Fitness/hybrid bike for downtown commuting and paved trails

US south-east. Primarily will ride on bike paved trails and downtown streets for small trips like groceries and restaurants. Don’t see myself getting into any rough terrain besides the possibility of beat up streets.

Budget underneath $1000, would be happier lower. Looking for a light bike with flat bars, I’d much prefer a 1x drivetrain for simplicity, and at the price point I’d like to have a carbon fork. I was looking at the big brands, mainly Trek FX and Cannondale Quicks.

I don’t know much about bikes so the different models and the difference between brands is hard for me to tell.

I liked how the Trek FX 3 Disc had the 1x drivetrain and carbon fork, but disappointed by the color options and it’s at the max of my budget: [https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en\_US/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/fx-3-disc/p/35021/](https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/fx-3-disc/p/35021/)

The Quick 3 seems good for a carbon fork and hydraulic disc brakes at $835, but it’s not a 1x drivetrain: [https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/active/fitness/quick/quick-3-c31301](https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/active/fitness/quick/quick-3-c31301m)

The Quick 4 has a 1x drivetrain, but I lose the carbon fork at not a huge price difference: [https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/active/fitness/quick/quick-4](https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/active/fitness/quick/quick-4)

Guess what I wish I could get is the quick 3 with a 1x drivetrain, or the trek fx 3 disc at a lower price.. anyone have any recommendations for me and if I’m looking in the right direction? Also, is there a good time of the year to buy a bike? Will any of these sites have black friday or christmas sales?

by Only_Scratch8949