Which hybrid for road and off-road mix, please?

rushey
rushey Posts: 21
edited July 2017 in Road buying advice
Hi

I've had a Specialized Sport Disc 2006 since, well, 2006 which I love and is great for road cycling.

Recently joined a local cycling group who like to do some road and some unpaved paths (bridleways, gravel paths, towpaths, that sort of thing) which my Sirrus isn't best placed for. Went out last week in the dry and was slipping on some of the surfaces.

I've been thinking that having not bought a new bike for over a decade it's time for a new one, and I'd like to get one that can cope with both road and off-road. I like hybrids because the riding position suits me, and I have a bit of a bad back so bending over too much makes me stiff and achey.

Got a budget of up to £1k and have been looking at things like:
https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale- ... e-EV280390
https://www.evanscycles.com/trek-ds-4-2 ... e-EV284331
https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized ... e-EV279744

Currently erring towards the DS4 in my mind, half because we have a Trek dealer in the town where I live, but would really appreciate advice to help me make a good choice. And if people need more info from me first, happy to answer.

Many thanks

Rob

Comments

  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    I'd be looking at a gravel bike, rather than something with front suspension. You don't need it IMO, it's heavy, and cheap sus forks are rubbish anyway.

    You can still run a flat bar/upright position.

    To give you some idea, I built a rigid 29er for my wife, based on a alu Boardman; 1x10, semislicks, wide flar bar, 2.1 thunder burts. Perfect for towpath romps.

    The Sirrus should have potential though - tyre change?
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • antonyfromoz
    antonyfromoz Posts: 482
    What about something a bit different like this from Alpkit: https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/son ... 1-flat-bar
    They also do the frame alone if you want to build it as you like and they make it in titanium too!
  • rushey
    rushey Posts: 21
    maddog 2 wrote:
    The Sirrus should have potential though - tyre change?
    Thanks for the reply, my Sirrus has got Continental Grand Prix 4000S II tyres on at the moment - any recommendations to consider instead?
  • rushey
    rushey Posts: 21
    antonyfromoz wrote:
    What about something a bit different like this from Alpkit: https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/son ... 1-flat-bar
    They also do the frame alone if you want to build it as you like and they make it in titanium too!
    Interesting leftfield option there! Titanium a bit out of my price league, but wonder if they'd do the Apex Hydraulic with flat bars? https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/son ... -hydraulic
  • antonyfromoz
    antonyfromoz Posts: 482
    Rushey wrote:
    antonyfromoz wrote:
    What about something a bit different like this from Alpkit: https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/son ... 1-flat-bar
    They also do the frame alone if you want to build it as you like and they make it in titanium too!
    Interesting leftfield option there! Titanium a bit out of my price league, but wonder if they'd do the Apex Hydraulic with flat bars? https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/son ... -hydraulic
    The one i linked to is the Apex flat bar with hydraulic brakes at £749!
  • rushey
    rushey Posts: 21
    antonyfromoz wrote:
    The one i linked to is the Apex flat bar with hydraulic brakes at £749!
    Doh :roll:
  • froze
    froze Posts: 213
    the Cannondale Quick CX has the SRAM GX which is one step up from the Shimano SLX. Not sure if that helps any.
  • rushey
    rushey Posts: 21
    antonyfromoz wrote:
    What about something a bit different like this from Alpkit: https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/son ... 1-flat-bar
    They also do the frame alone if you want to build it as you like and they make it in titanium too!
    Well, having looked at the hybrids and not been over-enthusiastic I went up to Alpkit's factory yesterday and took a Camino AL out for a spin. Handled really well on the bumpy lanes, footpaths and canal towpaths I tried out on a 20km spin.

    When I got back to the factory I placed an order for a Titanium - should come next week. So thanks very much for a great tip :)

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