Hybrid Bikes

[Hamish111]

I am thinking of buying a hybrid bike. I currentky commute through Edinburgh (11 miles each way) on a road bike. My Budget is £300. I have found:

1) Pinnacle Lithium 1, 2013 at Evans Cycles (£250)
2) Carrera Crossfire 1 at Halfords (£250)

 

[Hamish111]

I am thinking of buying a hybrid bike. I currenty commute through Edinburgh (11 miles each way) on a road bike. My Budget is £300. I have found:

1) Pinnacle Lithium 1, 2013 at Evans Cycles (£250)
2) Carrera Crossfire 1 at Halfords (£250)

Can anyone give advice (i.e reliability, performance etc) or suggest something else ? Thanks.

 

[TheJDog]

What's wrong with your road bike?

 

[Fuzzball]

Giant Escape, or Ridgeback Flight?

 

[deanE]

have you looked at Edinburgh Bikes http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/browse/bicycles/commuter-hybrid-bikes ? No experience of them myself but look like they have a selection within your budget.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Of the two, I'd go for the Lithium.

 

[Hamish111]

Thanks for your replies.

I looked at the Carrera Crossfire and thought it was good although I have limited knowledge of the mechanics of brakes and gears.
TheJDog asked what was wrong with my road bike.....its fine but because of the state of the roads I rattle about the streets of Edinburgh it feels like my bike will shatter ! Also fancied a change so I can alternate bikes.

 

[RiflemanSmith]

Have a look for a second hand bike?

 

[mip]

have you looked at Edinburgh Bikes http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/browse/bicycles/commuter-hybrid-bikes ? No experience of them myself but look like they have a selection within your budget.

i.e. http://goo.gl/oJtd0 more here http://goo.gl/BpHkJ

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Can anyone give advice (i.e reliability, performance etc) or suggest something else ? Thanks.

For all these bikes ime the key reliability issue is the wheels (ok apart from the Carrera, which might also have birth issues... ). I would recommend you either diy or get a good LBS to check the hubs (because they are often inadequately greased and the cup and cone bearings preload poorly set) and re-tension the spokes (because they are usually inadequately tensioned). It will be time/money well spent.

Performance-wise for city runabouts I would recommend you steer well clear of hybrids with suspension. For soaking up road uneveness a pair of balloon tyres is superior in practically all aspects.

 

[RiflemanSmith]

You can pick up decent second hand bikes, I'll will be selling my Voodoo Marasa at the end of May probably for around £130/40 it's in good nick and well serviced.
It's to far away from you but just highlighting you can pick up some thing decent second hand.

 

[bahamas]

Specialized Sirrus with Roubaix Pro 25/28 tires