Hi all,
New to cycling here and am looking to purchase my first bike. At first I was looking at hybrid's with suspension forks bc that's what the LBSs pushed me toward, but as I'm really only planning on riding on pavement and paved greenway paths, I think i've finally figured out I really just need a flat-bar "road bike", or maybe an actual road bike. As this is a completely new hobby to me, i'm wary of spending a lot of money right off the bat for a bike that ends up sitting and collecting dust. Of course, I don't want to buy a bike at Wal-Mart either. So i'm trying to keep things in the $500-600 range.
My purposes? As stated, paved riding. I'd like to build up and do 20+ mile rides. I've narrowed it down to two flat bar bikes that come in my size (i'm 6'6 so that has narrowed my choices). I don't know anything about the brands and the different branded components that each bike has so any input on which bike is a better overall value. I also am aware that there may be very little difference and it comes down to brand preferance like Ford vs Chevy, but any input is appreciated. The two bikes are:
Trek FX 2
Giant Escape 1
Giant also makes an entry level road bike at that price point, the Giant Contend 3, but again i'm a novice at the components and also, it doesn't come with pedals. I have NO idea how much a decent set of pedals cost so if it pushes it up to $700 then all of a sudden its out of my price range.
I really am trying to keep it around $550 for the bike, being fully aware that i need a helmet, and several other accessories that will add up fast and again, as a potential new hobby i'm trying to keep my initial investment reasonable, while having quality equipment.
Any input, insight and advice is very much appreciated! Thanks.
New to cycling here and am looking to purchase my first bike. At first I was looking at hybrid's with suspension forks bc that's what the LBSs pushed me toward, but as I'm really only planning on riding on pavement and paved greenway paths, I think i've finally figured out I really just need a flat-bar "road bike", or maybe an actual road bike. As this is a completely new hobby to me, i'm wary of spending a lot of money right off the bat for a bike that ends up sitting and collecting dust. Of course, I don't want to buy a bike at Wal-Mart either. So i'm trying to keep things in the $500-600 range.
My purposes? As stated, paved riding. I'd like to build up and do 20+ mile rides. I've narrowed it down to two flat bar bikes that come in my size (i'm 6'6 so that has narrowed my choices). I don't know anything about the brands and the different branded components that each bike has so any input on which bike is a better overall value. I also am aware that there may be very little difference and it comes down to brand preferance like Ford vs Chevy, but any input is appreciated. The two bikes are:
Trek FX 2
Giant Escape 1
Giant also makes an entry level road bike at that price point, the Giant Contend 3, but again i'm a novice at the components and also, it doesn't come with pedals. I have NO idea how much a decent set of pedals cost so if it pushes it up to $700 then all of a sudden its out of my price range.
I really am trying to keep it around $550 for the bike, being fully aware that i need a helmet, and several other accessories that will add up fast and again, as a potential new hobby i'm trying to keep my initial investment reasonable, while having quality equipment.
Any input, insight and advice is very much appreciated! Thanks.
