Hybrid (?) bike for around £1000

[cypekhi]

Hello everyone!

First time poster here, coming from surprisingly sunny UK.

Along with my wife, we decided to get back to cycling after around 15 years. Back then when I was buying a bike, the usual choice was either road or mountain bike, however it is so overwhelming now with different types of bikes available...

We are basically looking for something along those lines:
- Versatile - can tackle both off-road (not very rough, something like bridleways, gravel, smooth forest paths) but is not too exhausting to cycle on the road or when going uphill
- Comfy - once we get to desired fitness level, we would love to go on longer bike trips (anywhere from 1-4 hours). The dream is to go to France 1-2 times per year for cycling holidays.
- Casual - we plan to cycle alongside each other, have a chat and generally enjoy cycling while admiring nature around us. I think this potentially eliminates drop-bars due to more sporty position
- Budget - around £1000, planning to use cycle scheme

From what I've seen, our first criterion means either hybrid or gravel bike, however I am leaning more towards hybrids due to flat bars. My main worry is about comfy aspect, as quite often I read that hybrid bikes are not that suitable for rides >2 hours as they are not the most comfortable ones. Is that true or total bs?

Anyway, we went to a store nearby and looked at two bikes:
- Giant Roam Disk 0 & 1 - Really loved how the bike looked but after some reading, I don't think front suspension is right choice for us, plus it makes bike heavier
- Trek Dual Sport 3 - I was very close to buying it today, however I am not sure if those super wide tyres are a good choice for us. I am a bit worried that if we decided to take this bike for 20-30 mile ride on a paved surface, it would be quite tiring to ride.

I spent last 2 days reading about bikes and here are few more that I've been considering:
- Boardman HYB 8.8/8.9 - I would say this is our favourite at the moment as it seems to have really good reviews and I am very close to buying it. I feel the bike would handle well on paved surfaces, however are its 35mm tyres enough for off-roading, or are our hands going to fall-off after cycling on e.g. bridleway for 10 miles? Also, is HYB 8.9 worth £250 extra over 8.8?
- Giant Escape - Similar to above bike, but seems to have slightly wider tyres

I think in ideal world, I would guess something between Boardman and Trek DS3 with ~40-45mm tyres would be best fit for us but first, I am struggling to find a bike like that and second, I am not sure if I am guessing correctly.

I think I am starting to overthink all of this too much, so could definitely use your help in helping me make the right choice!

 

[Gunk]

The Boardman looks like the best value, really nice well specced bike

 

[Jameshow]

Hello everyone!

First time poster here, coming from surprisingly sunny UK.

Along with my wife, we decided to get back to cycling after around 15 years. Back then when I was buying a bike, the usual choice was either road or mountain bike, however it is so overwhelming now with different types of bikes available...

We are basically looking for something along those lines:
- Versatile - can tackle both off-road (not very rough, something like bridleways, gravel, smooth forest paths) but is not too exhausting to cycle on the road or when going uphill
- Comfy - once we get to desired fitness level, we would love to go on longer bike trips (anywhere from 1-4 hours). The dream is to go to France 1-2 times per year for cycling holidays.
- Casual - we plan to cycle alongside each other, have a chat and generally enjoy cycling while admiring nature around us. I think this potentially eliminates drop-bars due to more sporty position
- Budget - around £1000, planning to use cycle scheme

From what I've seen, our first criterion means either hybrid or gravel bike, however I am leaning more towards hybrids due to flat bars. My main worry is about comfy aspect, as quite often I read that hybrid bikes are not that suitable for rides >2 hours as they are not the most comfortable ones. Is that true or total bs?

Anyway, we went to a store nearby and looked at two bikes:
- Giant Roam Disk 0 & 1 - Really loved how the bike looked but after some reading, I don't think front suspension is right choice for us, plus it makes bike heavier
- Trek Dual Sport 3 - I was very close to buying it today, however I am not sure if those super wide tyres are a good choice for us. I am a bit worried that if we decided to take this bike for 20-30 mile ride on a paved surface, it would be quite tiring to ride.

I spent last 2 days reading about bikes and here are few more that I've been considering:
- Boardman HYB 8.8/8.9 - I would say this is our favourite at the moment as it seems to have really good reviews and I am very close to buying it. I feel the bike would handle well on paved surfaces, however are its 35mm tyres enough for off-roading, or are our hands going to fall-off after cycling on e.g. bridleway for 10 miles? Also, is HYB 8.9 worth £250 extra over 8.8?
- Giant Escape - Similar to above bike, but seems to have slightly wider tyres

I think in ideal world, I would guess something between Boardman and Trek DS3 with ~40-45mm tyres would be best fit for us but first, I am struggling to find a bike like that and second, I am not sure if I am guessing correctly.

I think I am starting to overthink all of this too much, so could definitely use your help in helping me make the right choice!

8.8 Vs 8.9 nope imho..

Also look at Cannondale, canyon, trek, Scott, focus, cube, Ribble etc

 

[Sixmile]

I was in this predicament a few years ago and bought the Boardman Urb 8.9 and found it a well spec'd bike for the money but really uncomfortable - too aggressive, sore neck and wrists. I sold it the first chance I got and started my research again and ended up with a Whyte Portobello which is simply brilliant in every way. It's my go to for 1-100+ mile rides, moreso over the £3k BMC SLC01 I've got sitting gathering dust. Near 6000 miles clocked on the Whyte and by far my favourite bike of the 10 or so in the garage.

 

[fritz katzenjammer]

The Trek DS is a nice bike but if the rolling resistance of wide tires is a concern look at the FX3. It’s got enough tires for light off road use unless the going gets really muddy and is a blast on the street. My son has one fitted with fenders and a rack and bags for commuting and he loves it.

 

[Arjimlad]

I suggested some of the above (Giant, Boardman, Trek) to my colleague who intends to commute and enjoy family rides on trails etc.

He visited the local Specialized store in Bristol & has bought himself a Sirrus which might fit your requirements, and should not be overlooked.

 

[Hicky]

Surly preamble. I have its predecessor the cross check, I’ve been bashing along on canal paths, commuting, carrying toddlers for years and when it was a drop bar, doing a multi day cycle ride all over Cyprus(and up Trodos!).
13 years later it could do with repowder coating.
The preamble is similar but disc brakes.
It iill do all and the above but possibly a bit slower than the lighter alloy bikes but be more comfortable .
Infinitely upgradeable and tyre fit is no issue.

 

[PedallingNowhereSlowly]

I don't think front suspension is needed on a hybrid bike - but this is why the Trek Dual Sport has those wider tyres (older models did have a suspension fork).

Cheap suspension forks are heavy and they are just another service item. A plush set of tyres is just as good as a cheap suspender fork for soaking up the bumps.

You haven't really said where you are cycling. I'd be looking at the Trek Dual Sport if I was mainly travelling on gravel topped leisure routes which are common around here. I'd be looking at Trek FX series if mainly cycling on asphalt roads, paved cycle routes with only the odd stretch of gravel.

The Trek Verve range is a more upright hybrid bike which is probably a better bet for returning/occasional cyclists. The FX is a bit more toward the sports/fitness end of the spectrum.

Hybrid bikes vary hugely as they cover a broad range of uses between the extremes of road racing and mountain biking. And they vary hugely with bikes aimed for sedate and comfortable riding at one end, to bikes with more aggressive geometry for faster riding. It's important to read the blurb to see who the bike is really aimed at and work out whether or not that's you and your wife.

The one thing I will say about the Dual Sport, is that you could always swap the stock tyres out for some narrower ones. The wheels are a slightly less common size (27.5 inch, or ETRTO 50-584 IRRC) so you would have to be careful to get the right ones.

 

[Gillstay]

Its a buyers market, so buy second hand. You will save a fortune.