New bike spec nip and tuck

rjjgilham

I've been commuting for work for a couple of years, and have very much fallen out with my bike (Apollo Highway which was very badly put together...). Anyways, it's an excuse to buy a new bike and I'm getting a bit boggled by the specs on the models I have my eye on.

I'm commuting in Devon, which means my commute isn't flat and there's plenty of bimbling leisure stuff I might consider. As such, I've got my eye on a hybrid, and after dong the LBS's I've got a shortlist:

Specialized Crosstrail Sport Disc
Trek FX 7.2 Disc (less so as the LBS for this brand has a serious attitude problem and is only on mech discs)
Merida TFS100
Kona Dew Plus

All (I think) have front lock-outs, hydralic brakes and similarish other components- on paper, they're pretty nip-and-tuck. Price-wise, they're fairly close too. I've yet to do any test rides although I suspect they'll all feel good.

Anyone got any pearls of wisdom about one over another?

Cheers,

Rich

(1st post)

meanredspider

Any reason why you want shocks on the bike at all? If it's hilly they just add weight and they certainly add cost. Unless you're doing a reasonable amount of off-road stuff, I think they're probably a waste

rolf_f

meanredspider wrote:

Any reason why you want shocks on the bike at all? If it's hilly they just add weight and they certainly add cost. Unless you're doing a reasonable amount of off-road stuff, I think they're probably a waste

Quite. A suspension fork that is good enough to be worth having is probably going to cost at least £250 alone and they weigh alot. Suspension isn't needed for canal tow paths and unmade roads or even light offroad work.

rjjgilham

Thanks for the replies people- the front suspension has been a bit of a dilemma option.

Any thoughts on the various Shimano this vs Shimano that?

Rich

andy9964

Can't offer any advice on different versions of group sets etc, but Wiki gives you a comprehesive list of different manufacturers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupset