Which hybrid/city bike?

Printer

Hi all

I am looking at buying at bike for cycling to and from work, nothing too hectic but my work is actually a home based office in Mayo so its not the best roads I'd be on.

I would like to get a hybrid that has a mountain bike feel to it so I could still take it off road a bit the odd time.

My budget is probably maximum €500.

I had a look at some in shops at the weekend and there were some nice ones that were light, but had front shocks and fairly thick tyres.

The brands I was shown were Ammaco, Kellys, Specialized and Trek. Do you know of any of these or does it really matter? Can anyone recommend a good bike that would suit me?

Tonyandthewhale

Stay away from ammaco whatever you do, they tend to be fairly shite. The other brands you mentioned are reputable enough.

As regards taking it off road, I would suggest you buy a proper mountain bike if you want to go off-roading. Or something designed specifically for road use if you want to be using it on the road. There's no point buying a jack of all trades bike that won't do anything well.

You don't need front shocks or especially thick tyres for road use, even crappy Mayo backroads.

Printer

Hey

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I just dont have the finances to have different bikes for off road and on road. I will mainly be using it on the roads to go to and from work and cycle round city next year when I am back in Uni.

But I don't want like a specific race bike with super thin wheels as I would like to have at least the option there to take it off on some mellow treks at the weekend.

Would you recommend any specific models for Kelly, Giant or Trek to go for around the €350-€450 mark?

smacl

I got the Kellys NEOS a couple of years back, and find it to be a solid and comfy bike which has served me well on many long spins, albeit heavier than it needs to be. I've also taken it on numerous Coilte tracks and down the Mayo Greenway, not that you'd need suspension for the latter. The weight of the front suspension will slow you down a bit going uphill, and is of questionable value unless you're doing a fair bit of off road. The wider tyres do make unpaved surfaces way more comfortable, I've the original 37mm marathons on the Kellys which work well in the mud, and 32c marathon supremes for everything else.

These days, if I'm on the road for a leisure cycle, I use a drop bar road bike, which is simply a much better option on the road.

munsterleinster

The boardman hybrid in Halfords.

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_777841_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

If you know anyone with AXA car insuance, you'll get 15% off this price bringing to about €530

Printer

Thanks again for info guys, much appreciated.

I think I have narrowed it down to the Trek DS 8.2 (or 8.3) and the Kellys Coach or Kelly Saphix.

8.3 and the Saphix are more expensive as they have lockout system on front suspension for road biking, which I imagine is very handy.

Prices I have been quoted are €550 for Kellys Saphix and €560 for Trek DS 8.2. Not sure of price of 8.3 but I'd say its at least 50-60 more so getting a bit too far out of my range now.

Thanks for tip on Halfords but Im doing my level best to buy from a local shop to support local business.

Thoughts please?

BostonB

A trail that doesn't need a MTB, doesn't need a hybrid with a suspension, and you don't need a suspension on the road.

Its as simple as that.

Printer

Thanks for the advice.

I have narrowed my search to:
Kelly's Saphix - €550
Trek DS 8.3 - €640

Which should I go for? Is the trek worth the extra €90 or are they both essentially the same?

Thanks

smacl

Printer wrote: »

Thanks for the advice.

I have narrowed my search to:
Kelly's Saphix - €550
Trek DS 8.3 - €640

Which should I go for? Is the trek worth the extra €90 or are they both essentially the same?

Thanks

The Trek seems over priced, as the Trek recommended retail is $649 which is €516 at today's rate. Maybe shop around or haggle a bit.

Much as I like Kellys bikes, the name Saphix conjures up images of an altogether different style of riding in my twisted little mind, so it wouldn't be my first choice

smacl

Also, if you'd consider 2nd hand, and the size was right, there's a nice looking spesh sirrus in the adds section at €350. If it's in decent nick, I'd say it's way better than either of the bikes you've linked.

Printer

Thanks for that. Do both the ones I listed have pretty much same components etc? Its hard to find info on them that I can understand.

Any idea which is lighter?? Im doing bike to work scheme so I cant buy second hand as I need an invoice.

smacl

Similar enough specs, I'd have a go on them both to see which you prefer, weight difference etc..

Korvanica

I recommend Hercules, got one ages ago and its a brilliant bike ! Really solid and not too heavy.

Think only one place in Dublin does them though.

Hercules

Tonyandthewhale

The boardman is the most sensible option of all the bikes reccommended in this thread so far (although the one linked is the women's version, the men's version is pretty much the same).

If you re-read the thread you'll see that the consensus would be that suspension is an unnecessary addition to a hybrid bike. Personally I'd regard suspension on such a bike as a nuisance and a design flaw driven by ill-informed consumers rather than any consideration for what makes a good bike.
On the other end of the scale smacl seems to be of the opinion that suspension on his kellys neos is not particularly evil but possibly over-kill and certainly heavier than the rigid alternative. That's not a glowing review.
So why have you boiled down your choices to two bikes with front suspension?

Anywho, if you have to choose one of those bikes I'd go for the kellys because it's cheaper despite having a very similar spec to the trek. The only real difference between the two is that the trek has mechanical discs (which you don't really need on a hybrid although they're probably more useful than a grappy 63mm suntour suspension fork) whereas the kellys has lighter and cheaper V-brakes.

random.stranger

Tonyandthewhale wrote: »

The boardman is the most sensible option of all the bikes reccommended in this thread so far (although the one linked is the women's version, the men's version is pretty much the same).

If you re-read the thread you'll see that the consensus would be that suspension is an unnecessary addition to a hybrid bike. Personally I'd regard suspension on such a bike as a nuisance and a design flaw driven by ill-informed consumers rather than any consideration for what makes a good bike.
On the other end of the scale smacl seems to be of the opinion that suspension on his kellys neos is not particularly evil but possibly over-kill and certainly heavier than the rigid alternative. That's not a glowing review.
So why have you boiled down your choices to two bikes with front suspension?

Anywho, if you have to choose one of those bikes I'd go for the kellys because it's cheaper despite having a very similar spec to the trek. The only real difference between the two is that the trek has mechanical discs (which you don't really need on a hybrid although they're probably more useful than a grappy 63mm suntour suspension fork) whereas the kellys has lighter and cheaper V-brakes.

+1
Low cost front suspension is only a gimmick that adds weight to the bike. A bike without suspension can be taken for a spin on trails. Personally, I'd prefer a bike with no suspension than a bike with cheap, heavy, poorly performing suspension.

Printer

Thanks for the info and all points duly taken.

I was going for front suspension with lockout feature as I cannot afford to buy two bikes and these are described as the do everything go everywhere bikes that give you the option of the road and the bumpy trail.

If I go for a bike without front suspension as you are all advising, what would you recommend in Specialized, Kellys or Trek as these are the main three makes stocked close to me.

random.stranger

I think its admirable that you want to support local shops, but my knowledge is pretty limited on the big brands to be honest. I'm sure somebody more knowledgable will be able to help you out.

If you were willing to compromise, I would suggest this from Halfords:
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810737_langId_-1_categoryId_212377#tab1

smacl

Printer wrote: »

If I go for a bike without front suspension as you are all advising, what would you recommend in Specialized, Kellys or Trek as these are the main three makes stocked close to me.

My Kellys has served me very well, loads of road miles including a WW200, a WW100, a couple of Orwell Randonees, Etape Hibernia, western greenway and tons of coilte hills and tracks. No more mechanicals in the last couple of years than various squeaks and rattles, and pretty forgiving of the abuse. About 11k km all in and still going strong, though somewhat out pasture with the arrival of a road bike. I'd say go for it, and fair play for supporting your local bike shop. Keep the extra few bob for the inevitable upgrades.

Tonyandthewhale

Printer wrote: »

are described as the do everything go everywhere bikes that give you the option of the road and the bumpy trail.

They're only described as that by the people who make and sell them though. The kellys is a decent yoke though, the suspension fork is a flaw rather than a bonus though but that doesn't make it a bad bike overall really.

EDIT: I still wouldn't buy it if it was me though.

Icyseanfitz

just get a decent mtb and put slick tyres on it for road use, then you will have a proper off road bike if ever you need it, hybrids are muck (in my opinion)

Printer

Thanks again guys, yep I am all about supporting the local bike shop instead of buying online or from Halfords or somewhere like that. I know it will cost me a bit more but if it helps sustain the local economy then it benefits me in the long run a lot more than the extra few euros.

Think I will go for "a" kellys one then. I will see if I go for sports hybrid or regular one. I really like the Trek 8.3 DS but yeh its a bit pricey really.