Hybrid - £500ish

[john_p]

"Trigger's Broom", my £200 Raleigh halfords-special is gradually falling to bits and I need a replacement. I do typically 10-50 mile rides, road/cyclepaths/bridlepaths. I don't launch myself off Welsh mountains so am thinking of a hybrid

Specialised Cirrus Sport
Trek 7.3EX
..anything else ?

- the Specialised has a carbon fork, does that make much of a difference?

[will_]

Look at the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative range. Good components and very keenly priced.

Eg:

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...

[john_p]

Any views on whether a carbon fork is worth it at this price point?

[will_]

john_p said:

Any views on whether a carbon fork is worth it at this price point?

I don't think so - cheaper to lose a few lbs off yourself!

[john_p]

Is it not springier or more absorbent or something?

[will_]

john_p said:

Is it not springier or more absorbent or something?

Doubt it will make that much difference, though happy to be proved wrong. But is it really worth the premium?

[ad551]

How about a Gary Fisher Kaitai? http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/kaitai

Although you should bear in mind here that I don't know much about bikes but I am looking to buy something similar to what you're looking for and this seems like a good option to me.

[Inigo Montoya]

I like my Kona Dew Deluxe. Perhaps a little over budget (bought mine as a Cyclescheme package and I can't remember how much the actual bike was) but sturdy, reliable and a sufficient step up in efficiency over a conventional mountain bike to justify its existence.

[DrTre]

Boardman at Halfords are well received.

[john_p]

The Kona has hydraulic disc brakes, Boardman stuff has cable discs, others have V-brakes ..

V-brakes should be fine for this sort of bike surely?

[Chris71]

john_p said:

V-brakes should be fine for this sort of bike surely?

I'm not convinced. To be fair I haven't read a set of decent V brakes for a long time, but compared to modern hydraulics I'd say the ones I have encountered lack both stopping power, modulation and consistency (particularly in the wet or if they haven't been serviced for a while).

You can get up to quite a speed on a bicycle given the slightest hint of a downhill slope and if you're doing so in close proximity ot cars and vans you need good brakes. I'm sure someone will be along to tell me that the latest and greatest V-brakes, properly setup, are a different matter, but I wouldn't buy a bike without discs these days.

[Chris71]

No idea personally, but I'd hazard a guess that the price of basic hydraulic discs almost renders that irrelevant these days?

[clonmult]

I got a Trek FX 7.3 Disc 3 years back on the ride to work scheme, got it out for my first serious ride in quite a while on wednesday. Cracking bike, not sure what the current variants are like though. Only caveat is that I've never totally got on with the angle of the bars.

[TheDetailDoctor]

DrTre said:

Boardman at Halfords are well received.

Even better if your employer participates in the Cycle To Work Scheme.

Or you could build you own, for about £500, by carefully & patently watching Ebay I built this, all new parts aprt from wheels, forks & frame. Oh, and it does have pedals, pics were takens a few days ago.

The frame is a 2002 Cinder Cone, which was a real stae when I bought it. Handy having a friend who does powder coating.

Edited by TheDetailDoctor on Friday 30th April 09:10

Edited by TheDetailDoctor on Friday 30th April 09:26

[john_p]

Very nice.

Am certainly debating building my own, but sometimes it's nicer to have a complete package (that of course I will end up adding bits to ..)

Edited by john_p on Friday 30th April 11:30

[s5tvr]

Have a look at the Ridgeback Flight 01 - recently bought one and it's a very smooth solid bike that is geared the same as a road racing bike, so it's quick. The only drawback is the colour's a bit dull !

[Lord Pikey]

a friend has just got this, Lovelly bike and a bargain price



http://www.rutlandcycling.com/17873/Kona-Smoke-700...

i know its under your budget but depending on your needs you might not need to spend the full 500.

Edited by Lord Pikey on Saturday 1st May 12:28

[Marvindodgers]

I was thinking of a hybrid with a similar budget and saw this, a Giant Roam 2. Seems to fulfil my requirements. Has anyone had experience of them or any general thoughts?

[anonymous-user]

£500

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/hybrid/hybrid_comp.ht...

[Roman]

I can't think of a faster, lighter hybrid than a Sirrus sport for the same money. The carbon fork on the Sport saves a lot of weight and dampens 'buzz' from harshly surfaced roads. Well worth paying the premium for the Sport over the standard model.

I don't think discs are essential on a hybrid personally and they add cost and weight but if you do want them the Boardman is a good option.

Alternatively you could buy a basic Sirrus and upgrade as you go - like this one I built which is now an 18lb flyer: