Options for a Sub £650 Hybrid Bike

[QUIK]

This Whyte Rideway V2 is within budget, they class it as a "All Terrain" Leisure bike.
Has some different kind of suspension fork to the others, is this just a gimmick or does it actually assist when going over bumps.
https://whyte.bike/collections/all-terrain-leisure-c7-series/products/ridgeway

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Personally, looking at the frame geometry and very long wheelbase of that, I would expect it to handle like an old school heavy roadster on 28" wheels - that is to say nice and relaxed in a straight line but isn't keen on changing direction!
The fork will absorb energy which means you have to work harder to overcome the losses. Weight is par for the course. Wheelbase way too long to be nimble. Not the sort of bike I would choose.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Can't speak for the FS Whytes (or any FS bike, come to think about it!) but the rigid fork Whytes are pretty nimble (we have a Carnaby and a Cambridge)

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Can't speak for the FS Whytes (or any FS bike, come to think about it!) but the rigid fork Whytes are pretty nimble (we have a Carnaby and a Cambridge)

These have a 67 1/2 degree head angle, pretty much the same as 3-speed roadsters from nearly a hundred years ago. The wheelbase of the L size is 1,180mm or 46 1/2",which makes for a bike around 6' 2" -6 3" long. A conventional hybrid or tourer in a large frame size is normally around 5' 9" long! A rigid 26" wheel MTB in a large size is rarely longer than 5' 8" overall.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

These have a 67 1/2 degree head angle, pretty much the same as 3-speed roadsters from nearly a hundred years ago. The wheelbase of the L size is 1,180mm or 46 1/2",which makes for a bike around 6' 2" -6 3" long. A conventional hybrid or tourer in a large frame size is normally around 5' 9" long! A rigid 26" wheel MTB in a large size is rarely longer than 5' 8" overall.

I speak as I ride

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

I speak as I ride

So do I, and the sweet spot in wheelbase for good straight line and bumpy surface stability combined with reasonable agility when maneuvering seems to be between about 40 1/2" and 42 1/2", at least in the sort of adult size frames I ride. Shorter seems twitchy and any longer unwieldy and ponderous.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

So do I, and the sweet spot in wheelbase for good straight line and bumpy surface stability combined with reasonable agility when maneuvering seems to be between about 40 1/2" and 42 1/2", at least in the sort of adult size frames I ride. Shorter seems twitchy and any longer unwieldy and ponderous.

You have ridden them to validate that, haven't you - the Whytes, that is?

 

[QUIK]

So having put the feeler out to some retailers, one local one to me has come back to me with a GIANT Escape Disc 2 in Gloss Charcoal in Large size coming in over next couple of days.
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/escape-2-disc-2021
I was considering Whytes, Specialized models, but theres no real ETA in size or colour I want.
So for £525 I think there all much the same, but the retailer did say he can supply and fit some thicker 43-45mm tyres which will give that Specialized Sirrus X look.
Can anyone recommend some good tubeless all rounder road/gravel tyres that are available in the 43, 45mm size

 

[QUIK]

Oh and did think about holding out for the GIANT Roam 2 Disc version which looks good,.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdZAptODGik&t=120s

but not convinced on the suspension fork and felt that it would make sense to save on weight and put the money into better thicker tyres and seat, ie: the contact points.

 

[vickster]

The Escape will be much better for your road based usage

 

[Gunk]

For me head says Boardman, heart says Sirrus.

you don’t get much for £500 these days, the spec is pretty miserly on both.

 

[QUIK]

Just to close this off, ended up buying the Escape 2, collect it Friday.

Also always wanted to get back into MTB trails so in the last half hour just ordered this:
https://vitusbikes.com/collections/sentier/products/vitus-sentier-29-vr-mountain-bike

Bit of spontaneous purchase, but I got the email alert and so went for it.

 

[mustang1]

I bought a boardman hyb 8.6 with shimano hydro brakes. A fine bike it is!