What do I actually want? Gravel/hybrid/e-bike?
Discussion
Currently have an old Specialized HRXC that is about 20 years old. It's well built and never been any issues and I've switched over the knobbly tyres to more road specific ones. Have a pannier on it too in case I ever decide to cycle to work with laptop etc. However, since lockdown ended I've barely used it for various reasons and now I'm wondering if I might be a little more enthused if I picked up a new bike via the cycle scheme or pick up something second hand locally. But I'm in a world of confusion over what I want so hoping if I laid out some criteria you good folks might be able to offer some options:
Want:
1. Something that goes faster on road than the HR XC which is a slow bike
2. Reasonable range of gears as it's undulating (not mountainous, just not really flat anywhere, think rolling hills)
3. A comfortable riding position, no drop bars, my back isn't happy on a road bike. I'm about 6 foot so I know aerodynamically that'll affect top speed but my current bike tops out too quickly
4. A tyre size combo that feels safe on road and can handle the crappy surfaces.
5. Being able to take a pannier would be a bonus I guess and light enough that adding weight doesn't make it too cumbersome
Ideally I'd like one bike to do it all, fast enough to commute to work and deal with hills, comfy and stable. I am lucky to have a lot of the New Forest nearby with gravel tracks etc but I could try to keep the old bike too for such adventures. I'm guessing £1000 max but happy to spend £200 on an old second hand if that's the sweet spot too. Currently overwhelmed by the sheer choice. I've no idea how far behind the times my current bike is, have things changed massively?
Want:
1. Something that goes faster on road than the HR XC which is a slow bike
2. Reasonable range of gears as it's undulating (not mountainous, just not really flat anywhere, think rolling hills)
3. A comfortable riding position, no drop bars, my back isn't happy on a road bike. I'm about 6 foot so I know aerodynamically that'll affect top speed but my current bike tops out too quickly
4. A tyre size combo that feels safe on road and can handle the crappy surfaces.
5. Being able to take a pannier would be a bonus I guess and light enough that adding weight doesn't make it too cumbersome
Ideally I'd like one bike to do it all, fast enough to commute to work and deal with hills, comfy and stable. I am lucky to have a lot of the New Forest nearby with gravel tracks etc but I could try to keep the old bike too for such adventures. I'm guessing £1000 max but happy to spend £200 on an old second hand if that's the sweet spot too. Currently overwhelmed by the sheer choice. I've no idea how far behind the times my current bike is, have things changed massively?
mikeyr said:
Thanks PushedDover, that is obviously a very pricey ebike but wasn't sure if any of the £1kish ones were worth it. Or even if i'd enjoy one!
First part : £1k, nope. would not bother on an ebike, unless happy for it to be compromised in several waysSecond part: Yes. You'd enjoy one. Your user case matches exactly what they will smash and transform transportation for you.
mikeyr said:
InitialDave said:
I think a flat-bar gravel bike or an MTB-related hybrid will suit your needs.
Oooh, flat bar gravel bike is a new term on me. Will check those out too.Lots of other (and well liked) offerings in Decathlon too : https://www.decathlon.co.uk/sports/cycling/hybrid-...
A friend has a sub-£1000 e-bike.
He uses it several times a week and really rates it.
Commuting, shopping, various short journeys that he would other wise use the car for.
He still does use the car when it's hosing down.
But in the 2+ years he's had it, he's used it a lot.
It's not a 'cyclist's bike'.
It's transport.
No suspension, but moderately big tyres and a comfy saddle, with fairly high bars.
Rear hub motor.
I think maybe he did have a functioning pedal bike but never used it, as most of his journeys involve a lot of trudging up hills.
Horses for courses.
Do you want a bike to enjoy cycling, or do you have places you want to get?
He uses it several times a week and really rates it.
Commuting, shopping, various short journeys that he would other wise use the car for.
He still does use the car when it's hosing down.
But in the 2+ years he's had it, he's used it a lot.
It's not a 'cyclist's bike'.
It's transport.
No suspension, but moderately big tyres and a comfy saddle, with fairly high bars.
Rear hub motor.
I think maybe he did have a functioning pedal bike but never used it, as most of his journeys involve a lot of trudging up hills.
Horses for courses.
Do you want a bike to enjoy cycling, or do you have places you want to get?
I'd be looking at your average hybrid. A lot of them have a single front chainring which (as my dilemma) I don't think will provide the gear range/ be that speedy. Though just as an example, the giant roam disc 4 has multiple but iirc that's colour dependent(may be the wrong bike,I looked at a few). A few others do have multiple at the front but I don't think it's actually that common.
It's hard sometimes for 1 do it all bike, more like 3 bikes and a load of spare parts
It's hard sometimes for 1 do it all bike, more like 3 bikes and a load of spare parts
Master Bean said:
Marin DSX 1.
If you can find one of these, second hand they are particular bargains, then this is a bike that stretches the line between a fast hybrid and a mountain bike.Flat bar, rigid, good wheels, looks like a hybrid but geometry more like a mountain bike.
I would also say keep hunting second hand - there are still a LOT of barely used bargains of bikes out there.
DSX 2 with some budget creep:
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Marin-DSX-2-2025-Gravel-B...
DSX 1: https://www.biketart.com/products/marin-dsx-2025?v...
Similar is a Whyte RHeo:
https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/whyte-rheo-1-v1-bik...
Edited by POIDH on Thursday 11th September 08:53
Edited by POIDH on Thursday 11th September 08:54
mikeyr said:
Some useful suggestions, thanks. I think I need to try an e bike and see how I feel about one.
ebike is a choice to balance.On road, I find that I will easily exceed the cutoff for assistance, so am then lugging a heavy, expensive bit of kit around. This is particularly if it is a full power, big battery bike.
I find that my lighter, although not road bike light, do it all gravel bike is just nicer to ride, has no resistance when going down hills, cost a lot less, worries me less about maintenance or a borked battery etc. It also keeps me fitter which is one of my main benefits of having bikes now I am in my 50's...
However, OH has ebike for health reasons (significant lung disease) and it has been the best thing ever to keep her going out, keep up a reasonable pace (particularly uphill) and generally all the brilliant things override the shortcomings in my view...
Edited by POIDH on Friday 12th September 11:24
mikeyr said:
Some useful suggestions, thanks. I think I need to try an e bike and see how I feel about one.
That's a bit like saying 'I will try a car'.They vary a lot.
I've had a go on a few very different ones, from DIY conversions up to an EMTB that cost about £10k.
All good but very different!
mikeyr said:
True, but less choice in my budget so I think I know what type I'd like to try. As others have said I don't want to be stuck with something that is suddenly unnecessarily heavy at higher speeds but if the assistance speeds feels good then maybe I would like it.
The cut off of assistance and the background resistance is what I did not like. I am modestly fit but overweight, and even I can sustain near the cut off pace so leading to constant 'off' vs 'assist' issues.Up to that speed - ace.
POIDH said:
mikeyr said:
True, but less choice in my budget so I think I know what type I'd like to try. As others have said I don't want to be stuck with something that is suddenly unnecessarily heavy at higher speeds but if the assistance speeds feels good then maybe I would like it.
The cut off of assistance and the background resistance is what I did not like. I am modestly fit but overweight, and even I can sustain near the cut off pace so leading to constant 'off' vs 'assist' issues.Up to that speed - ace.
On a road / gravel orientated tyre the 'off motor' on my Bosch is unnoticeable
mikeyr said:
True, but less choice in my budget so I think I know what type I'd like to try. As others have said I don't want to be stuck with something that is suddenly unnecessarily heavy at higher speeds but if the assistance speeds feels good then maybe I would like it.
To know if that's going to be a big issue, you need to know how often you would pedal a normal bike above 15mph.Fit 'actual cyclists' on the flat or low downhill gradient, fairly often.
'Normal person riding a bike' into headwinds or up moderate hills not at all often.
You weigh off the disadvantage against the gains.
That's easier to do if you know the journeys in question.
If you go from A to B 3 times a week and you don't cycle it because the hills are too much, then an ebike may be for you.
If you only have really mild hills or one short hill that makes you use the gears, then you may be happier pedaling.
If you like to do a variety of rides there is a case for owning both.
If you ever ride in company, there's a case for having similar to your mates.
I will get an eMTB if my house move ever happens, because I can see the rides I will do.
I will also be keeping a proper MTB and a drop bar bike, for different rides. Most of which will start with the bike strapped to the car!
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