Which hybrid bike should a get out of these? UK Buyer here

[cycleway]

Hey everyone. I hope you're all doing well.

Both myself and my dad are getting a bike each. We haven't cycled for many years! We are mainly going to be cycling on the roads.. both out in the countryside and in the busy city center. I have been torn between getting a road bike or a hybrid bike, but i've finally decided that a hybrid bike could be best, just incase we would like to go up onto a more rougher surface, and if I ever decide to splash out on a more expensive road bike in the future, my mother will be able to have the hybrid.

I am going be cycling a lot more than my dad. I will eventually work up to cycling about 4 hours a day. Our maximum price is 200 Great British Pounds. I understand to a lot of experienced cyclists we won't get much for this price but I have looked online at all the British stores in my area and there seems to be some decent bikes at the top of the budget.

I've looked on Decathlon, Halfords, Evans Cycles, Je James Cycles, Sports Direct, and Go Outdoors and have narrowed my choice down to a few bikes. I thought that I'd ask you guys what you think would be the best for me, seeing as many of you are experienced cyclists!

So yeah! All in all I will be cycling about 4 hours a day, I'd like a bike that's on the lighter side so not too heavy, and that has decent speed.

Thank you for reading and I really appreciate your help!

Here are the bikes i've narrowed it down to:

B'TWIN ORIGINAL 500 HYBRID BIKE - BLUE
I'm a bit weary of these kind of bikes and brands that are sold by Decathlon only.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/original-500-hybrid-bike-grey-id_8165507.html

Dawes Discovery Trail 2015 Hybrid Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/discovery-trail-2015-hybrid-bike-ec114544

Probike Enterprise Gents Bike 2016
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/probike-enterprise-gents-bike-id70007.html#info

Probike Horizon Gents Urban Bike 2016
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/probike-enterprise-gents-bike-id70007.html#info

Viking Portobello Men's 700c Hybrid Bikehttp://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/viking-portobello-p298527
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/viking-portobello-p298527

Raleigh Edale Mens Hybrid Bike
Halfords have a few bikes under 200GBP but from my research, I've read that people should stay away from their 'Apollo' bikes that seem to be sold by Halfords only. This 'Raleigh' bike though is a very well known brand to my knowledge and is the bike i'm leaning towards getting.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/classic-bikes/raleigh-edale-mens-hybrid-bike

 

[vickster]

I'd go for one of the top two. Nothing to be afraid of with Decathlon bikes, they are as well made as any other at the price point, if not better. That style wouldn't be my choice. On that basis, the Dawes would be the one for me

The others will be heavy beasts

Raleigh are now owned by venture capitalists out of the far east. Now really only linked to Nottingham Raleigh of old in name only

Have you considered second hand?

 

[midlife]

I wonder if any shops have some old stock Ridgeback. Something like the Velocity. We have 2 Ridgebacks in the garage and they seem pretty well screwed together with sensible / solid kit.

Shaun

 

[NorthernDave]

The B'Twins from Decathlon get consistently good reviews and are highly regarded by many, although if you don't have a store near you where you can see / try one I can understand your reticence.
If you're happy buying second hand there are some bargains to be had at your budget, possibly a Boardman or similar, but make sure to thoroughly check the bike and it's provenance if you go down that route.

 

[cycleway]

I'd go for one of the top two. Nothing to be afraid of with Decathlon bikes, they are as well made as any other at the price point, if not better. That style wouldn't be my choice. On that basis, the Dawes would be the one for me

The others will be heavy beasts

Raleigh are now owned by venture capitalists out of the far east. Now really only linked to Nottingham Raleigh of old in name only

Have you considered second hand?

Hey vickster,

Thanks for the reply! Ohh I see! I may just get the Decathlon or Dawes after seeing your reply. Yeah, I understand what you mean about the style of the Decathelon. I prefer the Dawes too. Me and my dad will be going to the stores to try them out and get the right size so we'll see what they're like in person.

Thanks for telling me about the Raleigh. That bike was probably my favourite looks wise but if you say it'll be heavy and not as good as the others then I will take your word for it

I did consider buying second hand but I got worried that it might break down on me. What I like about buying brand new at the store is that I can take it back if it does break. My dad doesn't seem fond of buying second hand. If I hadn't done a bit of research he probably would have gone straight into the store and bought a big tired mountain bike!

 

[cycleway]

The B'Twins from Decathlon get consistently good reviews and are highly regarded by many, although if you don't have a store near you where you can see / try one I can understand your reticence.
If you're happy buying second hand there are some bargains to be had at your budget, possibly a Boardman or similar, but make sure to thoroughly check the bike and it's provenance if you go down that route.

Hi Dave thanks for replying!

Yeah that is something i've noticed.. the B'Twins do get good reviews! I have a decathlon store near me so we will definitely be trying it out beforehand. Which bike would you go for out of the ones I listed above?

 

[Elswick Cotterpin]

B twin Rockrider 340 comes in under your budget, mountain bike, though.

 

[NorthernDave]

Hi Dave thanks for replying!

Yeah that is something i've noticed.. the B'Twins do get good reviews! I have a decathlon store near me so we will definitely be trying it out beforehand. Which bike would you go for out of the ones I listed above?

I've no first hand experience of any of those bikes, so it's difficult to say.
B'Twin get good reviews and Dawes seems to have a good name, but ultimately it's what is right for you - and 10 different people could quite easily choose 10 different bikes as being 'the one' for them.
I've got a Boardman MX Sport hybrid, which is a bit above your budget but I think it's great and would recommend to anyone - others might disagree but that's bikes for you.

 

[Pale Rider]

Suspension forks at this price are worse than useless, which rules out the Decathlon.

I can't see a lot between the others.

If you still want suspension, have a read of the bikes on credit thread, ignore all the sage advice therein, and borrow enough to buy a Cannondale Quick CX1.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-...ign=Adwords&gclid=CIHd98Gv9coCFQ0SGwodmpwLrw#

 

[cycleway]

Suspension forks at this price are worse than useless, which rules out the Decathlon.

I can't see a lot between the others.

If you still want suspension, have a read of the bikes on credit thread, ignore all the sage advice therein, and borrow enough to buy a Cannondale Quick CX1.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-...ign=Adwords&gclid=CIHd98Gv9coCFQ0SGwodmpwLrw#

I actually forgot that the decathlon bike had suspension. I'm not that bothered about a bike with suspension anyway.
I'm now leaning towards the Dawes Discovery Trail 2015 Hybrid. There is another bike from Evans Cycles that's only 24 Pounds more Jamis Allegro 2016 Hybrid Bike. I like the look too. But they only have 17 inch in stock and I can't imagine them getting anymore sizes in anytime soon. We're looking to get the bikes in the next couple of days.

There is this one, which is 29 pounds more than I was looking for -

Dawes Discovery 101 2015 Hybrid Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/discovery-101-2015-hybrid-bike-ec114546#features

Which would you guys think is better between the one above and this below?

Dawes Discovery Trail 2015 Hybrid Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/discovery-trail-2015-hybrid-bike-ec114544

 

[Pale Rider]

I actually forgot that the decathlon bike had suspension. I'm not that bothered about a bike with suspension anyway.
I'm now leaning towards the Dawes Discovery Trail 2015 Hybrid. There is another bike from Evans Cycles that's only 24 Pounds more Jamis Allegro 2016 Hybrid Bike. I like the look too. But they only have 17 inch in stock and I can't imagine them getting anymore sizes in anytime soon. We're looking to get the bikes in the next couple of days.

There is this one, which is 29 pounds more than I was looking for -

Dawes Discovery 101 2015 Hybrid Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/discovery-101-2015-hybrid-bike-ec114546#features

Which would you guys think is better between the one above and this below?

Dawes Discovery Trail 2015 Hybrid Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/discovery-trail-2015-hybrid-bike-ec114544

The Discovery 101 has a replaceable rear mech hanger and quick release wheels.

Both are worth having for the extra money.

It has rapid fire gear change rather than a twist shifter.

Not so much in that, but I prefer rapid fire.

 

[Blue Hills]

Suspension forks at this price are worse than useless, which rules out the Decathlon.

+ 1 to the anti suspension comment. You only need suspension in my view if you plan to hurtle down mountainsides and then you need to pay good money for it.

Pity - yes Decathlon bikes have a pretty good reputation.

 

[NorthernDave]

The Discovery 101 has a replaceable rear mech hanger and quick release wheels.

Both are worth having for the extra money.

It has rapid fire gear change rather than a twist shifter.

Not so much in that, but I prefer rapid fire.

I'd agree - there is no way I'd choose a bike with twist shifter gears (but again that's personal preference).

 

[vickster]

Can you find a few more quid for this? Especially if out an ongoing longer distances on the road?

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-flat-bar-road-bike-black-id_8322664.html

 

[cycleway]

Thanks to all for your replies. I'm not going for the Decathlon suspension bike. It's now between...

Dawes Discovery Trail 2015 Hybrid Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/discovery-trail-2015-hybrid-bike-ec114544

Giant Cypress Hybrid Bike 2015
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/giant-cypress-hybrid-bike-id85849.html#info

It might be a bit silly but I've decided that I want a dark coloured bike. I'm leaning towards the second one. The Giant Cypress. Do you guys think this looks decent? I can pick it up directly from the store so I'll be sure to try it out beforehand.