Another newbie looking to have his bike picked for him

Faker74

Hi guys,

Have been lurking round the threads a lot lately, and throwing in the occasional post, and now want some advice.

I'm looking to buy a hybrid on the cycle to work scheme, I'm just not a fan of drop bars (please forgive the heresy), and am only looking to do a short commute and the occasional weekend cycle (fitness not competition).

My emploer only deals with two stores for the scheme, Cycle Superstore and Wheelworx so can't REALLY do that much shopping around. SO having looked through both sites, and think I've narrowed it down to the following:

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=40208

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=39833

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=38628

and stretching the budget it probably to its limit

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=38472

my choices are based purely on budget, whats actually available in stock, and what I have picked up from some limited research.

I should point out that the spec sheets are pretty much meaningless to me, so I thought I'd get thoughts / overall impressions from you fine people.

Thanks in advance

serendip

How long is your commute? And how long your planned leisure spins? Unless you plan to cycle off road (as in mountain biking), then you're probably better off without the front suspension.

Faker74

Hmm the perils of drawing up the first post at 1:30 a.m.! I was thinking there was a reason I had the Cube listed slightly apart from the others in my notes.

suspension isn't neccessary so we can rule that out.

In terms of distances, my commute will probably take me twenty minutes each way? As for the weekend trips, thats purely about getting fit as oppossed to racing, so will be increasing distances over time.