| borg |
It's been 18 yrs since I bought a bike and in that span the industry has gone thru some major changes not only in the design but also the different components that make the bike. I'm in the market for a comfort bike which is designed to offer maximum riding comfort by giving the rider an upright riding position. This is crucial because when I go riding with my boys using my old mountain bike I find it uncomfortable & consequently unenjoyable, which means I find all kinds of excuses no to go biking.
I've never been a fanatic cyclist but I do ride from spring to early fall, mostly on weekends with the kids. Last year I only rode my bike perhaps a dozen times for very short distances, it was disappointing but more so for the kids. I don't want to do that again this year that's why I will be buying a new bike.
I've done my research, test drives & settled on a budget, I've narrowed it down to three bikes. Not one bike stands out in any category so its a matter of choosing one which I believe will work for me. But since I dont keep up with all the cycling tech stuff I really don't know which one will.
Any input, opinion or suggestion would be appreciated....thank you.
The top 3 list:
GIANT Sedona DX
NORCO Citadel
TREK Navigator 200 |
|
|
| florida_guy |
quote:
Originally posted by borg
TREK Navigator 200
I have the TREK Navigator 500 which I bought 2-3 years ago. I had TREK mountain bike before that because they hadn't started making comfort bikes yet. I was happy with both of them.
I can't speak to the lower budget 200 that you are looking at just that my research pointed to TREK as the best bang for the buck. |
|
|
| booger |
I'm in the same boat as you, not a huge bike fanatic, but I do like what I have to work properly.
Two years ago my wife got a new Giant, not sure of the model or the components (too many tla's and numbers).
It has been the most reliable bike of any in the garage. It seems that I'm always adjusting a shifter or brake or something on one of the bikes, but her's has been solid.
So I like it in that respect and she seems to like riding it.
And that's all I got to say about that!! |
|
|
| desertpilot |
Did you take a look at Cannondale? They should have comfort bike models. They're light and strong made out of 6061 aluminum (aircraft grade).
I have two Cannondale cross country hardtails with front mono suspension, the older one is a black F1000 and it's about 9 years and my second one is a yellow F type frame with Shimano XTR and Coda racing components and it's 8 years old now. My friend also have the same brand but his is a dual suspension downhill bike. They're a little pricey but they are strong and should last longer.
Trek and Giant should be fine also. I had a Trek before and it was OK. I built a Giant cross country bike that my nephew bought. He got a Giant aluminum frame and bought all the components separately, when he got all the parts, I did the assembly for him on my bike repair stand. He loved it.
Whatever bike you decided on just make sure you have good Shimano components on it, at least a LX model or better. Good luck. |
|
|
| colorider |
borg, when you were researching the Giant offerings, did you check out this one? More than a bit more expensive, but it has some neat ideas!
:)
It also comes in the BEST color too!!! |
|
|
| copilot |
| for about 3 years now. Had been out of biking for 30 years. Both my wife and I got one and love it. No problems of any kind. There are probably better comfort bikes out there; but for the money I don't think you can beat the Navigator 200. We didn't want to spend any more $ until we decided we would really keep up with biking after so long of a lay-off. I was down at the local bike shop last Sunday and another guy offered to buy my bike for almost what I had paid for it 3 years ago. We rode a LOT of bikes before we settled on the Trek-Gary Fisher, Cannondale and some of the less expensive ones at the sporting goods store. We bike about 5-6 hours per week from April until November and it has stood up well. |
|
|
| borg |
Thanks everyone for your recommendations, I've narrowed it down to either the Trek or Giant. They are very similar with slight differences, Trek uses Shimano Alivio while Giant has Shimano Acera's. It's not Shimano LX components but any bike with that on will definitely push the cost over my budget especially since I'm planning on buying one for my wife as well.
There are a few small things that at this time is swaying me more towards the Giant such as better seat post & fork suspensions, 8 speed grip shift & self sealing anti puncture tires. I want to buy the bikes by Saturday so I will need to make a decision quick.
I would have checked out Cannondale's since my old mountainbike is by Cannondale & has been bullet proof, but as I've said I dont feel comfortable riding it anymore (must be getting old). Unfortunately there is no longer a dealer in my area so I wasnt able to check out their comfort bikes.
The Giant REVIVE DX in Sandstone looks to be a great bike, alas it's over my budget plus I dont think I can get used to the radical design. |
|
|
| bcclements |
I have have a Trek 300 and my wife has a 200 (she liked the color better.)
The 300 has a much better rear derailer, almost silent when coasting, while the 200 has the typical click, click, click rachet sound.
Both are good bikes, but get the 300 if you can spare a few extra bucks. |
|
|
| rockman19762001 |
| I bought a Trek 300 one year ago and it has been very comfortable to ride and trouble free. Like an early post by bcclements, If you go with the Trek line spend a little more for the Trek 300. |
|
|
| ollicat |
| I know that everyone likes to be seen on a mountain bike of some type but lets face it, very few of us are riding down mountains. In fact, most of us never leave a nice trail or the street. Therefore, I got myself a cruiser. It is tremendously comfortable and brings back the joy of riding my bike as a kid instead of the pain in my wrists and rump like on my mountain bike. Check out www.electrabikes.com. I bought the Custom. Sweet wheels! |
|
|
| desertpilot |
Here are some more suggestions on some components that would be useful on comfort bikes:
- Gel seat
- High rise handlebar
- Stem with high angle
- Suspension seat post
Borg, your question about comfort bikes made me think to convert one of my old mountain bike to a comfort bike. By just getting these noted components, it would be an easy transformation. I could just start with the high rise handlebar and gel seat first then later finish it with the suspension seat post. I might have to replace my off-road to street or combination type of tires, if the vibration of the knobby tires bothers me.
Here's a pic of a suspension seat post. There are several manufacturers that make these type of seat post.
Suspension seat post reference link |
|
|
| borg |
Wow, two more endorsements for the Trek, it's going to be a tough decision choosing between Trek & Giant.
The link to electrabikes.com is not working :confused:
Great suggestions on the must haves for comfort bikes, the two bikes I'm looking at do have those components except for the gel seat
but I can add that at a later time. That's an interesting idea turning an old mountain bike into a comfort bike, if i was more mechanically inclined & had more time I might have looked at turning my old Cannondale mountain bike into a comfort bike.
Thanks again for all your input, I will be making a decision tomorrow & I will surely post the outcome. |
|
|
| florida_guy |
quote:
Originally posted by borg
Wow, two more endorsements for the Trek, it's going to be a tough decision choosing between Trek & Giant.
...
That's an interesting idea turning an old mountain bike into a comfort bike
My last bike (that was stolen) started out as a mountain bike and I transformed it similar to what desertpilot described. They didn't have comfort bikes when I bought that one.
As for my endorsement of Trek remember that my last 2 bikes were Treks and before that I had a 1970's vintage Schwinn. I bought the Treks based on research and a few test rides. I have limited personal experience with any other brand than Trek.
The reasons you listed earlier for preferring the Giant seemed like good ones. It may be that Giant is better in the lower price range and Trek is better in the higher price ranges. I don't know.
One other thing... I hesitated on buying my Trek 400 (I told you 500 previously) because it came with the push button vs. the grip shift. Other factors out weighed it and now I prefer the push buttons having had one of each. YMMV |
|
|
| desertpilot |
quote:
Originally posted by borg
...SNIP...
The link to electrabikes.com is not working :confused:
...SNIP...
Here's the (working) link to electrabike.com :)
http://www.electrabike.com/ |
|
|
| borg |
quote:
Originally posted by desertpilot
Here's the (working) link to electrabike.com :)
http://www.electrabike.com/
Thanks for the link, cool bikes......no electra bike dealer in my area but I found one that sold Del Sol's. It looks very similar to the electra bikes & WOW....what a sweet ride. If I were looking for a bike strictly for city riding I probably would have bought two on the spot.
Although my family & I do most of our riding on bike paths, we do venture off the beaten path when we go camping. So it was back to the Giant vs TREK.
I did go out & buy two bikes last Saturday, had a chance to go for a short ride but then two days later we get our annual spring snow storm which brought a foot of snow. Needless to say the bikes have been in the garage all week.:mad: |
|
|
| borg |
| I ended up buying two Giant Sedonda DX's, identical bikes except Mrs borg got the larger (men's) frame (she has longer legs & preffered the men's frame over the ladies) & a gender specific saddle. |
|
|
| borg |
| A look at the upgraded components of the Giant bikes over Trek. |
|
|
| borg |
| 6061 hydroform alloy aluminum frame. |
|
|
| borg |
| magnesium suspension fork: |
|
|
| borg |
| self sealing anti flat tires... |
|
|
| borg |
Thanks everyone, I really valued your input & suggestions.
These are the bikes that I will be hauling on the Pilot using the Thule Trailblazer bike rack in a few months.
Good day all.:) |
|
|
| florida_guy |
quote:
Originally posted by borg
A look at the upgraded components of the Giant bikes over Trek.
Are the fenders stock or did you have them added. If I remember right the Trek's don't come with those.
The self sealing tire is a neat idea. Let me know if you ever have occasion to find out how well it works.
Nice bikes! :) |
|
|
| borg |
quote:
Originally posted by florida_guy
Are the fenders stock or did you have them added. If I remember right the Trek's don't come with those.
The self sealing tire is a neat idea. Let me know if you ever have occasion to find out how well it works.
Nice bikes! :)
The fenders were thrown in for free as part of negotiation to buy 2 bikes which were being sold for $520.00 CAD ea. Out the door price came out to $450.00 CAD per bike plus tax with the fenders installed. |
|
|
| Oahu_Dave |
Good thread here. I too am looking for bikes for the wife and I along with trailer for the kid. I have always bought the mountain bikes and paid dearly for them, mostly Trek and Cannondale, and never once used them for their intended purpose. I just liked the look, but not the comfort. So this has me thinking seriously about these comfort bikes. Just have to get over the look I guess.
Anyone have any suggestions for a compact kid trailer? His only about 1 yrs old and the last one I had was for 2 kids and was too wide.
Going to look at a couple bike shops today probably and see what they have for more comfort. |
|
|
| bcclements |
Looks like you did your homework and got some nice bikes there.
Well done and I hope you enjoy them. :18: |
|
|
| colorider |
Mrs. Colorider and I stopped at our local shop yesterday and looked at the Trek 200/300 and the Specialized Expedition Sport. Per the salesman, the Specialized fell about midway between the Trek 200 & 300 as far as components. They had it on sale for $279, which seemed like a decent price.
I want to also look at the Giant, but this shop did not carry them.
The most discouraging part of the whole discussion was that when we asked what our 3-4 year old Trek 820's were worth, he said $75 "if we were lucky". These were between $300 and $350 new. Was he blowing smoke?
:eek: |
|
|
| Oahu_Dave |
quote:
Originally posted by colorider
Mrs. Colorider and I stopped at our local shop yesterday and looked at the Trek 200/300 and the Specialized Expedition Sport. Per the salesman, the Specialized fell about midway between the Trek 200 & 300 as far as components. They had it on sale for $279, which seemed like a decent price.
I want to also look at the Giant, but this shop did not carry them.
The most discouraging part of the whole discussion was that when we asked what our 3-4 year old Trek 820's were worth, he said $75 "if we were lucky". These were between $300 and $350 new. Was he blowing smoke?
:eek:
He probably wasnt kidding. I paid over $900 for my Diamond Back (think that is the one I have now, havent ridden for over a year and its in storage) and its worth a fifth of that now. Bought it only about 2-3 years ago. Sucks. :( Hoping to find someone locally who will give me a tad more than the shops here will give me for trade-in. Perfect fit for someone about 6' or so. Too small for me and my 36 inseam. |
|
|
| colorider |
quote:
Originally posted by Oahu_Dave
He probably wasnt kidding. I paid over $900 for my Diamond Back (think that is the one I have now, havent ridden for over a year and its in storage) and its worth a fifth of that now. Bought it only about 2-3 years ago. Sucks. :( Hoping to find someone locally who will give me a tad more than the shops here will give me for trade-in. Perfect fit for someone about 6' or so. Too small for me and my 36 inseam.
I called another stealer and he told me that we could expect from a low of $50 to a high of $125 trade-in. Still pretty disappointing. Not sure what we will do - may take a drive over to the second stealer this weekend and compare (test ride) the Giant, Trek and Diamondback models.
:) |
|
|
| colorider |
quote:
Originally posted by borg
self sealing anti flat tires...
Are these just conventional tubes/tires that have slime installed - or special heavy duty?
:confused: |
|
|
| borg |
quote:
Originally posted by Oahu_Dave
snip.....Anyone have any suggestions for a compact kid trailer? His only about 1 yrs old and the last one I had was for 2 kids and was too wide.
Going to look at a couple bike shops today probably and see what they have for more comfort.
Dunno of any compact trailer, what I did for my first son was install one of those plastic molded booster seat in my Chariot trailer (for two) & used straps to secure it.....worked like a charm. |
|
|
| borg |
quote:
Originally posted by bcclements
Looks like you did your homework and got some nice bikes there.
Well done and I hope you enjoy them. :18:
Thank you very much, snow 's all melted & i finally had a chance to go for longer rides (40km) the last couple of days. It was a very comfortable ride:), there was no soreness in my wrists, shoulders or back.........I'm a believer in these comfort bikes. :29: |
|
|
| borg |
quote:
Originally posted by colorider
Are these just conventional tubes/tires that have slime installed - or special heavy duty?
:confused:
No to the latter, they are not run flat tires.....not even sure if they make 'em for bikes yet.
Anyway, the slime supposedly seals the puncture before any loss of air occurs, the dealer said it will work for a lot of years but like alot of things it will eventually degrade & will need to be replaced.
Good luck on your bike hunting, hopefully you can get a decent trade in for your old bikes. |
|
|
| Oahu_Dave |
quote:
Originally posted by borg
No to the latter, they are not run flat tires.....not even sure if they make 'em for bikes yet.
Anyway, the slime supposedly seals the puncture before any loss of air occurs, the dealer said it will work for a lot of years but like alot of things it will eventually degrade & will need to be replaced.
Good luck on your bike hunting, hopefully you can get a decent trade in for your old bikes.
Slime works awesome. I had it in my mountain bike while biking when I lived in Idaho and when I got home there were atleast 40+ of these hard as steel thorns in the tire and I was over 30 miles from home when I got them. No air loss and made it home just fine. I had to pull them out with pliers. So its a lifesaver to say the least. Of course always have an extra tube and tools. |
|
|
| borg |
Some pics of recent bike trip with the boys to a nearby lake stocked with fish for cath n release fishing.
The trail to the lake. |
|
|
| borg |
I use a Chariot trailer to haul fishing gear, chairs, snacks & other toys.
At the lake: |
|
|
| borg |
| Jets flying overhead while the boys fish. |
|
|
| sungchang |
| Borg, nice pictures. I really like the idea of using bike trailer as storage carrier. When my two little girls gets a little older (3 yrs and 1 yrs old now), I will use my Burley the same way. |
|
|
|
