Ok, which hybrid bike should I buy for $1000?
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12-17-19, 06:12 PM
#27
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I bought the Jamis Coda Sport and put a Brooks B17,Jones H-Bars wrapped in Brooks leather bar tape and couldn't be happier...I will replace components when they wear out IF they ever do.
12-17-19, 07:38 PM
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That sounds like a nice ride. Do you have any pictures of your setup that you could post? (We love pix!)
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12-22-19, 02:03 PM
#31
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This is great advice.
Take it.
As for the original question, don't spend $1000 on a hybrid. Any hybrid.
The difference between a $500 hybrid and a $1000 hybrid are the component quality, mostly the drive train. You might get slightly nicer wheels on a $1000 hybrid, but I doubt most people would notice.
The thing is...when the drive train on the $500 bike wears out, you can get an all new drive train for like $150. I just did this. It's not an expensive upgrade. Since it's a hybrid you aren't likely to upgrade it to a really high end drive train that would cost more. You're likely to replace it with a 'bottom line name brand but better than the generic stock' drive train that came on the bike.
A hyrbid is a great bike choice for many kinds of riding, especially if you are doing multiple kinds of riding and only want one bike. I'm not trashing the whole hybrid genre. I have one. I ride it every day. I love it. I spent $650 on it. But I wouldn't have spent $1 more. I've had to do repairs, mostly from generic components that just wore out fast. But each repair is relatively cheap. (Not to mention your credit card may have a built in extended warranty that pays for some of those repair) And I'm still well under $1000 total spend after 3+ years.
There is nothing about the more expensive models of the same bike that I wish I had.
Take it.
As for the original question, don't spend $1000 on a hybrid. Any hybrid.
The difference between a $500 hybrid and a $1000 hybrid are the component quality, mostly the drive train. You might get slightly nicer wheels on a $1000 hybrid, but I doubt most people would notice.
The thing is...when the drive train on the $500 bike wears out, you can get an all new drive train for like $150. I just did this. It's not an expensive upgrade. Since it's a hybrid you aren't likely to upgrade it to a really high end drive train that would cost more. You're likely to replace it with a 'bottom line name brand but better than the generic stock' drive train that came on the bike.
A hyrbid is a great bike choice for many kinds of riding, especially if you are doing multiple kinds of riding and only want one bike. I'm not trashing the whole hybrid genre. I have one. I ride it every day. I love it. I spent $650 on it. But I wouldn't have spent $1 more. I've had to do repairs, mostly from generic components that just wore out fast. But each repair is relatively cheap. (Not to mention your credit card may have a built in extended warranty that pays for some of those repair) And I'm still well under $1000 total spend after 3+ years.
There is nothing about the more expensive models of the same bike that I wish I had.
The Cannondale Quick line is worth checking out. They do make models in the $500 range, the $1000 range, and I think even up to $1200-$1500. The one I have retailed around $900 in 2014. In 2019 it would have listed closer to $1000. It's a great bike, and has held up well. It has around 1000 miles on it now, and I've replaced tires, chain, rear cassette... that's about it; all consumables you would expect to replace in that timeframe. It readily accepts rack and fenders. I put a Tubus Cargo Evo rack on the back, and carry one or two panniers to work. It handles the load very well. Most days my commute is 4.2 miles each way, to the light rail station. But some days I'll take advantage of nice weather and ride the 20 miles home. Regardless, the bike handles the ride very well.
Here are things to consider:
- More gears aren't necessarily better, but the right gears are essential. If you live in flat terrain, a narrower range of gearing is fine, but if you live in hilly terrain, climbing gears are required equipment, particularly if you plan on loading it up with commuting gear.
- You will spend $30-$150 on pedals, $30-$110 on a rack, $40 to $100 on fenders, $100 to $250 on lights, $20 on bottle cages, $50 on a lock, $100-$200 each for decent panniers, $30 on gloves, $50 on a helmet, $30 on a saddle pouch, $40-$50 on a pump, $10 on a flat repair kit, and $20-$50 on a mini-tool. Every rider has different needs; I need all those things because I use the bike for a wide variety of purposes. But you may get away with no lights (except maybe a cheap tail light), no fenders, no rack, no panniers. So plan on pedals ($50), gloves ($30), saddle wedge ($30), pump ($40), flat repair kit ($10), mini-tool ($20), helmet ($50), bottle cages ($20). So $250 in "stuff" to equip the bike.
12-23-19, 07:41 AM
#32
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I will second the Quick line with the possibility of the 2. I have the 2018 version, the 3, and swapped out the rear cogs for a 11-36 with the requisite rear DR. I changed it because of my 71 year old knees and the hills in the area I ride. I started out with the Quick 7, a 4-500 dollar bike and soon graduated to the three and have sold the 7 and added a gravel bike. I have about 1000 miles on the 3 and still enjoy it on a weekly basis. Good materials and a good return on my investment. I have to agree that paying more than $1,500. for a hybrid is about the max I would see as a good investment unless you find it capable of handling all of your requirements. While my 3 is a great bike I still like to use the gravel bike for some off the pavement stuff. That said if I am trying to go for a new personal best the gearing on the 3 has the potential to go faster if the person pushing the pedals is up to the task. All this said I will finish with, test ride a few different bikes and see what fits you best. I rode a Giant and loved it except for the cramped cockpit feel. If it had been a different test ride this would have been a different suggestion.
Good luck and get out and ride, Frank.
Good luck and get out and ride, Frank.
Last edited by Helderberg; 12-24-19 at 07:51 AM.
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01-08-20, 11:25 AM
#33
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Wow that is one fat downtube. Kinda like the girl with calves that only a cow could love.................
01-08-20, 06:27 PM
#34
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