I was looking for something similar and the guy at the bike shop near me suggested a gravel bike. It has a similar suspension to a hybrid but the handlebars are more similar to a road bike (that you can use in both an upright position and a bent one). I ended up buying the Salsa Journeyman and couldn’t be happier. I literally LOVE my bike. Being able to switch my posture keeps my back from hurting on longer (for me that means 1-2 hours) rides and it’s stable enough to do some wooded trails (roots, rocks, etc.). I am also happy that I bought it at a local bike shop because they offer free yearly tune-ups and have tweaked things for free that I’m pretty sure I would have been charged for somewhere else.

Anonymous wrote:REI has decent bikes on sale right now - e.g., https://www.rei.com/product/189692/co-op-cycles-cty-21-step-through-bike

+1. I just bought a similar REI bike to that one. I also went to Silver Cycles where they recommended a metro brand hybrid bike. Might have been this one: https://www.silvercycles.com/product/metro-h1-15587.htm.

So you can definitely find something good under $700. But that was my limit. If you're willing to spend more, I imagine there are more choices.

I had a great experience at City Bikes on Wisconsin recently. It really helped to ride the bikes. I got an ebike, but they also have regular bikes.

REI has decent bikes on sale right now - e.g., https://www.rei.com/product/189692/co-op-cycles-cty-21-step-through-bike

Anonymous wrote:Check out Liv brand bikes which may be all hype (and I fell for it) but they are especially tailored toward women. I happen to be a Size XS in bike which was hard to find, and they make one, and I've been happy with it for recreational paved trail riding.

I love my Liv!! I lived with a bike that was sized wrong for me for ... 30 years? Dumb dumb dumb!!!

Go to a bike shop or REI.

$700 is enough. But the more you spend the nicer your ride will be.

Check out Liv brand bikes which may be all hype (and I fell for it) but they are especially tailored toward women. I happen to be a Size XS in bike which was hard to find, and they make one, and I've been happy with it for recreational paved trail riding.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love my hybrid bike. What’s your budget? I would go to Bike Doctor or Contes and talk to the staff.

I have a Felt Verza and love it.

OP here. I’d like to stay under $1000, preferably closer to around $700 if I can find something good that works for me.

Can definitely do a nice hybrid with hydraulic disc breaks at Contes or similar. Mine is a cannonade tread well remix. Got it just before covid so I don't know if they're in stock etc

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s your budget? Are you riding for long distances or interested in racing? I’m looking at endurance/gravel bikes.

OP here. I’m not interested in racing, just long rides to get healthy and hopefully drop a few pounds.

You can also buy a used bike from the local bike stores. Sometimes you can get a higher quality for lesser amount. Also REI is having a sale on bikes.

Anonymous wrote:What’s your budget? Are you riding for long distances or interested in racing? I’m looking at endurance/gravel bikes.

OP here. I’m not interested in racing, just long rides to get healthy and hopefully drop a few pounds.

Anonymous wrote:I love my hybrid bike. What’s your budget? I would go to Bike Doctor or Contes and talk to the staff.

I have a Felt Verza and love it.

OP here. I’d like to stay under $1000, preferably closer to around $700 if I can find something good that works for me.

I would go to a bike shop and talk to the people there and get yourself fitted. Bike Center Ltd in Gaithersburg is owned by a guy named Manny. He’s super nice, a former mountain biker and triathlete, in his early 50s so gets middle aged concerns and knows a ton about bikes but doesn’t do the hard sell. But any legitimate bike shop would do. I prefer the locally owned ones to a big store like REÍ.

What’s your budget? Are you riding for long distances or interested in racing? I’m looking at endurance/gravel bikes.

I love my hybrid bike. What’s your budget? I would go to Bike Doctor or Contes and talk to the staff.

I have a Felt Verza and love it.

I want to start cycling on a paved trail for exercise. Based on what I’m seeing online, it looks like I would need a hybrid bicycle. If you have one you like, or have your eye on, please share.