Can you help me choose a hybrid bike?

lostaccount

Recently on a holiday I rented a hybrid bike and now want to buy one as I thought they were fantastic. I am only 5ft 2 so I loved that I could sit up straight on this bike and just cruise along.

I have short listed three from halfords as they are having a sale.Would anyone have a recommendation on what would be best? I am not sure about gears etc.

Apollo Zest : I love the handles bars as they will be nice and close to me so no more stretching to reach - no reviews though and only 6 speed gears

Apollo Etienne: Doesnt have the same curly handle bars but has a low seat and 18 speed gears. Has good reviews.

Lumen

They're both crap, but I would avoid something with a stepthrough frame unless you intend to cycle in a flappy skirtydress.

lostaccount

A stepthrough frame I presume is the way the frame goes low? As a short girl I think that's a mssive advantage of the bike. Would you have any suggestions of other bikes in the kind price range? Again I don't want to be a proper cyclist or mountain biker, just something to get me the 12km to work comfortably!

Edit; Apologies I have just noticed this thread about the carrera brand - will also have a look at those.

Lumen

lostaccount wrote: »

A stepthrough frame I presume is the way the frame goes low? As a short girl I think that's a mssive advantage of the bike.

No, it isn't. A small frame will have a lower top tube and therefore a lower "standover height".

5 foot 2 isn't that short.

Carrera are fine.

smacl

My wife (4ft11) got a low end Giant ladies bike last year and loves it, as does our 11 year old daughter who often grabs it in preference to her own mountain bike when it's not in use. It's a sturdy enough piece of kit and got her through a 40k spin in Kerry last weekend over rough roads.

turbodiesel

Why not use the discounts available.

http://www.biketowork.ie/?gclid=CLjE7_a4tKoCFQkf4QodCDNE4g

And spend a few quid more. it means you will also be paying less for your helmet/lock/raingear etc as they will be included in the purchases.

langdang

A lot of people on here are very serious cyclists, so they'll push you towards a faster, more efficient type of bike. But you're obviously a fan of the "sit-up-and-beg" type bikes - nothing wrong with that for leisurely cruising. Unfortunately, it's a corner of the market that not many regulars here would be familiar with I'd say!

I would also usually steer people away from the heavier stepthrough frames and front suspension, but many of the bikes with the riding position you want have that style of frame. I had a look at the Giant website, something like this might suit? Giant are a well respected brand and widely available.*EDIT

Claude Butler are (were?) also widely available and were OK bikes the last time I took any notice.

Any of the Apollo bikes I'd seen previously were 120 -180 euros, and weren't a great choice if you wanted to get good long term use out of a bike. I can't believe that the zest was ever a 400euro plus bike.

*EDIT - the Giant bike linked to by smacl is a better bike, if the cycling position suits you...

Lumen

langdang wrote: »

A lot of people on here are very serious cyclists, so they'll push you towards a faster, more efficient type of bike. But you're obviously a fan of the "sit-up-and-beg" type bikes - nothing wrong with that for leisurely cruising. Unfortunately, it's a corner of the market that not many regulars here would be familiar with I'd say!

In my household there are several 7kg race bikes and a 23kg Pashley Princess.

The only redeeming features of the Pashley are the chainguard and the quite fantastic bell. It is verrrry slooooow.

edit: ignore this advice, it's complete rubbish. I cycle almost everywhere in lycra, as fast as I can (not very), and wash/shower/change at the other end. When I'm wearing normal clothes I hire a Dublin bike.

ciotog

Have a look at an Electra (http://www.electrabike.com/) bike - I've seen places sell them for around €350 (probably the 3 speed). I have one as the base bike for an Xtracycle. It's a very comfortable, relaxed bike to ride and not heavy.

smacl

Lumen wrote: »

.. a 23kg Pashley Princess ...

Ouch, that's one overweight princess

langdang

Lumen wrote: »

In my household there are several 7kg race bikes and a 23kg Pashley Princess.
The only redeeming features of the Pashley are the chainguard and the quite fantastic bell. It is verrrry slooooow.
edit: ignore this advice, it's complete rubbish. I cycle almost everywhere in lycra, as fast as I can (not very), and wash/shower/change at the other end. When I'm wearing normal clothes I hire a Dublin bike.

In case anyone thinks I was having a dig at cycling forum regulars, I was just saying that sub400 euro city/dutch/sit-up-and-beg hybrids wouldn't be a specialist subject of many of the enthusiasts here.

Lostaccount - Dawes are another brand that do decent hybrids. Not sure of what budget you had in mind, I'm guessing under 400euro?

mel.b

I got a ladies viking versailles hybrid http://www.discovercycling.com/bikes/bikes-trekking/viking-versailles-trekking-ladies-bike-2011-.html

through the bike to work scheme. The bike & accessories worked out at around €450 and i pay back about half of that i think through the scheme. It's a grand bike and i have ridden it on some dodgy country lanes, with longest spin being 45km. However i'm starting to really enjoy my cycling and wish i had got a better (ie/road) bike as i'll have to upgrade early next year. If you go through the btw scheme you can only use it once every 5yrs, so if you even think you might start to do a bit more cycling it would be worth looking at something better.

Mel.b

ahally

found electra pretty good before
(http://www.electrabike.com/)