Hybrid Bike.

[mike9009]

Hi

A little background - I used to be a fairly keen Mountain biker and still own a mid range bike. However my first MTB was a Raleigh Mustang SIS. Hopefully this dates me fairly well and I am now approaching 40. I have not cycled in anger for about 15 years....

I have recently been using my MTB on tracks only, either towing my daughter and hopefully carrying my son in a seat come the New Year.

I find my MTB quite uncomfortable - primarily because I have long legs and short body which means I am leant forward considerably causing lower back ache. This approach was great 15 years ago, but not so now.

I am therefore looking at a Boardman Hybrid http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

My concerns are

1. The gearing has only two front chain rings - towing my daughter up hills on the Isle of Wight can be pretty strenuous given my low level of fitness. Will I cope with these higher gear ratios?
2. Does the frame geometry look more relaxed than racer?
3. Will the frame support a child seat and toddler?

Are there any other suggestions in the upto £500 or so bracket that I should consider? Hopefully I can pick a bargain in the sales?

I have read the boardman bikes are a decent spec for the price? Is this true?

Thanks and Merry Xmas!!

Mike

[Mr Gearchange]

Have you tried fitting a shorter stem and sliding the saddle forward a bit on the MTB?

[Gizmoish]

The Boardman hybrids use the same frames as their MTBs I think... so the 'reach' will be the same on the equivalent hybrid/MTB. But all frame are different - have you measured the effective top tube length on your current bike and compared to the geometry charts for that bike on the Halfords website?

[mike9009]

Mr Gearchange said:

Have you tried fitting a shorter stem and sliding the saddle forward a bit on the MTB?

Hi

I have raised the stem up and the seat is forward on the rails. The stem is the old 1 inch diameter and so choice of new stems is limited. It has some old front shocks on it too, which are not great and drain too much of my precious energy when climbing hills (no lock out on them either!) The other attraction of a hybrid is the narrower (less rolling resistance) tyres.

Mike

[nagsheadwarrior]

I had a Raleigh Mustang it was.........red and black which is about all I can remember!
Ive got a Carrera Subway which is half your budget and excellent but presume the Boardman must be better?
Im 6ft with short legs and have got used to the 18" subway but really shouldve got a 21"
I see that Boardmans a 19,wouldnt that be a tad small?