Recommend me a hybrid bike

[Fromtherough]

Can anyone recommend me a decent hybrid bike? Budget around £500. We moved house over Christmas. With the bad weather and chew on getting the house sorted, we didn’t really get chance to explore our new neighbourhood. In the lockdown I’ve been getting my daily exercise in on the many cycle tracks around the town.

I was initially considering a road bike as we really are spoilt for choice locally, with good investment in cycle paths and the countryside just on my doorstep. However, whilst out on a few jogs I’ve discovered numerous trails and routes off the beaten track which take in beautiful routes. After researching at home, these stretch for miles, with a variety of surfaces/terrains. So I’m now thinking a hybrid would be the best option?

Any advice on what to look out for or to expect from the purchase would be appreciated. I’m clueless as to what is ‘good’, even some of the brands are new to me. The budget is flexible too, as I can tap into the cycle2work scheme if it’s worth spending a bit more. Oh, and it’s more for leisure/fun than a serious sport - no lycra will be adorned!

 

[ScienceBoy]

I highly recommend looking at electric bikes, they are hugely expensive but it doesn’t hurt to browse right?

 

[Pathetic Shark]

The one that belongs to the tawt down the road from me that he goes out on three times a day. Any chance you could nick it?

 

[fundy]

I have a Giant Escape I think it is, was about £500 new I think several years ago but they do an updated range I think. Has been excellent quality even having to cart my large frame on its small frame! Happily ride it on roads and off roads on tracks etc Spec wise most of it seems to be Shimano stuff, 21 gears, disc brakes and puncture resistant tyres

ps even with no lycra do get some padded shorts

 

[chrisd]

I bought a Voodoo Marasa bike from Halfords last year and whilst not being much of a cyclist I really like it

 

[Fromtherough]

I highly recommend looking at electric bikes, they are hugely expensive but it doesn’t hurt to browse right?

Ha, sounds fun, but surely defeats the purpose? Imagine the furore of going out for your daily exercise in lockdown riding an electric bike would cause!

 

[Fromtherough]

I have a Giant Escape I think it is, was about £500 new I think several years ago but they do an updated range I think. Has been excellent quality even having to cart my large frame on its small frame! Happily ride it on roads and off roads on tracks etc Spec wise most of it seems to be Shimano stuff, 21 gears, disc brakes and puncture resistant tyres

ps even with no lycra do get some padded shorts

? must admit a padded seat is equally a high priority... Just found out our local cycle shop is still open. They stock Giant so will have a look.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Ha, sounds fun, but surely defeats the purpose? Imagine the furore of going out for your daily exercise in lockdown riding an electric bike would cause!

My wife has one and I was very impressed, even though it was a cheapo one. I would love one for my cycle commute so I don’t have to I change to cycle in.

When you ride one you still have to pedal and still have to work, it just helps on the hardest bits. For general cycling you tend to go faster than the motor would help so it turns off and its all you pedalling.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

This is a decent allround hybrid, I've got the 540 (now discontinued) which is slightly higher spec and I'm very pleased with it. Decathlon also take cycle2work vouchers.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rc500-flat-bar-disc-road-bike-sora-id_8554412.html

 

[Fromtherough]

This is a decent allround hybrid, I've got the 540 (now discontinued) which is slightly higher spec and I'm very pleased with it. Decathlon also take cycle2work vouchers.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rc500-flat-bar-disc-road-bike-sora-id_8554412.html

I’ve never heard of Triban. Will read up on them. Do you use yours mainly on road/cycle paths or a mix? How does it perform on trails etc? The tyres on the bike in your link look thin.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I’ve never heard of Triban. Will read up on them. Do you use yours mainly on road/cycle paths or a mix? How does it perform on trails etc? The tyres on the bike in your link look thin.

There is a country park near me that I use my hybrid for. Mix of gravel and hard packed mud paths. No issues with it although you could fit wider tyres if you wanted for about £10 a wheel. Don't use it on the road much, got a road bike for that. My G/F has a Specialized hybrid that cost about the same and my Triban is a much better bike.

 

[SteveJay]

Triban is quite a reputable own brand. Some of their racing bikes are highly regarded for the price. At Decathlon you can at least sit on them and ride them round the shop a little.

I have a Trek Hybrid but don't use it that much now as I bought a road bike. A newish class is gravel bikes - may be worth a look, essentially a road bike , with drops, which can be used on gravel, canal paths etc. A lot lighter than a true hybrid, so easier to pedal!


Oh...and an earlier post mentioned a padded seat - don't do it, read up on th comfiest seats - it won't be a big padded one. Actually carbon is supposed to be comfiest but best to get fitted for a saddle (yes, that is a thing, as we are all different down there !!!!)

 

[Fromtherough]

Triban is quite a reputable own brand. Some of their racing bikes are highly regarded for the price. At Decathlon you can at least sit on them and ride them round the shop a little.

I have a Trek Hybrid but don't use it that much now as I bought a road bike. A newish class is gravel bikes - may be worth a look, essentially a road bike , with drops, which can be used on gravel, canal paths etc. A lot lighter than a true hybrid, so easier to pedal!


Oh...and an earlier post mentioned a padded seat - don't do it, read up on th comfiest seats - it won't be a big padded one. Actually carbon is supposed to be comfiest but best to get fitted for a saddle (yes, that is a thing, as we are all different down there !!!!)

Strangely, stumbled upon gravel bikes in some of my searches earlier. Although the ones I saw were very expensive, so I discounted. Will have another search. Trek has some really good reviews and I’ve seen a few models in and around my budget.

For someone who finds a golf fitting a bit awkward, I can’t wait for the data and slow-mo video which the bike pro will then use to advise me on which saddle to buy...

 

[ferenezejohn]

? must admit a padded seat is equally a high priority... Just found out our local cycle shop is still open. They stock Giant so will have a look.

You won't go wrong with Giant, biggest manufacturers of bikes in the world.
Bit of advice don't get one of those big wide padded saddles there murder
The shop will advise but stick to your budget.
Off road is much better fun due to volumes of traffic, watch out for gravel on bends especially downhill.
Safe riding.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

I went through the same process a few years ago, the more I looked into getting a bike the more it became a minefield of information.

One thing I'm definitely glad I did was to buy from a specialist bike shop. Sure the prices might seem a touch higher to start with, but for a start they are specialists and interested in bikes, might sound obvious but true.
Then there's the little niggles you might get, chain comes off and might need a slight adjustment, gears might need a bit of adjusting or whatever, all easily and quickly rectified in a small business.
Plus once you're a customer, there's scope for the price of things like accessories to come down more in a smaller shop as they have more discretion.
As much as I like Decathlon, I couldn't imagine buying a bike from the likes of there, or Halfords or the like.

Very similar to golf really.

Totally agree.

I regret buying from Halfords on the bike to work scheme quite a few years ago. Any issues they were fairly useless. Took it to a local bike shop who were brilliant.

I have bought from them since and my next purchase will be with them very soon. Any niggles service wise they are brilliant.

As soon as I have decided if it’s going to great a road bike or cyclocross/gravel bike

 

[Fromtherough]

So, buying a bike in the current climate is a bit more difficult than I expected. My local bike shop has been pillaged of stock - unless you’re spending serious money.

Have any of you heard of Rutland Cycles? I’ve found a Bianchi C-Sport (2018 model) on there for £550. It looks a good deal. Plus they offer a 30 day trial where apparently they’ll exchange if not completely happy (charging £50 to collect the bike).

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Have a look at Specialized.
I’ve just bought a Specialized Crosstrail hybrid bike, my local shop had trouble getting stock so went online to their website, say they have several shops, one in Ruislip, gave them a ring.

very helpful, ordered and paid for said bike, picked it up on Wednesday, direct train from Aylesbury to West Ruislip, 10 minute walk to the shop.
Social distancing observed
Took bike back on the train, I was the only passenger both ways.

 

[Fromtherough]

Have a look at Specialized.
I’ve just bought a Specialized Crosstrail hybrid bike, my local shop had trouble getting stock so went online to their website, say they have several shops, one in Ruislip, gave them a ring.

very helpful, ordered and paid for said bike, picked it up on Wednesday, direct train from Aylesbury to West Ruislip, 10 minute walk to the shop.
Social distancing observed
Took bike back on the train, I was the only passenger both ways.
View attachment 30348

Looks nice. I might take the punt on the Bianchi. Was keen to sit/ride before I bought though.

 

[chrisd]

Have a look at Specialized.
I’ve just bought a Specialized Crosstrail hybrid bike, my local shop had trouble getting stock so went online to their website, say they have several shops, one in Ruislip, gave them a ring.

very helpful, ordered and paid for said bike, picked it up on Wednesday, direct train from Aylesbury to West Ruislip, 10 minute walk to the shop.
Social distancing observed
Took bike back on the train, I was the only passenger both ways.
View attachment 30348

It's a flippin bike Fragger, why didn't you cycle back??

 

[Mudball]

i guess it depends on how much will you bike after the lockdown. Bikes are like Golf Clubs... it is an endless pit of money, and you can get anything from Sportdirect Dunlops to fully customised. At the end of the day, it comes down to what you with it.

I have a Carerra Crossfire that i got for about 250 from Halfords. Hardly rode it all of last year but did not lose sleep over it. During the lockdown, it has been on the road, small bike trails, thru golf courses which allow normal humans ... everything. It is fairly good (so far)

https://www.cyclerepublic.com/carrera-crossfire-1-mens-hybrid-bike-2020.html