A new hybrid bike?

[Mo1959]

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!

I think you just answered your own question For normal paths and tracks suspension isn't really required and just makes the bike heavy. Unless you are going upmarket, the suspension on cheaper bikes isn't great anyway.

 

[ckmj57]

Great, thank you...this forum is the bees knees!
Budget for my bike is around £500-£600. I tried a nice Specialised bike at the weekend, with a lock for the front suspension. I really wasn't sure whether or not there was much difference with it on or off when I had a ride around the cobbled back streets...might just start unchecking the 'suspension' box when I search online.

 

[Mo1959]

Great, thank you...this forum is the bees knees!
Budget for my bike is around £500-£600. I tried a nice Specialised bike at the weekend, with a lock for the front suspension. I really wasn't sure whether or not there was much difference with it on or off when I had a ride around the cobbled back streets...might just start unchecking the 'suspension' box when I search online.

If you've been looking at Specialized, what about the Sirrus range. I think the range starts at £400 and works it way up according to specs. It will be able to take a range of size of tyres depending on the terrain you mostly ride on and will take mudguards too. Giant Escape is kind of similar.

There is really quite a good choice of hybrid in that price range so you should find something to suit. Be great if you could try out a few more. Sometimes one just clicks and you feel it just feels right for you.

 

[vickster]

Vita = Women's Sirrus - pretty sporty flat bar but ok on paths, carefully on dry cobbles

If not riding on the smoothest surfaces, you may not need or want suspension, but your budget will buy you a carbon fork which for me is a must

I'd look at the Trek 7.3 WSD, Vita, Giant Escape plus offerings from the smaller companies including the Boardman bikes from Halfords. Look for something with a 28mm or 32mm tyre

An Evans store is a good place to start if you have a decent sized one locally, simply as they have masses of choice and are happy to offer test rides

 

[Mo1959]

Oops, yes sorry didn't notice it was for a female. Got a Vita myself. Nice sturdy bike so should handle trails fine. Currently has the stock 28mm tyres on which look pretty tough.

 

[ckmj57]

Thanks guys/gals. I've just come in and read your posts, after an afternoon out bike browsing. My favourite so far has been this one..

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/pro...-13?bct=browse/bicycles/commuter-hybrid-bikes

..although it's got suspension and therefore heavier. But I preferred the chunkiness of the tyres to the Whyte Victoria I tried. Budget seems to be creeping up! But the 15% discount this weekend helps. Decision time tonight I think

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Thanks guys/gals. I've just come in and read your posts, after an afternoon out bike browsing. My favourite so far has been this one..

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/whyte-malvern-womens-13?bct=browse/bicycles/commuter-hybrid-bikes

..although it's got suspension and therefore heavier. But I preferred the chunkiness of the tyres to the Whyte Victoria I tried. Budget seems to be creeping up! But the 15% discount this weekend helps. Decision time tonight I think

Re: suspension.

I have to say that for what you are going to be doing suspension is a waste of time imho. As you rightly say it just adds weight plus the unit will not be very good quality at that price point which may lead to future maintenance issues.

Somewhere along the line the marketing guys decided that suspension was a wonderful thing to market as consumers could easily understand things like 'soft ride' and 'comfort'. In reality unless you are hammering the living daylights out of a bike down a rutted mountainside the only suspension you need are some tyres with a decent amount of air in. They will be more than comfy enough on light trails and paths.

 

[vickster]

I have a Whyte Cambridge, by far the best flat bar bike I've had (I think this is number 5). Go with the bike you like, but I have to say the 28mm tyres feel very stable on roads and paths

If you like the Malvern, you can get the 2011 model reduced to under £500 here

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=10935&Item='Whyte Malvern 2011 Hybrid/Commuter Bike'(small available)

Or the 2012 http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=12325&Item='Whyte Malvern 2012 Hybrid/Commuter Bike' (medium available)

 

[rovers1875]

I have two hybrids one with suspension and one without. Around half my riding is on towpaths an trails and to be honest the suspension is kept locked. As someone mentioned earlier at your budget the suspension unit will be pretty basic and will add considerable weight. If I was buying again I personally will ditch the sus. PS the Malvern does look pretty smart though.

 

[ckmj57]

Thanks once again all. I'll have a rethink (but really loved the Malvern, despite what my head was telling my heart about the whole suspension thing). I'll take a good look at the Cambridge though, and hopefully ride one. I really feel quite taken with the Whyte bikes that I saw. Can feel myself getting drawn in.....!

 

[vickster]

I think the Portobello and Victoria are really decent bikes too if you don't want to break the bank...I couldn't have the latter obviously, would be a bit sad

 

[ckmj57]

Yes, I was looking at the Portobello online, and took the Victoria for a test run at the weekend. I'm starting to understand that the real answer is to give in and get multiple bikes

 

[vickster]

Indeed, I have 3 None have suspension. I have to say though that the Whyte rides rough roads as well as my carbon roadie and is rather better in the park etc. Stops better too with the disc brakes Top bike

 

[MrJamie]

I have a Giant Roam 2, the men's version of the Rove and absolutely love it. Like you I mostly ride on paths, cycleways and some roads, also taking out my nephew for family type rides. I love the front suspension, it really kills the vibrations of crap roads and bumpy gravelly paths and saves my wrists. My views not that popular on CC, but I prefer suspension forks for leisure cycling mostly away from roads, the lockout is good and in terms of extra weight you're looking at 1kg of static weight, which imho isn't particularly noticeable, unlike the benefits.

Make sure you check for rack and mudguard mounts if you want to fit them too

 

[vickster]

I find carbon forks do the same without the weight. The chunky tyres that are mostly found on front suspension bikes also slow you up

My Cambridge is as comfortable as my previously owned Crosstrail, but so much quicker (and stops better with the discs)

I just found that the cons of the suspension and chunky tyres outweighed the pros. The Cambridge actually replaced a hardtail for me

However, buy the bike you'll use most. I am lucky to have the luxury of the roadbikes but I think the Cambridge would equally do me as a single bike if I could only have one (but I like variety and a lounge full of bikes )