I've seen some wonderful advice given out here, but I'm looking to spend a lot less than some of the bikes I've seen discussed here. I haven't ridden a bike in 25 years and I have fused vertebrae in my lower back, so I want a bike where I can sit upright a little more. I will be riding on a flat, mostly paved bike trail once or twice a week. About 15 miles round trip. I have been to several bike shops and have decided on getting a hybrid. I have ridden all of the following bikes and am looking for some advice on which would be best to buy. I like them all.

Diamondback Edgewood - $270
Marin Kentfield - $290
Jamis Citizen 1.0 - $305
Trek 7100 - $309

Like I said, I have ridden them all and they all seem comfortable, unfortunately, they are all in different bike shops, so I can't ride them one after another to compare.

Thanks!

I've seen some wonderful advice given out here, but I'm looking to spend a lot less than some of the bikes I've seen discussed here. I haven't ridden a bike in 25 years and I have fused vertebrae in my lower back, so I want a bike where I can sit upright a little more. I will be riding on a flat, mostly paved bike trail once or twice a week. About 15 miles round trip. I have been to several bike shops and have decided on getting a hybrid. I have ridden all of the following bikes and am looking for some advice on which would be best to buy. I like them all.

Diamondback Edgewood - $270
Marin Kentfield - $290
Jamis Citizen 1.0 - $305
Trek 7100 - $309

Like I said, I have ridden them all and they all seem comfortable, unfortunately, they are all in different bike shops, so I can't ride them one after another to compare.


Thanks!

Welcome. All of the bikes listed above will work just fine. I really can't say one is better than the other. I'd buy the one "speaks" to you... Buy the bike what makes you want to get our and ride...lots...

The one suggestion I would make is that if you are going to be on paved roads, stick with bikes that don't have a suspension fork. The Trek 7000 for example, rather than the 7100. It is just extra weight if you are on pavement.

Good question. The good news is that you should have no problem finding what will work for you. My advice in that price range (or any price range if you are not experienced) is that it's far more important to buy from the right shop than to find the right bike.

When I was a kid I worked in all sorts of bike shops. Let's just say Schwinn Varsity's at a couple of the shops were put together WAY BETTER than Schwinn Varsitys at other shops. You would not believe how many people are sold bikes they don't fit or bikes that are not appropriate for their needs.

Buy from which ever shop seems to be willing to spend enough time to fit you to the bike. Which shops will tune the bike up for free after a couple of months riding? Do the people doing the repair and assembly seem proud of their work? Which shop listened to you the most about what you wanted in a bike before pointing you to a bike?

Good question. The good news is that you should have no problem finding what will work for you. My advice in that price range (or any price range if you are not experienced) is that it's far more important to buy from the right shop than to find the right bike.

Buy from which ever shop seems to be willing to spend enough time to fit you to the bike. Which shops will tune the bike up for free after a couple of months riding? Do the people doing the repair and assembly seem proud of their work? Which shop listened to you the most about what you wanted in a bike before pointing you to a bike?

+1.
At this price, since they all seemed to work for you, buy from the shop that made you feel comfortable in your purchase and will support you best in the first few months.