After a new bike

simonali
simonali Posts: 1,730
edited January 2008 in Commuting chat
It'll be used for fair weather commuting and weekend towpath...ing.

I'm looking for a sporty looking hybrid type, or urban bike as they now seem to be called, probably 700C, but 26" is OK too. Models I'm liking so far are the Cannondale Bad Boy (nice frame, cheap bits), Boardman Urban Team (cheaper),Ridgeback R25 (expensive) and Marin Point Reyes (ditto and 26").

I've tried a Trek Soho 3.0 which was OK, but it was a 20" model and there wasn't a lot of seatpost showing and this made it look terribly uncool (the bars were higher than the seat)! The next size down was nearly 3" smaller and was too cramped lengthwise, so I've ruled that make out. I also looked at the Fisher Mendota, but didn't try it as it looked very similar to the Trek (as it would).

Any other options I should look at, using the above choices as a visual template? I'm guessing that as I've £8-900 to spend, someone's going to suggest a self buld, which I'm also happy to do for the right price.

I do seem to live in a LBS wilderness, however, where all the decent shops are 20-50 miles away, so finding ones with stock is also a problem!
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Comments

  • el_presidente
    el_presidente Posts: 1,963
    Planet-X Kaffenback flat-bar build
    <a>road</a>
  • nigevena
    nigevena Posts: 1
    It has to be a badboy me, I have had mine for 2 years now and it still runs like a dream.

    Might I suggest if you really like the Badboy have a look on ebay, one or two are usually on sale on there!
  • Jakes Dad
    Jakes Dad Posts: 369
    The 2007 Bad Boy is in the Edinburgh Bicycle sale @ £499.00

    Simon
    "It never gets easier, you just go faster"
  • afctumike
    afctumike Posts: 52
    Try the Orbea range. Take a look at their Trekking/Sport range. If you look at their Cross Sport range don't be put off by the front suspension as they are available with solid forks (aluminium or carbon) too. I run the Elgeta in that range which was £500 from Epic Cycles so with your budget you'd get a really good set up.
    My bike's an Orbea Elgeta from Epic Cycles
  • PHcp
    PHcp Posts: 2,748
    simonali wrote:

    I'm looking for a sporty looking hybrid type, or urban bike as they now seem to be called, probably 700C,.......
    someone's going to suggest a self buld, which I'm also happy to do for the right price.

    What's in a name? I can't see much difference between sporty hybrid frames and Audax/light touring ones. Tyre width maybe, but on a sporty bike would you need more than 28mm?
    There's plenty of choice in Audax frames, steel ones from Thorn, Hewitt and Soma at around the £300 mark. Built up with straight bars I think you'd have a great bike. Aluminium bargains from Ribble, Tifoso and Ambrosio. Though they may take narrower tyres.
  • A - W
    A - W Posts: 253
    Don't forget to have a look at Specialized range of hybrids.
    FCN 10
  • Fixedweasel
    Fixedweasel Posts: 47
    Take a look at the Cotic Roadrat
  • BigBlackShed
    BigBlackShed Posts: 60
    I have a Kona Dr Dew. It looks like a small frame, plenty of seat post, but is quite long in the top tube. I'm 6'4" on a 60cm / 23.5in frame. But I've got short legs and a long body for my height. It fits me perfectly.

    Someting else to consider. A Charge Mixer. Steel frame, flat bars, disc brakes and a Shimano Alfine internal hub. £699 from http://www.wiggle.co.uk.
    It's not the winning or even taking part. It's the arsing about that counts.

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