Need advice - N00b buying a entry level hybrid - Trek DS1 vs Merida Crossway 20 D

[vighy]

Hi all,

Firstly, Thank to the community for the posts which has helped me in narrowing down which bike I should go for.
Am a beginner looking to ride for recreational purposes and eventually will go for longer rides
I'm in the market for a hybrid bike with a max budget of $800 and have zeroed down to the following bikes based on availability in local bike stores

1. Trek dual sport 1 (2021) - $749
2. Merida Crossway 20 (2021) - $879 (reduced to $773)
3. Giant Roam 4

I've placed an order at the local Trek store yesterday for The dual sport 1, but looks like even though they have the bike in stock, they can only assemble it in a months time & I can see that the merida is in stock at the local 99 bikes outlet and should be available immediately.

In terms of value - looks like the Merida has better parts and also has hydraulic disc brakes.

https://www.trekbikes.com/au/en_AU/bike ... 1/p/32885/
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/bike ... ssway-20-d


Can you have a look at the these links and advice which one would be better value & if it is worth cancelling the trek order and going for the Merida?

[Mububban]

Hi all,

Firstly, Thank to the community for the posts which has helped me in narrowing down which bike I should go for.
Am a beginner looking to ride for recreational purposes and eventually will go for longer rides
I'm in the market for a hybrid bike with a max budget of $800 and have zeroed down to the following bikes based on availability in local bike stores

1. Trek dual sport 1 (2021) - $749
2. Merida Crossway 20 (2021) - $879 (reduced to $773)
3. Giant Roam 4

I've placed an order at the local Trek store yesterday for The dual sport 1, but looks like even though they have the bike in stock, they can only assemble it in a months time & I can see that the merida is in stock at the local 99 bikes outlet and should be available immediately.

In terms of value - looks like the Merida has better parts and also has hydraulic disc brakes.

https://www.trekbikes.com/au/en_AU/bike ... 1/p/32885/
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/bike ... ssway-20-d


Can you have a look at the these links and advice which one would be better value & if it is worth cancelling the trek order and going for the Merida?

All these bikes are almost identical. The Merida has 3x8 compared to 3x7 on the Trek and Giant, but otherwise they are made to fit the same market niche. Front and rear gearing ratios are nigh on identical, all have hydraulic brakes. And less than $25 difference between them too. If you did a back to back to back comparison, I doubt any of them would blow you away with its superiority, nor will you be bitterly disappointed with one of them. Then again, one saddle might be comfy and others feel like torture.

At this point, it's not shallow to simply pick the one with the colour you like best! Or if you're in a rush, whichever one you can get the soonest.

[10speedsemiracer]

Hi all,

Firstly, Thank to the community for the posts which has helped me in narrowing down which bike I should go for.
Am a beginner looking to ride for recreational purposes and eventually will go for longer rides
I'm in the market for a hybrid bike with a max budget of $800 and have zeroed down to the following bikes based on availability in local bike stores

1. Trek dual sport 1 (2021) - $749
2. Merida Crossway 20 (2021) - $879 (reduced to $773)
3. Giant Roam 4

I've placed an order at the local Trek store yesterday for The dual sport 1, but looks like even though they have the bike in stock, they can only assemble it in a months time & I can see that the merida is in stock at the local 99 bikes outlet and should be available immediately.

In terms of value - looks like the Merida has better parts and also has hydraulic disc brakes.

https://www.trekbikes.com/au/en_AU/bike ... 1/p/32885/
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/bike ... ssway-20-d


Can you have a look at the these links and advice which one would be better value & if it is worth cancelling the trek order and going for the Merida?

The Roam 3 is a more valid comparison to the Merida although I'm wondering if you actually need a suspension fork. The "longer rides" thing is what makes me wonder this, and I feel a Trek Fx or Giant Cross City would be a better choice.
The reason I say this is that, at the cheaper end of the model hierarchy, the forks on these hybrids are next to useless being heavy, spongy and do little other than sapping pedaling effort. On the entry-level models these forks usually have no lockout capability, adding to their uselessness. So where a flat bar rigid will be maybe 11Kg +/-, the Hybrid will range in weight from 14Kg (Trek/Giant) to 15Kg (Merida). This is mostly due to that useless fork.

[bychosis]

Fit and feel are THE most important factors. If both feel the same to ride, pick your favourite colour/design. I’d pick hydraulic brakes if the option is there - but it still has to fit and feel good to ride. Other specs are similar, as is normal on similar prices bikes between brands.

[Andy01]

Hi all,

Firstly, Thank to the community for the posts which has helped me in narrowing down which bike I should go for.
Am a beginner looking to ride for recreational purposes and eventually will go for longer rides
I'm in the market for a hybrid bike with a max budget of $800 and have zeroed down to the following bikes based on availability in local bike stores

1. Trek dual sport 1 (2021) - $749
2. Merida Crossway 20 (2021) - $879 (reduced to $773)
3. Giant Roam 4

I've placed an order at the local Trek store yesterday for The dual sport 1, but looks like even though they have the bike in stock, they can only assemble it in a months time & I can see that the merida is in stock at the local 99 bikes outlet and should be available immediately.

In terms of value - looks like the Merida has better parts and also has hydraulic disc brakes.

https://www.trekbikes.com/au/en_AU/bike ... 1/p/32885/
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/bike ... ssway-20-d


Can you have a look at the these links and advice which one would be better value & if it is worth cancelling the trek order and going for the Merida?

I eventually received my Giant Roam 1 about 3 weeks ago after waiting 4 months, so I suspect that stocks will be a limiting factor here. You might have to go with what you can get.

I am inclined to agree with 10 speed that a basic coil spring fork with only 63mm travel is not going to do much. My previous bike was a 100mm MTB and my Roam 1 has 63mm but it is a air fork. I find that the 63mm air fork when properly "tuned" to the right air pressure is at least as effective (probably a bit smoother) as the 100mm coil fork and does damp out the bumps a bit, but 63mm coil is not going to do a lot for the couple of kgs it adds.

Of the bikes mentioned, the Merida seems to have Shimano MT-200 hydraulic brakes compared with Tektro on the Giant & Trek bikes. It also has a lockout fork, which the others don't, and as mentioned it has 8 gears at the back compared to the others 7. The Giant has slightly wider (42mm) tyres compared to the others having 40mm. Other than that there is not much difference really.

I would look at models without a suspension fork (or spend more to get a better fork) and probably make the pick based on what is actually in stock.

Also, I don't know where you are, but for example, in Brisbane, a free Brisbane Cycling membership gives you access to offers, which includes 10% off Giant bikes (at some stores, though I got one to price match) for example, which may put the next model up within your budget.