTTLE AND HOLDER (VALUE $20)

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE:$100

Image

Frame


REID 6061 Alloy Frame 51CM, 54CM, 57CM AND 60CM

Fork


700C ALLOY

Front Derailleur


Shimano 2300

Rear Derailleur


Shimano A050 7 SPEED

Shifters


Shimano A050 14 SPEED

Crankset


Prowheel alloy 42/52T 170MM

Bottom Bracket


VP sealed cartridge

Chain


KMC

Cassette


Shimano HG30 7 speed

Brakes


Tektro Alloy dual pivot racing brakes with adjustable pads

Brake Levers


Promax alloy levers

Hubs


QUANDO racing hubs with quick release

Rims


Alex Double Wall alloy rims

Spoke


14G stainless black

Tires


KENDA 700x23C

Pedals


VP-386 alloy with cage 9/16" thread

H.Bar/Stem


ZOOM alloy

Seat Post


ZOOM alloy

Saddle


Ventura racing seat

Grips


Rubber

Weight


10.6 kgs

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clackers
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Location: Melbourne

Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby clackers » Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:42 am

The Reid's another 7 speed.

Look, I'd tend towards the Cross City 4 or the Scott.

In a sense you are paying for the brand a bit for those two, in which case the Bauer Suburban is the best value, discs and all. I have a Bauer MTB that I bought along similar lines to your thought processes.

As far as geometry goes, pretty much all of these are upright.

You'll be in a 'sit up and beg' position that's ideal for commuting but completely inappropriate for winning a time trial against Fabian Cancellara. :smile:

westab
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Location: Blacktown, NSW

Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby westab » Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:09 am

Mafiaboy the bikes last few bikes you are looking at are a good place to start. I agree with the other members here that have said to try out the bikes if you are not sure what you like. I you don't love to ride it in the shop it may well end up being a waste of money (even if cheap) if it doesn't get ridden.

If I was choosing a machine from the ones you have posted I would select from two: in order of preference
1. Giant Cross city 4
2. Reid Aquila

I was not sure about the Reid till Saturday - then I saw and rode a mates one and they seem well put together and of good quality. This is only one that I have seen - they will do a good job for a few years and be a pleasure to ride. Like a number of no name brands the frame is a little heavier but still do the job. It may be a 7 speed but the RD 2300 is used mainly on 8 speed machines and while is not high end they are solid and reliable.
Not fast, no style, but still get there.

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clackers
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Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby clackers » Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:58 am

westab wrote:It may be a 7 speed but the RD 2300 is used mainly on 8 speed machines and while is not high end they are solid and reliable.
Yep, but it's a low-end roadie groupset.

A hybrid would use an MTB gruppo with three chainrings. Better, by and large, for first time buyers, but the OP may be different.

westab
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Location: Blacktown, NSW

Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby westab » Mon Jul 23, 2012 1:34 pm

clackers wrote:
westab wrote:It may be a 7 speed but the RD 2300 is used mainly on 8 speed machines and while is not high end they are solid and reliable.
Yep, but it's a low-end roadie groupset.

A hybrid would use an MTB gruppo with three chainrings. Better, by and large, for first time buyers, but the OP may be different.
Agree - but there is so little about the Reid cycles out there I though it was better to share my brief experience with one.
Not fast, no style, but still get there.

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clackers
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Re: Hybrid Bike Buy Guide

Postby clackers » Mon Jul 23, 2012 4:46 pm

westab wrote:
Agree - but there is so little about the Reid cycles out there I though it was better to share my brief experience with one.
Umm, there are some distasteful threads on Reid and their bikes/marketing techniques in this very forum, Westab! ;-)

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