New Hybrid Suggestions?

Alanstrainor

Hey there everybody, not quite a regular poster, but i do lurk around these parts!
I've been thinking about an upgrade in the bicycle department for some time now, more specifically looking at hybrids. First off, as for my cycling routine, i'm a commuter, about 16Km a day, 5 days a week, with the intention of doing some more weekend stuff too. I'm currently cycling a Carrera Vulcan, Halfords own brand jobby Which has seen more than a few thousand kms put up on it in the last ~3ish years. I like the long stretched out frame, and the discs front and rear are nice. It is however, a heavy mountain bike. And is not what i need at all. I'm thinking my budget would be around £400 (sterling), as buying from the uk seems like the thing to do.
My knowledge on hybrids is minimal, but im looking for something light, fast, and that's not going to snap in two if i hit a pothole!
Any suggestions welcome, Cheers in advance.
Alan,

EDIT: BTW I'm 6'2" so it's going to have to be something with a larger frame.!

Vélo

There might be something of interest here

http://www.mcconveycycles.com/store/category/2/113/HYBRID-SPEED-GENT/

Big Bob

I bought a Trek 7200 from this shop www.wheelbase.co.uk. last for 322stg there 09 modile is 400stg ( big jump in price, don't know why) allow 50 stg for delivery.
very comfortable bike, I did the wicklow 200 on it last year ( that's after I put racing wheels on it) But i did most of my training for it with the standard wheels.

Alanstrainor

Thanks a lot for the suggestions lads, This seems like it could be a runner, seems to tick most of the boxes. Anyone have any comments on it? Or any other retailers they'd recommend, all info is very much appreciated.
Cheers lads,
Alan.

Vélo

Giant are a very good brand. I'm not sure if you can attach mudguards to it but I suppose you could easily find out. The reason I recommended McConveys is because you can buy it in sterling and if anything goes wrong it's not too difficult to bring back to them.

RobAMerc

I bought a Giant FCR 3 under the cycle to work scheme for €475 from Hollingsworths on the lower Kilmacud road - a bargain I think. Picking it up tomorrow !

macinalli

I use an FCR 3 for my commute and I think they're a great bike - you'll be shocked how light it is after 3 years on the MTB!

As for mudguards - I just have a rear one that's attached to the seatpost. Nothing fancy but works fine for me...

neilled

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Thanks a lot for the suggestions lads, This seems like it could be a runner, seems to tick most of the boxes. Anyone have any comments on it? Or any other retailers they'd recommend, all info is very much appreciated.
Cheers lads,
Alan.

McConveys are old school bike retailers - my mum got a pegeot bike of them when she was a student in belfast and its still in working order although ye olde simplex groupset is knackered. Still the frame etc is dead on. I'm sure it could be restored with some effort.

Will your employer take part in the cycle to work scheme? In that case you could go for a more expensive model and pay the same money for it. Afaik they are doing an Alliance version of the FCR and the CRS now (thats a carbon fibre/aluminium frame version)

Alanstrainor

I have to look into the cycle to work scheme, as it's certainly an option, i'm working full time in a large company so i can't see them being against it. I found the fcr 4 Here for 399 which seems like a good price, and if i did manage to convince my boss to take part in the cycle to work scheme, i presume i just get the bike tax free?
Thanks a lot for the replies lads,
Cheers,
Alan

Alanstrainor

Another Noob road bike/hybrid question! Would a hybrid like the fcr series of bikes be up to the pot holes and average to poor cycle lanes around dublin south? I've never actually cycled a full racer, i've cycled a fair few hybrids, and prefer the middle ground of the hybrid. Hence me looking at the fcr. I'm just afraid that buying such a bike could end up costing me a lot in repaired wheels. Now checking my route into work, it seems fairly okay, nothing major pothole wise, and there's only a few 2cm hops on and off cycle lanes as they start and end abruptly. Would that be a problem with such skinny tires?

I know there's going to be an element of a learning curve, But in the end i think a bike upgrade is in order and a hybrid like the fcr seems like a tasty proposition!

Sarunas

I'm as well thinking of getting an FCR3 for cycling into work(5km each way) and sometimes into town(8km) and possibly using it for short spins around Dublin Mountains or Howth. Fitness is my primary goal instead of taking the car and spending less time in the gym...
I'm also wondering of how the 25mm tires cope with not perfectly smooth roads.

I got an FCR 2.5 last year after many a year on a mountain bike going in and out of town (in and out of Rathfarnham too!). There was an initial shock the thin tyres, but you get used to it very quickly. Pot holes, well you feel them most definitely but I haven't had any trouble so far. Plus you get to know where they are on the road so you'll avoid them!

I did come off the bike entering work once due to the lip that you're talking about alanstrainor, but that isn't really much of a problem if you aren't going too quickly and give it more of an angle then I did that time .

The bike itself is a nippy little thing. As for mudguards, my mate in the cycleshop sorted me out with mudguards but, eh, I haven't ever taken them off so I don't know how easily put on or off they are! But yeah, it's a great bike, definitely good for the odd short spin and the commute.

Alanstrainor

Myth wrote: »

I got an FCR 2.5 last year after many a year on a mountain bike going in and out of town (in and out of Rathfarnham too!). There was an initial shock the thin tyres, but you get used to it very quickly. Pot holes, well you feel them most definitely but I haven't had any trouble so far. Plus you get to know where they are on the road so you'll avoid them!

I did come off the bike entering work once due to the lip that you're talking about alanstrainor, but that isn't really much of a problem if you aren't going too quickly and give it more of an angle then I did that time .

The bike itself is a nippy little thing. As for mudguards, my mate in the cycleshop sorted me out with mudguards but, eh, I haven't ever taken them off so I don't know how easily put on or off they are! But yeah, it's a great bike, definitely good for the odd short spin and the commute.

Thanks! That input is very much appreciated Myth! Seems like you were in the exact same position as myself. I'm even more set on the FCR at this stage! A certain amount of a "getting used to phase" was always going to happen, and it's something i'll welcome, just rolling over everything with big off road tires was never a great way to cycle.
Now i'm just going to have to head out to check some of these bikes out for size.
Thanks again!
Alan.

RobAMerc

I cycle in every day with 23c tyres on my road bike (city centre 11k)- its not really an issue if you look where your going.
I have had my rear wheel straightened 3 times this year, but its worth it for the extra responsiveness and low rolling resistance.
I am happy that the FCR is more road bike than MTB to be honest thats why I bought it.

Sarunas

Great, picking up my FCR3 tomorrow from Cycle Superstore... Soooo psyched. Yay to cycle to work scheme saving me 200 quid

Alanstrainor

Hey Sarunas, i was just curious as to how you went about getting your work to agree to take part in the scheme? Just curious, had a v quick look online and i found a whole bunch of forums etc Talking about the scheme but not much info on how it's implemented.
Cheers!
Alan.

Sarunas

I just have asked the management can they participate in it, sending couple of links about it and got them to buy the bike for me and just taking it out of my wages. Its a smallish company so they're fairly flexible.

Edit: Forgot to add this link: http://www.bikescheme.ie/

dub_skav

Alanstrainor. I find the thinner wheels fine for commuting. Bit of getting usd to as others have said.

If you aren't lucky enough with the work angle and would consider 2nd hand I was planning to sell a 2007 Lapierre RCR 500 in very good condition (haven't gotten my act together with pictures etc, so no ad up on adverts). 2009 version here
I am also 6'2", so size would be fine.

If interested PM me.

Sorry for attempting to sell something in this thread but it is a slight step up from what you're looking at in the same category

Jawgap

I'm a big fan of the Giant FCR - I've been cycling one for about 3 years now and apart from 2 spills (one on ice and one on oil) it's been brilliant.

Mudguards fit no problem on the back.

I am, however, considering upgrading to this under the bike-to-work scheme. Any opinions or thoughts gratefully received.

My "short" round trip is about 18 miles, although I typically do between 22 and 30 each day.

Alanstrainor

Cheers for that Sarunas, much appreciated!
Dub_Skav, i'll be buying new unfortunately.
I've sent off a few mails to HR today so hopefully they'll agree to the cycle to work scheme! With the benefit of that i'm starting to look at more expensive alternatives, like the fcr 2 and fcr 3. Can i just ask what the differences would be over the fcr 3 Vs the fcr 4?
Cheers!
Alan.

RobAMerc

there is a fair difference in components between the two.
picked mine up tonight, done about 5 miles so far and I am very happy with it, seems much better suited to the traffic than my road bike -I bought the 2008 model fcr 3, its got Sora derailer as opposed to the 2200 stuff on the 09 bike - although the 09 bike looks better - but I got it for 475 - so its a bargain imo

edit - I see cyclesuperstore have it for 479 now so maine aint the great bargain I thought it was ! ah well, what a difference a week makes !

Alanstrainor

Well i've just been to the cycle super store, they didn't have the 55cm frame i needed, so i ordered an fcr 4 hopefully it'll be in by wednesday, can't wait!, Thanks for all the replies lads!