Total beginner can anyone recommend a fast Hybrid upto £800

exsupra
exsupra Posts: 8
edited June 2009 in Road beginners
Hello all my first post so please take it easy.

My company is shortly commencing a cycle scheme with Halfrauds. I have been reasearching and am after a Hybrid Bike, I did initially have a budget of £400 (before scheme) and was ready to buy a specialized Sirrius sport 2009 for £390.

Now that I have the work scheme I may as well increase my budget to £800ish as my cost will be the same

Any recommendations on Flatbar bikes, I do eventually want to do some long distance stuff, like London to Brighton.

The bike will have a dual purpose as a family bike at the weekends, this will involve country lanes, cycle paths and some very light off road unmade roads.

Mostly it will be tarmac, but I do have a mission to beat a few friends in some 40-60 mile races, obviously after I am more experienced.

Comments

  • exsupra
    exsupra Posts: 8
    I ran out of space, sorry for the long post, I should have mentioned I haven't ridden a bike for 25 years! My friends keep saying get a proper racer, but that will limit my leisure time with the bike.
    Any and all help appreciated and thank you, I know I will get slated for choosing a Hybrid but that does seem the sensible choice for me personally.

    Opps just realised this is the wrong forum, new post link is below for replies.

    [/url]http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15406676#15406676

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... 6#15406676
  • bice
    bice Posts: 772
    I don't think you can get much better than a Sirius. It's what I would consider (along with the Carreras and Boardmans) if I was looking for a fast, lightweight hybrid.

    You can get something more expensive as a result of gimicky extras like disc brakes or front suspension forks, but they are not worth it.

    I commute on a really basic bike (that I can leave anywhere in London), go fast on a road bike (which I won't let out of my sight) and use a cheapie MTB for going off with the children and wife along bridleways etc.

    Hybrids are compromises. It would be a shame to pay a shed load of money and then actually prefer going fast on roads, for which a road bike is best.

    And for a compromise, your Sirius price point is about right.
  • Barkiesnake
    Barkiesnake Posts: 244
    Is there anything to stop you buying two bikes with the same voucher if they come to under £1000? If not why not buy a £400 hybrid AND a £400 road?
    I don't know of any clause that says you can only buy 1 bike.
    "If you think you can, or if you think you can't, your right" Henry Ford
  • exsupra
    exsupra Posts: 8
    Thanks for that advice, I totally understand what you are saying and do agrree.

    It is only down to storage space that I am choosing a Hybrid, more for speed than off road.
  • exsupra
    exsupra Posts: 8
    Which would be thest one out of the ones below?

    Specialized Crosstrail Expert 2009 Hybrid Bike- will it be fast enough?

    Specialized Sirrus Expert 2009 Road Bike - currently top of my list for speed

    Ridgeback Flight 04 2009 Hybrid Bike- Not sure on this one

    Cannondale Bad Boy 700 2009 looks excellent, not sure on performance

    Trek 7....

    Ultimately I want to go fast, any recommendation form the above list, I
  • Barkiesnake
    Barkiesnake Posts: 244
    If you are only going to use it for light off roading then how about considering a cyclo cross bike. something like this
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/cyclo-cross/product/crossbow-09-33264
    :)
    "If you think you can, or if you think you can't, your right" Henry Ford