Hybrid Bike Recommendations

BuddhaBoy on 13/07/2025 - 15:23

Hi, after riding my Kmart Everest bike for around 5 years (got it during the Covid days!), I’m now looking to upgrade to a good-quality hybrid bike.

I mainly ride to stay active, mostly on bike paths, trails, roads, and occasionally on light gravel. After doing a bit of research, I’ve shortlisted a few options in the $1,000–$1,300 range:

Trek FX 3
Giant Escape 2 Disc or Escape 2 Disc City
Specialized Sirrus 3.0
I’m after an aluminium frame, ideally with a carbon fork (not a dealbreaker), and definitely want hydraulic disc brakes.

I’ve also seen brands like Reid and Merida offering bikes in the $500–$600 range. However, it’s been tough finding availability- Trek and Giant models seem to be sold out pretty much everywhere, both in-store and online. The Specialized Sirrus 3.0 appears to be the only one that's consistently available locally or online. In contrast, Reid and Merida bikes seem to be readily in stock.

I’m also open to buying second-hand, but want to be cautious; I’d need the sizing to suit my height/weight, and haven’t had much luck finding Medium or Large frames in the top three brands on Marketplace.

Would love any advice on choosing a good, reliable hybrid bike, especially thoughts on Reid, Merida, or any other reputable brands worth considering. Appreciate the help!

Sports & Outdoors Bicycle

Comments

  • dtc on 13/07/2025 - 16:09
    +2

    You have arguably picked the top 3 options for your need in that price range. I get they might be hard to trial but you should try because they are all a bit different eg distance to handlebars, gear levers etc and one will likely feel just a little better than the others. But if you can’t then all three are good choices and you won’t go wrong so maybe buy the cheapest?

    • BuddhaBoy on 13/07/2025 - 23:59

      I think I am visit my LBS and check each one out if possible as you are so right about the distance to handlebar, the overall size etc. Have been riding the Everest for way too long and really want a comfortable ride. I see it as a good investment. If I can’t, I’ll order the cheapest. At this stage it’s looking like the Specialized Sirrus 3.0. They have sale going on the website. Thanks

  • nubix on 13/07/2025 - 16:14
    +2

    99bikes has quite a few BMC hybrids that fit your budget https://www.99bikes.com.au/bikes?product_list_order=discount

    Unless you really hate drop bars, this is a lot of bike for the price https://bikesonline.com.au/products/2024-polygon-path-x4-gra…

    Merida is a top brand like Giant, who actually does manufacturer; Reid and Polygon are obviously better value, the difference is mostly the paint job, geometry is hard to analyze.

    • fossilfuel on 13/07/2025 - 20:33
      +1

      I've had my Merida Speeder for close to 2 years and it's been great. I mostly ride on roads and bike paths but I've swapped the original tires to the Schwalbe Marathon Plus which makes a huge difference traveling on light gravel. I bought my speeder from 99bikes when they had a 50% sale.

      If you're mainly on roads and bike paths with occasional trails and light gravel, it might be worth looking into a flat bar road bike and swapping the tyres out instead of getting a hybrid. It makes a huge difference riding on thinner tyres than thicker if you're commuting on the road/bike paths.

      If you're not in a rush, I'd keep my eye out during the black friday sales.

      • BuddhaBoy on 14/07/2025 - 00:12

        Great advice. Thanks. I’ll check out the Merida and look into road bikes as well.

        So do you swap tires all the time? Or have you permanently swapped yours with Schwab’s Marathon?

        • fossilfuel on 15/07/2025 - 20:24

          I've permanently swapped them over to the Marathon. I've done about 3000kms and there's still a good amount of tyre tread which I think should be good for another 3000-4000kms. The Speeder unfortunately does not have suspension but I can barely feel the difference riding on light gravel compared to the road.

          All the best with your search!

    • BuddhaBoy on 14/07/2025 - 00:07

      I don’t hate drop bars, just never tried them. I wonder if they are comfortable, posture-wise? The Polygon X4 looks great value sure.

      Also didn’t think of BMC! Thanks for sharing the link. The pricing looks similar to Trek, Giant and Specialized. Thanks

      • Euphemistic on 16/07/2025 - 07:21
        +1

        Unless you are riding hard, drop bars arent great. I had a drop bar bike to comute on and spent so much time ignoring the drop part of the bars i upgraded to a flat bar commuter. The drops were too low to be comfortable, except in headwinds and flat bars (or on the tops) is better for looking up and around.

        • BuddhaBoy on 28/07/2025 - 18:04

          Thanks for the insight!

  • theHMASfriendship on 13/07/2025 - 17:56

    I’d go something like a Yamaha T7 it’s a little above budget though

    • BuddhaBoy on 14/07/2025 - 00:04

      Isn’t that a motorcycle? I am after a bike aka bicycle!

  • sharkyoz on 13/07/2025 - 22:58

    Try Cullenebikes.com.au, i've had a mountainbike version 3, 48v 15AH for over 3 years and no problems over 5000kms.
    Have had it up to 63kph on a flat road with no wind, but usually ride about 30-40kph
    They have a sale on, so might be some bargains

    • Speckled Jim on 14/07/2025 - 10:58

      Hybrid as in mtb-gravel-paved.
      All listed are Hybrids, not e-bikes.

    • Euphemistic on 16/07/2025 - 07:41
      +1
      1. Thats an illegal e-bike
      2. Those bikes are pretty cheap. The mountain bike looks to have pretty poor geometry too.

      Doesnt sound like OP wants to buy the same budget quality bike again but just with a motor.

      As much as it sounds like snobbery, a quality bike is just more pleasant to ride.

  • trongy on 14/07/2025 - 08:53
    +1

    Trek and Giant models seem to be sold out pretty much everywhere, both in-store and online.

    The bicycle industry uses model years that don't line up with calendar years. I you are prepared to wait a short while, I expect you will see "2026 models" in plentiful supply in a month or two.

    Model years are mainly about marketing high end bikes, so I don't expect there to be any significant difference in the new year model hybrid bikes other than paint colour. So, if you find the bike you are looking for don't bother waiting. OTOH if you want to see and feel and perhaps test ride the major brands before buying, then perhaps wait.

    • BuddhaBoy on 18/07/2025 - 22:29

      Thank for the insight. Never thought bikes having model years! I called A store to check what’s the updated in the 2026 model for the Sirrus model and they said ‘just the colour orange!’ Lol.

  • rowanb1 on 14/07/2025 - 16:53

    I'm happy with my Reid gravel bike. Not sure what their other models are like but mine was good value - carbon forks, disc brakes.

  • jv on 14/07/2025 - 21:44

    Hybrid Bike Recommendations

    this…

  • Euphemistic on 16/07/2025 - 07:34
    +2

    Merida is same quality as Giant, Trek et al. It is a massive brand. Reid is a budget brand in Aus. Not unlike Fluid from anaconda. Decent quality, but ultimately budget bikes.

    As others have mentioned, bikes are sold in a cycle that pretty much starts with new models in spring time, ready for summer riding season in Austalia. They know winter is a quiet time for riding so will mostly only have leftover stock until about Sept. It works the other way in europe. The new models come out approaching winter to drive sales through the quieter months, but we are stuck following their much larger market cycle.

    Basically any bike ship brand will be similar quality and they sell bikes at similar prices for a reason, thats what they are worth. One brand may have a better x on it, while another brand has a better y, but theyll have other minor compromises to balance out. Brands know what buyers look for and eill upspec bits to draw you in. Different brands may focus on different bits to upgrade.

    Second hand is a great way to get a bargain, but id imagine there arent a lot of hydro disc flat bar bikes out there for sale. They are fairly new and upgraditis may not have kicked in for those models yet. Plus, if youre buying a more expensive bike, theres a good chance youre going to stick with it.

    Youll probably find lots of lower spec hybrids out there becasue people start with a cheaper do it all bike and then either give up or upgrade fairly quickly so they sell their old bikes.

    Ultimately, YOU need to find the best model for YOU. This means getting the right size, comfort and feel, and if you cant decide between two, pick your favourite colour.

    • BuddhaBoy on 18/07/2025 - 22:31

      Great insight! You are so right about tons of lower spec bikes for sale on marketplace or the good ones are like 5+ years old.
      I guess I am leaning towards picking a fav colour. Will finalise over the weekend! Thanks again.

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