What £700 hybrid? (cycle to work)

[Comfortably Dumb]

As per the title what hybrid would you buy for circa £700 (retail) from here.

I always enjoyed 'bike rides' as a kid and am looking at this opportunity to get back into it. Mostly on road but don't want to get stuck if I do decided to do some gentle off road stuff. The bike will also need to be used for commuting so needs to be comfortable.

I like the look of the CANNONDALE Bad Boy Disc 26 and Quick CX 2 2011, but not really sure what spec I should be looking at.. i.e solid or sprung forks? disc brakes?

Can anybody help me out? There's just too much choice, most of the brands I haven't even heard of.

[Mr Will]

Assuming that by gentle off road you mean tow-paths, parks, etc then I'd go for something on the more road-biased end of the hybrid spectrum. It'll cope perfectly happily with what you will throw at it, but be a much more effective tool for commuting and road riding.

I'd be looking for 700c (i.e. road bike) wheels, solid forks and mounts for panniers/mudguards. Disc brakes would be a perk as well.

I've not been through the full list, but something like this: http://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/p39843/Kona-Dew-De... would get my vote.

[a11y_m]

Mr Will said:

Assuming that by gentle off road you mean tow-paths, parks, etc then I'd go for something on the more road-biased end of the hybrid spectrum. It'll cope perfectly happily with what you will throw at it, but be a much more effective tool for commuting and road riding.

I'd be looking for 700c (i.e. road bike) wheels, solid forks and mounts for panniers/mudguards. Disc brakes would be a perk as well.

I've not been through the full list, but something like this: http://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/p39843/Kona-Dew-De... would get my vote.

Completely echo what Mr Will has posted.

Not been through the list either, but I too would be looking at:
- 700c wheels (roll noticeably better than 26" wheels, can add something like a 700x35 cyclocross tyre for decent off-road ability too)
- rigid forks (suspension unnecessaily adds weight and not really needed for that sort of riding)
- mudguard clearance for full-length guards(makes wet commuting MUCH more enjoyable)
- I've got a personal preference for flat handlebars rather than road-style drops (also opens up options for disc brakes)
- I also favour a steel frame as most are noticeably better than aluminium frames as absorbing bumps, etc. I'm riding my wife's Giant Escape R Sub Zero at the moment as my rear wheel's gubbed, and it's incredibly harsh in comparison.

Shame you're tied into that scheme as I managed to get a Cotic Roadrat flat-bar geared for £800 through my own work's scheme. It doesn't have discs at £800 but does have the hubs and mounts for fitting some at a later date: http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/bikes/roadrat/geare...

[Roman]

a11y_m said:

Completely echo what Mr Will has posted.

Not been through the list either, but I too would be looking at:
- 700c wheels (roll noticeably better than 26" wheels, can add something like a 700x35 cyclocross tyre for decent off-road ability too)
- rigid forks (suspension unnecessaily adds weight and not really needed for that sort of riding)
- mudguard clearance for full-length guards(makes wet commuting MUCH more enjoyable)
- I've got a personal preference for flat handlebars rather than road-style drops (also opens up options for disc brakes)
- I also favour a steel frame as most are noticeably better than aluminium frames as absorbing bumps, etc. I'm riding my wife's Giant Escape R Sub Zero at the moment as my rear wheel's gubbed, and it's incredibly harsh in comparison.

Shame you're tied into that scheme as I managed to get a Cotic Roadrat flat-bar geared for £800 through my own work's scheme. It doesn't have discs at £800 but does have the hubs and mounts for fitting some at a later date: http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/bikes/roadrat/geare...

Agree with both of those posts.

If looking at Aluminium, a frame with smaller diameter tubes (esp. seat stays & chain stays) will tend to be much more comfy (e.g. Specialized Sirrus) than one with big fat tubes - especially with carbon forks.

[Sea Demon]

I've got a Scott Sub 20 - love it! Have swapped the tyres for 700x25 Armadillo's - love the bike, comes with a good spec.

Was £750 when I got mine last year on the cycle scheme

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/sub-20-2...

[Sea Demon]

I've got a Scott Sub 20 - love it! Have swapped the tyres for 700x25 Armadillo's - love the bike, comes with a good spec.

Was £750 when I got mine last year on the cycle scheme

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/sub-20-2...

[hullbilly]

Be careful when buying a bike on the cycle to work scheme now, there is now a split between how much you have to pay back once the term ends (1 year). under £500 is 18% over £500 it is 25%

[Comfortably Dumb]

hullbilly said:

Be careful when buying a bike on the cycle to work scheme now, there is now a split between how much you have to pay back once the term ends (1 year). under £500 is 18% over £500 it is 25%

We've not had all the details yet but I think on this scheme there isn't a final payment, it's gross salary reduction, so after the period is up the bike is paid for in full.

Thanks for the advice guy.

I'll short list based on 700c wheels, solid forks and hydraulic disc brakes. Think I’d prefer an alloyframe for reduced weight. (my school/uni bike was a large framed Raleigh Max that was just too heavy.) Are there any brands that I should definitely avoid? Especially with regards to them being 'style over quality' on the compnents they use.

[Mr Will]

Comfortably Dumb said:

Are there any brands that I should definitely avoid? Especially with regards to them being 'style over quality' on the compnents they use.

With those criteria in the price range you are looking at, I'd say you are pretty safe. The features/style over quality tends to infest the bottom end of the bike market as far as I am aware.

[a11y_m]

I wouldn't automatically plump for a alu frame over a steel one on the basis of savign weight.

To give you an example, my wife's aluminium-framed Giant Escape R Subzero (RRP £700) weighs 31.8lbs, but on the same scales my steel-framed Cotic Roadrat (RRP £800) is 27.1lbs (and that's including the disc brakes I added. That's including all the crap like mudguards, lights, etc. for a roughly similar price point.

It's a shame that most manufacturers offer aluminium frames instead of steel.

[Roman]

Comfortably Dumb said:

I'll short list based on 700c wheels, solid forks and hydraulic disc brakes. Think I’d prefer an alloyframe for reduced weight.

I'd say the Dew looks the best option form Wheelies with that criteria & budget.