£400 Hybrid

Mister C

Hi all. I’m just about to buy a hybrid for commuting, I have been using my road bike but I’m getting to the age where I need something a bit more comfortable.
I have £400 from my company cycle to work scheme and I’m after something light, quick and reliable, my route is road/cycle path plus I may also do some road/towpath type excursions at weekends. I’ve narrowed my search down to these:
• Trek 7.2FX
• Specialized Sirrus 2015
• Cannondale Quick 6
They all seem pretty much the same to me and the final choice may come down to looks and reliability, or is there something I’m missing? I’d really like some opinions from some users or anyone with an informed opinion of all three. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

davis

I can't find the specific bikes easily at that price...Any chance of some links to the exact models? There are a number that all share the same name.

Some of these seem to come with or without disc brakes; if you can I'd get discs. Saying that, traditionally the Sirrus and the 7.2FX are almost identical at the same price/model year.

Mister C

Thanks for your reply, here are the links:

Trek http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec068196
Cannondale http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec071043
Specialized http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec070673

Discs appear to be slightly out of my price range unfortunately.

davis

Marginal preference for the Trek based purely on the shifters. I think the Cannondale has slightly worse gears.

It's between the Spesh and the Trek, for me, but there's so little to choose between them I'd pick the one you thought was prettier. If you can try them all, do so. Be guided by the one that fits you and feels better. If you can't, I'd go Trek, Spesh, Cannondale, unless you really don't like the look of the Trek.

The gears are better similar, and the frames are similar, although the Spesh has an alloy fork (slightly lighter).

apreading

Alloy fork will be lighter but probably harsher over poor roads - swings and roundabouts. Either way is a compromise because you probably wont get carbon at this price. Decathlon used to do a flat bar road bike with carbon forks I think but they dont seem to list it online now... Just dont go for one with suspension (you obviously havent so far) because it will be heavy and not work well at this price. If you want comfort, you might want to suss them out to see which one has most clearance to fit wider tyres should you want to.

All these bikes look very similar, not much to choose between them.

cyclinghaggis

I've ridden to work on an Edinburgh Courier Race Hybrid for the last 3 years. Low maintenance 8-speed, guard/rack fittings, lightweight and 32x700c tyres on MTB geometry make it pretty much ideal for the urban commute IMO. They quite often have it reduced on sale to £280 as well.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... er-race-15 - £350



There's a hydraulic disc version available for £400 if you like but I personally think the tyres are too skinny to benefit much from disc brakes and feel it adds complexity you don't need for commuting on the road.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... draulic-15

19aim82

I have the 2013 sirrus and it is great commutting work horse. In hindsight I would have picked something slightly prettier - the dull grey finish I have is a little dull, and I would also look for something with disc brakes. The rubber blocks seem to coat the whole bike in black gung over the winter months and I prefer the set-up of calipers as fitted to my mountain bike.

For the type of route you are suggesting, I would also consider something with a suspension fork. I do find the sirrus rattles my bones on poor quality roads, again a plush full suspension bike spoils me. The specialized cross trail would be my pick [url][/url]http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Crosstrail-Disc-2015-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_72128.htm[url][/url] for an extra £50!

The Rookie

Check out the Voodoo Marasa at Halfords, decent spec and hydraulic discs for £314

Tyres are a bit heavy, for on road use some lighter 32mm really make it sparkle, and you can chuck some knobblies on and have a rigid MTB.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... 13-2014-18

cyclinghaggis

19aim82 wrote:

For the type of route you are suggesting, I would also consider something with a suspension fork. I do find the sirrus rattles my bones on poor quality roads, again a plush full suspension bike spoils me. The specialized cross trail would be my pick [url][/url]http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Crosstrail-Disc-2015-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_72128.htm[url][/url] for an extra £50!

Front suspension can be handy on rough gravel paths but the big problem is that it means you can't fit a full length mudguard which IMO is essential if you want to commute on a bike in all weathers. Also has the downside of adding weight/expense/maintenance over a rigid fork and makes your bike that bit more attractive to thieves.

There are pros/cons either way but if possible it's best going for a rigid fork unless you really feel you need suspension.

The Rookie

cyclinghaggis wrote:

19aim82 wrote:

For the type of route you are suggesting, I would also consider something with a suspension fork. I do find the sirrus rattles my bones on poor quality roads, again a plush full suspension bike spoils me. The specialized cross trail would be my pick [url][/url]http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Crosstrail-Disc-2015-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_72128.htm[url][/url] for an extra £50!

Front suspension can be handy on rough gravel paths but the big problem is that it means you can't fit a full length mudguard which IMO is essential if you want to commute on a bike in all weathers. Also has the downside of adding weight/expense/maintenance over a rigid fork and makes your bike that bit more attractive to thieves.

There are pros/cons either way but if possible it's best going for a rigid fork unless you really feel you need suspension.

The Suntour Hybrid forks have full guard mounts and yes you can fit a full length guard.

Not all alloy forks are harsh, the Mosso for example are very forgiving and nicely damped.

cyclinghaggis

The Rookie wrote:

The Suntour Hybrid forks have full guard mounts and yes you can fit a full length guard.

Not all alloy forks are harsh, the Mosso for example are very forgiving and nicely damped.

Useful to know that some of the forks can take a full mudguard. Hadn't realised it was possible!

Mister C

Thanks for your input everybody I'm going to go with the Sirrus, it came down to a beauty parade. I'll post my early experiences with it in a few weeks time.