re: Looking for a decent not too pricey bicycle. Hybrid, possibly comfort, more pavement

Bikes at this price point are pretty much a commodity the components while vastly different by brand and look will be of similar quality. The two key things whether buying a $15k Wilier with Dura Ace Di2 or a $300 Hybrid is fit and quality of the assembly. Both of those point to going to a bike shop. Bike are shipped partially but not fully assembled and not really tuned. Find a good local bike shop and have them help you with fit and you can be sure you will get a bike assembled and tuned much better than the local big box store. A good shop monkey in a bike shop will fix problems with the already assembled portions of the bike the big box stores won't and likely can't fix and even if they have the skills they won't have the tools to fix a crunchy bottom bracket or head set etc. Most of the bike shops will also give you a tuneup after X amount of time to retune things once the cables have stretched.

Get a bike that fits and is properly assembled and tuned you will ride it more. I have very little experience on hybrids (which it seems is perfect for you) but the one I recommend is the Bianchi Strada (which may be a little over your budget) as it ticks all the boxes for a hybrid that actually gets used. I suggest working exclusively with a local bike shop unless you have the tools and knowhow to wrench a bike in that case for a budget bike with no care for the snob appeal of brand go to Bikes Direct. Lots of guys I know buy their beaters or unusual bikes like Fat bikes from them.

All this or just buy a Speed Queen... wait no thats not right.

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Supposedly this is a Schwinn with better componets. I hate how Schwinn and GT went from high end, to mass produced Wal-Mart bikes.

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I cannot speak to GT but I seem to recall Schwinn had a 2 pronged marketing attack for many decades, probably predating the Walmart juggernaut. They've made mass retail models even back in the Woolco days, if I recall correctly. The last time I was looking for a bike, Consumer reports still had a ratings for bikes instead of a buying guide without recs. Schwinn had a hybrid model that was a best buy, which I purchased, my 33 year old son has it now, still a great bike. If you're really looking at schwinn, look for a signature series at a bike shop or second hand. The image you shared is a mass market bike.

This is the mass market bike badge


This is the signature series bike badge


Questor bought Schwinn in 1997 and GT in 1998(note the year and the last good GT you purchased). GT made some of Schwinn's best Mountain bikes under the Schwinn brand. Pacific Bikes has owned Schwinn and GT since 2001 when Questor/Schwinn declared bankruptcy. They also own:

Caloi
Cannondale
Charge Bikes
DYNO
GURU Cycling
InSTEP
Iron Horse Bicycles
Kid Trax
Mongoose
Murray
Pacific
Playsafe
Powerlite
Roadmaster
SUGOI

The coolest kids had Mongoose bikes.

I have that exact Schwinn Discover. I do and I don't recommend it depending on your needs.

The chain jumps in middle gears, and can be noisy in others. The components are not better than your other schwinns or bikes that big box stores sell. I've brought it to two bike shops and they've both told me that unfortunately that's just what you get when you buy a cheaper bike. Fixing the "problem" would require new parts and would cost almost as much as the bike itself did.

I'm not totally displeased with it bc I've learned which gears to use and which cause problems. When I got it, I just wanted a cheap bike that I could occasionally ride. For that purpose, it's fine. However, I've realized I like riding more than I thought, and I will soon be upgrading to a better bike that I'll buy from a local bike shop.

I bought my son the entry level Haro for $600 and he’s been happy with it. It has the same features as the cannondale in that model for $100 less.

I recently bought a Specialized Roll Sport. Was looking at cruisers but wanted something a that could handle a little more action. Nothing drastic but able to handle curbs and levees. This bike was recommended as something that felt like riding a bike when you were a kid.

The cost was about $500 and I love it. Use it mainly on neighborhood streets and the levee area. Added a GPS tracker so I could see my speed and distance while on the ride. It also has an app that will show the routes of my rides.

I’m not a bike enthusiast. Wanted something to get me off my butt more and was more fun than walking or running. I enjoy riding this bike a few times a week.

My brother just got a Raleigh for around 500, I like it and will probably get one too

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I don't want a pure cycling bike with clip in pedals. I would prefer a more up right or a slightly forward leaning posture. I don't mind a heavy bike.

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Surly Karate Monkey, 29er.

Find a used one on ebay or whatever. Rigid, single speed. Will be way more comfortable than aluminum.

I'm looking for about the same as you.... I'd rather a fixie or a 3 speed though.

Go to a bike store and try some out. Have them measure you and get one that fits (a lot of people ride bikes that aren’t fitted properly), and then get the one that feels most comfortable.