Thoughts on decent entry level hybrids?

Pines

I'm going to buy a bike for commuting to work, into town etc (all short journeys <5km) but don't want to be too limited if I decide to do some longer spins for recreation, though I won't be doing any racing or hard training.

I've found a few options in the sub-€500 range, would be interested to know how you think they compare both for practicality (will probably fit mudguards and a rack) and enjoyable riding. Also something that's not a thief magnet! Not much to ask right?

Boardman Hybrid Sport
Carrera Subway 2
Giant Escape 3 City

I'm not averse to buying secondhand E.g. a Trek FX 7.2, but suspect there will be a lot of schlepping around to look at unsuitable bikes. So new is preferred.

Also if I'm missing something obvious, feel free to throw in suggestions.

Thanks in advance

Hunterbiker

Do you really need a hybrid? Would a road bike do all this (and more...)
There's nothing wrong with any of those bikes - the Boardman in particular.
I stated cycling with a hybrid but it became clear quite quickly that a road bike would be better for me.

Darkglasses

Quite liked my Giant Escape 3 when I first started out, especially since I was mixing in some light off-road riding. Also more comfortable for use with a backpack for shopping.

Pines

Hunterbiker wrote: »

Do you really need a hybrid? Would a road bike do all this (and more...)

The reasons I thought a hybrid would be better than a road bike:


1. My very limited experience (using Dublin citybikes) was that the roads around town can be a bit bumpy and that a road bike might not take the knocks as well. Stupid probably as I see plenty of people riding them around the city and they can't all be falling apart every time they hit a pothole

2. I'd prefer to attach a rack and panniers (sometimes) for bits of shopping or work gear and in preference to a backpack: I got the impression this wasn't possible with lots of road bikes, though again I could be misguided on this one.

If a road bike would be a good alternative, do you have any suggestions in the same price bracket?

Edited to add:

3. Better riding position (visibility) in traffic maybe on a hybrid?

4. If I go for a road bike, I have to start my research all over again

smacl

< €500 is a bit low for a road bike, whereas it is fine for a hybrid. The Giant Escape 3 is a great workhorse for the money, whereas the Boardman will be a bit sportier, though you've got to sort out your own rack and mudguards. Personally, I'd go with the Giant and if you get the cycling bug pick up a road bike in the spring as your weekend and leisure bike*.






* forum rules

1. The correct answer to any question on this forum is buy a new bike
2. If the question is already about buying a bike, the correct answer is buy two bikes

Darkglasses

You won't really get a decent road bike plus mudguards, rack and panniers for that price range. You'd have to go to second hand which is another kettle of fish.

The visibility/road bumps thing won't really be an issue. In terms of those riding matters, the road bike doesn't really have any drawbacks when you're riding on-road. It's things like budget, versatility and carrying things that are the drawbacks.

Fian

if you are not using the cycle to work scheme then second hand is a really good idea. Lots of people bought good bikes on that scheme and then didn't end up using them so there is good value in the second hand market. Just be wary of deals that are too good to be true - there are also of course lots of stolen bikes being offloaded second hand.

I bought a hybrid on cycle to work for around €500 or so, then a much better road bike (second hand) for €350.

Of course that road bike turned out to be a gateway drug to my current much more expensive road bike so maybe it was not as cheap as I thought?

gk5000

Darkglasses wrote: »

You won't really get a decent road bike plus mudguards, rack and panniers for that price range. You'd have to go to second hand which is another kettle of fish.

The visibility/road bumps thing won't really be an issue. In terms of those riding matters, the road bike doesn't really have any drawbacks when you're riding on-road. It's things like budget, versatility and carrying things that are the drawbacks.

I'm also interested in a good hybrid, same reasons - mudguards, panniers etc.

But main reason is riding position and comfort :
- shall not use drop handlebars, or drop braking
- will sacrifice some speed for less vibration

tomasrojo

I switched from hybrids to a tourer, but a tourer these days pretty much is a hybrid with cantilever brakes (not so good) and drop bars (for me, good). I prefer the tourer on balance, but you pay a good bit more.