help choosing bikes please

[neil-c]

Have had a cycle to work voucher (£1750) burning a hole in my inbox for a year now, obvious and well documented supply issues meant I wasn't able to get what I intended going for and by the looks of it things aren't improving any time soon.

I was looking at a decent hardtail hybrid, a one bike fits all, though appreciate the compromise that is. My work cycle is 8 miles on 99% paths and roads but I was looking for something that could take a bit of rough stuff though nothing too extreme. I have started thinking though for my needs I might be better with two bikes. One for the commute and another to do a bit of trail riding with my son.

These are two of the combinations I was looking at, would appreciate any advice of the better pairing here. Needs to be the pair (and not a mix) to ensure both bikes are from same supplier.

Option 1:

https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/2376-... at £700

https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/2368-... at £650

Option 2 (coming from the same local retailer)

https://www.cyclesuk.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/2021-s... at £850

https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product/brands/special... at £675

Thanks

[lufbramatt]

Not sure of the logic of getting a flat bar hybrid and a hardtail mtb? Both bikes will be much lower spec and I don’t think a flat bar hybrid offers much benefit over the hardtail- get a drop bar road bike if you want something more efficient on road.

I’d spend the whole lot on a much better hardtail mtb and stick slick road tyres on it for the commute.

[anonymous-user]

Not being mean but spending less than £800 or so on a new mtb is a false economy, every component is low end and the forks in particular are rarely anything but heavy and unresponsive. You’re effectively paying VAT on two bikes so 40% of the total spend isn’t on the bikes themselves which seems barking.

I’d look at the Specialised Chisel and a set of faster rolling tyres for the road. 100 mm travel is plenty, you can lock it out for road use and the nice low front end still offers good visibility on the road.

If you don’t want to use the nice mtb for commuting, get a cheap single speed like this vitus vee I love mine, it’s bombproof and reasonably unappealing to potential thieves too. Single speeds are great commuters and require the very minimal of maintenance.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 30th January 08:36

[neil-c]

Thanks for the advice as always. I have been of the same opinions but availability really has been chronic, watching retailers sites constantly and any promise of stock seems to quickly disappear (Evans by far the worst). A full 12 months now and rarely seen a bike of the right size I like in the £1200-1750 range and when I do there always seemed to be some IT issue when ordering it. Looking back I do wonder if the bikes actually ever exixsted.

I would much rather have a flat bar bike and the plan was a decent hardtail with a spare set of wheels for communting (what I use currently). This has just not been possible to find, especially as you cannot add money to top up Cyclescheme and have to cancel and re-apply (meaning by the time a new cert is issued, stock is gone).

Might hold off a couple of months to see if any stock starts arriving but seems a slim chance currently

[stargazer30]

You could get a mtb and fit road friendly tyres, then it’ll roll well on the roads but also be good off road. Here’s my ezego, I did the same to that with 2” land cruiser tyres (rrp is £1200 but it’s an ebike)

[Sway]

Sounds bloody frustrating chap!

I'd also go with the "one decent bike instead of two rubbish ones" - and there is stock trickling through. Lots of 2021 bikes have been effected by a shortage of components for the builds, there's gonna be some 'odd' specs in places I think! Shimano GRX front mechs at the moment are like rocking horse poo.

I'd perhaps ring round smaller stores without websites that are authorised dealers for the bike you're after. Perhaps a deposit whilst they're waiting on the bike to be delivered to reserve it?