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Looking for My First Real Bike
#1
Hi, I am a high school student looking for my first good bike. I have been using a walmart Schwinn for the past few years and I want something new. I mostly bike around the city of Phoenix and mainly stay on the streets. But, I do cut through some parks, go over bridges, and go off curbs, so I need a hybrid bike that can handle some minor offroading. I've been looking at quite a few different bikes and I need some advice on what would be best. Thanks!

Want
-$400-600 (preferrably)
-lightweight
-will last me a good ten years or so
-able to handle going off curbs or through grass
-fast (it's subjective, I know, but it would be nice)
-fun and easy to ride (will encourage me to ride more)

Don't Want
-a mountain bike
-suspension
-a fixie (I do travel on some inclines)
-a drop bar bike
-steel frame
-twist shifters

What I've been looking at
-Specialized Sirrus Disc (tried it in a store and shifts felt smooth)
-Raleigh Cadent 1
-Trek FX 1 (tried it in store, but didn't like the shifter)
-Raleigh Redux 1 (might be good for going around the city, might be more offroading focused than I need though)
-Marin Fairfax 1 (I have seen good reviews, seems like a good price)
-Marin Presidio 1 (out of my price range, but I like the 3 speed internal gearbox)
-open to any other recommendations
  Reply
#2
Hey.
Based on your yes/no listed above, urban/fitness bike with flatbar and 1x/2x chainrings or Nexus hub sounds like the right choice to go with Smile Those six bikes on your list are decent, and I'd choose Specialized. Nevertheless, considering that you hope it will last for many years, I'd suggest going somewhat over the limit and at least consider bike like this one: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/fastroad-sl-3-2020

Alu frame, should be relatively lighter. It has road bike drivetrain Shimano Claris and geometry. Tektro disc brakes are also nice. Plus it should feel fast, the name itself says so Cool
That's just my subjective opinion though Smile When you divide those 150 extra dollars over 5 year span, it's 30$/year or less than 3$/month for that urban speed feeling. What do you think?
Merida Scultura 5000 (2015)
Merida Big Nine 400 (2019)
  Reply
#3
(12-02-2019, 01:04 AM)h.clakins Wrote:  What I've been looking at
-Specialized Sirrus Disc (tried it in a store and shifts felt smooth)
-Raleigh Cadent 1
-Trek FX 1 (tried it in store, but didn't like the shifter)
-Raleigh Redux 1 (might be good for going around the city, might be more offroading focused than I need though)
-Marin Fairfax 1 (I have seen good reviews, seems like a good price)
-Marin Presidio 1 (out of my price range, but I like the 3 speed internal gearbox)
-open to any other recommendations

Hello, I found one of bikes listed in the review section. I hope it helps!
Raleigh Cadent: https://www.bikeride.com/raleigh-cadent/
  Reply


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