First bike, which should I get Trek 820 or Trek 7000

sharewithmethesun

(A) Mountain bike Trek 820 (2014) or (B) Hybrid bike Trek 7000 (2012)?
The local shop sells it for the same price ~$330
(C) Mountain bike Trek 3500 (2013) -- is there any difference between 820 and 3500?


I'm a young adult, looking to buy my first adult bike. I haven't been on a bike probably in 10 years, looking to start up again as a hobby.

I'm interested in taking it to some light trails, possibly more off-roading later on.
I'm not really looking to ride long distances on roads because I don't feel safe around cars, so I would probably just be using this on bike paths in the parks, if I'm not off-road. If I end up not doing much off road, will the bike be tough to ride on pavement?

I'm looking for a durable bike that will not need much maintenance, if that is even possible.
Any advice about what to ask/what to make sure is adjusted on the bike when I purchase it?
I also tried to look for local shops that have good customer service, many comments are scaring me, especially ones about overpriced repairs.....

1. Which bike should I get?
2. I've read about getting slick tires for the mountain bike if I'll be using mostly road, are tires affordable? Are they easy to change?

I'm new to this bike stuff so any advice is appreciated!

buddy_club

1) You'd be okay on both, the Mtb's will have better grip off road and also suspension - but its terrible and undamped for $330, could you go a bit higher? Not much difference between the two MTB's but for your riding i'd go for the hybrid - although google throws up a silver rigid steel thingy? IS this what your looking at $330?

2) If your mostly riding roads and a few gravelly paths then buy the hybrid - tyres are pretty cheap (bout £15 in the uk) if you wanted more grip but it (looks and sounds) heavy and a bit cheap n nasty.

sharewithmethesun

buddy_club wrote:

1) You'd be okay on both, the Mtb's will have better grip off road and also suspension - but its terrible and undamped for $330, could you go a bit higher? Not much difference between the two MTB's but for your riding i'd go for the hybrid - although google throws up a silver rigid steel thingy? IS this what your looking at $330?

Thanks for your response! This will be my first bike (not from a department store), so I wasn't planning on spending too much, I was shocked to even see how much the lower end bikes were. I was planning to spend $300-375 (US). I haven't been on any trails yet, so I guess you have a good point that I should start off with the hybrid, maybe get a higher end Mtb later on if I get into it more.

Yes the hybrid Trek 7000 is the "silver rigid steel thingy" haha. According to the description, it is aluminum. Any good??

buddy_club

sharewithmethesun wrote:

buddy_club wrote:

1) You'd be okay on both, the Mtb's will have better grip off road and also suspension - but its terrible and undamped for $330, could you go a bit higher? Not much difference between the two MTB's but for your riding i'd go for the hybrid - although google throws up a silver rigid steel thingy? IS this what your looking at $330?

Thanks for your response! This will be my first bike (not from a department store), so I wasn't planning on spending too much, I was shocked to even see how much the lower end bikes were. I was planning to spend $300-375 (US). I haven't been on any trails yet, so I guess you have a good point that I should start off with the hybrid, maybe get a higher end Mtb later on if I get into it more.

Yes the hybrid Trek 7000 is the "silver rigid steel thingy" haha. According to the description, it is aluminum. Any good??

Oh yes, Aluminium with a steel fork. My mistake ;)It's okay, but it seems to be a similar spec to what you could get for about £120 in the UK but with a TREK logo. If you look after it it will be fine for cruising around town etc but you could pick up something similar in ASDA (walmart for you?) for alot less than that. I'd love to suggest something for youu but i have no idea of the pricings for parts in USD. :oops: This GT doesnt seem like a bad bet for your budget to get you started: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Pr ... 08__400308

sharewithmethesun

buddy_club wrote:

Oh yes, Aluminium with a steel fork. My mistake ;)It's okay, but it seems to be a similar spec to what you could get for about £120 in the UK but with a TREK logo. If you look after it it will be fine for cruising around town etc but you could pick up something similar in ASDA (walmart for you?) for alot less than that. I'd love to suggest something for youu but i have no idea of the pricings for parts in USD. :oops: This GT doesnt seem like a bad bet for your budget to get you started: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Pr ... 08__400308

Haha, thank you for taking the time to help me out even though you're in the UK. Great advice, I would not have known that I would have been paying more than I should for that bike. Also, thanks for the suggestion!! I guess I just have to look around a bit more for something of better value. TOO many options out there, can't wait to start AGH!!!

Thanks again, take care buddy!