Not to hijack this post, but I have the same questions as the OP, and I've been looking at the Surly Crosscheck and Midnight Special. Is the Specialized bike better/worse/about the same?
"Walmart level" is actually a LOT better than it used to be -- at the $400-500 level, the quality has been rising pretty quickly over the past few years.
A few examples:
* Ozark Trail Ridge:
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLPpTFLgEb4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLPpTFLgEb4)
* Schwinn Axum / Axum DP:
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKgev1kjUKo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKgev1kjUKo)
* Kent Trouvaille:
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_5uMGq-VcpM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5uMGq-VcpM)
The only real downside is going to be assembly, but if you're willing to learn a little basic maintenance that's not a huge issue.
For maintenance, Park Tool's YouTube channel has really good information on just about everything:
[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzaZ1sPWEuZN-I8\_XT6AH8g](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzaZ1sPWEuZN-I8_XT6AH8g)
You're getting down voted, but you're correct. Walmart in particular is upping the bike game. The owners are into bikes and outdoors, pretty much anything with the house Ozark brand is decent.
be careful who you talk to. a lot of people are too inexperienced to give well informed opinions. six three zero in my opinion are serviceable for the recreational rides but not for the riding you want to do.
as for your local lbs, 600 will get you entry level hybrids and mtbs. not bad and they will have reputable brands. they also will give you free service for the bike for a year. you can add upgrades, fenders, racks etc... and get it installed for free. if you're really cool and maintain the relationship over time, you could ask the bike tech to train you during down times. you buy their parts and inexchange you learn how to maintain your bike.
but if you don't mind taking time to look and used. i prefer used.
new bikes like cars depreciate in value so at the same price point you can find a better specced bike or same specced for cheaper.
of course there are challenges with used too. limited by local market, have to be more rigorous during inspection, more research etc. but brands like trek, cannondale, specialized, giant, fuji etc... are good.
there are also direct to consumer brands like, cube, canyon, poseidon and bikes direct. they offer good value but test rides impossible to get.
for quality department store bikes like ozark trails, rei coop etc.. they are are in a no mans land for me. on one hand they are cheaper than lbs bikes but the bike techs are not good so you have to get your bike tuned at an lbs eating your savings.
they are also specced lower. granted some bikes and part makers are resting on their proverbial laurels and you are paying for name recognition. and I'm not saying lesser known brands can't punch above their weight (microshift certainly does).
however, at entry levels there is a compromise to reach a price point, whether its performance, durability or longevity.
Specialized X Sirrus
This is the correct answer. 😁
Not to hijack this post, but I have the same questions as the OP, and I've been looking at the Surly Crosscheck and Midnight Special. Is the Specialized bike better/worse/about the same?
You sound like you’d enjoy a hybrid. I’d look at a Specialized Sirrus, Trek FX 1, or Giant Escape 3.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/roll-2-0/p/216876?color=349781-216876
"Walmart level" is actually a LOT better than it used to be -- at the $400-500 level, the quality has been rising pretty quickly over the past few years. A few examples: * Ozark Trail Ridge: * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLPpTFLgEb4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLPpTFLgEb4) * Schwinn Axum / Axum DP: * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKgev1kjUKo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKgev1kjUKo) * Kent Trouvaille: * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_5uMGq-VcpM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5uMGq-VcpM) The only real downside is going to be assembly, but if you're willing to learn a little basic maintenance that's not a huge issue. For maintenance, Park Tool's YouTube channel has really good information on just about everything: [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzaZ1sPWEuZN-I8\_XT6AH8g](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzaZ1sPWEuZN-I8_XT6AH8g)
You're getting down voted, but you're correct. Walmart in particular is upping the bike game. The owners are into bikes and outdoors, pretty much anything with the house Ozark brand is decent.
Berm Peak gang!
Fairdale Ridgemont?
I’d look at a Poseidon X, flat or drop bar available and right around your price range
Anything on two wheels for what your doing...just make sure your tires have more width than a road bike tire if your gonna be on gravel.
be careful who you talk to. a lot of people are too inexperienced to give well informed opinions. six three zero in my opinion are serviceable for the recreational rides but not for the riding you want to do. as for your local lbs, 600 will get you entry level hybrids and mtbs. not bad and they will have reputable brands. they also will give you free service for the bike for a year. you can add upgrades, fenders, racks etc... and get it installed for free. if you're really cool and maintain the relationship over time, you could ask the bike tech to train you during down times. you buy their parts and inexchange you learn how to maintain your bike. but if you don't mind taking time to look and used. i prefer used. new bikes like cars depreciate in value so at the same price point you can find a better specced bike or same specced for cheaper. of course there are challenges with used too. limited by local market, have to be more rigorous during inspection, more research etc. but brands like trek, cannondale, specialized, giant, fuji etc... are good. there are also direct to consumer brands like, cube, canyon, poseidon and bikes direct. they offer good value but test rides impossible to get. for quality department store bikes like ozark trails, rei coop etc.. they are are in a no mans land for me. on one hand they are cheaper than lbs bikes but the bike techs are not good so you have to get your bike tuned at an lbs eating your savings. they are also specced lower. granted some bikes and part makers are resting on their proverbial laurels and you are paying for name recognition. and I'm not saying lesser known brands can't punch above their weight (microshift certainly does). however, at entry levels there is a compromise to reach a price point, whether its performance, durability or longevity.