Go shop!
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Hybrid Bike – taller 700c wheel provides more ground covered per revolution and is good at maintaining speed – Excels on T-Shirt/Charity rides, commuting, local greenways, trips to the grociery store.

I like to keep things simple… ;-P
References :
Bike Shop Manager – Tennessee’s Largest Trek Dealer

We’ve had great luck with eBay- just be sure to ask questions before purchasing, esp if the pics aren’t clear.

Some bike shops also consign used bikes- you might try there.
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The assembly of the bike will make or break your experience and I can tell you that most consumers are not able to assemble their bike properly and safely. Even if you are a good mechanic remember that we assemble many, many bikes per year. We are good at our job just like you are at yours – because we do it over and over again. Also, we get some annual technical orientations and regular publications that you don’t see. We often work on racing team bikes and others that see super heavy duty so we know what things to look out for the average back yard bike mechanic does not know. We are familiar with the parts on your bike and familiar with all the earlier generations of parts that have been made by that manufacturer for many years back. Some of our mechanics have gone away to school and acheived certifications for their expertise. Others are just folks from other super qualified mechanic who moonlight at the bike shop. People that are race car mechanics and others. One of my mechanics worked on Bonneville land speed record car and motorcycles.

Any savings you have on the bike will easily be offset by the expense you incur when you have to take the bike into a local shop for work.

Mail order bikes are recognizable and shops will not do this for free like they would be doing for their customers. On bikes we sell we give away a package of free adjustments. We will charge you. The average tune-up is about $30-$50USD minimum. When we see a mail order customer coming we want to help teach them a lesson on what a poor idea their purchase was so we will be meticulous in pointing out what they need. We don’t make up things but we don’t have to either. Also since the bike is now coming into our umbrella for work, it is our responsibility for us to assume you didn’t put it together correctly. In this day of litigation we must assume you are an idiot. This is for your protection and ours so you don’t sue us when your handlebars come off from you not torquing the bolts correctly when you only wanted us to adjust your shifting.

Bikes are not toaster ovens. You don’t set it and forget it. They will take adjustments and repairs. We don’t mind sharing all we know with you freely. We hold free classes to teach you how to work on your own bike, how to ride your bike safely and how to compete if you wish. We visit employers in your area to do the same classes for their employees to help them ride safer and keep the air cleaner.

When the mayor or city counsel is wanting to cancel that bike path that will make riding safer in your city we and our friends are the first people down there to remind them that a bike path is a good thing for you and your children. When you fall off your bike because of a dangerous set of railroad tracks we are the ones organizing the petition drive to get them fixed.

We show up at the bike race events and tech inspect bikes to be sure they are safe. We set up a complimentary repair area for bikes at local events and work on bikes all day for free. Some of our mechanics ride the following vehicles and perform lightening wheel and bike changes when competitors require assistance.

We are the people that help local cyclists, like you or your kids, learn how to race. We take them under our wings and help them learn to ride fast and safe and have a sport that can last a lifetime. Some of them get good – very good. We sponsor the cycling teams that they ride for. We pay their entry fees and help give them a discount on parts when they don’t have the money to do that. Even if they never become professionals, they learn about teamwork, sacrifice and discipline. A few of them end up with a jersey on their back representing their country at the Olympics.

Just go buy your bike at a local shop. Isn’t the few dollars worth it…
References :
20 years a bike shop owner and mechanic.

a comfort on the other hand is only made for comfort.lol. high handlebars, a wide seat, and a little suspension define this style.

you could settle with a hybrid, if you want. i don know who makes good ones. i recommend getting a light use mountain bike. if you dont want to spend a ton of cash, go to Dick’s or Sports Authority. they will have a decent selection for your style. hardtails are the most efficient and better quality for the price. (ei, cheap full suspension -or- a good hardtail). Ironhorse and Diamondback make good bikes for less than $300, which is the average entry level price for hardtail.

good luck
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If you want to spend more money and get something a little better, the Trek Navigator 2.0 is also good for comfort. Or the Trek Soho is an excellent hybrid as well. But the Giant Sedona is good, it’s up to you.
References :
I’m the chief bicycle mechanic/assistant manager in the family business of nearly 20 years.