Hi all,
Firstly let me acknowledge that I'm posting for advice on my first post. I will try and contribute but my knowledge of bikes is basic at best!
My bike was stolen a couple of weeks ago, did the job for me getting to and from work most days (only a 9 mile round trip) but mostly on the towpath. I had a basic Scott ybrid and that was adequate.
However, I am looking to use the Cycle to Work scheme to get something a bit better.
I think gravel bikes seem the best because:
I'd like dipped handlebars
I like the idea of being quicker than my hybrid
My old bike wasn't fun to ride so I didn't use it for leisure much, so something that can reduce the pain of riding I will use more
However, they are expensive. I was hoping to spend the £400-600 mark, but seems that I cannot get any gravel bike in this range (except for the Calibre Lost Lad which was out for £400 on the day that I had mine stolen and now is OOS).
So my questions are:
Do any hybrids come with dipped handle bars?
Could I consider putting some slightly more robust tyres (WTB tyres?) on a roadbike as they seem to be waaay cheaper (although there are 14 sharp ascents/descents o the towpath so the bike will be going down a lot of slopes...)
Also, 2 friends and I have spoken about doing a big ride post Covid (maybe down to France etc). I've never ridden more than 20 miles at once so it's a way away but is that doable
Can anyone recommend a decent gravel/cyclo bike at the £600ish mark?
I have been looking at bigger budgets and considering sucking it up and paying the extra, I really like the look of the Ribble bikes so am tempted to do that... However the Boardman 8.8 in Halfords for £750 seems the best value I've seen so far (although I'm not a fan of the look of the Boardman).
Thanks guys
Firstly let me acknowledge that I'm posting for advice on my first post. I will try and contribute but my knowledge of bikes is basic at best!
My bike was stolen a couple of weeks ago, did the job for me getting to and from work most days (only a 9 mile round trip) but mostly on the towpath. I had a basic Scott ybrid and that was adequate.
However, I am looking to use the Cycle to Work scheme to get something a bit better.
I think gravel bikes seem the best because:
I'd like dipped handlebars
I like the idea of being quicker than my hybrid
My old bike wasn't fun to ride so I didn't use it for leisure much, so something that can reduce the pain of riding I will use more
However, they are expensive. I was hoping to spend the £400-600 mark, but seems that I cannot get any gravel bike in this range (except for the Calibre Lost Lad which was out for £400 on the day that I had mine stolen and now is OOS).
So my questions are:
Do any hybrids come with dipped handle bars?
Could I consider putting some slightly more robust tyres (WTB tyres?) on a roadbike as they seem to be waaay cheaper (although there are 14 sharp ascents/descents o the towpath so the bike will be going down a lot of slopes...)
Also, 2 friends and I have spoken about doing a big ride post Covid (maybe down to France etc). I've never ridden more than 20 miles at once so it's a way away but is that doable
Can anyone recommend a decent gravel/cyclo bike at the £600ish mark?
I have been looking at bigger budgets and considering sucking it up and paying the extra, I really like the look of the Ribble bikes so am tempted to do that... However the Boardman 8.8 in Halfords for £750 seems the best value I've seen so far (although I'm not a fan of the look of the Boardman).
Thanks guys