New to Biking, looking for bike around $500

[RaZor18]

Hello I am new,
I had a $400 CCM Vandal 26-in Full Suspension Mountain Bike from Canadian Tire which was about 5 years old before it broke, got rusted and had to get rid of it. The bike was uncomfortable, heavy, and gears and brakes would not work all the time. It was alright since it was kind of a mountain bike could ride a bit on rough areas, but not the fastest and uphill was hard.

I am looking for a bikeshop bike around $400-$600 CAD and I will be riding on the fairly hilly community gravel trail by my home. Also riding on some roads to work.

I was thinking mountain bike since it would be easier to ride on trails, but some suggested a hybrid since I will be riding on roads sometimes. I also would like something that is not too heavy.

Few Bikes I was looking at:
https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en_CA/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/fx-1/p/1320010-2017/
https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en_CA/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/fx-2/p/1323010-2017/
(Not sure of the difference between those). I am also not sure how these would be on community trails as it seems to be for road?

Sorry I don't know a lot.
Thanks in advance,
Dan

 

[Cycleops]

I should think either of those would be perfect. Would suit both trails and road. The 2 simply has a component upgrade.
You're sensible to not go for suspension forks.

 

[RaZor18]

Thank you. I actually got introduced to a few more bikes, could you say which one is the best choice for my situation. Thanks:

• Trek 7.1 FX (2015/2016) - $529.99
• Trek Verve 2 (2017) - $669.99
• Trek FX 2 (2017) - $599.99
• Trek FX 1 (2017) - $529.99
• Trek FX (2017) - $489.99
• Kona Dew (2017) - $599.99
• Cannondale Quick 7 (2017) - $599.99
• Cannondale Quick 8 (2017) - $519.99

 

[Cycleops]

Almost impossible to separate the listed bikes. The Quick 8 has narrower tyres so will feel a bit more 'quick', but that's about it apart from better components on the more expensive ones. 45c are about as fat as it gets on these types of bike. You will have a bit of extra comfort on them as you can run at lower pressures. I have these on my Spech AWOL but they don't roll the fastest. The Verve2 has these and seems to be set up for comfort more than speed. It also has a suspension seat post which adds to comfort. I did notice on the Trek site that it was mostly 50+ riders that were buying them from the reviews so draw your own conclusions!

None of the ones listed have discs. I'm assuming you don't want or need the extra security offered.

@Gravity Aided is in the US, I'd be interested in hearing what he has to say.

 

[Gravity Aided]

CCM Bicycles, while sometimes not top quality, seem to be good enough to encourage people to get into bicycling more. A new bicycle may not be the best choice, unless you would like that specifically. Hybrid bicycles seem to lack the resale interest road bikes have. That being said, Trek and Cannondale seem to have a great deal of dealer support and LBS presence here. Kona not so much, but I think the cycle itself is on a par with Trek and Cannondale.Cannondale pioneered the aluminum frame, back in the 1980's when these were still deemed exotic. Before this, they made bags and camping gear. Their entry into cycling was with the first cycle trailer, the "Bugger". Between the Quick 7 and 8, the 7 has Altus level Shimano, and the 8 has Tourney, the bottom level of Shimano components. Altus, however, is just one step up. Here is the Shimano Group set heirarchy:
XTR
Deore XT
Deore LX
Deore
Alivio
Acera
Altus
Tourney
Much can be said about a bicycle, and its' future durability, by the quality of the components. Very rarely do things go wrong with the frame. The components and wheels provide most of the headaches, if there are any.
Trek FX series bikes start in about the 400.00 range here, and go to about 2,000 dollars
Bottom end FX has a mix of Altus and Tourney, and a steel fork with aluminum frame.
FX1 gets you fork mounts for a lowrider front rack, a little better accessories, nothing you couldn't, and probably won't, change out for yourself, at first glance.
FX2 Goes to Acera on the rear derailleur, slightly better spec on some parts. Also an 8 speed rear cog, instead of 7.
Verve, we're back to 7 speeed Altus /Tourney mix.
Trek 7.1 FX is not current.
All the Trek fitness bicycles seem kind of heavy for even fitness bikes.
Kona Dew gives you 8 speeds rear, a Tourney/Altus mix, and "Shinning" wheels, Treks usually have Formula.
This all means little if you don't like the ride of the bicycle, you need to try each bike and see which one suits your style and level of riding. Bicycles are a very personal item, like shoes. What one hails as the greatest may be the worst, in your opinion. A test ride will help clear these issues. Weight is not so important as your quality of ride, how you judge it. Test rides, if possible, will help sort this for you.

 

[RaZor18]

Thanks for the info. I do plan on trying them out. However I am also trying to go for value, to get the best priced bike.

Going to the bike shop tomorrow to try em all out and buy one, what do you guys think of the GT Transeo 4.0 compared to the Trek Fx 2.

Transeo: https://www.sportchek.ca/product/331948322.html

Has disc brakes and shifter doesn't seem low quality? For the price?

 

[Cycleops]

Don't buy the Transeo! Its got suspension forks, they just add weight for little extra comfort, money goes into the fork instead of components.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Suspension forks on a hybrid bike are about as useful as teats on a boar hog, IMHO.