Alphonsus

I have a 2018 Diamondback 29ner Overdrive, I'm selling it for $450, although I love the aesthetics of MTB, they aren't the greatest when it comes to riding in the city, especially trying to go fast with little effort. With that $450, I'm thinking of getting a hybrid bike less than $600. Any opinions on which hybrid, I do sometimes am a bit rough with the bike. So far I'm really interested in the Giant Escape 2 Disc 2020 which is about $580 (https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/escape-2-disc-2020 ) although that is stretching my budget given plus tax and building it, it will be over $600

Gconan

Definitely test ride before selling. Make sure you like the new before getting rid of the old.

Trevtassie

If you are rough, then why not crank up the pre load on the forks and whack a set of slicks on the MTB, like some Big Apples or some such and then you have a fast rolling bike that can take some punishment jumping curbs.

JonathanGennick 

You could look at the Kona Dew: https://www.konaworld.com/dew.cfm. The wider tires on that bike will absorb some roughness. Also worth a look is the Raleigh Redux.

highrpm

I have a Trek hybrid. I love it. I ride it in the city and on gravel roads. The 32mm tires are skinny enough to feel fast but wide enough to provide a little cushion.

stanman13

From what I can tell, your Diamondback is a $1200-1300 bike. Your going to take a beating on that to trade it for a $500-600 hybrid. I think you will be less satisfied with the cheaper hybrid than if you just adapted your mtb to be more street friendly. Swap out tires and tighten up the suspension fork and it'll feel and be faster for you. You can customize a lot for the amount you're going to lose on the trade.

Then again, if you really aren't happy with it and want a new bike, who am I to tell you no?

Brocephus

I concur with the above posts recommending you just install some road friendly tires. I used to run mtn bikes as a regular urban commuter, for years, and currently have my old Trek set up that way.
Some type of lightly-treaded, semi-slick, with about a 1.75" width will make that bike cruise the streets much more nimbly and smoothly, while still being able to absorb impacts and handle a little off-road use, and keeping that mountain bike look (too skinny tires on a mtn bike, just look wrong, plus there's a limit to how thin you can go on a mtn rim.)
And, I'm thinking you're taking a beating selling the higher end bike, then spending more cash, downgrading to another. This kinda had "lose/lose" written all over it.

Alphonsus

Nvm, it wasnt the expert than, the listed price was $500 and I got it for $400

alcjphil

If it was a $500 bike when new, nobody is going to pay $450 for it used
29" wheels are the same size as 700c which most hybrids use. A nice set of 700 x 40 road tires would change the character of your bike completely.

Kapusta

I am not sure how nice of a mountain bike your Diamondback Overdrive is, so it is hard to say how a $600 hybrid (or any bike) is going to stack up against it for your use.

However, generally speaking, for urban riding, I would much prefer a bike like the Escape over the Overdrive.

Older hardtail and rigid mtbs do make great urban bikes, But I think the geometry of newer mountain bikes makes them less fun and nimble on the road. They work fine if it is what you have, and slicks do help, but something like the Escape is better, given the choice (IMO).

Edit: OK, I see that your current bike was only $500 to start with. Not sure how I missed that before. I think I have an idea of what it is probably like. I would definitely prefer the Escape.

livedarklions

The Trek FX 2 disk is right around that price--if you're looking for a fast city bike.

My son has the Raleigh Redux, which I agree with Jonathan is worth a look at as a city bike. They made the unfortunate marketing choice of calling it a comfort bike, but it's actually quite spright for its size.

Alphonsus

I'm not "selling" it for $450, but rather, the kid is gonna buy it for $450

Alphonsus

Yeah, its a nice bike and it does fine for riding in my neighborhood, but definetly if going 10+ miles around the city especially if I want to go inner city, it'd be harder than a regular hybrid

Alphonsus

Yep came across the Trek FX2 and it's definitely looks like a good bike, I'll have a couple of months to decide, since I only ride in the summer, going away for college and don't need a bike during that time period, and don't want to buy the bike now and have it sit in the shed for 8 months

livedarklions

The FXs have a very high fun factor, you can get them going very fast.

No bike for campus?

BikeTall

Well, I think the Giant Escape 2 is an awesome choice. It can definitely take a beating! I have been riding one as a daily commuter here in NYC since 2013... and it’s still going strong! I also use it for longer tours as well. It is fast & comfy.
My Giant Escape 2. Daily commuter & touring rig.

Metieval

start here.... many hybrids to look at.

https://www.bikeforums.net/hybrid-bi...l#post21091592