Commuter bike buying advice

danny_c

Hi everyone

I'm looking for a fast hybrid for a 4-mile ew suburban all-year-round commute, some of it on a tarmaced off-road cycle path but mostly on flat roads. I like the look of a couple of the Giant hybrids I've seen - the Rapid 3 and Fastroad SLR - but haven't managed to find many reviews on either of them - can anyone give me any pointers?

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 205/77301/
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 204/77304/

I prefer the look of the Rapid but the disk brakes on the Fastroad are also quite appealing. I'm probably spending more than I usually would as I want something that will last, and also Giant are on my employer's C2W scheme and are offering 3 years' free maintenance. I've heard good things about Trek and Boardman bikes as well but I don't think the Boardmans are available through my particular C2W scheme.

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/ci ... 4_fx_disc/

Thanks for all your help!

Dan

asprilla

Personally, I'd go with the Trek. They isn't much to choose between them and Giant as a brand (they may well be made in the same factory as there are only about three large scale bike manufacturers in the world). The thing that stood out for me on the Trek was that it had hydraulic disc brakes as opposed to mechanical discs or rim brakes.

I've found hydraulics to be much easier to live with than mechanicals as they require less fettling.

danny_c

Thanks Asprilla - I didn't actually know there were different types of disc brakes - this is getting harder! :-). The Trek looks like a great bike as well though so may go for that.

cedargreen

As Asprilla has said, there usually isn't much real difference between bikes at a particular price point, and you can spend ages comparing specification on the internet.

If you want hydraulic discs you'll have to pay more, but more important is that the bike is the right size and feels right. Free servicing for 3 years also sounds like a good deal if you're not confident about being able to do this yourself (though all my commuting bike ever gets is chain lube), and where you get it from might also be important- how near/ friendly/ helpful is the shop?

The Rookie

Half the price of the Trek and just as good
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... 13-2014-20

I know two people with Marasas, both very happy.

thelonegroover

Check this out...
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXKAFF2F ... a-flat-bar

snowster

For me you can't go wrong http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... -bike-2014 fast and reliable mine has never let me dowm just buy when halfords has 20% off...