New Hybrid bike up to £1400 - please advise

[rob r]

Hi
I am returning to cycling following serious back injuries - hence the choice to look at hybrids.
Ideally the cost would be around £1200 but if a little extra will mean a bike I can use for years to come, I would consider £1400.

The bike would be used on mainly 40-50 mile rides at weekends and pottering around also, soetimes to work 10 miles in busy town with poor roads.
I want to return to carrying out charity bike rides here and abroad - they are generally on roads but on some gravel tracks and can be in quite hilly areas and would need appropriate gearing.
I am not an expert on hybrids and have been recommended the following to try out:-

Boardman expert carbon
Sirrus expert carbon
Planet x pro carbon
BMC AC 01 sora
Cannondale quick carbon

I am concerned about reports regarding poor build quality at halfords and evans' but have no experience of this and presume this is down to being thorough and checking post delivery.
I live in Bolton
Many thanks

Rob

 

[steveindenmark]

It would have helped if you had put links to the bikes so we could see them without having to search for them.

You dont say what your back injury was but I would think something with a triple chain ring would help you. For that price I would be looking for 105 gears and above and you possibly may need to add a rack.

The best idea is to find the bikes and get on them. They may sound wonderful on paper but just dont suit you.

 

[oldfatfool]

Have you considered a recumbent?

 

[vickster]

Whyte Montpelier if you have a local stockist? Possibly over your top budget but you might be able to negotiate on price

@Salty seadog has one and can perhaps comment on ride comfort (also has a Spesh Roubsix so a more relaxed road bike)

Otherwise you seem to have the main carbon flatbars on your list to go testride via Evans etc

There are also some very upright roadbikes or adventure bikes which might also suit your back with the correct set up

 

[dim]

good budget .... I would seriously consider the Trek 7.9FX .... I've ridden one, and these are seriously fast, so much so that you can use these on a group ride with guys who have carbon road bikes:

Evans have them on special at £1440:
https://www.evanscycles.com/trek-7-...esvaid=50080&gclid=COfItpDLjtACFQ4R0wodQuwGdA

 

[vickster]

To note, you can't order Trek bikes online for home delivery, only click and collect but a decent shout. Quidco order tracking will get you a few notes as cash back

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Whyte Montpelier if you have a local stockist? Possibly over your top budget but you might be able to negotiate on price

That's what came to my mind when I saw the headline. I'd be gobsmacked if there wasn't some wriggle room on price.

 

[KneesUp]

I've noticed that some hybrids are now quite aggressive in their geometry - sometimes (but not always) described as flat bar road bikes. Does the nature of your injury mean you need to be more upright, like on an old 'town bike' or will leaning onto a flat bar be ok for 40 - 50 miles? I would guess there are fewer ways to vary your grip on a flat bar that an drop bar, but if that is an issue you might consider a set of butterfly bars and / or a replacement stem.

 

[steve50]

good budget .... I would seriously consider the Trek 7.9FX .... I've ridden one, and these are seriously fast, so much so that you can use these on a group ride with guys who have carbon road bikes:

Evans have them on special at £1440:
https://www.evanscycles.com/trek-7-...esvaid=50080&gclid=COfItpDLjtACFQ4R0wodQuwGdA

That is a lot of bike for the money and right on budget.

 

[rob r]

Thanks for all your advice. Much appreciated.
I'll spend some time testing these bikes.

I have chronic weakness in my lower back and need to stay quite upright to reduce spasms.... - I will be trying bar ends and stem risers as though performance is important, the riding position is paramount with not to aggressive a riding position.
Are there great benefits to having a SRAM in lieu of 105 or similar and hydraulic discs?
Cheers and have a great weekend
Rob

 

[vickster]

IMO SRAM vs Shimano on a flatbar, horses for courses. I prefer the former myself. Take all the bikes for a proper testride, given the back issues and level of expenditure

Hydraulic discs cost more, whether they stop a bike any better than mechanical is open to opinion

Presumably you see a Physio and do exercises for the back, there are some really good ones out there with an interest or expertise in helping cyclists ride comfortably

 

[dim]

get a butterfly bar fitted .... it will assist with back pain ... also get a mirror but put it on the r/h side (this is from an american bike):

then, get the bike properly fitted. The shop that you buy it from may help .... if not, phone a few local bike shops and they will advise on who can help

 

[dim]

That is a lot of bike for the money and right on budget.

I will get me one (I'm trying to convince my wife that I need another bike for 'shopping' .... add decent tyres, mudguards, a pannier rack and a pair of ortlieb bags, good lights and I will do the shopping instead of her (she hates shopping)

it would make an excellent 2nd winter bike for me (my current winter bike is a Surly LHT ... the most comfortable bike that I have ever owned and an excellent winter bike if customised with mudguards and good tyres

but this Trek could be used if I want to travel a lot faster and if I feel energetic and want to smash a strava PB (it's a lot quicker than the Surly)... without a headwind, 20+mph for a long distance is easy

I have 3 bikes already but am sure that she will be happy for the trade - off .... I do the shopping if I can get a new bike ... if not.... she can do the shopping

 

[bonsaibilly]

Hi
I am returning to cycling following serious back injuries - hence the choice to look at hybrids.
Ideally the cost would be around £1200 but if a little extra will mean a bike I can use for years to come, I would consider £1400.

The bike would be used on mainly 40-50 mile rides at weekends and pottering around also, soetimes to work 10 miles in busy town with poor roads.
I want to return to carrying out charity bike rides here and abroad - they are generally on roads but on some gravel tracks and can be in quite hilly areas and would need appropriate gearing.
I am not an expert on hybrids and have been recommended the following to try out:-

Boardman expert carbon
Sirrus expert carbon
Planet x pro carbon
BMC AC 01 sora
Cannondale quick carbon

I am concerned about reports regarding poor build quality at halfords and evans' but have no experience of this and presume this is down to being thorough and checking post delivery.
I live in Bolton
Many thanks

Rob

I think you should have your budget, £1200+ is completely barmy for a hybrid. Bb

 

[vickster]

I think you should have your budget, £1200+ is completely barmy for a hybrid. Bb

Why if that's the right bike and the funds are available? Is it also for a road bike?