Choice of 3 hybrids

[LeisureAndPleasure]

Hi all,

I am looking to cycling for my work commute as I live less than 5 miles from the office and am trying to keep reasonably fit. I've been shopping around and have it narrowed down to 3 options but I am, to be honest, completely lost when it comes to understanding which option presents best value for money without compromising on fun and comfort. Your advice and experience would be much appreciated...

This is the first and cheapest at £185: http://www.sprocketscycles.com/saracen-urban-esc-2014 (this is the final price and I would have to assemble it myself).

This is the second one - £500 http://dawescycles.com/product/discovery-sport-5/ but I can get about 33% off in the UK using the "cycle to work" scheme and my local bike shop will give me 3 months of free servicing.

And finally at £400: http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/velocity#details also available through Cycle to Work so I get 33% off plus my bike shop will give one year free servicing on this.

I am new to this and will take on board every piece of advice I can get. Many, many thanks.

 

[LeisureAndPleasure]

In case it is of use, I am in my late 20s, male, about 12st, and reasonably fit although hoping to get a bit fitter!

 

[discominer]

Lbs. Take advice, they should sell you what you need not what they have left over. The only one I know of is the Ridgeback, it's fine. Enjoy.

 

[LeisureAndPleasure]

Went to two different bike shops in my area - one recommends the Dawes and the other recommended a Bad Boy but it's a little beyond my budget so they said the Ridgeback is all I need. I am inclined to trust both of them and think perhaps the online (and cheapest) one would start to feel cheap very quickly. If anyone has experience of these I am most grateful for advice.

 

[e-rider]

don't get upset but anyone considering spending £500 on that Dawes needs to get bike educated! You could go to your local bike shop but unfortunately unless you are very lucky the guy will just flog you what he has in stock whether it's suitable/good/in your size......or not!

This looks like a good 'ride to work' bike for £350
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/71-fx-2014-hybrid-bike-ec040353?country=GB&currency=GBP

 

[LeisureAndPleasure]

Thank you! I am glad I can get some impartial advice here

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

The Ridgeback Velocity has been my round-town bike for years and did a great job as a tourer until I took the plunge and bought something fancier. It's a great bike and pretty much bulletproof.

 

[raleighnut]

Another vote for the Ridgeback, good quality cycles very underrated by those who've never had one.

 

[tudor_77]

I prefer the Dawes out of those options. Very similar to one of these:

http://www.giant-liverpool.co.uk/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.roam.3.black/14992/66584/

Mountain bike style with road bike style speed. I am a big advocate of the Giant Roam as we have two in our house and love them. I imagine the Dawes is just as good.

Are you able to test ride any of them?

 

[John the Canuck]

check out the weights

interesting to see [or rather NOT see] the weight of the TREK on Evans site

i have a 2008 TREK FX 7.2 and it's a real workhorse - no probs at all
BUT with Marathon Plus 700 x 35 it aint the nippiest bike on the block........

 

[Red17]

Just bought a Ridgeback Velocity myself and love it - currently going for £300 at Evans Cycles

 

[up hill struggle]

just bought a ridgeback motion few weeks ago, its the cheaper version of the ridgeback your looking at & its well put together & great to ride with good gearing (just the fitness of its rider that lets it down but in working on that)

if the cheapest ridgeback hybrid is this good the dearer one should be more than sufficient for your needs.

 

[annirak]

My second hybrid was a Trek FX 7.0. I think the 7.2 is a bit better in terms of gearing and maintainability. I'll agree that it's a workhorse. That's a pretty solid bike, but in terms of value, I'd check out Raleigh's lineup of hybrids. If you're going to be commuting on it, you'll want a rack (cycling with paniers is much nicer than cycling with a rucksack) and mudguards; a few of the Raleighs at the LBS seem to have those fitted already, in the £300-400 range.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

FWIW a no fuss commuting bike is not really a stripped down hybrid :

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/mens-new...l#anchor_ComponentProductTechnicalInformation

Add up the cost of all the extra stuff it come with, look at the specs and it is high value for money.
(elsewhere the same money buys a comparable bike without mudguards, chain-guard*,
carrier, hub-dynamo lighting, kick-stand, puncture-resistant safety reflective tyres.)

Makes a lot more sense and great first bike.

If you stripped it down to be similar to hybrids the the only weak
point will likely be the adjustable angle stem, which likely won't
survive repeated MTB style shenanigans, hence the restricted
use statement of "not designed for mountain biking".

rgds, sreten.

* A really good one that keeps front wheel crud and rain off the chain,
cutting out the major cause of having to clean and lube your chain,
greatly improving the life of the drivetrain with daily commuting.
(0f course you need to keep it lubed, search on "mickle".)

 

[annirak]

That B'TWin looks like excellent value to me. The Raleigh I was talking about was the Pioneer series. You'd have to get the Pioneer 4 to get the same drive train as that NeWork 5. I doubt it's available at that price and it doesn't have the hub dynamo.