Best bike under £500

[snell89]

Hi all,

first time poster here.

My employers have FINALLY enrolled to the cycle 2 work scheme. So i need some help please.

Could you help me pick the best bike from this website for under £500. I already have an average MTB. So im after a hybrid, which can handle getting up kerbs but give total speed on the roads. Front suspension is a must.

here is the website http://www.cycleworldshop.co.uk/

 

[vickster]

There are only about 3 on there that meet the hybrid suspension spec

Or I guess this http://www.cycleworldshop.co.uk/product/10440/Trek_7200_2012

Or this was rated well in Cycling Active http://www.cycleworldshop.co.uk/product/11444/Trek_Gary_Fisher_83_DS_2013

Or the Roam's are popular http://www.cycleworldshop.co.uk/product/11634/Giant_Roam_2_2013

Alivio ok gearing, lockout fork

...or how about a better MTB with slicks? E.g. http://www.cycleworldshop.co.uk/product/9488/Ridgeback_MX5_2011

You won't see great speed on the road with suspension - you going to go off road too?

It's a very difficult site to navigate - the bikes are all over the shop

 

[smokeysmoo]

IMO front suspension at this price point is just extra weight, and from the riding you've described completley uneccessary.

 

[DaveyM]

just had a quick look and to be totally honest you need to have a sit on them and find the one thats right for you.

my mate has this one http://www.cycleworldshop.co.uk/product/10440/Trek_7200_2012 he commutes about 4 miles each way and really loves his bike.
I was certain that front suspension would be right for me, guess again I end up with a rigid alloy bike and totally LOVE it .

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Raging Squirrel]

Boardman hybrid all the way. I know it's £550 but with a bit of skill you can get the store to drop £50 off the price

 

[vickster]

OP has to buy from the shop he linked to if wanting to use the C2W scheme

 

[Alex808]

i thought hybrids did'nt have suspention, but hey i dunno im just a newby

 

[Alex808]

http://www.cycleworldshop.co.uk/product/11634/Giant_Roam_2_2013 this looks good

 

[Pikeman]

I have a trek 7.3 fx, no suspension but a great bike in my opinion

 

[vickster]

i thought hybrids did'nt have suspention, but hey i dunno im just a newby

A hybrid is a confusing term - essentially as I understand it, it's really any flat barred bike with 700c wheels (as opposed to an MTB with 26" wheels, a 29er with 29" wheels or a road bike with drop handlebars...ok that's a massive over simplification as there are variants of MTB, 29er and drop bar bike)

 

[cyberknight]

IMO front suspension at this price point is just extra weight, and from the riding you've described completley uneccessary.

And you should not really be riding on and off the edge of kerbs

 

[Richardmid1]

I agree on the front suspension being totally unnecessary, even if you needed it (down-hilling?) the suspension on a £500 bike wouldn't be all that good anyway.

 

[Norm]

A hybrid is a confusing term - essentially as I understand it, it's really any flat barred bike with 700c wheels (as opposed to an MTB with 26" wheels, a 29er with 29" wheels or a road bike with drop handlebars...ok that's a massive over simplification as there are variants of MTB, 29er and drop bar bike)

As you've described to perfection, Vickster, it's a completely meaningless term.

From the OP's description, I'd avoid any suspension. Rigid bikes with flat bars can be great fun and their simplicity is a positive boon under most road commuting conditions, IMO.

 

[defy-one]

Bought myself a spesh sirrus elite today for just over £500. The sport was exactly £500.
Great fast hybrid with 28c tyres. Good for roads and paths