A new hybrid bike?

[ckmj57]

Hello all,
Apologies for the fact that this question has probably been asked a hundred times before, but I have a budget of around £500 for a ladies hybrid bike, to be used mainly on paths and tracks, and wonder if anyone has any recommendations? I've ridden a couple of Giant bikes, and liked the Rove 2, but feel as though it would be useful to get opinions before pretty much going for the first bike I see!
Thanks,
Catherine

 

[MarkF]

Hi Catherine,
I've gone through a lot of Hybrids, Trek, Dawes, Specilaized and IMO the Dawes Discovery is the best built of the lot, I've gone though many Disco's. I bought my wife a Discovery 301 about 3 years ago and it's proved to be fine for her, she does all light trail/towpath riding on her daily commute to work.

 

[ckmj57]

That's great, thanks. I had also wondered about the Dawes discovery sport series..

 

[MarkF]

They are good, though I prefer the older framed models, pre 2011. Ladies bikes don't seem to hold their value too well, I'd look for a mint, used, high spec 501/601 which are very good bikes indeed.

Tbh I think it would be hard to get a "bad" hybrid for £300-500 from a reputable manufacturer but I believe the Dawes small component quality to be superior to the others I mentioned, I could always do work on them without nipples breaking, screw heads turning to cheese or bolt threads stripping etc

 

[ckmj57]

I'll have a look around, thanks so much for the info. Now I'm looking at the Dawes website, I'm noticing the Sonoran/Tanami. I know that the best thing to do is to have a ride on these bikes, but so much experience on here that I can't help but ask. I guess that these are more for road and less for track?

 

[ckmj57]

Thanks for that Mort, I'll have a look.

 

[puch]

I've perused these, and all look good:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mongoose/crossway-300-2013-hybrid-bike-ec042775

http://www.sportsandoutdoors.co.uk/...alloy-24-speed-mens-hybrid-trekking-bike.html

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/giant-escape-3-13

Female versions too, but many women buy gents.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

These look really nice in the flesh:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/neon-3-2013-womens-hybrid-bike-ec044190#features

 

[vickster]

Trek 7.3 WSD - I really like my WSD Trek in the past - moved on as it was too small for me ultimately. Just such a shame it's black (my pet hate)

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/73-fx-wsd-2013-womens-hybrid-bike-ec040360 , also in step through

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/73-fx-l-wsd-2013-womens-hybrid-bike-ec040361

The unisex one is red, sooo much nicer http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/73-fx-2013-hybrid-bike-ec040356

Whyte Portobello - actually a 'unisex' frame but that's not a worry if taller http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co....='Whyte Portobello 2012 Hybrid/Commuter Bike'

 

[ckmj57]

Thank you!
This is getting more complicated the more I look into it....decisions, decisions! Need to go for test runs next I think.
Thanks again all.

 

[vickster]

Evans are pretty good for test rides - 1p on a credit card and away you go. I would avoid trying to bike browse at the weekends as the shops are very busy, better when they are quiet and you can spend more time talking to shop staff

 

[ckmj57]

Thanks for the advice.......although I may not be able to wait long enough for a free week day! I'll try grinning and bearing it this weekend

 

[Cupra]

I read a lot of views that often its better to buy the mans bike as there more cumfy.

 

[vickster]

The bike that fits you properly is most comfy And a bike that you find aesthetically pleasing is more likely to be ridden often

 

[ckmj57]

Afternoon all, still looking for my bike! My current question is suspension vs no suspension. We'll mostly be riding paths and tracks with kids, and less frequently on roads. My initial thought was that suspension would be good, but looking around I wonder if people feel that it's a waste, unless we're doing serious off road biking. All advice gratefully received!