What bike.....should I be buying??

[Learnincurve]

I'm going to be recommending Ridgeback to everyone wanting a hybrid from now on in. I just bought one myself and it's fantastic. Thy are 27lb -31lb depending on if you have the rack and mudguards and that's the 21 inch weight, I have the 19 inch speed without the extras on and would guess it's about 25lb (11.3lb) which is absolutely incredible for a hybrid. They haven't scrimped on the components either, it may not be carbon but the rims are double walled and the tires are £15 each new . I have the speed but the one nicer in the range is now on sale at less than it for £300 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/velocity-se-2014-hybrid-bike-ec059637

 

[Enigmatic Blonde]

Ooooo nice looking bike (yeah.....girly comment, I know). Gonna go to Evans on sat for a butchers. Then compare the carerras at halfords.

All good stuff. Cheers x

 

[vickster]

It's black...bah

Evans is a good place to go as they do free test rides, just need a bank card and photo ID, then you can ride around at your leisure. Halfords barely let you sit on the bikes!

 

[Enigmatic Blonde]

It's black...bah

Hahaha

Pink is much better.......

 

[vickster]

Nope, just any colour other than black (or grey, or silver)

 

[razer17]

The best paint job I have seen is the white, red and pale blue Cube Peloton. I love the paint on that thing.

As for the Subway, a guy from work uses one in the winter, say's it's quite good for a hybrid. Which I think from him is high praise.

 

[PpPete]

Have a look at the Giant Escape
14 y.o daughter of a friend bought one (very basic model) to do John O'Groats - Land's End,. As someone who likes to pretend he knows about bikes my heart sank when I saw it.
I shouldn't have been so far up my own @r$€ ! She (and the bike) coped with 1000 miles perfectly adequately - and indeed better than some of the group on much more expensive bikes.

 

[vickster]

Some 2013 Escapes here http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-escape-w-2013-range

 

[summerdays]

I've actually got a giant escape, though mine is quite old and has hydraulic disc brakes, which I'm not sure if they still do.

 

[DCLane]

+1 for the Ridgeback - my work uses these for their student loan-bike range as they're simple to maintain and stand up to all sorts of abuse.

Mind you, I commute on a Ridgeback Platinum that I put together last month:

 

[Cyclist33]

I can't imagine you going wrong with a Giant Escape although they come in many shapes and sizes so best to visit a store if poss.

 

[Enigmatic Blonde]

Lol.....yeah, but pink is better! I'm all about the pink x

 

[vickster]

Do you rwally want a pink bike?

This one would be a fab choice, more plum but still girly...on'y double your budget

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/pro...-14?bct=browse/bicycles/commuter-hybrid-bikes

Quite a lot of womens bikes can have some pink or purple detailing

 

[Enigmatic Blonde]

Well, after trekking around several Bristol LBS's and sitting on many bikes - I have fallen in love with this one. I also liked a Trek bike, but at £100 cheaper - this wins.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/neon-one-2014-womens-hybrid-bike-ec054676

....its not black!

 

[summerdays]

Nice looking bike but I wouldn't be able to get up some of Bristol's hills on it, but others could. Did you try it on any of the hills nearby. For instance Marlbourough Hill (I used to walk up that one on my way home 20 years ago from Jamaica Street - but cycle up - no way!).