I’m looking for a bike to go mostly around the neighborhood and surrounding areas. Concrete maybe a little suburban terrain. But I’m. It so sure where to start. All I know so far is to get a hybrid bike. But where’s the best place and best deals? Looking now since it’s Memorial Day weekend. Trying to stick to a $400 or less budget. Is this any good? Please help! Thanks! https://www.rei.com/product/121596/co-op-cycles-cty-11-bike
check out blue line bikes in the heights. https://www.bluelinebikelab.com/articles/home-pg174.htm full disclosure - owner is an old friend of mine.
I always wanted a “nice” bike, and at my age, a hardtail mountain bike seemed like the best choice for neighborhood riding and LIGHT trail use. But bikes with nice components are expensive. I took a leap of faith and ordered a bike off of bikes direct. It’s certainly not perfect, but I probably got twice the bike (for the money) than I would have at a bike store. Their website sucks, and some assembly is required, but the savings was substantial. I actually put it together (to make sure all the parts were held together) and then took it to bike barn for them to make sure everything was tightened properly. Anyhoo....so far, I’m really happy with it.
buy a bike on facebook or craigslist. Don't buy it new. There are plenty of people who think they will actually ride their fancy bike that never do.
First thing i would recommend is to go into a bike shop and get sized. Down in the RGV, we have a shop that will size us to Specialized bikes. Based on that sizing, they can give you a breakdown of Specialized bikes...road, mountain, and hybrid. Then you can use that to shop around. I'd definitely check craigslist and Facebook market first. I got a 2018 Specialized Roubaix Sport for $1200 from a reputable bike rental place in Napa Valley of off Ebay. They were clearing out their 2018 models for a new 2019 inventory. My first "good" bike was a Specialized Allez that i got for $400 on craigslist. Good luck. Don't let the bike shop pressure you into financing a brand new bike when they measure you unless you really want to walk out with a brand new bike.
you could probally do cheaper online, but def go there and talk to them about what your looking for, good peeps fo sho.
was in a similar situation last year, thought we'd end up with hybrids but were convinced to go with gravel bikes as a bit more practical for the kind of stuff OP is describing. Although I'd probably get a wider more aggressive set of tires for rocky dirt roads.
Here's an inexpensive hybrid from Costco. The Infinity "Boss Three" Hybrid and Comfort Bicycle. Only $199 Although I'm sure the bycicle purists around here may not like it. I think it would be adequate for riding around the neighborhood and you wouldn't be committing a lot financially 'til you're sure you will actually ride it a lot.
I'll merge the good advice already give: buy from a local bike shop where you can get properly fitted (and support local businesses), and buy used... go to a local bike shop and ask if they know of any used bikes that their customers may be selling. The bike shop may even be selling a bike on consignment. Many people start off with a decent starter bike and immediately upgrade and so you can get a great deal on a relatively new and unused bike. You could find a decent Trek, Specialized, or Giant bike that will be better built than any off-name bike. Hybrids are decent bikes (back in the day, I had a friend who had a newsletter on what were called "Cross bikes"), but I'd still favor a decent mountain bike with a tire with relatively little tread. You may decide to ride rougher roads or off-road and you will be much safer and more comfortable on a MTB.
I ride a GT with 3" tubeless MTB everywhere inside the loop. Best bike I've ever owned for city use. This is what she looks like
Thanks for the advice! Definitely don't wanna commit too much money to one, but I do want to make sure I'm getting a decent bike. I'm for sure going to a local shop to make sure I get fitted. I was not prepared for all the options in choosing a bike.
Nice! Almost got a Zaskar years ago. Went instead with a Klein, then blew out my back so went with a couple of Cannondale FS bikes. GT's are solid and love the trademark frame design in the rear Also like your WTB saddle, I am wimpy so use Terry saddles on all my bikes.
a light frame bike less than 15~ish pounds is the only thing you can't compromise, everything else can be upgraded when needed & Padded short
15 pounds? That's going to run about 6-8 grand. A good weight for a road bike is under 20 pounds, hybrid at 25 pounds, and mountain bike under 28 pounds. I've been into gravel bikes lately. Road bike position, speed, and flexibility, but with bigger tires to soak up the bumps.
More relaxed angles than a cyclocross bike. More like a cyclocross bike with touring bike geometry if that makes sense. Edit: I forgot to mention wider tires on a gravel bike.
around 1500-2000$ when on sale I use a cheap mountain e-bike 26" , 20miles effortlessly on weekend ,I do commute to work with the road bike ~8 miles in a bike friendly town with very steep terrains of Rocky mountains while summer last, not sure I would have been eager to do that if I was in Houston though
