First hybrid bike

[johnmillie]

Hi I started taking my mountain bike to work a few weeks ago and ride on the roads the full way, the other guy I cycle with has just changed to a hybrid and has started to manage much easier so iv decided to do the same. Iv been looking at a Ridley Tempo cross, a trek fx7.3 and a specilized Sirrus Could anyone give me there opinion on what's the best buy, each bike has been in a different local bike shop and each bike shop says there bike is the best

 

[david1701]

up the ante with a carbon monster?

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Always ride a bike before you consider buying it. That alone could help you decide.

 

[BlackPanther]

I'm unfamiliar with those bikes, but I've had my Dawes hybrid for over a year and found it much better than my old mountain bike. Having said that, a lot of it is down to the tyres. I recently swapped the Missus's mountain bikes knobblies for thinner road tyres, and the difference is amazing.

The good thing about (quality) hybrids is that you can tailor them to fit you perfectly as long as you get the right frame size. I visited a few bike shops before deciding on the Dawes and ordering online for 2/3rds the price.

It's worth putting in some research time on t'internet......you can find reviews of every bike ever made and suss out the pros and cons of them all. I plan to keep my Dawes Tanami for another year, but seeing as I've done 5,000 trouble free miles on it I'll most likely go for another Dawes.

 

[HLaB]

Hi I started taking my mountain bike to work a few weeks ago and ride on the roads the full way, the other guy I cycle with has just changed to a hybrid and has started to manage much easier so iv decided to do the same. Iv been looking at a Ridley Tempo cross, a trek fx7.3 and a specilized Sirrus Could anyone give me there opinion on what's the best buy, each bike has been in a different local bike shop and each bike shop says there bike is the best

The one you feel most comfortable on is the best. From a quick google I'd rule out the Ridley because its quite low geared (a 22/32/44 chainring) but others may like that so its unfair to that as a measure unless you want to go fast. I'm partial to a Sirrus but that's because I have one and it suits me, it might not suit you! A test ride is the only true way to find out.

 

[johnmillie]

Thanks for that iv never though about the gearing before, the Sirrus is a 28 - 38 - 48, so that'll make it a quicker bike per peddle rev, is that right, sorry fir what might seam a stupid question I'm totally new to this

 

[HLaB]

Basically the larger the front ring, the less you've got to pedal for one wheel revolution at the back, so yes in theory a 48 would be faster than a 44 (unless you are a super fast spinner and can't spin the larger 48 the two are unlikely to come together, especially downhill where the extra gearing is most useful).

 

[cyberknight]

Always ride a bike before you consider buying it. That alone could help you decide.

+1

No matter how good the bike always demand a test ride , even if its around the car park as a poorly fitting bike can make all the difference to comfort as they will all have slightly different frame shapes.

 

[MarkF]

I've had 3 Dawes Discoveries, 202, 301 and 501, the 501 does my commute, trail/canal riding and long distance tours, I've had zero quality or mechanical issues and although, aesthetically, I prefer the Sirrus, I'll get another Discovery when the time comes. Good discounts abound!

Is it just for the commute? If so, then the basic Discovery EQ models are super value with decent mudgaurds and a good rack.

 

[mcshroom]

Hi I started taking my mountain bike to work a few weeks ago and ride on the roads the full way, the other guy I cycle with has just changed to a hybrid and has started to manage much easier so iv decided to do the same. Iv been looking at a Ridley Tempo cross, a trek fx7.3 and a specilized Sirrus Could anyone give me there opinion on what's the best buy, each bike has been in a different local bike shop and each bike shop says there bike is the best

What bike are you starting with? It may be cheaper to 'hybridise' you mtb with slicker tyres (pumped up to the max pressure they can take) and locking out the suspension for now

 

[Norm]

I wouldnt rule out the Ridley on the basis of a 44t front ring. The number of times that I use big-small could be counted on the number of fingers on one foot, whereas I'm fairly often switching to the big ring (30-39-50 front sprocket) then back to the middle again.

That said, of course, the Ridley site says that the Tempo comes with 30-39-50 anyway.

 

[marinyork]

Thanks for that iv never though about the gearing before, the Sirrus is a 28 - 38 - 48, so that'll make it a quicker bike per peddle rev, is that right, sorry fir what might seam a stupid question I'm totally new to this

You really need to pay attention what cogs front and rear you use and how fast you're going, how difficult you find it. I know someone who I persuaded to buy a 22/32/42 hybrid bike from a MTB after we worked it all out and he's just not built for a 28/38/48 but I fully concede that many people are. Also depends on where you live, it's pretty hill round here I think my mate could have got away with a 28/38/48 triple or compact with a bit of struggling somewhere flatter. Their are numbers printed on the cassette at the back, or you could look up the cassette or specs of the bike to find out the numbers. Once you've done this compare with the new bike.

For example if it was me buying a new bike even on the steepest hill around here I only use the 3rd lowest gear which is about 36 gear inches. You plug various gears of new bikes in and eliminate ones that are out. My mate cycles the same areas and needs something very low 20s (or lower) which corresponds to wideband cassettes and 22/32/42.

 

[marinyork]

I wouldnt rule out the Ridley on the basis of a 44t front ring. The number of times that I use big-small could be counted on the number of fingers on one foot, whereas I'm fairly often switching to the big ring (30-39-50 front sprocket) then back to the middle again.

That said, of course, the Ridley site says that the Tempo comes with 30-39-50 anyway.

Might be a bit of a change if the MTB had 22/32/42, or it may not be a big deal at all. Really just a case of noting down which gears you use for what, when and where.

 

[johnmillie]

Originally it was just for the commute, but iv been enjoying it so I'd like to cycle more, a few of the guys I work with and myself plan to do the peddle for Scotland in September so before that I'd like to be going 50 miles regular

 

[Norm]

Might be a bit of a change if the MTB had 22/32/42, or it may not be a big deal at all. Really just a case of noting down which gears you use for what, when and where.

If you read up, MY, I was commenting on HLaB's post that he'd "...rule out the Ridley because its quite low geared (a 22/32/44 chainring)..." as the Ridley site says it comes with 30/39/50.