What hybrid bike?

Liam8761

Afternoon all,

I'm currently looking at buying a new hybrid bicycle to work on my fitness. I previously bought a road bike (carrera virtuoso) and do not get on with it at all, I can't get comfortable riding with drop bars and such no matter how hard I try.

I've visited my local indy bike store and have come away way 2 bikes in mind and am having trouble deciding between the two so thought I'd ask around here.

The bikes are a Giant Roam 1 and a Merida Crossway 300.

The specs are as follows:

Giant Roam 1 - £549 (sale from £649)



Size M
Colours White/Red
Frame ALUXX-Grade Aluminum
Fork SR Suntour NEX MLO, 63mm Travel, lockout
Shock N/A
Components
Handlebar Giant Sport, Low Riser 31.8mm
Stem Giant Sport
Seatpost Giant Sport
Saddle Giant Connect Upright
Pedals Resin anti slip, steel cage
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano Deore 30 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore Trekking
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore Shadow
Brakes Tektro HDC300 hycdraulic disc, 160mm
Brake Levers Tektro HDC300
Cassette Shimano HG62 11-36
Chain KMC X10 w/ Missing Link
Crankset Shimano T521 48/36/26
Bottom Bracket Shimano Hollowtech II
Wheels
Rims Giant CR70
Hubs Formula alloy disc hubs
Spokes Stainless steel
Tires Giant S-RX4, 700x40mm


Merida Crossway 300 - £575 (sale from £649)



SIZE 46cm
FRAME Butted and heat treated 6061 aluminium tubing with hydroformed top tube.
COLOR matt anthracite(green)
FORK SR NEX 63mm with lockout
SHOCK n/a
DERAILLEUR FRONT Shimano M390 48
DERAILLEUR REAR Shimano SLX-9
SHIFTERS Shimano Acera-X Rapidfire
BRAKE LEVERS attached
BRAKES Tektro HDC Hydraulic Disc 160 mm
CHAINWHEEL SR Suntour XCR 48A-38-28 CG
BB-SET Shimano Cartridge
CHAIN KMC Z99 9s
HUBS Alloy Disc QR / Shimano M475 Disc
RIMS Merida Comp D
FREEWHEEL Shimano CS-HG20-9 11-34
SPOKES black stainless
TIRES Merida Speed 40 Reflex
HANDLEBAR Merida Comp OS 620 R25
STEM Adjustable Pro OS A-Head
HEADSET Conoid semi Neck
SEATPOST Suspension One D 27.2 mm
SADDLE Cross Sport
PEDALS Lite Alloy SIZES 46cm
FRAME Butted and heat treated 6061 aluminium tubing with hydroformed top tube.
COLOR matt anthracite(green)
FORK SR NEX 63mm with lockout
SHOCK n/a
DERAILLEUR FRONT Shimano M390 48
DERAILLEUR REAR Shimano SLX-9
SHIFTERS Shimano Acera-X Rapidfire
BRAKE LEVERS attached
BRAKES Tektro HDC Hydraulic Disc 160 mm
CHAINWHEEL SR Suntour XCR 48A-38-28 CG
BB-SET Shimano Cartridge
CHAIN KMC Z99 9s
HUBS Alloy Disc QR / Shimano M475 Disc
RIMS Merida Comp D
FREEWHEEL Shimano CS-HG20-9 11-34
SPOKES black stainless
TIRES Merida Speed 40 Reflex
HANDLEBAR Merida Comp OS 620 R25
STEM Adjustable Pro OS A-Head
HEADSET Conoid semi Neck
SEATPOST Suspension One D 27.2 mm
SADDLE Cross Sport
PEDALS Lite Alloy


I'm leaning towards the Giant currently but have been back and forward. I prefer the look of the Merida and it seems to have more comfort features (sprung seat post, more adjustment on the bars) whereas the Giant has a better drivetrain from what I've been told.

As to the type of riding I'll be doing, most of it will be roads or paved pathways. There is the possibility of the occasional (once a month or so) trip to the local woods where I would be riding the main trails of heavily trodden dry dirt, nothing too adventurous.

Any input would be appreciated.

krogort

Neither of them.
Get something without front suspension, it is dead weight on roads.
And good front suspensions cost a lot of money better spent elsewere.

Also have you considered getting a short angled stem for your road bike ? if you can reduce the drop and reach from saddle to handlebar it will be as confortable as a hybrid.

Liam8761

I don't get on with the current bike at all to be honest. I picked it up cheap second hand and I'm not a fan of it, so much so that it's not been used for about 6 months.

I'm hoping to recover most of what I paid for it selling it on again so this seemed a better choice as I can look into cycle to work scheme etc too.

I know front suspension is generally wasted on the roads but I think some of the roads and trails that I'll be using would really need me to have it. Both of these bikes have locks for the suspension but due to an old wrist injury I think I'd struggle without having the option.

Liam8761

Baring in mind what I've been told about the evils of front suspension I'm currently looking at a Ridgeback x3

http://www.pedalscyclecentre.co.uk/m1b0 ... ck-x3-2014

(not necessarily from this site)

Unfortunately none of my local stores stock them so it looks like I'll have to try and figure out sizing myself and order online. A shame really as I was hoping to buy local to avoid this and to minimise any issues with build/setup, support etc but my local stores seem to only stock front suspension models. How hard/easy should it be for someone with very little knowledge or spannering skills to assemble things correctly?

Would this be capable of handling the occasional trips to the local woods/fields?

Any other thoughts?

Apologies for all the questions but I'm feeling a bit blind whilst looking at spending what to me is a very large amount so want to make sure I don't end up regretting it!

type:epyt

Sizes are limited but it's a bit of a bargain:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s168p5 ... ENT-1-2013

Names kinda cool too.

w00dster

Before you right off the susp bikes have a good think about the routes your going to be riding. If it is primarily road then I would agree get rid of the front suspension. One of my bikes is an "urban cross" bike - a Genesis CDF, its great for gravel paths, muddy grassy areas, but any lumpy trails and I miss my mountain bike! I took it through a forest trail last weekend and it was quite painful!
The Ridgeback looks a decent bike, in your price bracket you do have a good choice, a lot of the bikes are pretty much the same spec, its just a case of looking for reviews of the bikes, look for reviews of the brakes and pick one that fits and you like the colour off.
If I had the room for another bike (or the money for a divorce...), doing a combination of road and off road, I would probably be looking at a Charge Cooker, hydraulic disc brakes and a decent price at Wiggle. The SS would be absolutely awesome, hard work though. I also think it looks pretty cool as well.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-cooker-ss-29er-2014/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-cooker-3-29er-2014/

Just checked and they have the single speed in stock...Anyone want to buy a Genesis Flyer, size 54?!? Got to make room somehow!

Moonbiker

Im always suspucious when they don't list weight that they will be stupidly heavy.