Hybrid bike choices

[Waseem1985]

Would be great to get your thoughts on the hybrid bikes from the poll.

Hoping to purchase my first bike for occasional recreational riding. Looking for a all rounder good on pavement / road but also able to handle pot holes and park/gravel paths if needed.

Thank you in advance.

https://99spokes.com/en-GB/compare?...sirrus-4.0-2022,specialized-sirrus-x-4.0-2022

 

[mustang1]

Hello. I voted Giant because I'd imagine it, along the with Boardman, will be cheapest. And being a Giant, it may have a better chance of being well assembled at a LBS (I have both Giants and Boardmans and have had good service from both giant and halfords).

But more important than that, go to your two closest LBSes. Have a chat with those nice people and whoever you like the most (or whichever shop is easier to get to), buy whatever brand they sell.

 

[All uphill]

Which do you like best?

Which is available in a size that fits you?

Which retailer local to you will take time to ensure you are comfortable?

 

[Cycleops]

You'll pay a premium for the big names, might arguably worth it if a better warranty is offered or they are stocked by a local shop. Always good to have somewhere close to hand if problems arise.
I'd go for the Boardman,well thought of on here.
Have a look at Decathlon if there's one near you, they offer good VfM and great warranty.
Halfords service can be very hit and miss.
DON'T buy anything with a suspension fork.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I liked the Sirrus X 4.0 but voted for the Boardman as its cheaper.

 

[Waseem1985]

You'll pay a premium for the big names, might arguably worth it if a better warranty is offered or they are stocked by a local shop. Always good to have somewhere close to hand if problems arise.
I'd go for the Boardman,well thought of on here.
Have a look at Decathlon if there's one near you, they offer good VfM and great warranty.
Halfords service can be very hit and miss.
DON'T buy anything with a suspension fork.

Does that include keeping away from the hardtail and future shock offered on the Sirrus bikes?

 

[Cycleops]

I've no experience of the 'future shock' offered by Specialized. It's main advantage is that it doesn't weigh a ton like a suspension fork but time will tell if the system is reliable and does not cause problems over a period of ownership. I'm a great advocate of K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid 🙂

 

[Sittingduck]

I woulda cast my vote but cba to google 'em. Links in the OP to all considerations would boost your feedback volume, imho.
Nothing is good at handling pot holes btw - they need to be avoided, ideally...

 

[Waseem1985]

I woulda cast my vote but cba to google 'em. Links in the OP to all considerations would boost your feedback volume, imho.
Nothing is good at handling pot holes btw - they need to be avoided, ideally...

Here's a quick comparison of them all.

https://99spokes.com/en-GB/compare?...sirrus-4.0-2022,specialized-sirrus-x-4.0-2022

 

[vickster]

Fatter tyres will give you more comfort (and potentially grip) on rough surfaces, but they will slow you down on a decent road surface - how do the tyres compare (assuming you don't want to spend £50+ on new tyres straight away).
Most have a 1x chainset (other than one Sirrus), is this what you want for the terrain you'll be riding.

Go try them all out as ultimately they are all pretty similar and will do pretty much the same thing.
Personally I'd add a Whyte R7 model to the list and try it out

That said £800+ is a lot to spend on a bike for occasional recreational riding, have you considered second hand or a cheaper model?
eg something like this from Decathlon
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/road-...c-120-disc-brake-blue/_/R-p-311239?mc=8556195

 

[Waseem1985]

Fatter tyres will give you more comfort (and potentially grip) on rough surfaces, but they will slow you down on a decent road surface - how do the tyres compare (assuming you don't want to spend £50+ on new tyres straight away).
Most have a 1x chainset (other than one Sirrus), is this what you want for the terrain you'll be riding.

Go try them all out as ultimately they are all pretty similar and will do pretty much the same thing.
Personally I'd add a Whyte R7 model to the list and try it out

That said £800+ is a lot to spend on a bike for occasional recreational riding, have you considered second hand or a cheaper model?
eg something like this from Decathlon
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/road-...c-120-disc-brake-blue/_/R-p-311239?mc=8556195

I think low number of gears would work well for a beginner like me? They seem to have a good range.

Thank you for your recommendations

 

[vickster]

I think low number of gears would work well for a beginner like me? They seem to have a good range.

Thank you for your recommendations

The differences between the gears is more important than the number. Is it flat or hilly around you?

 

[Waseem1985]

The differences between the gears is more important than the number. Is it flat or hilly around you?

There are some steep roads around me but generally I would say more flat.

 

[Sittingduck]

I voted Boardman - Trek woulda been my second choice. The comparison table is a great illustration of how Specialized have been mugging their customers for years.

 

[Cycleops]

Yes, those Specialized models do look poor value against the competition.
They are made by Merida so may as well get one from them. That’s another suggestion for the OP. Unfortunately they don’t have much of a selection in Hybrids, in fact only one, probably as a result of an agreement with Specialized.