[parksey]

I’m thinking about getting myself a hybrid bike… *runs and hides*

I love riding the road bike, but it’s not exactly an all-weather, all-purpose machine…

I have admittedly been using it for commuting, but outings on wet or slippery roads are always a slightly nervous affair, so I’m looking for a bike which gives me a bit more confidence in those situations, as well as something which I don’t need to wear cleats just to pop down the shops on.

I suspect I’m actually not alone on here in wanting (or at least having a need for) such a bike, so who’s brave enough to admit they own one and offer up anything in the way of recommendations?!

It’s all a bit of a minefield though… There’s bikes classed as “hybrids” which basically have road bike gearing and tyres but flat bars, but then there’s also “hybrids” that are basically what I would’ve once known as hardtail mountain bikes.

I’m just after something reasonably light and nimble. Suspension forks I would happily take or leave, but discs and wider tyres would be desirable, as much so it can handle the odd foray around the trails of the local country park. I’m a bit lost on the Shimano off-road groupset hierachy too!

It will likely be another cycle-to-work purchase, but I’d really like to keep it on the lower £500 limit if at all possible. Main thinking is to placate the wife, but also so the savings aren’t completely eroded if it doesn’t get the use and I decide to get rid after a year.

The Cannondale Bad Boy range has caught my eye, but even the cheapest one exceeds my desired budget unless I can get a late season sale deal in a few months’ time. There’s otherwise the ubiquitous offerings from the likes of Trek, Giant and Specialized, all of which appear to offer value at/below the £500 mark.

Anything else I should be considering though?

Topic

[keninoz]

I have a Trek 7.6 FX flat-bar

I have a Trek 7.6 FX flat-bar road bike which I bought 10 years ago. I’ve travelled through several countries with it loaded with camping gear, plus it’s the bike I use for all my commuting, shopping, riding just for the hell of it, etc. It’s travelled close to 40,000 km & gets ridden most days. Other than the regular maintence issues common to all bikes, I’ve never had a problem with it. I also have a Trek Domane but it’s not suitable as a daily ride because I need panniers, etc & I don’t like to leave it unattended. I’m very happy with the 7.6 & I’d recommend having a good look at one because as far as I know, they can still be bought (although they’ve upgraded several components since I bought mine). Almost all the reviews I’ve seen have been very good (see link). It should be in your price range as well.

Check it out!

http://www.chainreaction.com/product/trek-7.6-fx-173496-1.htm

[hawkinspeter]

ri9rashed wrote:

 

I think you want a type that middle of mountain bike and hybrid bike. I can suggest you the name that might suit for you….The Northwoods Springdale men’s 21-speed hybrid bike which I think would be the perfect use for you. You can choose quite rough in the plain road for your commuting. This cycle will help you in your purpose.

Why is this thread getting bumped, again? Looks like it’s being given CPR by people with very low number of posts and with English not as a first language. Maybe they’re just practising writing English for an exam or similar.

[ri9rashed]

 

 

I think you want a type that middle of mountain bike and hybrid bike. I can suggest you the name that might suit for you….The Northwoods Springdale men’s 21-speed hybrid bike which I think would be the perfect use for you. You can choose quite rough in the plain road for your commuting. This cycle will help you in your purpose.

[StraelGuy]

In situations like this,

In situations like this, internet convention is to post:

 

Holy thread revival batman!

 

.

[waldner71]

Maria Luis wrote:

Hi Perksey

I would like to glad to say that you have described a good article on riding of hybrid bike. You mentioned that you are fond of road biking. And you also mentioned that it is not suitable for all-weather as well as all purpose. You are using it for commuting but you want it for outings on wet or slippery road which are always slightly nervous affairs. The budget you mentioned  is less than 500 pound which is really considerable indeed. I think you will be able to get your desirable hybrid bike within a short period of time.

lol

After over 2.5 years….

 

[Maria Luis]

Hi Perksey

Hi Perksey

I would like to glad to say that you have described a good article on riding of hybrid bike. You mentioned that you are fond of road biking. And you also mentioned that it is not suitable for all-weather as well as all purpose. You are using it for commuting but you want it for outings on wet or slippery road which are always slightly nervous affairs. The budget you mentioned  is less than 500 pound which is really considerable indeed. I think you will be able to get your desirable hybrid bike within a short period of time.

[barbarus]

Having ridden MTB and “flat
Having ridden MTB and “flat bar road bike” type hybrids I would say without question that suspension is much less important than decent components. Yes, road surfaces are poor but larger tyres will fix that.

Coming from a road bike your hybrid will feel over sluggish and muddy handling if you go for anything but high quality expensive suspension forks.

[Quince]

Agreed. I rode a fixed gear
Agreed. I rode a fixed gear for two years after my road bike got stolen, and it was (and still is) a wonderful asset. I can leave it out in the rain without worrying; I can hop on it in normal shoes and normal clothes; I can lock it up with a Death Lock in the knowledge that there will be more expensive bikes with less expensive locks in the vicinity; I don’t have to wash it, and it’s improved my pedalling and general fitness.

It’s worth considering alongside a hybrid. Obviously, the lack of gears and potentially less upright position will mean there are times when you need to give it a few more beans, and may be a bit less cushy, but getting it up to speed can be quite exhilarating and you can set the gear to be as light as you like. You don’t have to be insufferably trendy in order to benefit from a single speed. I’m very glad to own both bikes.

[mzungu]

Have you considered a cheap
Have you considered a cheap and cheerful single speed hack? Perfect for commuting and about town in crappy weather…

[Notsofast]

Acera = Claris
Alvivo =
Acera = Claris
Alvivo = Sora
SLX = Tiagra
Deore = 105
XT =Ultegra
XTR = DuraAce

there or thereabouts.

[Anonymous]

Shades wrote:I quite like the

Shades wrote:

I quite like the CX bikes with some ‘chicken’ brake levers for urban riding. Add mudguards and a pannier, although then you’re into Tourers. I’ve got a 2000 Cannondale H700 hybrid which, although it’s heavy, just does ‘everything’. Bit of an ‘old friend’ but just did a carbon fork/disc brake upgrade which has lightened it up a bit. The other snag with urban bikes is you need to lug a decent lock around which just adds to the weight. That said, I do an 18 mile commute and log my rides. Nominally it’s an hour but the hybrids average journey time (mainly winter) is only 10min slower than my road bike. In the sections of the ride where you’re stopping at lights/junctions, the type of bike makes no difference as the hybrids/MTBs just catch up with you when you’re stopped.

I think the ‘chicken levers’ are pointless. I only ever use mine when I’m sitting at downhill traffic lights. 😀

[davecochrane]

parksey wrote:That Avanti

parksey wrote:

That Avanti looks like an interesting proposition, particularly for the price, might have a look at what they’ve got in the way of UK distributors.

Whilst browsing round some local stores I have come across the Cube Hyde range, bikes that seem to be designed for urban use with discs and 42mm road tyres. There’s an Acera model for £550 but also a couple of hub-geared options above that.

Definitely intrigued by the idea of hub gears though, but am concerned whether having “only” 8 gears with something like Alfine is enough? Not so much that they won’t go low or high enough, rather the gaps between them will be too big.

Can anyone who rides a hub-geared bike offer any input?

I’ve had the Avanti Inc 2 a week now, with the 8 speed Alfine hub. I cannot fault it at all. It’s smooth, accelerates well (42km/h on the flat was a lot easier that I expected from a bike like this) and the belt drive hasn’t left a mark on me. Only issue I’ve had is that an allen bolt that holds the frame together at the split point (which I believe all belt drive bikes need to have) fell out as it hadn’t been properly tightened. Picking it up tomorrow with problem rectified. Now seriously considering a Rohloff or similar and belt drive for an audax/sportive build in the next few years.

[MartyMcCann]

davecochrane wrote:I’ve opted

davecochrane wrote:

I’ve opted for an Avanti Inc 2…a domestic NZ brand that I can get for a really decent price here ($1299 so about 625 quid)

I can second the Avanti range- I actually picked up a Blade 2 recently through the Sport Pursuit site a few months back for £200 and have had no problems with it. I use it for my runs into town and some of the bike path routes when I don’t have time for a proper run on my road bike. Speed wise I am pretty close to what I would be doing on my Allez on the run into town so I was glad to use it as a wee run around.

[alotronic]

I also have a hybrid and use
I also have a hybrid and use it for family duties and bashing around on canal paths and bridle ways around london – much better than riding on the road sometimes (I have 2 road bikes and poper NTB).

I built mine up from bits and pieces using a Pinnacle cobalt frame os sale at Evans for £85. But then I have a lot of bits and pieces. It’s light, handles well and has zero brand or cool factor. Which makes it all the nicer over takings expensive MTBs on canal paths.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/lithium-5-2012-hybrid-bike-frame-ec046837

That’s silly money really – the frame is pretty standard Taiwanese fare, but the basic idea is good. Maybe build something up to your own spec and have a ball 🙂

[URL=http://s1252.photobucket.com/user/allenoleary/media/WP_20140609_001_zpse462b921.jpg.html][/URL]

[hampstead_bandit]

I have a Specialized Sirrus
I have a Specialized Sirrus which I custom built with a carbon Zertz fork and slammed the front end as much as possible for going quick

wheels are Hope Hoops (Hope hubs on Mavic Open Pro), Continental 4-seasons in 25c and a road groupset consisting of Shimano 105 with Tiagra 10 speed flat bar shifters and Shimano XT v-brakes, plus S-Works carbon bar, carbon railed saddle, carbon seatpost and most importantly full length SKS mudguards for bad weather

here’s an older photo with old wheelset, cranks, etc.

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10736932/p4pb10736932.jpg

my “other” bike is a Tarmac SL4 with Ultegra and Fulcrum Racing 5’s

The Sirrus is a great workhorse that will take ongoing commuting abuse, but feels much quicker than other hybrids I have owned or ridden…

There are a number of manufacturers making good “sports” hybrids which are basically flat-bar road bikes that will take bigger volume tires and mudguards

[Author]

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