I’m in the market for a used bike. Although, I’m not your “standard” girl so my options are limited – I’d say I’m above-average in height (5’11”) and weight (let’s just say xl). I’d like to join my family on bike rides, mainly around town, hills, and bike trails for my happiness and health.
I have 3 solid options below, but only really know bike basics. I’d prefer low maintenance and to last a while. Please help me decide. TIA!
1) Schwinn Discover Hybrid, 21 speed, 17″ frame, 700c/28 wheel size (brand new)
2)Trek Multitrack 7300, 24 speed, 19″ frame (good condition)
3) Giant Cypress, 7 speed, 19″ frame (great condition)
EDIT: based on your feedback (and availability in my area), I’m now reviewing the following, both in great condition ($500-600) as worthy investment
1) Trek 7.2 fx
2) KHS Eastwood
…Likely going with the Eastwood, not one of the big names, but definitely comfortable
[KHS](https://khsbicycles.com/bikes/2022-khs-models/eastwood-2022/)
by Unhappy_Movie9864
9 Comments
The first option is crap. That’s a Wal-Mart bike. Those tend to be indifferently assembled and sometimes use non-standard/sub-standard parts. I would stay away from this one, especially as your first bike.
The trek is going to be a 3×8, with a triple in the front, and an eight speed cassette in the rear. Being a triple, you’ll have a wider gear range so you should be able to get up steep hills. The Giant has as single ring in the front, and 7 speeds in the back. It will have a lot less range. However, it won’t have a front derailleur which can be tricky to adjust at times. Otherwise, they will be fairly similar bikes from reputable companies.
I’d go with the Trek. Fwiw, my wife rides a Trek 6700 (from 1996) around town. She had it rebuilt a few years ago with a riser bar to create an city cruiser-like riding position and it’s perfectly fine. Probably only worth $150-200 but there’s no reason to replace it, especially since even single speed cruisers are $500-600 new. Also, my son still rides my old Trek 9700 (also from 1996, which I bought to replace my old Trek 7000 after it was stolen). Both of our Treks have the same 3×8 drivetrain as the 7300 you’re looking at and it’s simple and easily serviceable.
When you say “keep up”, though, what do you exactly mean? Is it a case of you just needing a bike … or you needing to actually be able to keep up with sporting riders when you’ll be starting from scratch? I’m asking — and this probably isn’t in your budget anyway — because my neighbor is a sporting rider and his wife bought an eBike so they can ride together at essentially his pace (rather than he ride his fancy bike at her much slower pace) and for the distances he prefers to ride.
Buy the Trek. Both the Schwinn and the Giant have 7 speeds on the rear, which uses a freewheel instead of a cassette and freehub. A cassette style rear wheel is more durable for larger riders and doesn’t have the issues with broken or bent axles that freewheel hubs experience. Since the Trek has 8 speeds on the rear, it will help you avoid these annoying and expensive repairs.
If you want to enjoy your bike just get an ebike. Like half of bikes sold are ebikes at this point.
We have 2 of these in my house and they are really nice, especially for this price. $650 after shipping.
https://sondors.com/products/sondors-smart-step-recycled?variant=40050300682306
What are the prices?
Photos of the Trek and Giant?
Being 5’11”, you actually will have a lot of options for bikes, since it is usually harder to buy bikes for smaller people than someone closer to your height.
Most bike manufacturers will make a somewhat-lightweight flat-barred, rigid bike (no suspension), often sold as “fitness” or even “commuter” bikes.
Look for: 8-10 speeds on the back, 2-3 on the front, no suspension. Tires that are wider than 40mm will give you a lot of comfort and traction, while still being fairly efficient.
Kona has the Dew bikes, specialized has sirrus, trek has the FX series.
Skip the base models, and go for the one that’s a step up. Most of them will start around $800, and you’ll be getting a versatile, reliable and efficient bike.
As others have said, do not even consider the Schwinn.
I ride both a Trek and a Giant (not the same model in either case) and both make great, durable bikes. I’m usually quick to recommend Giant to new riders, but in your case I’d go with the Trek.
Iirc, the Giant has a suspension fork. To my mind, suspension forks on hybrids are useless and gimmicky at best while causing you to waste energy and creating another moving part at higher risk of failure.
That said, this only holds if both fit equally well. Different geometries can mean two bikes that appear to be the same size can actually end up fitting quite differently.
Get an e-bike. You will enjoy the rides and stay with and ahead of your family.
eBike comes to rescue.