What hybrid should I go for?

[moonjiver]

Hi, I joined this site recently and was gratified by all the helpful advice I got from people. Thanks to that, I was warned off buying from Halfords. Apart from their reputation, I was attracted to a white Raleigh Grande - smart looking hybrid but cheap and the components too probably. I'm currently looking at the Viking Pine Trail (gent's) which seems much the same kind of bike and suitable for an aging returnee to cycling, doing some urban but also cycle tracks, country, farm tracks maybe. I don't like mountain bikes (feel too cramped with my 6ft height) and I'm not into racing.

I'm also looking at the Claud Butler Urban 100 and 200 hybrids, around £300 - they look nice, or am I just paying for the classic name nowadays?

I'd really appreciate any comments or alternative suggestions.

 

[biggs682]

why not try and go for a better quality 2nd hand lightly used Brand ie Marin etc etc

 

[vickster]

The Carrera Subways from Halfords are actually excellent bikes and usually 'on sale' for £300

Otherwise the Dawes Discovery range

 

[Mo1959]

Otherwise the Dawes Discovery range

Second the Dawes Discovery. Although my other bikes are technically better, I actually really like riding my Discovery. Comfortable and not much slower than my good bikes.

 

[moonjiver]

Thanks a lot. I've narrowed it down to the kind of bike I'm after but still a little confused. The market seems very competitive, a number of brands with similar specifications within the same price range - for me up to about £300. But I'm also surprised how quite small differences in geometry, angle of handle bars, weight too probably, create big differences in the comfort and "feel" of bikes. The bike I instantly felt at home on was the blasted Raleigh Grande - bottom end and cheap!

I must check out the Dawes bikes properly, find the Subway a bit nearer to a mountain bike. I spotted a Marin hybrid the other day in Hastings, thought it a good-looker. But limited ranges in these local shops, I'll get up to Tonbridge and maybe Brighton. Compare different makes more.

Thanks for all the comments. very helpful.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

If I were you I wouldn't necessarily be completely put off by the Raleigh. Because of the price, and because of potential supply by Halfrauds, what I would do is to allow and pay for its check and tune up by a decent local bike shop (e.g. ensuring spokes are all well tensioned - many stock wheels of sub-£500 bikes are under-tensioned - try feeling the tension on a good pair of wheels to get an idea), and to allow for premature parts replacement. You see the Raleigh is practically all steel (frame, forks, handelbar, stem, seatpost etc.) and literally no component is from typical proven brands (e.g. Shimano). There is nothing wrong with steel - they last brilliantly - but be aware it will turn into a rust bucket quickly if not looked after and maintained. Some of the unknown branded components probably won't last well long, but there is nothing to stop you replacing them when they wear out from the money you have saved.

However at the price point one of the most popular "fast" hybrids, which it seems to me is what you are looking for, is the Ridgeback Rapide range (there are about 7 different models, from Element to Motion, varying mainly in component quality). I think they are popular for good reasons. Even their bottom of the range machine (the Motion available for a little over £200) is a decent bike (except the need for above spoke tension check/fettle still applies - if you want the wheels to last that is), and should last pretty well even as a commuter. The Speed is the next one up, still under £300 usually, but has guards and rack. You also don't have to get them from Halfrauds, so if you can find a great local bike shop selling it, then you will also get a decent setup and 6 week check all for free...

 

[pac-man]

have a look in cycleops or cycle-uk in Tonbridge both quite helpful.. or if you wanna dabble online sites like wiggle have fantastic sales offers for 2012 bikes as the new 2013 range is coming in.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-tachyon-4-2012/ £350 in the sale (34% off) great bike for the money

 

[Nofers]

Iron horse, hybrid bike for me

 

[moonjiver]

Thanks very much for all the advice, guys, it's been very helpful and told me a lot. There are only one or two good but small shops around here and of course they have a limited stock of brands and (the old chestnut) they try to steer me towards the pricier bikes and specifications I don't need.

I was surprised that, for not a cheap price, I didn't find the Claud Butler wonderful and I just couldn't get comfortable on it, despite the fiddling with seat height, next frame size up etc. The old rules seem to still apply - look around, try different things and also do your homework!

Thanks for your trouble, given me a lot to think about.

 

[Bill-H]

i recently brought a tachyon 4 from my local bike shop he mayched the internet price i am very pleased with it

 

[Pale Rider]

The GT Tachyon is now showing as £265 on Wiggle.

 

[Bill-H]

o well its worth what i paid for it and definetly worth 265 should have waited a week