Hybrid bike - gearing questions

[se9boy]

Hi, I’m in the market for a hybrid bike (budget up to £1,500 max).
I’ve read (probably too much!) about the different options out there and currently ruled out anything with suspension as I have an MTB set up with a road bias.
I’ve been looking at the Specialized Sirrus and now started reading about the various BMC bikes in my price range.
I’m now confused in terms of the various gear options and ratios available. I’m no expert and started looking at the traditional set up of 2 gears on the crank and 10/11 at the wheel. Should I be so quick to dismiss an 11 speed bike or even the 8 speed alfine type gearing?
I’ll be using the bike for circa 15k rides and an annual 60k. I live in a hilly area and need a reasonable spread of gears which needs to include a crawler for the hills and a reasonable top speed.
I’m not going to buy anything without trying it out first but would appreciate some opinions to narrow it down a bit, there’s too much choice!
Thanks, Steve

Edited to add; I’ve ruled out a road bike as neither myself or my local (rural) roads are in tip top condition!
Am also nervous of a cyclocross bike with dropped bars as I have occasional back problems - planning to test ride though.

Edited by se9boy on Thursday 9th August 08:10

[Dr Imran T]

I don't know the price difference between 10sp and 11sp but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

I would go for a double compact crank 50/34 and an 11-28 cassette. 10sp should be fine. An 11 will allow you to get some decent speed on the flats and descent. A 28 on the cassette will get you up almost anything!

That's usually enough for most reasonably fit guys.

I guess with the 11sp cassette you will have one extra cog in there somewhere to reduce the jump from one cog to another.

HTH

[Master Bean]

Perhaps this is overkill but it's got an 11-32 cassette which is what I've got on my road bike which gets me up the steepest of hills.

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-SL-Road-SL-2018-Road...

[se9boy]

Thanks for the comments. Further research indicates that most of the rigid frame hybrids have similar gearing to road bikes whilst those with suspension appear more akin to mountain bikes.

I think I’ve decided on a rigid hybrid or maybe an adventure / gravel / cyclocross bike with drop bars - just need to try a few out and see what fits me best.

I’m still unsure if I’d use 20/22 gears or if a single chain ring and 11 speed cassette would suffice - on the road I rarely use anything other than the largest chain ring on my MTB - does anyone regularly use both set up’s? I’d appreciate your opinions.

Master Bean - the Cube bike looks great, now on my list of potentials.

Cheers

[Chrisgr31]

I have the 2016 version of this https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale-caadx-105-2...

Before that I was using a Hybrid with road tyres. I went down the cyclo cross route as I do go down some of the gravelled national cycle routes etc and it gives that bit of off road capability.

I have to admit when I first got it cycling up hills was a nightmare, but a few rides later I could get up anything.

[uncinqsix]

In terms of gearing, I've become a fan of the 46/36 cyclocross crankset on my CAADX. The 46t big ring allows you to make use of more of the cassette's range at normal road speeds than with a 50t. The smaller difference between the 36 and the 46 is nice too.

[Barchettaman]

3x8 Alfine (or Claris) is fine and works well, provided it’s set up correctly. I wouldn’t rule it out.