Hybrid bike advice

bigtom71

Hi there,

Apologies if this has come up before, but I did a search and didn't find much on this. I am able to avail of the cycle-to-work scheme and have been looking around a few bike shops to see what I might get. I have a Trek 7.3 at the moment and it's only a year and a half old. However, it is getting to the point that I will have to start replacing bits from wear and tear soon, so I might as well get a new one while it's still worth something.

I was thinking of a Trek 7.5 or even 7.6. Then, I came across the Ridgeback Supernova in Cycleogical which looks lovely, although I never heard of Ridgeback before, but I haven't been able to have a go of it yet. I saw a Dawes bike for €540 but I think it is pretty much the same as what I have already, so that one is off the list.

I will be using this for mainly commuting every day to and from work and a bit of leisure cycling. I also bring one of my kids to school most days on a saddle on the cross bar (I used to bring two of them - one on the saddle and another on a back seat, but it's way too top heavy to be safe anymore), so would having carbon forks be a problem then with the extra weight? Also, I'll have a pannier on the back if that is of importance.

I saw a giant bike but cannot remember the model of it and it didn't really grab me at the time anyway. So, to summarise what are the best options - Trek or Ridgeback (or something else perhaps) and what model. I am happy to spend a few quid getting something good that will last (up to maybe €900 or €1,000), especially considering I can't use this scheme for another 5 years! Finally, I have always been curious about fixed wheel bikes that you see couriers going around town on. Would they something to consider or are they just for the purists/superfit?

Cheers,
Tom...

Taltos

Hi there

started a thread yest called MTB vs Hybrid.

In my searches I have narrowed down my choice to a hybrid - Specialized Comp.
There are only a few vendors in Dublin.
Would suggest you pop into a specialised bike store - after today - really recommend Stagg's in Lucan if you can get there.
Was also told that the Specialized is similar to the Giant - so it comes down to personal preference I guess.

No idea to fixed wheel. - though have you looked at the recumbant

Best of luck with your search.

T

Lumen

bigtom71 wrote: »

I have a Trek 7.3 at the moment and it's only a year and a half old. However, it is getting to the point that I will have to start replacing bits from wear and tear soon, so I might as well get a new one while it's still worth something.....I am happy to spend a few quid getting something good that will last (up to maybe €900 or €1,000), especially considering I can't use this scheme for another 5 years!

You want to replace a perfectly good 18-month old Trek 7.3 because the consumables (chain, tyres etc) might need replacing at some future point, but you believe that your next bike will last you 5 years.

Does not compute.

Good bikes are very durable. When parts wear out, you can replace those parts.

Maybe you should consider a different sort of bike, to better justify the purchase.

Turbulent Bill

Lumen wrote: »

You want to replace a perfectly good 18-month old Trek 7.3 because the consumables (chain, tyres etc) might need replacing at some future point, but you believe that your next bike will last you 5 years.

Does not compute.

Good bikes are very durable. When parts wear out, you can replace those parts.

Maybe you should consider a different sort of bike, to better justify the purchase.

+1, would you sell a car just because it needed a service?

If you're happy with your current bike then save yourself the money and keep it maintained. If you want something better, or it doesn't fit your needs anymore then consider changing.

bigtom71

Turbulent Bill wrote: »

+1, would you sell a car just because it needed a service?

If you're happy with your current bike then save yourself the money and keep it maintained. If you want something better, or it doesn't fit your needs anymore then consider changing.

Fair point, but I fancy something a little lighter and faster and I'd probably get maybe €200 - €300 for the bike now, but have the shell out for loads of new bits soon if I keep it. Plus, whatever I get is going to be, effectively, half price and also spread out over a whole year. So, an €800 bike costs me €400 and that is offset by whatever I get for what I have now, with the balance coming out of my wages each week, i.e. less than the price of a pint. As Butty Brennan would say: "Sure you can't do better than that!"

And no, it probably won't do me for 5 years, but will for two or three. I could wait and avail of the scheme in another year's time, but would kick myself if our esteemd Minister for Finance went and pulled out of the scheme next year and I missed the boat.

Taltos, I will certainly try to make it out to Lucan if only to have a look. Thanks.

bigtom71

Ok, now I am totally undecided. I had it in my head to get a hybrid a bit better than what I have now. But now, I'm thinking I have to get fit again and using the bike might be the way to do it.

I used to do a LOT of running and was very fit, but gave that up a couple of years ago when I started martial arts (which has nothing aerobic in it, I might add). So, other than the daily 5 mile commute in and out of town, I am doing nothing for the last two years. Things are getting bad when the Mrs. tells you you're starting to look out of shape, so I weighed in there now and I'm up to 13 1/2 stone! More than the weight it's the fat % going up that bothers me.

So, without going too much off topic, I am thinking - should I get drop bars and stretch the commutes out a little? Or could I do decent cycling on a hybrid? Help, anyone?

Well it's definitely possible to take a hybrid on longer rides, myself and a few others did the Wicklow 200 on hybrids recently enough. But a lot of people (including myself... now) consider hybrids as a 'gateway' bike, basically something to get people interested in cycling but that usually a year or two after you get one you would see yourself buying a 'proper' road bike, which, um, explains me perfectly at the moment.

So take from that what you will!

Lumen

Nature abhors a vacuum. Bike snobs abhor a flat bar hybrid.

This is truly serendipitous.

With but the slightest nudge, you have seen the light.

Yes, you should buy a drop bar road bike. You will be Fit. You will be Great. Your Wife will Complain that you are Too Thin.

So, is this now officially a "what road bike for up to €1k" thread?

DirkVoodoo

Dónal wrote: »

Well it's definitely possible to take a hybrid on longer rides, myself and a few others did the Wicklow 200 on hybrids recently enough. But a lot of people (including myself... now) consider hybrids as a 'gateway' bike, basically something to get people interested in cycling but that usually a year or two after you get one you would see yourself buying a 'proper' road bike, which, um, explains me perfectly at the moment.

So take from that what you will!

Are you comparing cycling to drug taking

Wait a minute...antisocial behaviour affecting family life....dramatic change in weight....pumping money to my "dealer"....getting the munchies constantly

bigtom71

"Is this now officially a "what road bike for up to €1k" thread?"

Sure we'll go with that for the moment to see how it turns out. I know next to nothing, correction absolutely nothing, about roadbikes and the last one I had was the black 'Lejeune' model I had going to school, which put me off them until now.

I would have have some bits on it though seeing as I'd be commuting on it too; that is, clip on mudguards, a pannier on the back and, of course, my beloved airzounds II horn to blow all the taxis off the road.
I might have a kid's seat on the cross bar but if I get a road bike I probably won't use it as as much.

Other than that, I am open to persuasion.

Húrin

bigtom71 wrote: »

Fair point, but I fancy something a little lighter and faster and I'd probably get maybe €200 - €300 for the bike now, but have the shell out for loads of new bits soon if I keep it.

New bits aren't that expensive. If you put them on, you can charge more than the extra you paid for them if you're selling the hybrid.

I advise you to get a road bike on the scheme.

DirkVoodoo

In fairness, if you buy a flat bar hybrid now, and a road bike when you get more into it, you can keep both bikes. Having a "beater bike" for around town and bad weather is really handy. Seeing lovely bikes used as commuters breaks my heart.

I have seen a lad around with a Ridley Orion that is absolutely filthy and seems to be used as a commuter, it makes me cry inside. Maybe he has a Colnago for the weekends, and lights big cuban cigars with 50 euro notes, I don't know.

DirkVoodoo

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Are you comparing cycling to drug taking

Wait a minute...antisocial behaviour affecting family life....dramatic change in weight....pumping money to my "dealer"....getting the munchies constantly

Not to mention this addiction to...

Lumen

Lots of options in the "drop bar road bike with clearance for mudguards" category.

You have even wider choice if (as you say) you can cope with clip-on mudguards, but the rack mounts may be an issue.

To kick things off...

Kinesis Racelight T Tiagra
http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Kinesis.htm

Ribble 7005 Winter/trainer/Audax
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/7005-wintertraineraudax-11764

Condor Fratello (and others)
http://www.condorcycles.com/fratello.html

Giant Defy (various)
http://www.mcconveycycles.com/store/product/9631/GIANT-DEFY-4-SMALL/
http://www.mcconveycycles.com/store/product/9443/GIANT-DEFY-3-LARGE/
http://www.mcconveycycles.com/store/product/9446/GIANT-DEFY-2.5-M-L/
http://www.mcconveycycles.com/store/product/9634/GIANT-DEFY-2-SMALL/

Ridley Crossbow Tiagra
http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/3875/RIDLEY_CROSSBOW_TIAGRA_2009

Kona Jake
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kona_Jake_2009/5360039341/

Focus Mares 2009
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Mares_2009/5360037602/

Specialized Tricross Sport
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/tricross-sport-2009-road-bike-ec016874

Specialized Tricross Single
http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/3771/SPECIALIZED_TRICROSS_SINGLECROSS_2009

Pearson Touche fixed
http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/2503/PEARSON_TOUCHE_FIXED_WHEEL_2009

PWEI

I was researching hybrids for a few weeks before buying one in May.
I narrowed it down to two,the Boardman Performance Hybrid Bike Pro and the 2009 Specialized Sirrus Expert.I ended up going with the Boardman Hybrid Bike Pro because it felt and looked like a better bike.I'm very pleased with it and it looks fantastic.Since I got it I've been able to cycle 20k about ten mins faster than I used to.It cost €1049 at Halfords but I got it for €891 with a 15% discount with an AXA Plus card.(anybody with insurance at AXA can get the card).It has since been reduced to €999


http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_502579_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

blorg

@OP- if buying a road bike, get a road bike (e.g. no panniers etc.) and keep the Trek you have for commuting.

ROK ON

Lumen wrote: »

So, is this now officially a "what road bike for up to €1k" thread?

Now, if the OP actually wants to spend 1K and buy thru the BTW scheme, this is actually the "what road bike for up to €1.5k" thread:).

Lumen

blorg wrote: »

@OP- if buying a road bike, get a road bike (e.g. no panniers etc.) and keep the Trek you have for commuting.

I don't think there is any right answer to this question.

It's the same as if you owned a sports car. Would you prefer to drive the sports car every day, and trade practicality for the great feeling every time you turn the key? Or keep it for the weekends, appreciating the specialness in small doses, and bumble around in a shopping car during the week?

blorg

Cross bikes/touring bikes are compromised compared to road bikes and so trying to get the one bike to cover anything he will be compromising that "great feeling" and not really getting it at all. If he already had the Trek, frankly that sounds perfect for the commute. Besides that I would not want to be cycling my good bike to work, the shops, etc (indeed I wrote off a carbon Trek during my commute and prior to that had several "good bikes" stolen when I was using them for everything.)

Lumen

blorg wrote: »

Cross bikes/touring bikes are compromised compared to road bikes and so trying to get the one bike to cover anything he will be compromising that "great feeling" and not really getting it at all.

Agreed. However, since he's stated that clip-on mudguards may be acceptable, there's nothing stopping him from getting a metal-framed road bike which will take a seattube-mounted child seat.

bigtom71

Hmmm, I like the Boardman Performance Hybrid Pro that PWEI bought. Could I buy that or something similar and get drop bars for it at a later stage? Or this that blasphemy??

My problem is, and I know this is a compromise, that I have to do serious time management with work and small children. I don't have the time (much as I'd love to) to cycle home from work, get something to eat and then go off on a two hour spin. So, the compromise is that I can stretch out the spins home on whatever I'm using to get in and out. I work in town and live Beaumont direction, so I can detour all the way out on the coast road via Clontarf and beyond which is a nice route. Adding an extra half an hour or more each way would work great for me. So, I don't know if having a proper road bike AND a hybrid is the answer. Hence, I need something decent and the Trek 7.3 I have feels a bit clunky to be honest.

Lumen

Another option is: "dry bike, wet bike".

Stick clip-on mudguards on your Trek for when the weather is crappy, and buy a tasty road bike for nice days.

If you go in on your "dry bike" and the weather turns crappy during the day, you just change out of your wet-arse clothes when you get home, and it's no bother.

I'm not clear on whether you need to transport a child on the bike as part of your normal commute - this is an important consideration.

blorg

bigtom71 wrote: »

Hmmm, I like the Boardman Performance Hybrid Pro that PWEI bought. Could I buy that or something similar and get drop bars for it at a later stage? Or this that blasphemy??

It is generally very expensive to do and not a good idea, you will not end up with a road bike but a hybrid with drops (I have done it myself.) If you think you may want a road bike now get it now. Drops are in no way incompatible with commuting/utility cycling either BTW.

bigtom71

I'm getting plenty of responses which is great, but I can't keep up with them!

Lumen: I don't know if I'll be doing much commuting with kids in the future as they are a year older now and come September I may not be doing it at all. It is not a deal clincher, but I will keep it in the back of my mind for now. I am still no closer to deciding which type of bike to go for.

Blorg; thanks for the info. You might have saved me a lot of trouble down the line; however, I thought I had it all sussed out and you've now dashed my plans!

I think the best thing is to call by Fairview on the way home and try out a few different bikes to get a feel for what I like best.

I will keep you posted. In the meantime keep the advice coming and thanks.

Stark

bigtom71 wrote:

Hence, I need something decent and the Trek 7.3 I have feels a bit clunky to be honest.

Tbh, there's not a whole lot of difference between the 7.3 and the 7.5 other than the carbon fork and upgraded gears (which don't make a whole lot of difference to the ride, especially as the gears that come with the 7.3 are decent to begin with). Unless you find it's the drop bar hand positions that you're specifically missing, I'd hang on to it and replace the individual parts that wear out. It's possible to replace forks and seatposts on their own as well if you fancy a bit of carbon.

Lumen

bigtom71 wrote: »

Lumen: I don't know if I'll be doing much commuting with kids in the future as they are a year older now and come September I may not be doing it at all. It is not a deal clincher, but I will keep it in the back of my mind for now. I am still no closer to deciding which type of bike to go for.

If you just want to stick kids on the bike at weekends, you can use your Trek for that, so it seems the answer is "no, I don't need to put kids on my new bike".

If I were you, I would therefore get the fastest, most beautiful bike I could for the money, and enjoy it at evenings and weekends, or for sunny commutes if you have somewhere safeish to lock it up at work.

bigtom71

Well,

I called into Little Sport in Fairview on the way home yesterday and tried the only half decent road bike they had there. It was a Claud Butler Vicenza 2009 going for €1,000, which seems pricey now in retrospect after googling a bit (£700 in the UK). Anyway, it felt really weird using drops, which I hadn't used in over 20 years.

I spun around on it for 10 or 15 minutes and was impressed with how fast I could accelerate effortlessly. I would really need to try a bike on the open road to know for sure though. It didn't seem that light, fast or responsive though until I got back on my own bike which felt like a loaded hearse afterwards.

So, I think I'll check out a few other LBSs with a better selection and see if I can get a spin on a couple of bikes. I don't know how the Claud Butler compares to other road bikes and would be interested to know. By the way, my arms were knackered after it. I suppose I am not used to leaning that far over onto them; unless I am doing something wrong?

I was all motivated after trying the bike that I took a spin via Sutton and home (an extra 8-10 miles on my usual commute) and was pleased to be going at around 18-20mph most of the way. Maybe I'm not such a fat ba***rd after all! I did the same again this morning on the way in.

horizon26

The trek hybrid is a good bike.If you really want to lose some weight then I would personly go for a road bike.Much much faster climbs hills much better.So in theory you would spend more time and cover longer distances.Once you get used to it its more fun as well (sorry bad grammar.) The extra expence of a good road bike can be a real problem.Just a thought

bigtom71

Thanks Horizon26. I have decided to go for a road bike and see how it all goes. This is my first foray into cycling for fitness and should keep me occupied for a while.

Now all I have to do is get a bike that I like! I may call out to Stagg's in Lucan next week. Anyone got some recommendations of what would be a good buy in terms of a pure bred fast bike and any other good bike shops arond to check out? I am 6' 1" so a large sized frame would be needed methinks.

blorg

It varies and inseam is important but 6'1" would a general view would probably put you on a 58cm from most brands. I am 6'0" and ride 58cm most of my bikes, I would be on the lower end of the recommended height for them.

BostonB

bigtom71 wrote: »

Thanks Horizon26. I have decided to go for a road bike and see how it all goes. This is my first foray into cycling for fitness and should keep me occupied for a while.

Now all I have to do is get a bike that I like! I may call out to Stagg's in Lucan next week. Anyone got some recommendations of what would be a good buy in terms of a pure bred fast bike and any other good bike shops arond to check out? I am 6' 1" so a large sized frame would be needed methinks.

I was in Staggs a month or so back windows shopping the hybrids. I got the impression they would spend a bit of time getting a correct fit with what ever bike you get. Though I'd avoid sat and sun as its gets busy in there.

I've been looking at the hybrids for ages, and now I'm thinking I'll just get an entry level road bike myself.