Touring/Hybrid bike

FTimon

Hi
I have a cannondale hybrid for 15 years and want to get a new bike. I mainly plan going to the shops or cycling around town but maybe once a month go for 25-50 miles cycle.

What type of bike you you recommend- i would spend up to 1000 if necessary. Planning to buy after christmas. and happy if it is new or second hand.

tomasrojo

I switched from hybrids to a touring bike. Dawes Horizon; an "entry-level" tourer, I guess. It would do what you wanted. Mind you, so would another hybrid, really, but I do prefer touring bikes to hybrids now. Dropped bars are nice for longer cycles, and the rear rack is better set up for carrying large panniers without fouling your heels. Other than that, it's very like a superior hybrid, I have to say.

I had to change the brake pads. Cantilever brakes aren't as good as V-brakes (which I assume you had on your hybrid), so I had to get Salmon Koolstop pads to get braking up to an acceptable standard.

Type 17

If you've never had a bike with drop-bars before, and are used to a hybrid and to riding around town, then you should test-ride one - many people don't like not being near the brakes (and/or having to stay on the hoods) around traffic. This is the reason that I've never had a drop-bar bike (for long), as 90% of my riding is in urban situations.

Carawaystick

The main issue I find with a road bike is the very little toe clearance in Dublin traffic.
You get used to drop brakes quick enough

tomasrojo

Carawaystick wrote: »

The main issue I find with a road bike is the very little toe clearance in Dublin traffic.
You get used to drop brakes quick enough

Touring bikes (I guess they're not usually classified as road bikes?) usually have plenty of toe clearance. Bit heavy and inferior braking are the downsides.

smacl

tomasrojo wrote: »

Touring bikes (I guess they're not usually classified as road bikes?) usually have plenty of toe clearance. Bit heavy and inferior braking are the downsides.

A disc brake based tourer should have plenty stopping power, something like the Surly disc trucker or in the OPs budget, the Raleigh soujourn.

tomasrojo

smacl wrote: »

A disc brake based tourer should have plenty stopping power, something like the Surly disc trucker or in the OPs budget, the Raleigh soujourn.

Soujourn looks rather nice!

smacl

tomasrojo wrote: »

Soujourn looks rather nice!

At a glance, yes, though road.cc consider it very heavy and modestly specc'ed for the money. Having drooled looked at a number of touring options over the year, I've come to the conclusion that good tourers don't come cheap.

And for the OP, whatever the bike, read the reviews before pressing the button.

simo28

Not sure a tourer would be what you're after. If its just commuting and sub 100km weekend runs then something like a trek 7.5fx which is pretty versatile. I have one for commuting while having a few older racer/tourer for fun. I did the western greenway on the Trek and really enjoyed it. Smoother over distance than I expected. A new one should be well within your budget. 100% agree with previous poster though, definitely try before you buy. Make sure you're completely comfortable on it.

FTimon wrote: »

Hi
I have a cannondale hybrid for 15 years and want to get a new bike. I mainly plan going to the shops or cycling around town but maybe once a month go for 25-50 miles cycle.

What type of bike you you recommend- i would spend up to 1000 if necessary. Planning to buy after christmas. and happy if it is new or second hand.

tomasrojo

In particular, you'll get a good hybrid for less than a good tourer.

(I still think tourers are great.)

Civilian_Target

I was looking earlier in the year, and the Trek 520 is just beautiful for touring... a very smooth and easy ride, and I found it much more responsive and fun to ride than the Surly Trucker mentioned above.

That said, for going to the shops and odd 25-50 mile ride, another Cannondale hybrid sounds like a good, and not-too-expensive choice.

tomasrojo

Civilian_Target wrote: »

I was looking earlier in the year, and the Trek 520 is just beautiful for touring... a very smooth and easy ride, and I found it much more responsive and fun to ride than the Surly Trucker mentioned above.

That said, for going to the shops and odd 25-50 mile ride, another Cannondale hybrid sounds like a good, and not-too-expensive choice.

Trek 520 is lovely. It should really come with mudguards, I think. It's good that it has the mounts, but really they are a standard with tourers. Well, that was my impression anyway.

tjc28

FTimon wrote: »

Hi
I have a cannondale hybrid for 15 years and want to get a new bike. I mainly plan going to the shops or cycling around town but maybe once a month go for 25-50 miles cycle.

What type of bike you you recommend- i would spend up to 1000 if necessary. Planning to buy after christmas. and happy if it is new or second hand.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057537596

Don't know your location or height etc but this looks pretty good for the price

AmboMan

Recently got a Jamis Aurora Elite 2016 for 30km Dublin commute. Love it so far with the disc brakes etc, I was previously using a road bike but the Jamis feels a bit safer to be honest ! Can't post a linky at the moment !

tomasrojo

AmboMan wrote: »

Recently got a Jamis Aurora Elite 2016 for 30km Dublin commute. Love it so far with the disc brakes etc, I was previously using a road bike but the Jamis feels a bit safer to be honest ! Can't post a linky at the moment !

Looked it up on road.cc. Very nice! Except for the mudguards. They come with better mudguards by the 2016 model, I imagine? The review was for back in 2011.
http://road.cc/content/review/32279-jamis-aurora-elite

(I am not obsessed with mudguards, I promise.)

8valve

Do Giant still do the Rapid range of flat-bar racers?

I have a 2009 Rapid and it's the best of both worlds...racer like speed/handling with upright (as much as you want) seating position.