Hi there,
I’m considering my first sport-ish bike after one from Decathlon. I’m not exactly sure about the exact use-case; it depends on what trails I find and what I like. Most likely, it will be used for flat/road, city, and maybe a bit of off-road/gravel. My price range is 1000-1500 EUR.
* One option I am considering is Giant [FastRoad AR 1](https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/fastroad-ar-1) (or [FastRoad AR 3](https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/fastroad-ar-3)) (links to the GB website to have pages in English, though I’ll purchase in the Netherlands). The version 3 features basic Claris components; I’d prefer something mid-grade and also don’t really want a front shifter. Version 1 is a bit more pricey, and it’s not clear why it’s +300 EUR more than version 3. It has a better transmission, but is Deore worth it? The rear derailleur is labeled as “XT,” but the photo shows “Deore,” and the GB website lists “RD-5120-SGS” in the specs, so it’s most likely [this one](https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/deore-m5100/RD-M5120-SGS.html), not the higher-end XT. Does anyone have any insight on this?
* Another is [Trek Dual Sport 3](https://www.trekbikes.com/international/en_IN_TL/bikes/hybrid-bikes/dual-sport-bikes/dual-sport/dual-sport-3-equipped-gen-5/p/40502/). It has wider but smaller tires, which should perform better on off/bad roads. It also features the brand-new Shimano CUES U6000, which has received positive reviews, from what I’ve seen on YouTube. The price is good, at 1200 EUR for the equipped version. I haven’t tried this one in a shop yet and am a bit concerned about the geometry. For an XL size, it has an effective top tube of 61.5 cm, compared to FastRoad’s 63 cm and Giant Roam’s 62.5 cm. Wouldn’t 61.5 cm be too small for a \~192 cm person? The seat tube is 52 cm on the XL, which also sounds small. Additionally, it’s only available in a small bike shop in the city, not an official Trek store. While this is a minor detail, purchasing from a larger official store seems more reliable, as they may offer proper setup, for example.
* Another options I considered is [Giant Roam](https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/roam-2-disc–2022). Its position is more upright than that of the FastRoad (not sure if it’s advantage for me or not I just got used to straight), and the bike feels really good. However, I decided against a suspension, and only Roam 2 is available in stores, not Roam 1. The model is from 2022.
* [Trek FX 3](https://www.trekbikes.com/international/en_IN_TL/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/fx-3-equipped/p/28898/?colorCode=black) is almost the same as the FastRoad but has slightly thinner tires, making it less versatile. After a test ride, I realized I preferred Giant slightly more.
* [Specialized Sirrus X 4.0](https://www.specialized.com/nl/en/sirrus-x-40/p/216903) is a bit pricey (1400 EUR). In the shop, I tried the 5.0 (there was not 4.0 in stock) to get a feel for the size, and the XL seemed a bit small (indeed, the top-tube length is 599 mm, and the seat-tube length is 530 mm).
So, what additional aspects should I consider in making my choice? Are there any other options, maybe from different brands, that I should consider, keeping in mind that availability in the Netherlands is one of the key factors?
​
by vdimirc