kosmo886

livedarklions

Try the Trek FX 3, I've had it for a month and have done several centuries or longer (168 miles in one day is my longest on it). It checks all the boxes. I have the non-disk brake version which is sub-$700, disk version is just above.

I find it super-comfortable at all speeds, and very fast for a hybrid.

Should be fine on light dirt paths with the stock tires. I replaced mine with road tires because I do very little dirt riding.

puma1552

https://www.eriksbikeshop.com/Specia...3E6469/Product

This is my hybrid, still a few new ones around in a few stores. E5 aluminum (highest grade aluminum Specialized makes, found in the top of the line Allez Sprint), triple crank for awesome hill climbing (low gear is 0.76 I think?), bike is quite light, and it sits on skinnier 30mm tires which will work for both smooth roads and trails. I've never had a flat tire on it either, tires have flat protection.

Really a nice bike and really a sweet spot in the price/features category.

The Erik's picture is deceiving color-wise, here's what it actually looks like:



https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8616/2...524369be_b.jpg

god the image embedder on this site sucks so bad, half the time you click it and it doesnt respond at all. why cant we just have normal bb code like every other forum on the planet?

Jewishcowboy

That's what I have for my hybrid and love it. I also have an Emonda ALR 5 road bike but yeah the FX3 is great. Disc brakes are nice also

livedarklions

That looks like fun. What the heck is a Zertz insert?

taz777

It's an 'elastic' type insert that compresses when you go over bumps, thereby providing some smoothing of bumps. It's a Specialized thing. The inserts are found in some Specialized frames or seatposts (e.g. CG-R).

csport

Performance hybrids like Trek FX, Specialized Sirrus, Giant Escape or Jamis Coda (if you like steel) are good for longer road rides as well as for some dirt roads.

You can also look at "gravel" bikes whose geometry is similar to that of hybrids, but they have drop bars. When I (re)started biking I bought a performance hybrid (Bianchi C-sport), after some time converted it to drop bars and finally built a CX/gravel bike (Double Cross) starting from frame. These bikes are more relaxed than a road bike. Neither a gravel bike nor performance hybrid will give you an upright position of a comfort hybrid, but drop bars will give you more hand positions (riding on tops for leisurely rides).

Something like Jamis Renegade starts at $800, it is a frequently mentioned gravel bike. Try riding different bikes and see which one you like.

talphie

Doctor Morbius

I'd definitely get something that leans heavily toward a skinny tire flat bar road bike - i.e. no front suspension.

Winston15

I have been looking at hybrids for over a month, store after store and review after review. It's really hard to ask someone else to recommended bikes for yourself as you may hate it. With that being said:
I did like the Trek FX and Trek DS. The base model FX looks like a great value at $359 as there is nothing else I like better in that price range. The Specialized Pitch and Rockhopper both are solid but you move up to $500 and up very quickly. ** Don't look at the racing bikes at the Specialized dealer..... The Pitch Comp is $700 which is at your budget limit, but it's certainly worth a test drive. Fuji makes a bike called the Nevada that looks and rides really nice if you can find a dealer. There is also a company called Breezer that makes the Storm and Squall that sell for less than $700. The Breezer's are awesome for the price but again, hope you can find a dealer.
** All the bikes in this thread would be great! Just make sure the bike fits you and go for a test drive.

badger1

If your cycling will mainly be on paved surfaces, no reason not to go with either what are often referred to these days as flat-bar road bikes or with what are often referred to as 'gravel bikes' (or some similar silly marketing term) if you prefer drop bars. Here's a simple checklist, fwiw.

Point 1: decide if you think you'd prefer flat or drop bars for longer-distance rides. There's no 'right or wrong' with this choice, notwithstanding what many folks will tell you on here and elsewhere. Either work perfectly well; the choice is simply a matter of personal preference. I, and many here, prefer flat bars. Others prefer drops. If you're not sure, try to do some test rides.

Point 2: look for proper clearance for at least 32mm wide tires. Most bikes in these categories have that clearance, but be sure to check. This will help preserve your ability to ride light dirt paths etc. should you want to.

Point 3: start shopping around the usual suspects (Trek; Specialized; Giant; Cannondale; etc.). They all make both kinds of bike.

Point 4: find something you like, in your price range, buy and .... ride.

Example (mine) of a 'flat-bar road bike' set up for longer-distance road riding