Which Hybrid - trek 8.5 ds vs Cube Nature Pro

wilson1973

Hi People,

Am up for some advice please, all (constructive) advice gratefully received :-)

I admit I know very little about bikes and having recently returned from my first weekend bike ride in over 20 years I once gain feel compelled to get out more, which means buying a bike and not renting one !

I'm currently looking at two hybrids and would like to know which offers the best value for money (more bang for your buck):

Trek 8.5
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/dual_sport/ds_series/8_5_ds/

Cube Pro Nature

http://www.cube.eu/en/tour/cls/nature-pro-grey-red/

I'm not looking at a lot of heavy duty off roading, more track, cycle ways and so on, so bypassed the mountain bike and skipped straight to hybrids. I'm quite happy to take a steer on what ever people think, so please feel free to critique the above or recommend an atlernative (max £800).

Thanks people, look forward to all replies...

supersonic

Do you have links to said bikes?

wilson1973

hi, sorry i incorrectly assumed that new members couldn't post links. I've edited my post and included the links.
Thanks

supersonic

Do you need suspenison forks? They are not very good on these models and add in weight. What prices have you seen them for?

wilson1973

In answer to your question I don't know if I need suspension forks, just chucked them as an option in case there are a few more lumps and bumps. Weight wise they are similar I believe 12KG's, and I had a quick go on the Cube at lunch time (albeit the lesser model which is heavier still).... so think im comfortbale with the weight thing given I don't plan an expensing to much energy on mountains ?

£800 for the Trek and £769 for the Cube... not much in it.

supersonic

Too much cash for the weight and performance in my eyes. Can buy full on MTBs with better forks that weight less, and simply changing the tyres makes them a hybrid!

I'd take a look at this:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... pping#tab2

Carbon fork offers a surprising amount of comfort, is fast and light. If too sporty, then maybe a proper MTB:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#tab2

Still lighter than those hybrids, much much better forks, more capable.

wilson1973

Interesting would not typically buy anything from Halfords - let alone a bike.

May have to rethink this then.

Looks like a whole 2kg saving, does that really make that much difference ? Othere than the weight was there anything on the choices I made that I should look to avoid in a subsequent short list ?

PS.Thanks for your help.

supersonic

2kg is pretty nocticable! It is highly geared, so more for road work. But the MTB, being lighter than those hybrids as well, will be the most versatile machine and not exactly slow on the road.

Boardman bikes are made by Merida, who make Specialized, amongst others. Top quality.

wilson1973

I'll take a detour via halfords this weekend then and see what's on offer.

Thanks again.

wilson1973

Well went to the shop today and the guy compared the components of each in my short list. Went with the Cube Nature Pro in the end.... Arriving in 2-3 weeks. Will let you know how I get on.