Advice on a new Hybrid Bike Please: £500 - £700 Budget

[Corsica_13]

Hello all,

I've not ridden a bike for around 10 years now but I've been planning to get back into riding and the bike scene has changed significantly since I last rode, the choice of bikes seems to be a bit overwhelming!

I'm planning to use the bike to commute 2-3 times a week and probably some casual / leisurely rides over the weekend, my commute will be around 12 miles being mainly road with some gravely paths through the countryside (travelling between Basingstoke & Reading), there will also be some some slight up & downhill climbs.

From the extensive research I've already carried out, a non-suspension Hybrid bike seems to be the best option, I'm also after something relatively lightweight and that I can reach some good speed with, I'm also after something reliable, robust and has hydraulic discs.

Initially I was looking to budget around £500 but I've realised to get something decent with the spec I want, I probably need to be spending £600 - £700, £700 being the absolute maximum but if I can spend a little less that'd be better.

Anyway, this is the list of bikes I like the look of and what I believe to be good specs though I know almost nothing at this stage, the list is in order of preference:

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/3619/...d-slr-2-hybrid-bike-2019-gun-metal-black.aspx

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/2363/products/giant-fastroad-sl-2-hybrid-bike-2019-blacklime.aspx

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/cube-hyde-2020-hybrid-bike-blackyellow_477519

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Merida-Speeder-100-2020-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_219202.htm?image=3

https://whyte.bike/collections/road/products/whitechapel?variant=16776775696442

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Escape-1-Disc-2020-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_218463.htm

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Sirrus-2-0-2020-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_223647.htm

https://www.cyclerepublic.com/marin-fairfax-2-mens-hybrid-2020.html

There's so many options to choose from and I'm not really sure which one will suit me best and my criteria but I was hoping I could get some quality advice from you avid and knowledgeable riders out there

Thanks in advance,

Kev

 

[Corsica_13]

I also just found this bike which looks to be an amazing deal:

https://www.discountcyclesdirect.co...='Whyte Cambridge Urban Hybrid Commuter Bike'

Thoughts and advice please?

Thanks again

 

[sleuthey]

You state you want something that’s lightweight, reliable, for slight gradients at a leisurely pace. You are the same as me. On that basis I would choose the Whitechapel as it has a 1X drivetrain which fits your requirements

 

[Cycleops]

The Whyte Cambridge does indeed look like a very good deal. Don't know anything about the SRAM groupset but it should perform well. The only thing it doesn't specify is if the BB is pressfit or not. I'd stay away from pressfit if you can.
The other one to consider is the similar Giant Fastroad which also looks good on paper. It'll be better than the Toughroad which has fat tyres while comfortable will feel slugish on tarmac.
Both have narrow tyres which will feel quick on the road and should suit your needs. Both take a rack and guards.
If the Whyte is your size I'd go for it or if you want the more familiar Shimano groupset go with Giant, I'd say they are fairly evenly matched.
There's very little advantage to having a 1x chainset, there's one less shifter and one less chainring but you'll get a much lower bottom gear with the double on the Cambridge plus you'll get a better spread of gears if that's important to you.

 

[Tom...]

What about a Calibre Stitch?

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15905565/calibre-stitch-urban-bike-15905565

Under £340 using the discount code

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I also just found this bike which looks to be an amazing deal:

https://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=20753&Item='Whyte Cambridge Urban Hybrid Commuter Bike'

Thoughts and advice please?

Thanks again

I have that bike. IIRC it's 2017 (perhaps 16?) but do check with Broadribbs. It's a very nice bike indeed, but just be aware that clearances are quite limited until (IIRC) 2018 model year, when they started to accommodate larger tyres, so if you wanted, say 35c tyres and mudguards, then it'd be very tight at best. The chainset doesn't (effectively) have replaceable rings, so come change, you'll be fitting a new chainset.

 

[roley poley]

if your looking to commute to work see if your company does the" cycle to work scheme" meaning you save a nice slice off your bike price

 

[vickster]

The Trek FX models are well tegarded

but I’d choose a Whyte R7 like the Cambridge every time (I’ve had a Cambridge and Portobello).
How tall are you? Not all of the past model bargains will be available in all sizes (indeed with cycling being popular even current models aren’t necessarily)

 

[Bonefish Blues]

The Trek FX models are well tegarded

but I’d choose a Whyte R7 like the Cambridge every time (I’ve had a Cambridge and Portobello).
How tall are you? Not all of the past model bargains will be available in all sizes (indeed with cycling being popular even current models aren’t necessarily)

Just to add, be aware that the Whyte bike sizing was (IMHO) very generous - I'm 5-10 and ride a Medium. Large was just too large for me, so in my mind, anyway, I can't see how someone of 5-11 might fit and XL

 

[vickster]

Just to add, be aware that the Whyte bike sizing was (IMHO) very generous - I'm 5-10 and ride a Medium. Large was just too large for me, so in my mind, anyway, I can't see how someone of 5-11 might fit and XL

While I’m 5’9.5 and always found my medium Cambridge a bit small (with an acre of seatpost showing), the Portobello was a large and ok other than rather wide bars for my narrower shoulders!

 

[Ralphy9207]

I did a lot of research before buying and settled for this bike. Ordered a couple days ago, just waiting for it to arrive

 

[Corsica_13]

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for your feedback and advice, very useful indeed.

I didn't receive any feedback regarding the Cube bike I had linked, not sure it's any good or not. From what I've read, there were positive things about them but I don't really know enough to be tempted to go for it, though I did really like the look/style of the one I referenced.

I'm now really torn between the Whyte Cambridge and the Giant FastRoad SL 2, they both look like cracking bikes and currently at a good deal. If you guys had to choose between those two, which one would you go for and why, this may help me make my final decision (currently I'm thinking the Giant).

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/2363/products/giant-fastroad-sl-2-hybrid-bike-2019-blacklime.aspx

https://www.discountcyclesdirect.co...='Whyte Cambridge Urban Hybrid Commuter Bike'

In terms of sizing, I'm just over 6ft (184cm) so I think the XL Whyte Cambridge should be good and I've always preferred slightly larger bikes as I have considerably long arms and legs. Looking at the sizing on the Giant, their M/L sizing they have also suits someone up to 6'2" so should be good on both sizes still available.

Thank you all again and any further feedback or advice is welcomed

 

[Corsica_13]

You state you want something that’s lightweight, reliable, for slight gradients at a leisurely pace. You are the same as me. On that basis I would choose the Whitechapel as it has a 1X drivetrain which fits your requirements

Thank you for your feedback but I think I'd prefer more gears in all honesty, though it's been a while since I've ridden so unless I tried, it's hard to say.
Thanks again!

 

[Corsica_13]

The Whyte Cambridge does indeed look like a very good deal. Don't know anything about the SRAM groupset but it should perform well. The only thing it doesn't specify is if the BB is pressfit or not. I'd stay away from pressfit if you can.
The other one to consider is the similar Giant Fastroad which also looks good on paper. It'll be better than the Toughroad which has fat tyres while comfortable will feel slugish on tarmac.
Both have narrow tyres which will feel quick on the road and should suit your needs. Both take a rack and guards.
If the Whyte is your size I'd go for it or if you want the more familiar Shimano groupset go with Giant, I'd say they are fairly evenly matched.
There's very little advantage to having a 1x chainset, there's one less shifter and one less chainring but you'll get a much lower bottom gear with the double on the Cambridge plus you'll get a better spread of gears if that's important to you.

Hi,

Thank you for the great feedback, I'm just getting back into bikes so not familiar with all the terms, when you say BB, are you referring to Bottom Bracket, not sure what Pressfit is either, could you share some info on that or explain a bit more so I can look out for it before making a purchase?

I agree with your preference on choice, I did thank that too regarding the Toughroad which is why I'm going to leave that one, though I did like the look and design, plus I don't want to jeopardise speed.

In terms of gears, I also agree, I will definitely want more gears, I know it's probably more maintenance but I'd rather have more than not enough.

Thanks again

 

[Corsica_13]

if your looking to commute to work see if your company does the" cycle to work scheme" meaning you save a nice slice off your bike price

I already looked into it, unfortunately our company doesn't offer it! Thanks for pointing it out though!