New Hybrid Bike

hughesga

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to buy a hyrbid bike to commute from Swords to the City on the R132 (Old Airport Road) 5 days a week. I've decided to opt for a hybrid bike because I think I would feel safer on one due to the slightly thicker wheels, the added comfort and because the R132 isn't always in the best of condition.

I was wondering if you could please recommend me a good bike. Should I go with a brand like Giant, Trek or Specialized or would I be paying more for the name? I'm looking at this as an investment by saving me paying bus fares. I'd say the most I could possibly spend is €1000 but I don't want to spend any more than I have to from a practical sense.

Thanks in advance.

Raam

Don't get a hybrid, get a road bike. I cycle that road all the time on my road bikes. Thicker tyres won't make you safer.

Darkglasses

If you really want a hybrid then I think a Giant Rapid is a quality bike. Most people on here will probably suggest you get a road bike instead, but just make sure you get the bike you want. I'm quite fond of my hybrid also.

kuro_man

Hybrids come in many guises, from flat-bar to suspension city bikes.

Its always a trade off, "comfortable" usually means heavier and less aerodynamic so its more effort to pedal, which, ironically, makes it less comfortable, esp. over distance or hills.

Test a road bike (with drop handlebars) and if you really don't like it, try a flat-bar.

Raam

kuro_man wrote: »

Test a road bike (with drop handlebars) and if you really don't like it, try a flat-bar.

No! If you don't like it, keep cycling it until you do!

Tonyandthewhale

Don't fixate on getting a big brand name such as trek, giant or specialized as you'll be paying more for the decals on the frame. The likes of the trek fx series are good solid bikes but there are a lot of less prestigious companies with similar products for less money, you just need to do some research.

Also, test ride a (drop-bar) road bike.

hughesga

I only briefly tried a road bike before and I didnt find it too bad at all for comfort. I havnt tried a hybrid yet but my days off are Thursday and Friday and I plan to try out as many as possible and try to see what fits best.

Raam wrote: »

Don't get a hybrid, get a road bike. I cycle that road all the time on my road bikes. Thicker tyres won't make you safer.

After getting advice from a local bike shop employee I thought I'd be much safer on a hybrid. Thats probaly the main reason why I was leaning towards a hybrid. I'm not very sure how durable road bikes are. I want to enjoy cycling it and not be constantly worrying about damaging it.

Raam: its good to know you use a road bike everyday on that road. I have this idea in my head of road bikes being very fragile and I watched this video on youtube of a tyre blow out while the cyclist was going at very high speed and it was pretty scary!!

I really dont think I'd have a major problem with the drop handlebars. I think cycling is a good sport to keep fit and racing might be a sport/hobby for the future. That said, the main purpose for this bike is to commute to the city everyday.

For a budget of around a €1000 would anyone recommend any bikes? I totally understand what you mean by not fixating on the brand but I also want a bike that has been rated positive by a number of people online as I find it hard just to trust a salesperson. It would be good to know what model(s) I'm looking for before going shopping on Thursday.

Raam

Don't worry, a good road bike won't be fragile. I have been riding the same one for 6 years. Blowouts? Nah, not likely to happen to you. You will hear scare stories about everything, don't let it put you off. Maybe a hybrid will suit you better, but I don't know you. For me, for commuting on the road every day, it has to be a road bike. Who knows, you might even wanna join Swords CC, of which I am a member, and if you have a road bike... well you're sorted

BTW, mine is a Specialized Allez.

Lumen

Ribble Winter Trainer, £740 + shipping with 10 speed 105 groupset, cheaper with 9sp Tiagra.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/publish.asp?what=specialedition&page=1rw

Or a Trek 1.2 which has 9sp Sora (probably worse value but available locally).

Or if you don't need proper mudguards a Canyon Roadlite.

hughesga

Thanks thats definitely a start. I was thinking of going to Richie's in Swords and Cycleways in town, but AFAIK they only do Specialized. Richies offered me to service my bike for free if I bought it there. Any other good places to check out?

hughesga

Lumen wrote: »

Ribble Winter Trainer, £740 + shipping with 10 speed 105 groupset, cheaper with 9sp Tiagra.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/publish.asp?what=specialedition&page=1rw

Or a Trek 1.2 which has 9sp Sora (probably worse value but available locally).

Or if you don't need proper mudguards a Canyon Roadlite.

I was thinking about ordering out of a shop so I can hopefully get free services. Feel a bit stupid not understanding what the abbreviations/terms mean, time to educate myself I think! I'd be afraid to fill in those online forms too in case I made a mistake.

Raam

Every shop will do a free tinkering on the bike. It's just to sort gears and brakes after the cables have stretched a bit. It wouldn't be a selling point. Cycleways do more than Specialized, at least they used to. You could also check out Humphries in Finglas (my favourite shop) or the Bike Hub in Howth which is another favourite of mine.

You will pick up the terms as you go along. When I bought my first road bike, I didn't know how to change down to an easier gear using the Shimano STI shifters.

hughesga

I was in cycleways today looking at a few models. I thought the Secteur Elite I think for around €1250. Its a bit out of my price range but if I'm going to see if I can get the bike2work scheme. I'm on a 3 month contract at the moment so its unlikely. Does anyone know is there any point in trying to barter much with these guys or would I be embaressing myself?!

smacl

hughesga wrote: »

Does anyone know is there any point in trying to barter much with these guys or would I be embaressing myself?!

Barter all the way, if they don't want your business try somewhere else. Lots of very keen retailers out there. And don't forget to wipe your feet on the rug they made out of the celtic tiger on the way out.

hughesga

Thanks for the advice guys.

I went down to my local bike shop, I happen to think the sales assistant is pretty sound down there, he helped me out with good advice on something in the past. Anyway he offered me a second hand Ridley Orion, Full Carbon Frame, Full 105 Groupset, Fulcrum Racing 7 Wheels and its a small size frame which supposidly is 54cm. He said that the bearings were recently changed. The original selling price was €1900 and he said its going for €800 and called it a "no brainer"! Took it for a spin and I thought it seemed ok although I'm never really used a road bike before so I don't really know whats comfortable and what's not!

I'm a little worried that I might be overspending on this for what I really need though. I'm planning on locking this in Trinity College everyday. I heard that the Carbon Frames can be badly damaged if someone tries to steal it. Maybe I could prevent this by locking it in the busy front square of Trinity. Are the Aluminium frames much less likely to be damaged by theft?

Any advice?

Dermot Illogical

That Ridley is a lovely bike, and the price is good. I saw it outside the shop during the week.
I wouldn't be parking it in town though. Someone's bound to have a go.

hughesga

RT66 wrote: »

That Ridley is a lovely bike, and the price is good. I saw it outside the shop during the week.
I wouldn't be parking it in town though. Someone's bound to have a go.

and would you say an aluminium frame is much safer? Whatever bike I get I will have to try lock it in college.

07Lapierre

RT66 wrote: »

That Ridley is a lovely bike, and the price is good. I saw it outside the shop during the week.
I wouldn't be parking it in town though. Someone's bound to have a go.

+1 unless you've a secure area to lock the bike( and a bloody good lock), that bike will walk.

hughesga

hmmm it really does seem like a good deal.

I just read this thread about locking your bike in Trinity. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056018028&page=2

I have no problem about paying alot of money, I'd rather put the investment in and have more peace of mind. I had a old bike stolen in the past and I can remember how painful that was! One guy made the point on that thread that it doesnt make a difference really where you lock your bike if you cant keep an eye on it yourself because someone could just cut through the bike locks and say they lost their keys. I'd love to buy this bike but security does seem to be an important issue. I will ask tomorrow if I could leave the bike in my college department building because I know some professors keep theirs in there too. Thats doubtful though! Any advice on the best way how to lock it up? I was recommended an oxford revolver lock and a U lock. Or do you's think that it will only be a matter of time before it goes for a hop?!

Mycroft H

hughesga wrote: »

Thanks for the advice guys.

I went down to my local bike shop, I happen to think the sales assistant is pretty sound down there, he helped me out with good advice on something in the past. Anyway he offered me a second hand Ridley Orion, Full Carbon Frame, Full 105 Groupset, Fulcrum Racing 7 Wheels and its a small size frame which supposidly is 54cm. He said that the bearings were recently changed. The original selling price was €1900 and he said its going for €800 and called it a "no brainer"! Took it for a spin and I thought it seemed ok although I'm never really used a road bike before so I don't really know whats comfortable and what's not!

I'm a little worried that I might be overspending on this for what I really need though. I'm planning on locking this in Trinity College everyday. I heard that the Carbon Frames can be badly damaged if someone tries to steal it. Maybe I could prevent this by locking it in the busy front square of Trinity. Are the Aluminium frames much less likely to be damaged by theft?

Any advice?

I would agree with that. Your going to be locking an expensive looking bike in an prime area for theft. Something that "looks" less desirable would be better IMO. Remember no matter how good the lock (even the 90+ euro kryptonite ones), they cant stand up to the man+van+angle grinder operation which is becoming increasingly common.