Advice on my first hybrid

Tilikum

Hey all,

The cycle to work scheme is out in our place next month. I want to get my first bike in quite a while. Basically just cycling around town/small cycle trips with the gf.

I don't really know anything about the hybrids but I really like the look of the

Trek allant 7.2 disk.

Does anyone know if it would be a good choice, or could you please give me some advice on which one to look out for?

Fian

Decent bike, looks pretty good.

This one would be a better choice imo - hydraullic disc brakes will make a big difference and has a better gear system - you have a 50/11 gear here which will be much better than the 48/12 highest gear on the one you linked.

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/boardman-hybrid-comp-bike

or better again but probably more expensive:

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/classic-bikes/boardman-hybrid-team-bike

10 Carrolls

Had a Trek 7.2 a few years ago, non disc. It was a belter of a bike, never gave trouble, sorriest thing I ever did was sell it. You won't go too far wrong with that one.

LpPepper

Check out Cube SL hybrids too, great value

Tilikum

Ok, thanks for all the advice!

Tilikum

I'm actually thinking of getting a cyclocross bike now. It's a boardman in Halfords.

What's the story with getting them to build the bike? I'm not reading good things online. Is it a big no no to bring your bike to another shop to have it built by 'experts'?

Fian

I would be embarrassed to bring a bike bought in halfords to a local bike shop to be built, having said that the LBS would probably not turn their noses up at the business.

If i were in your shoes i would have halfords build it and if i found trouble with it you could either try to resolve yourself with the aid of youtube or else bring it to a LBS then to have it serviced. The halfords build will most likely be fine and if not it is probably only going to need a few nuts tightened or something.

topcat77

There are apparently some very good bike mechanics in various Halfords. it all depends on the local halfords store.

Personally have always done my own work on my bikes from oiling the chain to building a wheels set.

Fian

Assuming you are thinking of this:

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-comp-bike


You might consider one of these, all of which are significantly better, two of them are more expensive as well but not too much more expensive. Only the first is a cross bikes if you intend to actually cycle through fields.

https://www.rosebikes.com/bike/rose-pro-dx-cross-2000-817112/aid:817115

https://www.rosebikes.com/bike/rose-pro-sl-2000-2015/aid:743968


https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/road/endurace/endurace-al-5-0.html

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/road/endurace/2016/endurace-al-6-0.html

josip

I have bought 2 Team Hybrid's from Halfords in the last 12 months.
I have found the bike itself to be excellent, but the Halford build quality was very different both times.
The first one was bought in a branch down the country and was excellent.
The second one was bought in a large Dublin branch and was a much poorer build.
The disc brakes are fantastic, I've forgotten what it's like to descend with wet rims.

Tilikum

Fian wrote: »

Assuming you are thinking of this:

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-comp-bike


You might consider one of these, all of which are significantly better, two of them are more expensive as well but not too much more expensive. Only the first is a cross bikes if you intend to actually cycle through fields.

https://www.rosebikes.com/bike/rose-pro-dx-cross-2000-817112/aid:817115

https://www.rosebikes.com/bike/rose-pro-sl-2000-2015/aid:743968


https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/road/endurace/endurace-al-5-0.html

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/road/endurace/2016/endurace-al-6-0.html

Thanks for the reply. I've actually narrowed it down to two bikes now.

Boardman cx team 2014
Specialized diverge A1 2015

I haven't a clue when it comes to specs so I don't know which one to go for to be honest. The latter can be ordered from my lbs so I might go with that one.

Fian

Tilikum wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I've actually narrowed it down to two bikes now.

Boardman cx team 2014
Specialized diverge A1 2015

I haven't a clue when it comes to specs so I don't know which one to go for to be honest. The latter can be ordered from my lbs so I might go with that one.

the boardman has hydraullic disc brakes, which is a big improvement on mechanical discs. I have bikes with hydraullic and mechanical discs at home, there really is a noticeable difference between them.

On the other hand it has a single 44 tooth ring on the front, which is just strange. The 44/42 gear will climb walls (or muddy hills which is presumably the intended use.) The 44/10 top gear seems to be heavy enough to give you a decent pace on the road. Maybe someone who has used a bike with this type of gearing can comment on it, it is just an unusual approach instead of the more traditional gearing on the specialised bike. That doesn't mean it doesn't work perfectly well - but it is unusual. Or maybe it is common in cyclocross bikles to avoid front derailleurs getting clogged with mud, I don't know much about cyclocross.

Not sure what version of that specialised bike you have in mind but be aware that if it is the "claris" gear system you are getting an entry level gearing system.

Imo 105 is the best value system, followed by Tiagra. 105 is more expensive than tiagra but i think you get your money's worth in terms of upgrade to the tiagra system. I am sure lots of people here would have different views.

Why are you going for a cyclocross bike? If you do not actually intend to use the bike off road you should consider an endurance geometry road bike.

Tilikum

Fian wrote: »

the boardman has hydraullic disc brakes, which is a big improvement on mechanical discs. I have bikes with hydraullic and mechanical discs at home, there really is a noticeable difference between them.

On the other hand it has a single 44 tooth ring on the front, which is just strange. The 44/42 gear will climb walls (or muddy hills which is presumably the intended use.) The 44/10 top gear seems to be heavy enough to give you a decent pace on the road. Maybe someone who has used a bike with this type of gearing can comment on it, it is just an unusual approach instead of the more traditional gearing on the specialised bike. That doesn't mean it doesn't work perfectly well - but it is unusual. Or maybe it is common in cyclocross bikles to avoid front derailleurs getting clogged with mud, I don't know much about cyclocross.

Not sure what version of that specialised bike you have in mind but be aware that if it is the "claris" gear system you are getting an entry level gearing system.

Imo 105 is the best value system, followed by Tiagra. 105 is more expensive than tiagra but i think you get your money's worth in terms of upgrade to the tiagra system. I am sure lots of people here would have different views.

Why are you going for a cyclocross bike? If you do not actually intend to use the bike off road you should consider an endurance geometry road bike.

I actually will be going off road now that I'm thinking about this style of bike. The hydraulic breaks on the boardman are supposed to be of a very poor standard in fairness.

josip

Tilikum wrote: »

I actually will be going off road now that I'm thinking about this style of bike. The hydraulic breaks on the boardman are supposed to be of a very poor standard in fairness.

I can only speak of mine, and both Team Hybrid's I've had, have had plenty of braking power.
There's only so much braking power you can use when you've got skinny tyres so at times they're more than enough.
I've got a 1.5km descent whose gradient varies between 6% and 12% on my daily commute.
I have 25kg of child and rucksack pushing behind me and there've been a good few wet days this year, but I've never once gotten the heebie jeebies with the brakes.
I don't think I notice any difference in braking performance between wet and dry.

BailMeOut

The Trek FX hybrids are bullet proof and great value for money. Not sure I'd get mechanical disc breaks, I think standard V would be better and cheaper. I have a 7.2 that I bought in 2008 and it is still like new and I have cycled it everywhere.

Tilikum

Thanks for all the replies regarding the hybrids. I've actually decided to go with a cyclocross bike.

Going to look at the Cannondale Caadx trigra today.

Fian

Tilikum wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies regarding the hybrids. I've actually decided to go with a cyclocross bike.

Going to look at the Cannondale Caadx trigra today.

I hope you enjoy it. Will double as a good commuter as well as cyclocross.

Mechanical disc brakes are not as good as hydraullic but I have mechanicals on my commuter hybrid and they don't give me any trouble, wet or dry they do the job. 46/12 top gear is less than I would want if you are planning on long rides, I guess the gear ratios are designed with cycloscross in mind more than road biking. Still I think that is again a better top gear than i have on my commuting hybrid.

Nice looking bike and have fun on it!