Need Some Hybrid Help Please

neilvx

I am in the process of getting a cheaper hybrid bike through work to leave at the girlfriends and use in this bad weather.

I already have a carbon road bike but don't like leaving that around.

Getting it through my work so can only use Evans Cycles and limited myself to £400 or less. This is what has caught my eye so far-

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/lithium-two-2015-hybrid-bike-ec071280

This also looked good and is very light :-)

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/hoy/shizuoka-001-2015-hybrid-bike-ec051518

If you have time could you check the site and give me your input, any input is welcome :-)

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Those two are currently on my shortlist/wishlist for a new hydraulic brake commuter, along with...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-transmission-cb22-singlespeed-2015/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kona-humu-2015/ (which I then upgrade the brakes off my frame damaged Pylon8)
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/classic-bikes/voodoo-marasa-hybrid-bike

Or if I feel confident to ride a drop bar bike regularly, after my accident ~2 years ago...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkose-singlespeed-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec071310

The price on the Verenti is nice, but the brakes don't seem to be that good, plus at best it will take 32mm tyres. Nice low weight, if correct, too.

The Voodoo is generally well regarded for its normal price, so at ~£280 it is tempting, but the bike snob in me is a little wary of those frame welds.

I'm really tempted by the Humu, with its quirky frame and decent balloon bike tyres, but it is the unknown about how easy it will be to swap out the cable brakes for hydraulics.

If the Hoy was more hi-vis rather than "stealthy black," I think that would be my flat bar choice, decent spec and weight plus apparently they customise bits in the shop to fit you better. Maybe the answer is to buy it and then carefully add some fluorescent yellow/orange/pink to the frame?

neilvx

That Kona is different :-)

neilvx

Anyone else ?

The Rookie

If an 18" suites, this is blinding value and makes C2W a waste of time
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/classic-bikes/voodoo-marasa-hybrid-bike-2013-2014

Otherwise of the two you linked to, the Hoy for the ally forks, or this is a much better bike decent groupset and disc brakes
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/absolute-13-disc-2015-hybrid-bike-ec072783

neilvx

The Fuji is nice but after the effort with detail why fit mechanical brakes :-(

The Rookie

On a commuter mechanical brakes are fine, I've been running them for 5 years.

neilvx

Out of choice I would prefer hydraulic as I have them on my MTB.

The Rookie

I would as well, but the rest of the groupset is so much better, also it has carbon forks, I'd forgo the hydraulics, could always swap some on later.

neilvx

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19761300#p19761300]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

I would as well, but the rest of the groupset is so much better, also it has carbon forks, I'd forgo the hydraulics, could always swap some on later.

Good point

mr_eddy

Check out this from Evans - Currently on sale as the 2015 version. I got mine and its great.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/hoy/shizuoka-000-2015-hybrid-bike-ec059169

The 1 x 8 setup is fuss free and ideal for commuting and unless you are climbing the alps more than enough range of gears.

The weight as a result of the 1 x 8 setup and the excellent V Brakes means its easy to get up to speed. Not many commuters come out the box at sub 10kg for less than £400 !

I put on some 38c tyres, guards and a rack and it works great.

mr_eddy

Should also add that the V brakes whilst not as responsive as Discs work fine for me - I have nearly gone over the handle bars in the wet and I weigh 85kg with 10kg of stuff in the pannier bag so power is not an issue and nor is modulation. The other benefit is they are so easy to maintain, Even supermarkets sell brake pads for V brakes and no messing about with hydraulic fluid etc.

neilvx

In the end I went for the HOY 001 2015 model and even got an extra £20 which brought it down to £395.

Now just waiting for it to arrive at the local shop :-)