New Rider.. bike choices

nick9one1

Hi,

New here and looking to start cycling my 30 mile round trip to work this summer.

I used to do a bit of riding years ago on a Giant ATX 860. I've no longer got it and it would probably be hard work on the roads so looking for a new hybrid.

I have a budget of about £450 and have seen a few in this price range.

the commute will be just about all road, with one shortcut through a park.

My initial search has resulted in...

Giant Roam 1
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Escape-1- ... _35737.htm

Specialized Sirrus Sport
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Sirrus-Sport-2012-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_48365.htm

Scott Metrix 40
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Scott-Metrix-40-2012-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_49129.htm
I really like the look of this bike, and have been told they have well designed lightweight frames?

Can anyone explain which of these three has the better equipment, better for my route (nearly all road), my experience level (if this makes a difference)?

Thanks!

redderekthelampshade

I'm a born again commuter having recently got back into it.. my best advice is for you to go test them and see which suits you..personally I'm using a battered diamond back MTB for a 6 mile daily commute, its not in the slightest bit commuter friendly - slips gears, knobbly MTB tires, bottom brackets seen better days but it suits me down to the ground for the moment.. I'm lucky that I have a C2W scheme available to me and I've made myself a promise that if I can manage a few months on my shed of a bike I'll get a nice shiny new Boardman Hybrid.. So in a nutshell what Im saying is that most bikes will do the job but its down to personal preference :-)

cookeeemonster

yeah you do need to try them out - in theory they should all be good choices but one may suit you a lot more than the others once you take them for a spin.

I got the sirrus sport a month back and I'm very happy with it...though to be honest I didn't try too many others out so I cant comment on the other bikes you've mentioned.

colonelkurtz

out of interest any reason your set on a hybrid? 30 mile round trip on roads seems suited to drops to me. I started out on my commute (35miles round) on a hybrid to see if I would stick with it - moving to a road bike was the single best move I made.

nick9one1

Thanks for the replies,

I do intend on testing before I buy, I just wanted to know if any of those three were definite no-go's.

I suppose I should have a look at road bikes too, I've actually seen a Giant Rapid 3 which caught my eye,
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 844/45454/

Seems to still be a hybrid, butmore like a road bike without the dropped handlebars.

supersonic

Hybrids do vary a lot. Another sporty, fast and light machine is this:

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

lockstock666

As someone who bought a road biased hybrid 6 months ago, let me tell you that the only time I wish I has a proper road bike with drops is in a headwind. Every other situation is great on flat bars, traffic, hills, cruising.

Bearing that in mind, will I buy a proper dropped road bike the next time I buy a bike on the C2W (possibly in another 6 months)?

Yes I 100% will. :idea:

MichaelW

2x15miles is a long commute so an efficient bike is more significant than for smaller distances.
Road style bikes are good but you need one with all-weather, commuter, utility features, eg more tyre clearance, rack and mudguard eyelets, non-racing lower gears. They may be called winter training style, sportiff, light touring, audax.
I used this style with 28mm tyres and regularly rode on tracks and trails.
Cyclo-cross drop-bar bikes are a good choice but above your price range.
Dont forget you will also have to budget for accessories: helmets, lights, lock, mudguards, rack, luggage, repair kit, waterproofs and clothing.
Many entry-level bikes come with entry-level tyres but you will need the best you can find for puncture resistance and efficiency.