Which hybrid bike? - Advice required please

bivlar

I’m on the lookout for a sub £400 hybrid bike. I understand that my options are fairly limited at this entry point but I have narrowed down a few options and would appreciate it if you could please share some insight into these? I'd be using it for the odd commute to work (14 mile return journey) and casual weekend rides (20 - 30miles).

Alternatively, please suggest other suitable options based on what you guys own / have seen.

Trek 7.1fx £299
http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.p ... ory_id=104

Specialized Sirrus Sport £382
http://www.freeborn.co.uk/specialized-2012-sirrus-sport

Norco VFR 4 2013 £320
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/nor ... e-ec041286

Norco VFR 3 2013 £380
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/nor ... e-ec041287

Jamis Coda Sport £378
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jam ... e-ec041530

Giant Escape 3 £299
http://www.shopgiant-bicycles.co.uk/315 ... UbShxeGFp4

bivlar

Thanks Oxoman. I'd be using the bike to go on gravel bike trails too; hence a road bike might not be ideal. I did read about the btwin in a mag. It does have good reviews, especially for the price.
Fair point re the fit. I'm going to Evans later this week and a couple of LBS to test ride some of the options on there. As I'm technically ignorant, I wanted to know which of those would be best for the price I'd be paying.

cookeeemonster

I had the sirrus sport last year for 4 months before I switched to a road bike (36 mile round trip commute).

I can totally vouch for it, its a really comfortable ride and the gears were pretty damn smooth too.

For your commute distance most bikes would be ok, but for longer rides on the weekend a road bike or cyclocross if they want the off road option might be better.

simonhead

The sirrus is a decent bike and comftorable. You mention gravel paths, i ride my road bike on loose gravel and compacted gravel all the time, i have put good quality tyres on it and never had a puncture on those sections of my commute.

Whatever you do get the bike measured properly and ensure they do an adjustmant after 4-6 weeks. I have always found local bike shops a lot better at this than some of the larger chains.

ianwilliams

simonhead wrote:

The sirrus is a decent bike and comftorable. You mention gravel paths, i ride my road bike on loose gravel and compacted gravel all the time, i have put good quality tyres on it and never had a puncture on those sections of my commute.

Whatever you do get the bike measured properly and ensure they do an adjustmant after 4-6 weeks. I have always found local bike shops a lot better at this than some of the larger chains.

I have a Sirrus and it rides OK. I have put it through some awful mud lately - cyclocross/MTB territory - and it always struggled on.

supersonic

The Sirrus is by far and away the best specced of those choices. The 9 speed groupset is a step ahead of the others, is slick and wide ranging. Add to that some quality finishing parts and you end up with a good performing machine.

licko

I know this is above your budget but a colleague has just bought one and it's a lovely bike and far better specced than the bikes you mention. He paid 600 and I thought that was a bargain, so at £450 it's a steal:

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/45019/Cha ... -Sale.html

I'm sorely tempted myself but the missus would kill me!

daddy0

+1 to getting a road bike. I think a large percentage of commuters on here started on hybrids and very quickly moved to a proper road bike. I started last year on a hybrid and used to cut through some parks with chalky paths, but then moved on to a road bike. Now I ride the long way around on the road as its quicker overall and there are less dogs to chase me. When its a nice day I sometimes cut through the park on the road bike, its just as good as the hybrid on the chalky stuff, i.e. not very but I go slow and enjoy the surroundings.

I guess that hybrids seem much more accessible to someone starting out, but when you get comfortable with riding you'll be yearning for a road bike. Road bikes are lighter, have thinner / harder tyres, a more aerodynamic riding position, and are therefore more efficient and faster.

Most hybrids aren't all that good at off road anyway - if a hybrid can do the gravel paths then most road bikes could too. Largely depends on what tyres you put on it which will depend on the quality of the paths, and how much distance you're going to cover on them. If you're mainly going to be on the road with up to a couple of hundred metres on gravel then get slicks. If half your commute is on gravel then get a hybrid with knobbly tyres or a mountain bike.

Go on - get the Triban 3!!!

bivlar

Very useful, thanks a lot guys.
I'll consider the Triban 3 though the only issue is that I won't be able to test ride one as the nearest Decathlon store is 120 miles away!
The Sirrus Sport is currently edging it; hopefully I can get it at the £380 price point advertised, or a suitable used one (though that will be hard to find given that I'd need an XL frame as I'm 6'4).

supersonic

Road bikes are lighter, have thinner / harder tyres, a more aerodynamic riding position, and are therefore more efficient and faster.

Not always - depends on the 'hybrid'. Mine as standard has road tyres on, aero bars, so is actually more aerodynamic than being on the drops. A quick change of tyre, and is great offroad.

This is why I don't like the term hybrid as covers a vast array of bikes. Customising is often a great way to get what you need.

bigmonka

I'm very happy with one of these: Revolution Courier Race Disc. In fact I have last year's model which is on sale at the moment (although limited sizes). I'd very much recommend it. I tried a Sirrus before buying it but wasn't overly enamoured with it (although Evans didn't have the right size frame so it was never going to be a great experience).

bivlar

Thanks for all the responses. Finally forked out for the Sirrus; first impression been pretty good. Hoping to take it out for a long-ish ride next weekend.