New to Commuting bike advice needed please!

stephenlawson

I am buying a bike through the ride to work scheme and have been looking for a Hybrid bike for commuting. I have narrowed my decision down to 4 but would be greatful if anyone had any advice or suggestions on which is better before I go ahead with my purchase. My budget is around £800, any suggestions as well as the ones below would also be appreciated.

Cannondale Bad Boy 8 2008
Specialized Sirrus Expert 2009
Scott Sportster P1 2009
Scott Sportster P2 2009

sc999cs

How far is your commute going to be? Is it a hiily commute, mainly on road, or does it involve off road sections? Will you like to use the bike for non commuting purposes?

stephenlawson

The commute is approximately 5 mile mostly on road, but there is some sections on a disused railway line which is now a public footpath. The commute is virtually all flat with slight inclines coming back, and yes I will probably use the bikes for non-commuting purposes but won't be doing any downhilling or anything, it will mostly be on gravel tracks/pathways.

pottssteve

Have you considered a touring or audax bike? You'll be able to fit panniers to carry more stuff to work as required, then take them off at weekends. You can get reasonably robust tyres so gravel, towpaths etc. are doable.
Just an idea. I think Dawes do audax, and there's a choice on the Evans website.
Steve

DonDaddyD

What's a hybird? :shock:

Given that you will mostly be on the road, or asphalt dripped path have you considered a road bike?

Its the future, trust me! As a former Giant M2 'slick-tyred-cool-urban-stormtrooper' bike I made the jump to Road Bike to marry my commute with occasional weekend rides and the distance/speed that comes with it. I've never looked (except when I'm passing hybrids).

Seriously go road bike in the form of a Specialized Allez or Bianchi (a little more expensive - both from Evans cycles) and you'll arguably get a better spec/made bike for your £800. Sure they may look intimidating in the shop but the drop handle bars offer IMO more comfort because of the different positions you can rests you hands rotate you shoulders, handle better and are quicker. Ultimately (IMO) road bikes mostly ride the same as any slick-skinny-tyre hybrid (which are mostly road bikes with flat handle bars) but better.

If you have to stick to a hybrid then I guess the Sirrus, as they always seem to be fairly fast when I'm commuting.

Edit: - Sorry went mad for a second... I think you should go for the Scott Speedster P1 or Cannondale. But they are all very similar (they all have flat handle bars) and yet very different bikes. None are like the Sirrus, which elegant against the other urban brutes and is closer to a road bike with a road bike back mech. Both Scott bikes could pass as Mountain Bikes proper as they look like they come with suspension and the Cannondale is an urban inner city bike.

Not really sure what your after:

Something to ride 5 miles that leaves you wanting to ride more? Road Bike!!!