Help on Choosing my first bike in about 10 years

[DayTripper90]

Hi guys just looking for abit of advice or suggestions on a hybrid bike to buy, budget is around £500-£600 will be for commuting to work, and suitable to ride on tarmac as well as light trail paths and bridleways, I haven't had a bike for at least 10 years so much has changed since then I'd imagine

I've heard good things and have test ridden a friends Pinnacle lithium 4 2014 which seemed decent and have seen a few decent reviews dotted about for evans own brand pinnacle, they still have in stock the pinnacle lithium 2014 frame size medium at £495 however I was contemplating getting the newer 2015 model, and picking up a set of better tyres for road and trail use any suggestions for that also would be great, is it worth saving £50 and going for the older model or does the new one have much better components? or do you have any recommendations for any other similar bikes that might be worth a look?

Cheers for any help

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/lithium-four-2014-hybrid-bike-ec054696
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/lithium-four-2015-hybrid-bike-ec071282

 

[I like Skol]

Looks like a solid, dependable bike but in my opinion avoid the florid yellow version and save the £55 for what is essentially the same bike (the specs look identical).

I commute and more on a similar bike and find the ruggedness of the MTB heritage reassuring when the roads are less than perfect, it's raining and it's busy. The last thing you need is to be distracted by poor roads when you should be watching out for muppets in cars. With the right tyres and tyre pressures it doesn't have to be significantly slower than a skinny road bike in the real world so don't let anyone tell you a road bike will be best.

 

[DayTripper90]

Looks like a solid, dependable bike but in my opinion avoid the florid yellow version and save the £55 for what is essentially the same bike (the specs look identical).

I commute and more on a similar bike and find the ruggedness of the MTB heritage reassuring when the roads are less than perfect, it's raining and it's busy. The last thing you need is to be distracted by poor roads when you should be watching out for muppets in cars. With the right tyres and tyre pressures it doesn't have to be significantly slower than a skinny road bike in the real world so don't let anyone tell you a road bike will be best.

Thanks for the reply, yeah the colour on the 2015 model is abit much, I prefer the more discreet colour of the 2014

 

[Pale Rider]

I commute and more on a similar bike and find the ruggedness of the MTB heritage reassuring when the roads are less than perfect, it's raining and it's busy. The last thing you need is to be distracted by poor roads when you should be watching out for muppets in cars. With the right tyres and tyre pressures it doesn't have to be significantly slower than a skinny road bike in the real world so don't let anyone tell you a road bike will be best.

Spot on.

An MTB style bike is much more versatile in terms of gearing and being able to take different tyres, wheels, mudguards, etc.

 

[KneesUp]

I also commute on a similar bike (a much older one that I put drops on, but otherwise similar) and it's ideal - the wider tyres give you some comfort on awful roads, the sturdy frame means I have no qualms about hopping it off kerbs to avoid the worst excesses of barriers where bike lanes meet roads again or of going the long way home through the woods. It also had rack mounts for panniers (front and rear) so you could use it for almost anything. It won't be the quickest bike on a smooth flat road, but who cares when it can be ridden pretty much anywhere?

 

[Profpointy]

I would disagree with the posters above on the need for mountain bike for the road. It's just needless weight and clunkiness - a sensible drop bar tourer style bike is much less hard work and perfectly fine on trails and farm tracks if you get medium weight wheels and tyres. Drop bars give you choice of hand positions and are a boon if there's a headwind. It does have to be admitted that it's harder to get one with sensible gearing (ie low), luggage rack and mudguards compared with a hybrid - at least at mid price

 

[DayTripper90]

thanks for your reply guys will be taking a trip to Evans on friday, with a slight increase in budget due to getting paid more than originally thought, I'm set on a flat bar hybrid seems like a more comfortable riding position for myself, one thing I was wondering in regards to hand positions obviously with flat bars your limited but is it worth getting a set of bar ends?

 

[I like Skol]

thanks for your reply guys will be taking a trip to Evans on friday, with a slight increase in budget due to getting paid more than originally thought, I'm set on a flat bar hybrid seems like a more comfortable riding position for myself, one thing I was wondering in regards to hand positions obviously with flat bars your limited but is it worth getting a set of bar ends?

I wouldn't be wthout mine, a nice pair of stubbies

 

[DayTripper90]

So after alot of pondering and a few trips to Evans my bike has finally arrived, I eventually settled on the Pinnacle Lithium 5 2014 model ordered online as I had increased my budget slightly, heres a photo with bar ends added, I've picked up a windproof jacket, and I'm going to pick up lights, helmet chain lube, mudguards this week sometime,
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/lithium-five-2014-hybrid-bike-ec054765

my only concern is it has quick release hubs which I didn't realise, is it worth swapping these out for bolts as I'm not really concerned about convenience when fixing a puncture as I will have an emergency toolkit/multitool anyway,or do you think it would be ok as long I lock it up properly, I have a gold rated D-lock for the rear wheel/frame and have a 4ft cable to loop through the front tyre from the D-lock also, or I guess I could just remove the front and make sure that locked with the frame and rear wheel, what would you guys advise?,

thanks again for your advice If it would be better to post this question elsewhere then please just let me know thanks

 

[Cyclist33]

Get it insured!

 

[DayTripper90]

haha I knew i missed something in that post, I already have that on my to do list for the end of the week.

 

[Pale Rider]

I don't know where you intend to park it, but theft of a front wheel is possible, but unlikely.

The saddle/seatpost is more at risk from an opportunist, particularly if it is quick release.

Some city commuters take the saddle/seatpost with them to the office.

Bit of a pest, but then so is trying to ride home without one.