Hybrid for couple, Specialized or Marin?

[Alex34]

Hello all,

I am planning on buying two bikes, one for myself and one for my wife. We really love exploring parks and nature trails so naturally we have been looking at Hybrid "dual sport" type bikes. I have narrowed done our choices to two specific bikes in mens and womens versions and would like to get other opinions on which is the better buy. I know that the bikes are very similarly speced but as I am not an avid cyclist I can't tell which is the better, If there is a better choice.

The two brands are Marin and Specialized. I was leaning more towards Marin as I almost bought one in the past but saying that I have never owned either brand before. I haven't been able to see either bike in the flesh as I am not able to find a LBS that has any in shop. All bikes are 2014 spec. Below are links to the bikes and thanks in advance for any help!

Marin
San Rafael DS4 "for him"
http://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/description/2014-san-rafael-ds4#spec

San Anselmo DS4 "for her"
http://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/description/2014-san-anselmo-ds4#spec

Specialized
Crosstrail Elite Disc "for him"
http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/fitness/crosstrail/crosstrail-elite-disc#specs

Ariel Elite Disc "for her"
http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/fitness/ariel/ariel-elite-disc#specs

 

[Cyclist33]

For the love of God please don't just get "his n hers" matching brands...! Try them out both of you and get the ones you each like .

I hate it when couples go round on matching bikes just because.

 

[Big Nick]

For the love of God please don't just get "his n hers" matching brands...! Try them out both of you and get the ones you each like .

I hate it when couples go round on matching bikes just because.

Ooops........errrr ahem!!!

 

[Alex34]

Lol... Relax it's really not that serious.

It's the simplest way of choosing. There are far too many bikes out there to try everyone... especially when you can't find specific bikes in shop.

Have you looked at the specs or have any experience with either bike?

 

[Cyclist33]

Ooops........errrr ahem!!!

Don't let me catch the two of you swanning around like you're happy together!

 

[Big Nick]

There's normally at least 30 yards between us so not immediately obvious!

 

[Cyclist33]

There's normally at least 30 yards between us so not immediately obvious!

Bet she's in the lead

 

[Cycleops]

I actually have a Marin San Anselmo and it's a good bike. The only comment I would make is you don't need the suspension forks. They are heavy and really don't give you any extra ride comfort. Look again for something that doesn't have those dreaded forks! I would also try to find something which has narrower faster tyres.

 

[Alex34]

I actually have a Marin San Anselmo and it's a good bike. The only comment I would make is you don't need the suspension forks. They are heavy and really don't give you any extra ride comfort. Look again for something that doesn't have those dreaded forks! I would also try to find something which has narrower faster tyres.

Wouldn't the suspension forks have some benefit when riding through wooded trails in parks? If not then why do they have them?

Most of our riding will be "off the beaten path" so to speak. Wife isn't too keen on riding on the roads in traffic etc. This is the reason I was looking at these types of bikes with all terrain type wheels and tyres.

 

[Cycleops]

If most of your riding is on trails then stick with the wider tyres. To improve ride comfort reduce tyre pressures, this will give you a better ride on uneven surfaces much better than any suspension.

 

[Alex34]

If most of your riding is on trails then stick with the wider tyres. To improve ride comfort reduce tyre pressures, this will give you a better ride on uneven surfaces much better than any suspension.

There are too many choices! Lol.... I really didn't want to turn the experience into a stressful one so am I okay with choosing something form the two brands mentioned, Specialized and Marin? If so is there a better of the two?
I have seen the Marin Fairfax in person but it does stike me as more of a road bike than an all-round type bike. I'm guessing the Sirrius would be the one to go for in Specialized also (if I go suspensionless)?
I have found a Specialized store close to me that I will stop by today but finding the Marins in store is proving difficult.

 

[vickster]

The Sirrus isn't really the one to choose for rough stuff. If speed isn't important, look at the crosstrail ( men's) / Ariel (womens). Whyte also do a good range of hybrids if you have a dealer close by

 

[Paulq]

I actually have a Marin San Anselmo and it's a good bike. The only comment I would make is you don't need the suspension forks. They are heavy and really don't give you any extra ride comfort. Look again for something that doesn't have those dreaded forks! I would also try to find something which has narrower faster tyres.

Good advice. I do quite a bit of the kind of riding you will be doing, sometimes with my other half. She has a Specialzed hybrid with front suspension and it's extremely heavy. Don't forget that, if out on the trails, there will be times when you have to dismount and manoeuvre the bike through those silly swing gate things - that's a time when you'll also see how much weight the suspension fork adds - for very little benefit.

I have a Ridgeback hybrid that I use for that kind of stuff and you'll find them well spec'd and plenty robust enough for that kind of work as long as you have a decent set of tyres which you should be able to negotiate when you buy. They are made in the UK too (I think!) and, yes, they do his and hers:

His: http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/element#details

Hers: http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/element-open-frame#details

However all the major manufacturers have a hybrid range that are worth a look.

Good luck with whatever you buy - let us know

 

[Alex34]

Looked at Whyte online. They seem to be a good option as well. Although, The more robust hybrids seem to all have suspension forks. The ones without seem more road bike than all purpose. If I were to put a wider all terrain tyre on lets say a Marin Fairfax or Whyte Shoreditch / Portobello, will I be able to take it off the beaten track as I would the "dual sport" bikes?

 

[Cycleops]

You are finding a Marin to look at difficult because they are not so popular here as they are I the States. You could also try popping into your local Halfords, they have quite a good range, plus they are the biggest cycle retailer in the UK.
Maybe something like this: http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-gryphon-hybrid-bike-2011-2012-large-21