Not looking for anything fancy as you have a nice road bike already.
Now you are looking for a bike to just cruise the neighborhood and paved bike paths with your kiddos. You’ll be pulling one of those trailer thingys a lot.
I know $450 isn’t much but on the other end I am thinking of just getting a Wally World Special for about $250. So I don’t have to crash the wife’s bike again.
Not sure there is much of a difference for bikes in that price range.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
I know $450 isn’t much but on the other end I am thinking of just getting a Wally World Special for about $250. So I don’t have to crash the wife’s bike again.

Not sure there is much of a difference for bikes in that price range.

There is.

Go to a local bike shop and look at some of the lower-end Giant brand bikes. Giant makes really high-end bikes in the multi-thousand dollar range, but they also have some decent entry level options in the $400-500ish range. Not fancy, but a huge step up from a Walmart Special.

I recommend spending the little bit more for a model with disc brakes, like the Talon, ATX, Roam, Sedona DX, or Escape Disc.

Talk to the folks there to see what other options they have in your price range. They might have old stock, demo, or trade-in bikes, which could let you get into a higher tier bike while staying within your price range.

go to your local bike shop and check out Raleigh mountain bikes, or see what they have used.

Many cyclists will trade in a prior year model as partial credit on a current year model.

^^^

what they said,

local bike shop(s),

chat up the folks there,

Used from your local shop, BikeNashbar, lower end Giant, etc.

Don't do the WallyWorld special. One of the kids in my neighborhood had one, and I have significant bike maintenance experience, and a ton of bike tools. I couldn't fix or adjust the thing. It was that shitty.

ETA: Miles better than WallyWorld: https://www.nashbar.com/mounta...ikes-bicycles/c14968

I would totally go used. A few years old. You'll get a great bike if you're choosy.

I would look for a cruiser. I haven't ridden in years and I'm fat so I think I'd prefer the more upright seating position.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
I would totally go used. A few years old. You'll get a great bike if you're choosy.

+1. Look for $1000+ bike used for $450. Decent bike that just needs a tune up.

I was looking for roughly the same criteria - hybrid bike, mostly on easy trails or roads (we live just a mile or so from the VA Creeper trail) and went with a Trek Marlin 5. It's right in that price range - good components, disc brakes, comfortable and a Wallyworld special is not even close to the same ballpark or universe as this bike. I've loved it, very much worth it.



I bought mine at a local bike shop, but here's a link so you can get an idea of price/components:

https://www.scheels.com/p/2019...643-565394-2019.html

Just look for one on Craigslist, a few year old bike that was originally over $1k can be had for your budget if you look hard enough.

quote:

Originally posted by BamaJeepster:
I was looking for roughly the same criteria - hybrid bike, mostly on easy trails or roads (we live just a mile or so from the VA Creeper trail) and went with a Trek Marlin 5. It's right in that price range - good components, disc brakes, comfortable and a Wallyworld special is not even close to the same ballpark or universe as this bike. I've loved it, very much worth it.



I bought mine at a local bike shop, but here's a link so you can get an idea of price/components:

https://www.scheels.com/p/2019...643-565394-2019.html

We have done the Creeper Trail and enjoyed it very much. We use the shuttle at The. Ike Station in Damascus.

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll check the shops for used first but don’t want to wait too long boys want to ride daily.

You can definitely get a Trek Verve in that price range. I have one I bought for use at work. Not as nice as my Trek Dual Sport, obviously, but at 1/3 of the price of that DS, the Verve more than holds its own.

We have a Burly Bee trailer for our little one.

Go $525: Specialized Crosstrail Disc Mechanical. Bought one for my 12 year old son and I rode a bit. It's a huge step up from my $150 Wal Mart bike.

My son and I just bought two identical Specialized Pitch bikes. They were on sale, and I got 10% prior military. I told the sales guy up front I had a "target" price, and it was about what I expected.

I thought about buying online, but those bikes come disassembled, and if you don't know what you are doing, you will end up taking it to a shop anyways.

You could always ask a local shop what they charge to assemble a bike, if they do it at all.

Can’t say I am opposed to this Urban 8 Speed style.
https://www.raleighusa.com/carlton8

Anyone familiar with the Trek 4300?
Says brand new hydraulic shimano disc brakes just installed.
Asking $375

Also a Trek Marlin 6 rode twice they say. Gave $650 wanting $450.

Check out Jamis. I have a Coda Sport. I like the Reynolds steel as it soaks up vibration better than the aluminum frames.

quote:

Originally posted by PossibleZombie:
Just look for one on Craigslist, a few year old bike that was originally over $1k can be had for your budget if you look hard enough.

Especially since it's stolen, so selling that $2000 bike for $450 is still $450 straight profit for the thief.

That, or if you'll mail them $450 in GreenDot prepaid cards, they'll ship you the bike... They're out of town on a mission trip right now, feeding the orphan puppies in Africa.


(Seriously, though... Don't go bike shopping on Craigslist.)

Mine is a Marin w front suspension on hybrid tires (road/smooth in the middle & knobby on the sides)

I think it's something like 10 yrs old & still rides great, just needs a shifter tuneup.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Anyone familiar with the Trek 4300?
Says brand new hydraulic shimano disc brakes just installed.
Asking $375

Also a Trek Marlin 6 rode twice they say. Gave $650 wanting $450.

I own a 2009 Trek 4300. I have not had any issues with it. Changed a couple components on it, seat, hand grips and pedals,that were more to what works for me.