Help choosing a Hybrid

[15peter20]

Morning all,

I'd really appreciate the benefit of some of the experience here as I'm looking to get back into cycling properly (currently riding an old Giant Stonebreaker which weighs a ton) I'm lead to believe that a hybrid is the best way to go - have searched the forum and only found a few older threads so hopefully it is time for another one! Budget is up to about £750 and will use the cycle to work scheme.

Requirements:

• Must handle a 50/50 mix of roads and towpath
• Must be able to take a rack and a child seat
• As light as possible
• Can be left locked up on the highstreet without undue stress!

I've found the following two + one budget choice which look quite sensible:

• Boardman URB 8.8 2021
• Trek FX 3 Disc
• Carrera Subway 2 (as a budget choice)

I'd really appreciate general advice and some input on the belt drive that the Boardman uses - is this the best way to go nowadays and will it provide a good set of ratios for town and potentially Richmond Park? Does spending a little more unlock any massive benefits or should I be spending less?

Any and all inputs gratefully received!

[Barchettaman]

Hybrids are all much of a muchness.

The essential thing to have is hydraulic brakes.

That Carrera has them.

My lad has ridden a Subway 2 for school commuting for a couple of years and it’s been excellent. I have added mudguards, a rack, hub dynamo and LED lights. No complaints.

I also swapped out the 650b MTB tyres for a faster rolling pair of semislick road tyres.

[aberdeeneuan]

I have an older Trek FX (from 2010), but I got it for two uses, Commuting and carry kids on the back. Stuck some mudguards and a rear rack on it.

My commute was over a towpath (very badly surfaced) and roads and it handled that just fine. It's also my go-to holiday bike, so seen a lot of miles in France for going around villages etc. It's also a nickel gold colour so looks absolutely nothing special which is what I wanted for it's usage being left outside at work.

It's been used for cycle camping and just about anything you can imagine. I don't know what they've done to the geo since, but mine is a pretty quick bike, have had no issues.

[15peter20]

Thank you both - very helpful. I'm leaning towards the Boardman because of the belt drive - a lot to like but can anyone give me any real world experience? Have heard basically zero maintenance!