Hybrid for couple, Specialized or Marin?

[Alex34]

If you really want fork suspensions, get a bike where you can lock out the suspension. My Spesh Hardrock has such forks. I lock them out for road use and then have variable settings of squashiness for off road riding. I tend to never go past the middle setting as the bouncy front end just takes so much energy out of your pedal stroke.

Yes, All the models listed have lockouts. All pretty much have the same suspension except the Specialized.

[QUOTE 3206840, member: 45"]I wouldn't worry about scouring the Internet for bikes. Go to a couple of local bike shops and try the brands that they sell. All of the big manufacturers do very similar bikes of the type you're looking for, and it's a case of seeing which you like the feel of the most.

Saying all that though, Boardman are very good bikes and Halfords stores are everywhere. I'd try one, and if you both like it just buy the thing and ride it.[/QUOTE]

Funny enough, most of the brands listed are ones that are available from the original LBS I went to, Cycles UK. They just don't have the exact models in store but they gave me catalogues. The Boardman was the only one I came across on the internet. There are definitely too many options out there. Thought choosing a bike would have been simpler, however, I am learning quite a bit.

 

[vickster]

Just go for the one that most appeals aesthetically...and allow your wife to choose her own If you buy two bikes, I'd expect any shop to give a couple of goodies, bottle cage, maybe a little computer, better pedals

 

[Alex34]

Just go for the one that most appeals aesthetically...and allow your wife to choose her own If you buy two bikes, I'd expect any shop to give a couple of goodies, bottle cage, maybe a little computer, better pedals

Yeah, thats what its coming down to now that we have opened our options up a bit. She will pick the one she she likes best and so will I. Think she's leaning more towards the Whyte Malvern and I am leaning more towards the Boardman MX Comp... but thats just from looking at it online etc. I wish there was one store that had all of the bikes in stock that we could go and test them or at least see them in person.

Cyclist33 should be happy about the latests developements :-)

 

[vickster]

Unfortunately doesn't work like that - however, Evans, Giant store, Halfords and Cycles UK should cover the bases pretty much!

 

[Cycleops]

If the fork suspensions are such a poor accessory to hybrid bikes why do all of the manufacturers have them as standard on hybrid trail bikes?

It's a bit of the "Kings new clothes" syndrome, it started with Mountain bikes and soon the marketing men were extolling the virtues for other models. It's more perceived than real. Honestly, you won't find any extra comfort, you'll get more by reducing the tyre pressures a little. You can imagine the state of the potholed roads here and my Marin is no more comfortable than my road bikes. Actually the Marin has a suspension seat post which does give a bit of isolation from bumps.

There is a lot of choice out there but be assured that whatever you choose you won't be disappointed, so stop prevaricating and get out and cycle! Good luck.

 

[Alex34]

It's a bit of the "Kings new clothes" syndrome, it started with Mountain bikes and soon the marketing men were extolling the virtues for other models. It's more perceived than real. Honestly, you won't find any extra comfort, you'll get more by reducing the tyre pressures a little. You can imagine the state of the potholed roads here and my Marin is no more comfortable than my road bikes. Actually the Marin has a suspension seat post which does give a bit of isolation from bumps.

There is a lot of choice out there but be assured that whatever you choose you won't be disappointed, so stop prevaricating and get out and cycle! Good luck.

Haha... I am trying my hardest to! We have 4 days off together next week and I am hoping to have the bikes by then.

I can agree about "marketing men". They should offer a rigid fork option with these trail hybrid type bikes then. I'm sure forks they already manufacture for the road hybrids will fit, so very little extra cost... hmmm. I wonder if that would be an option for me? Could I potentially buy a spare rigid fork for these bikes?

 

[vickster]

There are plenty of rigid fork bikes out there with fatter tyres

I can't see how you'd be able to swap forks around at will. A lock out will offer a similar thing, although with the added weight. You can ride a rigid fork bike around a forest, you just have to be more cautious and accept some loss of comfort. But you only need this if you also want better speed on roads

 

[Alex34]

Yeah... I think I will stick with the fork suspensions for now and if in the future I want to do more speed riding it gives me an excuse to buy another bike :-)

Going to make a few stops on the way home today and I will let you all know how it went later tonight.

Thank you all so very much for your input and advice. It has been extremely helpful.

 

[vickster]

Exactly, N+1

Happy shopping

 

[Cyclist33]

Yeah, thats what its coming down to now that we have opened our options up a bit. She will pick the one she she likes best and so will I. Think she's leaning more towards the Whyte Malvern and I am leaning more towards the Boardman MX Comp... but thats just from looking at it online etc. I wish there was one store that had all of the bikes in stock that we could go and test them or at least see them in person.

Cyclist33 should be happy about the latests developements :-)

Ignore grumpy old me!

 

[Alex34]

Well I made some stops today but the only bike I was able to view was the Boardman MX Comp. I like how it looks overall and it actually feels lighter than the Specialized Crosstrail. What concerns me, and I think they are big concerns, I have heard the frames aren't the best and it's Halfords that is selling the bike. The frame warranty is only 2 years compared to lifetime warranties on the others.

I have also been looking at another Whyte bike but it's a different type of hybrid, it's call the 529. It is a 29er Cross Country/Trail. Would this bike perform similarly to the other hybrids? It has bigger tyres, 100mm fork shocks and looks more like a MTB.
http://whyte.bike/gb/models/crosscountrytrail/x29-performance-xc-hardtail-29er/529-2/

 

[Alex34]

I've done some calling around today and have made very little headway...
Spoke to Specialized, Cycle Surgery, The Bike Shop and no one has what I'm looking for on display... all are special orders. They seem to either have the low end spec or the top end spec of the range.

I've gotten to the point were I'm now going to view a Whyte Portobello instead, which is a rigid forked hybrid because its actually available in store. I have only been able to view the Boardman MX Comp and the Spesh Ariel Elite Disc so far. Very frustrating.

 

[vickster]

Have you been to Evans? They have a wide range...might be worth a trip to the big Evans and cycle surgery stores in London too. Must be whyte and Marin dealers as well, on your bike at London bridge perhaps

 

[Alex34]

Have you been to Evans? They have a wide range...might be worth a trip to the big Evans and cycle surgery stores in London too. Must be whyte and Marin dealers as well, on your bike at London bridge perhaps

Spoke with the Evans in Hendon the other day and nothing as well. Cycle Surgery in Holburn says they have none of the suspensioned hybrids I'm looking for in any of their stores. On Your Bike only has the Portobello.

Most of them say they
keep the full range of the hybrid road bikes but only one or two models of the hybrid trail, if that much, instock. I'm gonna have to improvise with what I have and make a decision somehow.

 

[vickster]

TBH they are all much of a muchness ultimately when comparing within the same ballpark price wise (other than Specialized who are usually more expensive for a 'lesser' / heavier spec)

Essential for me is a carbon fork if going rigid and a lock out if going suspension. Otherwise, it comes down to retailer, colour, styling, brand, price/alleged discount

Did you check out Giant in Radlett?

Cyclesurgery in Spitalfields had a few Whytes when I was there a month ago?

Here are other Whyte dealers within 25 miles of Watford http://whyte.bike/2014/article.php?xArt=11&jssCart=9c79f6ed2e070a782f7e1a8c921481c6

http://www.questbikes.co.uk/cycle-brands.html
http://www.rockandroadbikes.com/
http://www.shorter-rochford.co.uk/