Help needed - £700 budget

wotless

Hi All

I'm new to the forum- I've just signed up to my work's cycle2work scheme and have a budget of £700. It's with Halfords but they can can pretty much source whatever Bike you're after through local stockists (I've used Evans links below just for quick spec guide).

After some pretty obsessive researching I've come up with a hit list of potential future bikes and would really like to get some experienced, knowledgeable feedback and also some possible further suggestions for my price range that are not listed and possibly better than what I have shortlisted.

My commute won't be particularly long, but I will be using my bike to replace some current train journeys and also plan to do some more leisure riding. I've essentially decided I'd quite like disc brakes and a rear internal gear hub so that I won't need to worry too much about chain skipping and maintenance. There are a few hilly bits near where I live but nothing major, so 8 gears is my minimum, I'm also open to MTB suggestions for my budget that can rival the Duster. I will test all of them before buying, but please do highlight any technical issues or positive aspects to the bikes that I may not be able to appreiciate as a fairweather rider!

Charge Mixer 2008 Hybrid Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cha ... e-ec000240

Charge Duster Mid 2008 Mountain Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cha ... e-ec000231

Trek SOHO 4 2008 Hybrid Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec001600

Trek 7.6 FX 2009 Hybrid Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec016805

Cheers

David

pst88

your links don't work

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Just to clarify, is your c2w voucher £700, or have you got £700 of your wages that will be deducted over 12 months (which at 40% saving gets you a £980 bike)?

wotless

Oops sorry, the links work now.

Yup its the deducted version (40% saving), therefore my LoC voucher will be for a £700 bike. 12 monthly salary deductions of £49 quid and a nominal fee at the end of the period to purchase the bike...usually £20-30, my understanding is not great but I understand the total cost will be around £410 once all the tax/NI calculations are taken into account

I didn't want to take the full £1000 as I don't think my riding ability would justify such a high spec, but I am keen to purchase a bike that I will enjoy riding and is robust enough to be chucked around a bit. I'm a young guy and would love to do a lot more cycling like I used to at uni. I'm leaning towards the two Charge's at the minute but I may change my mind if the Trek's are a nice ride or the Dahon MTB has good reviews and an easy fold function (ie no tools).

I'm still very undecided though and would appreciate your views as experienced cyclists.

lost_in_thought

Unless you're planning to do off-road riding, I'd recommend looking at and perhaps even trying out a road bike...

wotless

I did look at road bikes but I don't fancy the low ride position I'd quite like to be able to negotiate traffic sitting up. I'd also quite like to go round a few country lanes so inevitably there will be pot holes and uneven ground. I quite like the idea of a robust hybrid like the Mixer...although having a Duster would give me the option to go on off road rides too as well as the fact its a mean looking piece of kit! Decisions, decisions!

biondino

I have a bit of a soft spot for the Mixer but wish it came with the Plug's bullhorn bars, sigh.

wotless - you should at least try a road bike, for more than a few minutes. If you still don't like it, no worries, but there's a substantial chance you'll be seduced by the lightness, gearing, effortless speed and control. You also don't need to ride in too sporty a position if you don't want to - stems, handlebars and spacers can all be adjusted or changed to give a more upright ride.

linsen

Another vote for trying out a road bike, though it depends how long the journey is. I take my MTB to college in the evening when I can't see the potholes so clearly (also just under 5 miles), but I take the road bike to work - it's a longer journey (12 miles) and it cuts down the time considerably. Also more flexible on hand positions and therefore more comfy (once you get used to the boneshaking that is.....)

N0bodyOfTheGoat

BTwin Sport 4? http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-4-42393893/

A Specialized Tricross Single (500 squids) plus some accessories to get upto the voucher limit?

passout

I'd get a Ribble Winter Trainer for £400 and save some money or blow the lot on a Planet X Cyclo Cross (Uncle John) bike with 105 gearing.

wotless

I do plan to take a trip to my local stockists (Pearson cycles) before I receive my voucher so that I can try a road bike. It seems I may have been indoctrinated by the lure of the hybrid, so I will definitely try a few out. Thanks for all your comments, the bikes suggested look really interesting I'll have to read up on them.

Are there any Trek or Charge owners out there that can extol the virtues of the bikes I listed? I must admit aesthetically and spec wise I'm drawn to the Mixer and Soho as a nice mix of speed and robustness. I would have loved to be able to try the Trek Soho 2009 with the belt drive, but alas I understand it's due for release in Jan '09 (I'm too chicken and not fit enough for the District!).

sc999cs

If you're open to MTBs then it suggests that you might like to go off road sometimes? If so I'd avoid the hub gears and get a derailleur set up.

Road bikes btw are lovely, highly addictive and incredibly comfortable once you get use to the position.

Remember you can add accessories to your voucher (I think) so add in a good lock to the budget, clothing - gloves and cycle shorts a must, and any protective gear you may want. Might as well get that discounted as well now instead of paying full proce later on.

biondino

The fundamental quality of a hybrid is that it's a compromise. It doesn't do roads as well as a road bike, but it can, and doesn't do off-road as well as a mountain bike, but it sort of can, on the gentlest terrain, anyway).

If you are riding on roads, then really a road bike is almost certainly the bike for you. I guess if the adjustments you'd make would take the bike into basically hybrid territory anyway - flat bars, thicker tyres, more upright position - then commuting type bikes like the Soho might well be right for you. But don't underestimate the thrill of riding something specifically designed to be as fast and efficient on the roads as possible.

passout

I agree with the above. :roll: Get a road bike (including cross bikes) or a cross country hardtail MTB with some slicks on (giving you the option of off road). A hybrid does nothing brilliantly IMO. Also, image wise, hybrids are not cool - especiallly the Trek Soho if I'm honest. The Soho just looks wrong - too expensive with a stem that looks too long. Sorry to piss on your chips but I really don't like the look of it; Charge do seem to make good bikes. A comfortable road bike would be my top choice.

symo

Speaking as someone who chose a Hybrid over a road bike, I'd have a look at a Kona Dew FS. Got the front suspension to get you out of jams thin wheels. It's great. I spent my hard earned (ie not C2W) on a dew deluxe as I needed the low gearing (I have a 10 minute climb on something that would make Indurain blow), and I love it.

Mark_K

I got a mixer and got to say i love it, does exactly what it say's on the tin so to speak !
Only thing i found was the pads rattled in the calipers so changed to brakes to avid juicy 3's
Also in the prosess off buying/building a charge Duster xt atm so shows how much i like the charge concept

The Chingford Skinhead

I've got a hybrid - Ridgeback Velocity - and frankly I love it. Is it a compromise, or the best of both worlds. I can use if for my road commute and it is also very comfortable on my sunday towpath jaunts. It handles the potholes well and handles my weight (14st) plus two usually quite loaded panniers without bother. The upreight sitting gives you good visibility and helps you to be seen by other vehicles. So don't dismiss it too soon.

I've also just got a Ribble winter trainer (second hand) - agree it is lighter and quicker but it's going to take me time to get used to the more cramped riding position and I don't fancy some of th potholes that my Velocity eats for breakfast...

Edit - meant to add. The Ribble was a vanity / mid-life crisis purchase as it looks lovely but I'd not worry about hybrids not being cool - fashiion is for fools. I've seen too many people looking "trendy" freezing to death our on the street while I'm warm in sensible boots and a coat.