Which Hybrid? Help?

mxbayes

I want to get a hybrid bike. I have done all the research and have narrowed the choices down to 10! Can anyone offer any advice from their experiences of these bikes as to why I should go for a particular one over another? I really like the look of the Gary Fisher bikes(online!),as there are no stockists locally, ie within 100 miles!
All bikes 2010:
1. Gary fisher Utopia
2. Gary Fisher KaiTai
3. Trek 7200
4. Trek 7300
5. Trek 7500
6. Giant Roam XR2
7. Giant Roam XR3
8. Giant Roam 2
9. Specialized Crosstrail Comp
10. Specialized Crosstrail Sport

I realise that the prices range from £425 - £650 for these bikes.
I look forward to your responses.Thanks

g00se

What sort of riding will you be going? Just asking as all the bikes have front suspension...

mxbayes

Country lanes, cyclepaths and woodland trails, hence the front suspension.

roger_merriman

if you like the look of the Gary fisher bikes then I guess find a good bike shop and see if they can order it so you can get fitted. ie right fit for you.

mxbayes

Are Gary Fisher Hybrids no better or worse than the others then?

roger_merriman

mxbayes wrote:

Are Gary Fisher Hybrids no better or worse than the others then?

I've not riden any of those bikes, but I'd expect at that price point for all the big name bikes to be close.

ride_whenever

mxbayes wrote:

Country lanes, cyclepaths and woodland trails, hence the front suspension.

I'd still avoid the front sus, it is rarely of any significant bonus, a rigid bike with larger tyres would be a far better way to do things, perhaps even a dutch bike...

mxbayes

I thought that big tyres meant slow progress on the road?

ride_whenever

not big smooth ones, and they give you a much better ride.

If you want speed buy a cyclocross bike for what you plan to do.

Wallace1492

Get a CX, can handle what you want to do, and with decent speed.

Kieran_Burns

Wallace1492 wrote:

Get a CX, can handle what you want to do, and with decent speed.

+1


There are other advantages as well

hmbadger

ride_whenever wrote:

mxbayes wrote:

Country lanes, cyclepaths and woodland trails, hence the front suspension.

I'd still avoid the front sus, it is rarely of any significant bonus, a rigid bike with larger tyres would be a far better way to do things, perhaps even a dutch bike...

I've found FS very useful on the hybrid. Really makes a difference on rougher ground. I think if you'er going for a hybrid then a bit of FS with lockout is a good idea, and consistent with the idea taht the bike can do a bit of most of things.
(Stands back)

MonkeyMonster

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

Get a CX, can handle what you want to do, and with decent speed.

+1

There are other advantages as well

Free cape!

FrankM

ride_whenever wrote:

mxbayes wrote:

Country lanes, cyclepaths and woodland trails, hence the front suspension.

I'd still avoid the front sus, it is rarely of any significant bonus, a rigid bike with larger tyres would be a far better way to do things, perhaps even a dutch bike...

Or get front sus with lock-out.

Large knobbly tyres (e.g. 26 x 2.1) can be pumped up pretty firm (I have mine at 80 PSI) and I really don't think they make that much difference when commuting on road.

raz208

I picked up my merida crossway and I am well impressed, it has lockable front suspension and suspension seat post it is a very smooth fast ride, just another bike to consider.

roger_merriman

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

Get a CX, can handle what you want to do, and with decent speed.

+1


There are other advantages as well

such as? ;-) bar free cape. Tires make the a lot of the differance regarding how off road or fast. Drop the bars down and hybrids have won TT's

this said I don't have a hankering for a fast hybrid but a cx....

Stevo_666

Sounds like a hard tail MTB could be a good alternative given the sort of riding you'll be doing.