Not too worried about cost differential, however if the benefit is minor but the price difference is major, then I go cheaper. If the difference is a substantial upgrade, then I'm cool with paying more. My problem is that this is going to be the first bike I've bought in 20 years and I am clueless to all the new lingo. I want a hybrid/urban/commuter/comfort/city style (these terms seem to be used semi interchangeably). I want something for tooling around town with my daughter, but also using as a fitness bike on longer rides and maybe some commuting. I also want to be able to ride easily on packed dirt trails. Nothing radical. The Giant Escape City really grabbed me but at $520 it is on the higher end of what I want to pay. The Raleigh Venture 3.0 also appealed on the lower end. Here is the full list:
Cannondale Quick 6 $300 Cannondale Quick 6 Bike at REI.com
Raleigh Venture 3.0 $390 Raleigh Bicycles » Venture 3.0
Marin Belvedere $457 Marin Belvedere Hybrid Road Bike - 2010 Closeout at REI-OUTLET.com
Giant Escape City $520 Giant Escape City - bikenhike.com
Mongoose Kaldi $300 2010 Mongoose Kaldi Single Commuter Bike - U.S. Exclusive - Bikes & Frames
Diamondback Trace $515.00 Diamondback Trace Hybrid Bike - Special Buy at REI-OUTLET.com
Raleigh Misceo 1.0 $466 http://bit.ly/h3n9aP
I really like the Giant. I threw the Diamondback in there b/c it seems to fit my general wants. Is the Giant a significantly better bike than the cheaper ones? Of the $300 bikes which is the best or are they about equal? Should I care much about suspension?
Thanks!
Cannondale Quick 6 $300 Cannondale Quick 6 Bike at REI.com
Raleigh Venture 3.0 $390 Raleigh Bicycles » Venture 3.0
Marin Belvedere $457 Marin Belvedere Hybrid Road Bike - 2010 Closeout at REI-OUTLET.com
Giant Escape City $520 Giant Escape City - bikenhike.com
Mongoose Kaldi $300 2010 Mongoose Kaldi Single Commuter Bike - U.S. Exclusive - Bikes & Frames
Diamondback Trace $515.00 Diamondback Trace Hybrid Bike - Special Buy at REI-OUTLET.com
Raleigh Misceo 1.0 $466 http://bit.ly/h3n9aP
I really like the Giant. I threw the Diamondback in there b/c it seems to fit my general wants. Is the Giant a significantly better bike than the cheaper ones? Of the $300 bikes which is the best or are they about equal? Should I care much about suspension?
Thanks!