Bike Question....

AliciaBeth78
AliciaBeth78 Posts: 437 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Out of Diamondback, Trek, or Cannondale, which brand has the best bike and why?

I'm hopefully getting a new bike this weekend and need some input :)

ETA: I guess I should mention that I want a Hybrid that I can bike on the road as well as on trails!

Replies

  • AliciaBeth78
    AliciaBeth78 Posts: 437 Member
    Any bicycle people out there?
  • litatura
    litatura Posts: 569 Member
    I'm most familiar with Trek bikes (although I have a Kona myself) but have heard good things about Cannondale. I've never actually heard of Diamondback.
  • tocara
    tocara Posts: 81 Member
    Ditto.

    I love my Kona... however it is a full suspension downhill bike. =)
  • jallison12
    jallison12 Posts: 83
    I have a Specialized Allez road bike. Got from a local bike store, mid-price. Been happy with it for over 10 yrs.
  • fiveohmike
    fiveohmike Posts: 1,297 Member
    I have a Trek 7.3 FX Hybrid bike.....love it to death.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Giant


    Seriously though, what are you looking for in the bike. I'm going to suggest that between the 3 brands you've mentioned you will find a great deal of similarities in terms of quality, features and pricing. You will probably find minor differences in frame geometry which would, for me anyway, probably be the deciding factor (it affects how you fit your bike).

    The other thing that could influence my decision is the bike shop itself, some will offer better after sale service (the store I bought my road bike from included 2 years of tune ups after the purchase) and the attitude of the staff (I went into one bike shop a number of years ago looking for a modestly priced commuter bike and found they had a very elitist kind of attitude, if you weren't spending at least $1,000 you weren't worth talking to - they've since gone out of business)
  • markymarrkk
    markymarrkk Posts: 495 Member
    Don't do Diamondback .... if you ever see it at a Walmart or Target it's a NO GO

    I also had the Trek and it was BAD *kitten*..... Cannondale are fccking sweet too
  • jallison12
    jallison12 Posts: 83
    Actually, I check out this thread noting brands and what folk have to say about them. Great budget bikes:
    http://forums.mtbr.com/beginners-corner/post-your-less-than-$400-mountain-bike-786777-5.html#post9515257

    Most a second-hand from craigslist, ebay, garage sales. But an interesting peruse.
    < am jealous you are bike buying :o( Took my mountain bike to get regular pedals on to give the bike to my son, and covetted the carbon road bikes. If only I had $6k burning a hole in my pocket!
  • krisiepoo
    krisiepoo Posts: 710 Member
    Giant


    Seriously though, what are you looking for in the bike. I'm going to suggest that between the 3 brands you've mentioned you will find a great deal of similarities in terms of quality, features and pricing. You will probably find minor differences in frame geometry which would, for me anyway, probably be the deciding factor (it affects how you fit your bike).

    The other thing that could influence my decision is the bike shop itself, some will offer better after sale service (the store I bought my road bike from included 2 years of tune ups after the purchase) and the attitude of the staff (I went into one bike shop a number of years ago looking for a modestly priced commuter bike and found they had a very elitist kind of attitude, if you weren't spending at least $1,000 you weren't worth talking to - they've since gone out of business)

    I second this. Find a good, non franchised, family bike business and tell them what you want to use the bike for. They will be able to help you find a bike that fits your needs and your budget. I have one that I've now referred friends and family members to because they didn't upsell and were truly interested that my biking experience be a good one.

    ETA: I don't have a hybrid, but I have a Trek. I've done the MS150 and all the training along with a couple summers of biking to work and it's held up great.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I have an old hand-me-down Diamond Back mountain bike. It's fine. It's not a "Wal-Mart" bike.

    I've heard Giant is the best for the money though, these days.
  • Brengild
    Brengild Posts: 127
    Trek Hybrid for me! Its done road and trails for countless trouble free(from the bike anyway) miles! Ditto whats been said about the shop. There are two in the town I shop in, I figured out pretty quickly that one was much more friendly, helpfull and knowledgeable(without talking down to you). Makes a big difference.
  • litatura
    litatura Posts: 569 Member
    I second the local bike shop recommendation. I got my Kona, which I LOVE, for crazy cheap back in the spring at my local bike shop. They had some last year's models/weird sizes that weren't even out on the floor and when I asked about women's bikes (because they didn't have many), they got me to try a men's small frame instead and it was perfect. Finally, being short was to my advantage! I didn't give a crap that it was last year's model because it looks exactly the same.
  • jallison12
    jallison12 Posts: 83
    So, did you get a bike?? Pics / price?
  • zoom2
    zoom2 Posts: 934 Member
    We've loved the Cannondales in our "stable." I currently have 2 and may be adding a 3rd, as my kid has taken over my mountain bike.

    I would have recommended Trek a few years back (I grew up in WI--Trek-land), but they are the biggest dog out there and a bit big for their britches, from some recent reports. I know of several folks who have high end (I'm talking $3k+ Madones and the like) that have developed flaws (primarily in terms of cracked carbon frames, not from crash/impact) that Trek will absolutely not stand behind (even though their warranty would suggest that they do). Trek told one person that they would only honor the warranty if they first let her CUT through the frame to determine the cause of the crack. Then if they determined that it was not a defect she would have to pay for that repair. She opted to just send it to Calfee to repair the crack and paid out of pocket. She also had it repainted to remove ALL Trek logos.

    DH has a Specialized that developed a crack after a few years. They replaced it no questions asked. Another friend of mine had a similar warranty replacement from Cannondale.
  • jeremycatrett
    jeremycatrett Posts: 16 Member
    of the 3 i would say trek and cannondale are better. though it seems like you will be buying a lower end bike so realistically i don't think theres a huge difference between the lower end bikes from any of these companies.

    though of the 3 i think diamondback will have cheaper components which really effect the feel and enjoyment you get from a bike.
  • Stinkeymonkey
    Stinkeymonkey Posts: 55 Member
    I vote for the Trek FX series bike. Great bike for the money and will hold up for miles and miles.
  • seanorawe
    seanorawe Posts: 137 Member
    I have a Specialized Allez road bike. Got from a local bike store, mid-price. Been happy with it for over 10 yrs.

    I have this bike also. I also love mine
  • seanorawe
    seanorawe Posts: 137 Member
    One mans hell is another mans heaven with bikes.

    Go to your LBS and try a few, they will also reccomend a bike based on your shape etc. It depends also what you will be using it for.

    My specialized Allez is aluminium frame but has a carbon fork to absorb some bumps.
  • krue1971
    krue1971 Posts: 167 Member
    I have an old hand-me-down Diamond Back mountain bike. It's fine. It's not a "Wal-Mart" bike.

    I've heard Giant is the best for the money though, these days.
    That bike was probably built before Dback became a Walmart bike. Basically same name, two totally different manufacturers.
  • KINGoftheBUFF
    KINGoftheBUFF Posts: 67 Member
    My riding group all have Treks, and we are very happy with them....good price and we love them...we go several hours every weekend.
  • AliciaBeth78
    AliciaBeth78 Posts: 437 Member
    I'm either getting the Cannondale Trail 6 or the Trek Neko today.....

    They are both lower end bikes, but I definitely can't spend 1K on some of the bikes you guys are suggesting!!!!

    Any thoughts on either of those?
  • BlackTimber
    BlackTimber Posts: 230 Member
    I'm either getting the Cannondale Trail 6 or the Trek Neko today.....

    They are both lower end bikes, but I definitely can't spend 1K on some of the bikes you guys are suggesting!!!!

    Any thoughts on either of those?

    They are pretty much in the same ball park. Test ride both for at least 15 minutes each. If one is more comfortable than the other then buy that one. If they feel the same then get the one that you like the looks of.
  • litatura
    litatura Posts: 569 Member
    I'm either getting the Cannondale Trail 6 or the Trek Neko today.....

    They are both lower end bikes, but I definitely can't spend 1K on some of the bikes you guys are suggesting!!!!

    Any thoughts on either of those?

    Seriously, go visit your local bike shop and see what kind of deal you can find. I got my Kona for $300 and it was regularly $1000.
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    bump
  • Shelgirl001
    Shelgirl001 Posts: 477 Member
    Just got a regular old Next bike from Walmart about 12 years ago and it is still great. Paid about $90 for it.
  • Sarah_Wins
    Sarah_Wins Posts: 936 Member
    I have an old hand-me-down Diamond Back mountain bike. It's fine. It's not a "Wal-Mart" bike.

    I've heard Giant is the best for the money though, these days.

    I also have a Diamondback mountain bike as well and love it, thank you very much. I got it at a reputable sporting goods store, not walmart.
  • lbcbeachbum77
    lbcbeachbum77 Posts: 78 Member
    Any reputable local bike shop will allow you to test ride. I suggest narrowing your search and going with what feels best to you. Most bikes in the brands and price range you are speaking of are really great so for me it comes down to personal fit.
  • knightreader
    knightreader Posts: 813 Member
    I have a Trek 7.3 FX Hybrid bike.....love it to death.

    me too!

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