Need help choosing new bike

[squidmaster]

Hey guys,  I'm looking to get a new bike mainly for road riding 15-30 mile trips,  I do a small amount of off road in my trips, but nothing hardcore.  I'm 6'5" @ 240lbs  I built a fixie years ago, but my knees didn't like it and couldn't take it off road.  I'm riding a trek 820 st atm but it's small for me @ 19.5" I was thinking a hybrid with disc brakes and a front shock.  I don't have much money,  looking to get something under $500. Thanks for any input. Cheers

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[squidmaster]

Cyclocross looks like a better option, but they look pricey..

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[John Nelson]

What kind of riding are you going to do? Are this just fitness rides by yourself? Group rides? Rides to the grocery store? Touring?

I'd probably recommend a hybrid bike with 32mm tires. You can find decent new ones in your price category, or better quality in used ones. They will work fine on good-quality dirt roads and smooth trails, but not really for singletrack and marginal on rough gravel. If you're thinking about group rides, you probably won't be able to keep up on a hybrid. The hybrid is pretty decent for shopping, but a bit underwhelming for long tours. And although it would be fine for 30-mile rides, if you graduate to 80-mile rides, you may not like it anymore--but you can deal with that later.

[squidmaster]

What kind of riding are you going to do? Are this just fitness rides by yourself? Group rides? Rides to the grocery store? Touring?

I'd probably recommend a hybrid bike with 32mm tires. You can find decent new ones in your price category, or better quality in used ones. They will work fine on good-quality dirt roads and smooth trails, but not really for singletrack and marginal on rough gravel. If you're thinking about group rides, you probably won't be able to keep up on a hybrid. The hybrid is pretty decent for shopping, but a bit underwhelming for long tours. And although it would be fine for 30-mile rides, if you graduate to 80-mile rides, you may not like it anymore--but you can deal with that later.

Right now just fitness rides, but I'd like to get into group rides and longer distances.  That's why I was thinking cyclocross might be a better option, but I can't find anything in my price range.

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[John Nelson]

Get a starter bike. Ride it. Lots. When and if you outgrow your starter bike, then hopefully funds will allow you to buy a second bike. If you become an avid cyclist, then one bike will never be enough anyway.