First 'adult' bike purchase!!

[MartyJacko]

Hello all,

Not going to lie, I hear you guys might know what you're talking about!
I used to get the standard pretty looking bike when I was younger for Christmas, which I have well and truley grown out of! Over the last year or so I've really got in to my fitness e.g. marathons, three peaks and wish to add a bit of recreational, yet constructive cycling - it can be to pop to my friend's for a cup of tea, cycle to the gym or even just have a poodle around the countryside.
This is where I get stuck, as someone an ignorant soul I didn't think there would be so many different types of bike...

Based on my last use of one, I think I would like a Hybrid with front only suspension, frame of 17-18" based on being about 5'9" and would like gripshift gears of at least 24, naturally it has to look a bit pretty too. Beyond this I get stuck on brand/make, different types of gears, fair price, frame etc. Having a super lightweight frame isn't necessary as the distances I will be travelling won't frequently be high enough to warrant a higher price tag.

I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice? I'm sure loads of new posters start threads like this, but Top Gear is about to start so I was hoping you'd be kind enough to leave me specific answers to my needs instead of me trauling through many things, mostly irrelevant to me.

Many thanks in advance

 

[sidevalve]

As I've only just rejoined the ranks after a long layoff I've been in a similar position [except for doing the marathons] and I looked at hybrids and suspension too.
For what it's worth here's what I found, it may help a bit.
My hand was never in the right place for the gripshift [perhaps with more practice this is overcome] so I found trigger shifters easier.
Unless you plan to go off road, suspension is just more weight.
It isn't the no of gears but the range that matters.
To end, find a bike shop that will give you a good test ride and talks to you to find out what YOU want NOT what they want to sell you [and this doesn't just apply to the big stores].
In the end I went back to a road bike but I've still got a cheapo for bouncing round the fields on, if you don't plan to up your milage then just get what feels comfortable and enjoy it, I am doing !

 

[smokeysmoo]

Have a look at Decathlon and also Halfords, BUT avoid the Apollo bikes at Halfords. +1 for no suspension, from what you describe it won't benefit you and will just add weight, and depending on your budget won't even be effective.
I've never had a hybrid tbh, but loads on here have and someone will be along with some specific suggestions soon enough

 

[MattHB]

I bought a hybrid when I didn't know what to get last October, thought I'd do trails and woods enough to justify it. Never did! Bought a roadie 5 weeks ago and the poor hybrid hasn't been used since.

if you want to mess about in fields occasionally and also do some pootling on the roads, get a decent roadie and a cheapo MTB from gumtree or some other 2nd hand place and have best of both worlds

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

MartyJacko, there's others on the boards who will advise you better than me, but I will say that "having a Poodle around the countryside" is just a vicious rumour spread by frustrated drivers trying to undermine us cyclists by making aspersions about our sexual proclivities...

Tony

 

[HovR]

As others have said, unless you are going off road, front suspension just tends to be extra weight, and turns some motion that would be turned into forward momentum into an up and down motion.

You mention you wanted a "Hybrid" bike, although that isn't very specific - The term hybrid is often used to describe 3 types of bikes:

1. Rigid mountain bike style frames with slick, but wide, road-going tires. [Well suited to light trails/gravel tow paths and road use.]
2. Flat bar road bikes (thin tires, light frames etc) [Best suited to road use, but will take light trails/gravel tow paths gently.]
3. CX bikes - heavy duty road bikes, with drop bars, often fitted with knobbly tires and disc brakes. [A good all-rounder with the right tires.]

From your description of your riding it sounds like option 2 may suit you best, although if you want a more relaxed bike with lower gearing option 1 is where you're at.
If you tell us which type of Hybrid you would prefer, and give us a price range, we can start recommending bikes.

 

[Part time cyclist]

I went for the Specialized Sirrus hybrid after using a hard tail with grip shift, I would never go back and this bike is the best bike I have ever riden.

 

[bananaboy]

Hi MJ Ditch the idea of front bounce weight for no gain! Go for carbon fork!!Spend as much as you can!!! I got a Specialized Sirrus Expert on ride to work scheme.Bargain Check out your employer and the scheme!!!!!
Have fun

 

[jay clock]

agreed re suspension. Extra weight, and the rebound just saps energy. Also Grip SHift tends to be at the cheapest end of the market and trigger type are better and certainly easier to maintain

 

[Bluenite]

MartyJacko, there's others on the boards who will advise you better than me, but I will say that "having a Poodle around the countryside" is just a vicious rumour spread by frustrated drivers trying to undermine us cyclists by making aspersions about our sexual proclivities...

Tony

 

[MartyJacko]

Hi all,

Thanks a lot for your input! It's very interesting to read, much to your annoyance I'm still tempted by a front suspension as I'd prefer a bit of 'give' in my wrists as they're a bit weak and from experience I find them more enjoyable and comfortable. (Oh yes, I'm one of those kind of guys who asks for advice and ignores it)!

As I've only just rejoined the ranks after a long layoff I've been in a similar position [except for doing the marathons] and I looked at hybrids and suspension too.
For what it's worth here's what I found, it may help a bit.
My hand was never in the right place for the gripshift [perhaps with more practice this is overcome] so I found trigger shifters easier.
Unless you plan to go off road, suspension is just more weight.
It isn't the no of gears but the range that matters.
To end, find a bike shop that will give you a good test ride and talks to you to find out what YOU want NOT what they want to sell you [and this doesn't just apply to the big stores].
In the end I went back to a road bike but I've still got a cheapo for bouncing round the fields on, if you don't plan to up your milage then just get what feels comfortable and enjoy it, I am doing !

The gears are a serious numb point for me. I used to have trigger shifts when I was younger but more recently found grip shifts, assuming them to be more modern.

MartyJacko, there's others on the boards who will advise you better than me, but I will say that "having a Poodle around the countryside" is just a vicious rumour spread by frustrated drivers trying to undermine us cyclists by making aspersions about our sexual proclivities...

Tony

*I'm going to tear up the roads and if a car gets in my way I'll plough them in to a hedge. Grrrr, arrrrg. *man noises*!

As others have said, unless you are going off road, front suspension just tends to be extra weight, and turns some motion that would be turned into forward momentum into an up and down motion.

You mention you wanted a "Hybrid" bike, although that isn't very specific - The term hybrid is often used to describe 3 types of bikes:

1. Rigid mountain bike style frames with slick, but wide, road-going tires. [Well suited to light trails/gravel tow paths and road use.]
2. Flat bar road bikes (thin tires, light frames etc) [Best suited to road use, but will take light trails/gravel tow paths gently.]
3. CX bikes - heavy duty road bikes, with drop bars, often fitted with knobbly tires and disc brakes. [A good all-rounder with the right tires.]

From your description of your riding it sounds like option 2 may suit you best, although if you want a more relaxed bike with lower gearing option 1 is where you're at.
If you tell us which type of Hybrid you would prefer, and give us a price range, we can start recommending bikes.

Reading this it sounds more like option 3 as a preference, not too fussed about the drop bars. I can be fairly flexible on price, if an extra £100 means I get a good, durable, long life bike then I'll pay it. I'd probably wince if I went over £400 but £250-£350 would be preferable - I know most of you will probably reel at this but if I don't get back in to my biking, I don't want to clear myself out!

Hi MJ Ditch the idea of front bounce weight for no gain! Go for carbon fork!!Spend as much as you can!!! I got a Specialized Sirrus Expert on ride to work scheme.Bargain Check out your employer and the scheme!!!!!
Have fun

Looks a bit expensive, and I'm self employed and often work from home or my partner's small office!


Thanks for all your help so far!

 

[jay clock]

if you are self employed you use the C2w scheme with even less hassle!

 

[HovR]

I'm still tempted by a front suspension as I'd prefer a bit of 'give' in my wrists as they're a bit weak and from experience I find them more enjoyable and comfortable.

Reading this it sounds more like option 3 as a preference, not too fussed about the drop bars.

I'd probably wince if I went over £400 but £250-£350 would be preferable

Unfortunately some of these things are mutually exclusive! For example, you won't find a cross (CX) bike with front suspension, and they tend to be over your price range if bought new.

Note that if you want something with front suspension, it will end up being more of a mountain bike with slick tires - Less efficient for road use. If you don't mind too much about going fast, and are happy to sit and "spin", then this will be ok for you.

Something like this meets your spec: GT Transeo Part hybrid, part mountain bike in all honesty.

Alternatively if you are willing to drop the front sus, something like the Scott Sportster 60 will be better on the roads. This bike has carbon forks, which will soften the ride more than alloy.

You may consider buying second hand if you want to get more bike for your money, although you will want someone experienced to come with you to look at the bikes if you are not.

 

[BrumJim]

If you are doing Marathons and Three Peaks, I'd suggest that you would get bored and frustrated with a hybrid very quickly.

Go for a full road bike and start dreaming of chasing people down on hill climbs. There is nothing better than watching those miles, villages and fields flash by almost effortlessly as the hours pass by*. Be good for your overall fitness too - 3 hours in the saddle is nothing out of the ordinary, and 6 hours is just a good day's ride - you can't get those sort of hours of continuous exercise from running alone.

* - nothing that doesn't involve snow, of course.

 

[MartyJacko]

Unfortunately some of these things are mutually exclusive! For example, you won't find a cross (CX) bike with front suspension, and they tend to be over your price range if bought new.

Note that if you want something with front suspension, it will end up being more of a mountain bike with slick tires - Less efficient for road use. If you don't mind too much about going fast, and are happy to sit and "spin", then this will be ok for you.

Something like this meets your spec: GT Transeo Part hybrid, part mountain bike in all honesty.

Alternatively if you are willing to drop the front sus, something like the Scott Sportster 60 will be better on the roads. This bike has carbon forks, which will soften the ride more than alloy.

You may consider buying second hand if you want to get more bike for your money, although you will want someone experienced to come with you to look at the bikes if you are not.

I'm happy to sit and "spin" and the Transeo is cheaper! I was just thinking back to when I last rode and when cycling up hill and I was putting pressure on the front, and the suspension offered 'give' so I won't be swayed on it I'm afraid.
I've considered second hand but I wanted some info on what I would be after first, and looking at brand new ones allows me to see the 'specs' - armed with this info I can venture to second hand, and I'd kind of know what to look out for, I'm relativley mechanically minded!

If you are doing Marathons and Three Peaks, I'd suggest that you would get bored and frustrated with a hybrid very quickly.

Go for a full road bike and start dreaming of chasing people down on hill climbs. There is nothing better than watching those miles, villages and fields flash by almost effortlessly as the hours pass by*. Be good for your overall fitness too - 3 hours in the saddle is nothing out of the ordinary, and 6 hours is just a good day's ride - you can't get those sort of hours of continuous exercise from running alone.

* - nothing that doesn't involve snow, of course.

I got bored running the marathon as it was a slow and steady pace and unless I was out with my friends (none of which are cyclists currently) would I be able to manage 3 hours or so, because I'd need a pub destination. I'd prefer to go out for an hour and utterly ruin myself instead!