Another first bike question

SyntaxError

First of all hello and sorry for any bad grammar, English isn’t my mother tongue.


I decided to get my first bike in about 8 years (had some MTB), some cheap commuter to start with. I want to get to work (2.5 miles each way) and go for some weekend trips around countryside on gravel and unpaved roads.

I visited few local bike shops and all of them advised getting a hybrid. I’m 5’7 (174cm), leg length inseam 30” and most sellers suggested 20” frame. This fits me just about right with saddle in lowest possible position – wouldn’t it make more sense to get a 18” or 19” frame, adjust the saddle and handlebar a bit higher and have that inch or two reserve to go down when needed/wanted?

How much abuse can hybrid on 700c wheels take? Since some of my route is full of potholes and I plan to ride on country lanes as well, won’t it bend after few miles and I’ll need to get a MTB anyway? Can you jump on/off a curb on a hybrid bike?

My current budget is about £250, I could spend few pounds more, but there’s a decent selection on new year’s sales in local shops and websites like Evans Cycles. I realise this isn’t much, but I found Saracen Urban Esc and GT Traffic 3.0 at this price, are those decent bikes for a start?


Thanks in advance for any suggestions and answers!

Berk Bonebonce

I been a cyclist all my life (42 now) and have worked in the trade ... and I would not necessarily advise a 700c hybrid.

Maybe also look at rigid mountain bikes. That is, 26" wheeled bikes without any front or rear suspension. Such bikes have fat tyres and they make riding along poor surfaces more enjoyable than with 700c.

Monkeypump

With regard to size, 20" sounds a little large. Don't settle for whatever they have in stock, make sure you get measured up properly.

Erudin

Sounds like an MTB will be more suitable for your needs, I only have a short commute and use a singlespeed rigid MTB with 1.75 Michelin Country rock tyres, more suited to unpaved roads, jumping off curbs and riding over pot-holes than a 35c tyre those hybrids have.

paulbox

For the short commute that you have, I also agree that a mountain bike would be best.

If you find that the nobbly tyres are getting you down you can always stick some more suitable ones on.

Down the Road

You are not planning to ride off road. That is why the people in the know have suggested a hybrid. It is the best of both worlds. Almost as fast as a road bike almost as tough as a MTB.

Why ask them if you value the opinions here more?

SyntaxError

It's not the case of valuing someone's opinion, it's just a balance between impartial advise and "my boss told me to get rid of those".

Personally I was really surprised about 20" frames, I don't feel comfortable on them and yet every seller insisted on taking this size. Is it the case of getting used to the bike, or will raising saddle/handle bar change geometry? Is there any difference between 20" frame or adjusted 18" in terms of position and ride balance?