New commuter/hybrid help

[village24]

Hi all,

Just after some advice really. I've always bought MTBs and ended up never fully utilising them, it's been probably 5 years since I've bought a bike and I'm just wanting something I can use all year round and help me get back into fitness. Not really wanting a full on road bike so have started looking at hybrid bikes, going to buy through the cycle to work scheme.

Have landed on this bike, just wanted to ask advice of whether there was anything equivalent or better for the cost etc.

https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/hybrid-bikes/t...

Thanks in advance

[Master Bean]

I find these "fitness" bikes a bit odd. They're basically flat bar road bikes. Not as upright as you might hope. Also integrated cables through your headset so when the bearing wears out it'll cost £200 to replace.

[OutInTheShed]

Press fit bottom bracket in a carbon frame?
I'd be cautious about that for a bike I intended to put many miles on.
Not ever so light, as carbon bikes with only half a set of gears go?
But sensible money?

Comes down to whether the geometry, seat /bar position is what you want.
And how it matches you and your commute.

[dave123456]

In all fairness the comments re the bearings (headset and BB) are a little harsh. Most people don’t really get to the point where these are actually worn out. And neither job is beyond a competent shop mechanic.

I’d be looking at gravel bikes for that sort of cash. That bikes a bit no man’s land, unless you are genuinely only going to use for commuting.

[village24]

Thanks for the replies. As I mentioned I'm looking for something to get me back out and about, it will be used on my days off and ideally want something to get me moving.

I will have a look at a gravel bike too, but if I'm honest it'll mainly see road work

[cml24]

What is it that's putting you off a road bike? You can get them with quite relaxed geometry. They'll be better suited to the road so you'll find it easier/faster and therefore more rewarding and encouraging to get out I reckon.

[dave123456]

village24 said:

Thanks for the replies. As I mentioned I'm looking for something to get me back out and about, it will be used on my days off and ideally want something to get me moving.

I will have a look at a gravel bike too, but if I'm honest it'll mainly see road work

Gravel or all road bikes are a bit more ‘serious’ than a hybrid bike and can run with semi slick tyres on the road, but will handle fire roads etc.

[Richtea1970]

cml24 said:

What is it that's putting you off a road bike? You can get them with quite relaxed geometry. They'll be better suited to the road so you'll find it easier/faster and therefore more rewarding and encouraging to get out I reckon.

Having ridden MTBs most of my adult life, I've tried to go a road bike a couple of times to keep up the winter fitness.
However, I can never get on with the 'hunched over' riding style of a road bike and more importantly, the roads around here are terrible and dispite messing around with tyre pressures etc they never felt comfortable.
So I'm with the Op on avoiding road bikes.

[Simon_GH]

Richtea1970 said:

Having ridden MTBs most of my adult life, I've tried to go a road bike a couple of times to keep up the winter fitness.
However, I can never get on with the 'hunched over' riding style of a road bike and more importantly, the roads around here are terrible and dispite messing around with tyre pressures etc they never felt comfortable.
So I'm with the Op on avoiding road bikes.

I’ve been on MTBs for years but now live somewhere without trails on my doorstep and two kids which mean less time, I converted to a gravel bike a couple of years ago and it’s brilliant. Handles rough roads with ease. Can whizz down bridle paths when the pop up and can handle moderate MTB trails too. I’m wary of niche bikes simply because I wonder how many bike manufactures are trying to do something different for the sake of sales rather than a genuine evolution of cycling,

[AC43]

Have you looked at a Boardman hybrid 8.9?

Five years ago I was looking for a commuter and went for one of these. Really like it.

[Evanivitch]

village24 said:

Thanks for the replies. As I mentioned I'm looking for something to get me back out and about, it will be used on my days off and ideally want something to get me moving.

I will have a look at a gravel bike too, but if I'm honest it'll mainly see road work

Gravel/adventure bikes have a more relaxed geometry than toad bikes and typically take a wider tyre. But you can comfortably put slicks on it (or light grips like G One Speed).

Also, once you've realised how thoroughly infuriating riding on the road is, you'll want the opportunity to ride elsewhere!

[village24]

First of all thanks for the replies and advice.

The reason for not going towards a proper road bike is simply down to the roads and areas I want to access.

I'm trying to get myself moving again and building some fitness and while a mtb could suffice we all know they do not cover ground on the road well enough.

I have read up on the gravel bikes and this does seem like it could be good option, the fact that it can be used on road and bridle ways/slightly rough terrain would suit my needs overall I think.

Are there any that stand out from the rest that you would recommend?

[dave123456]

Similar price point?

[magpie215]

Have a look at the Boardman Hyb and ADV range..... usually not a bad spec for the price and usually in the display bikes section at Halfords.

A friend has the ADV and he's very pleased with it.

[Evanivitch]

village24 said:

Are there any that stand out from the rest that you would recommend?

For circa £1k the Boardman ADV offerings are decent. Probably fit tyres to first your needs, good set of lights, and some padded bib shorts.

[dave123456]

magpie215 said:

Have a look at the Boardman Hyb and ADV range..... usually not a bad spec for the price and usually in the display bikes section at Halfords.

A friend has the ADV and he's very pleased with it.

These will be on most C2W schemes too.

Others worth looking at are Ribble, the aluminium frame or carbon frames have a good reputation.

Canyon also have a few options, a grail and a grizl. The grizl is a bit more burly.

[BOR]

I've been commuting to work on a hybrid for the last few years and I find it quite effective at that.

They are basically flat-barred road bikes anyway. I just didn't want to ride on the drops in a busy city due to reduction in visibility and I also want to be covering the brakes at all times.

I personally don't quite get the point of gravel bikes, but plenty of people like them.

There are plenty of makes in this sector. I have a Canyon Roadlite, which has been faultless.

I think hybrids are quite a good all-rounder for road riding.

[WPA]

Pointless getting a carbon bike for a commuter, hybrid is fine but get an alloy frame the Trex FX range is really nice and they make great allrounders

[Evanivitch]

WPA said:

Pointless getting a carbon bike for a commuter, hybrid is fine but get an alloy frame the Trex FX range is really nice and they make great allrounders

Carbon forks are nice for dealing with road vibration.

[186GDF]

I'd suggest a Cannondale Quick Disc 1, Hybrid.
Aluminium frame / Carbon fork, so pretty light (<11kg for Large).

I liked my first so much (10,000mi and still counting) that I bought a 'spare'.
Consequently my road bike only went out twice last year! The Quick just does it all - with an element of comfort.
I've fitted chunky 38mm tyres for winter, makes the handling a little more secure for all weathers / terrains.

Evans (sorry) have a Small for £875.

Cheaper versions are available lower in the range.