Hello, I'm new to this forum and to bikes.
I've been wanting a bike for a while now and have been doing research. I pretty much know ZERO about modern bicycles. I think that I want a hybrid bike. I will mostly ride on the road but I want it to be sturdy enough and have some tires that are fast on concrete but wide enough to go on mild trails or jump off a curb or something if necessary. I plan on riding almost every day for maybe 5-10 miles if possible as part of my exercise routine.
There's a few that look right to me but I don't really know. They are: Gary Fisher Utopia, Gary Fisher Kaitai, & Kona Dew Deluxe.
Now I really didn't want to spend over $500 but I might if the bike is really worth it and I'll be better off in the long run. I don't plan on swapping out parts and customizing it (at least for some time) so it has to work well stock. I didn't pick these based on color, BUT the silver Utopia does look really nice and I'm not crazy about the black Kaitai. Is the Utopia and the sum of its parts really worth the $170 over the Kaitai? Or is the Kona better than either--based on equipment or price or both?
YES I WILL be going to a bike shop to try different things but I need opinions on these first so I have a better idea what to look for and what to ask for when I get there. Also, I can get the Fishers from 3 shops in town but I have to drive to Ann Arbor or Grand Rapids for the Konas. And then if I ever need service on a Kona, then I have to drive back there too.
Please keep in mind that I'm new to cycling (I haven't had a bike since my BMX back in like '85-'90). I will ride it pretty regularly for exercise but I don't think I am going to turn into a "cyclist" as a lifestyle; at least right away I won't. I don't need super high-end gear but when I buy things I like to do it right and get a quality piece of equipment for what I spend.
If you all can validate my examples or steer me in a path that sounds like where I want to be, please enlighten me. Thanks in advance for the help. 🙂