What hybrid?! Suggestions, reviews, advice please.

[rudders20]

Hello all, first of all a massive thanks for taking the time to view my thread, secondly, a big thanks in advance for any info recieved.
I'm looking to buy myself a new bike, after cycling to work for the past 2 years on a carrera kraken which I bought from halfords (never again!)
I want a hybrid/urban and so far have a short list of three bikes, those are:
1- whyte Stirling
2- cannondale quick speed 2
3-specialized sirrus elite comp
My budget is £1000, I really like the whyte but there's only 1 supplier of whyte bikes near me and I've had no dealings with them before and I'm worried about support and back up after purchase.
Any reviews on any of these bikes would be brilliant, as would suggestions on any others I might have missed.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Hello all, first of all a massive thanks for taking the time to view my thread, secondly, a big thanks in advance for any info recieved.
I'm looking to buy myself a new bike, after cycling to work for the past 2 years on a carrera kraken which I bought from halfords (never again!)
I want a hybrid/urban and so far have a short list of three bikes, those are:
1- whyte Stirling
2- cannondale quick speed 2
3-specialized sirrus elite comp
My budget is £1000, I really like the whyte but there's only 1 supplier of whyte bikes near me and I've had no dealings with them before and I'm worried about support and back up after purchase.
Any reviews on any of these bikes would be brilliant, as would suggestions on any others I might have missed.

The Spesh is very good indeed. A colleague of mine has one, we swapped bikes last week, for a day, it's very impressive. Another couple of very competent, and very keenly priced flat bars, are the Triban 520 / 540 flat bar bikes from Decathlon. I test rode the Cannondale, and I just didn't rate it, I'm really not a fan of Cannondales, they really don't suit me at all. The Whyte looks like a good bike, with a nice Groupset, but I've not ridden it personally. I'd suggest trying to get test rides organised, as it's a fair wedge of cash, and I'd want to be sure the bike worked for me, before committing.

 

[rudders20]

That's great, thanks for the advice, I'll definitely look into them. I can only find 1 review for the Stirling and it's from 2013!

 

[vickster]

I had a 2012 Cambridge, the one down from the sterling. Great bike although mine was probably always a little small

Before that I had two Sirruses. Hated them. One was too big, gave me chronic tennis elbow which needed surgery. It fortunately got stolen!

I then stupidly bought another as an insurance replacement. I never enjoyed riding it, despite being a higher model. Flogged at a loss within 6 months...

I've never ridden a Cannondale quick

If I were spending a grand I'd want something different though. I shouldn't worry about lack of reviews of the Sterling, it's not changed much and it's a niche product

If you're a size 54, I've got a flat bar converted Planet X rt 58. It's a road bike and flies! If you happen to be interested its for sale far under your budget

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/planet-x-rt-58-flat-bar-road-bike.192168/

 

[rudders20]

Tad small for me I'm afraid (6ft), I defo want to buy new aswell so I've got some comeback when I inevitably break it (I have a habit of destroying bikes). Thanks for the heads up on the sirrus though, sounds like 1 to avoid. Good luck selling yours.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Thanks for the heads up on the sirrus though, sounds like 1 to avoid. Good luck selling yours.

I'd say try the Sirrus yourself, don't write it off, because someone on an Internet forum tells you they didn't like it. It's all about trying these things out. Not listening to tittle tattle. Try all the bikes you like the sound of. Hybrids are a particular 'marmite' type of bike. Some like them, some don't.

 

[Elswick Cotterpin]

I'd say try the Sirrus yourself, don't write it off, because someone on an Internet forum tells you they didn't like it. It's all about trying these things out. Not listening to tittle tattle. Try all the bikes you like the sound of. Hybrids are a particular 'marmite' type of bike. Some like them, some don't.

Definitely this; one mans Universal is another mans Galaxy!

 

[rudders20]

I'd say try the Sirrus yourself, don't write it off, because someone on an Internet forum tells you they didn't like it. It's all about trying these things out. Not listening to tittle tattle. Try all the bikes you like the sound of. Hybrids are a particular 'marmite' type of bike. Some like them, some don't.

I have to hold my hands up and admit to my ignorance/stupidity, when you referred to 'the spesh' in you original post I didn't realise you were talking about the sirrus (thought it was a different bike all together). After googling 'the spesh' , I soon became red faced And realised the error I had made. I wanted to let you know so that you didn't think I was ignoring your advice after a bad review. with that off my chest and a clear head I have decided to get out there and try these bikes out so that I can make an educated decision. I would however still like to hear from anyone that has a Stirling for some feedback, maybe an idea for another thread......

 

[vickster]

I'd say try the Sirrus yourself, don't write it off, because someone on an Internet forum tells you they didn't like it. It's all about trying these things out. Not listening to tittle tattle. Try all the bikes you like the sound of. Hybrids are a particular 'marmite' type of bike. Some like them, some don't.

Well obviously but the OP did ask for opinions. You did the same with the Cannondale

 

[vickster]

Tad small for me I'm afraid (6ft), I defo want to buy new aswell so I've got some comeback when I inevitably break it (I have a habit of destroying bikes). Thanks for the heads up on the sirrus though, sounds like 1 to avoid. Good luck selling yours.

No worries. If you break bikes, get one with a lifetime frame guarantee, specialized, decathlon, Giant, Trek, Possibly Cannondale. Do your research and go test ride

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Hello all, first of all a massive thanks for taking the time to view my thread, secondly, a big thanks in advance for any info recieved.
I'm looking to buy myself a new bike, after cycling to work for the past 2 years on a carrera kraken which I bought from halfords (never again!)
I want a hybrid/urban and so far have a short list of three bikes, those are:
1- whyte Stirling
2- cannondale quick speed 2
3-specialized sirrus elite comp
My budget is £1000, I really like the whyte but there's only 1 supplier of whyte bikes near me and I've had no dealings with them before and I'm worried about support and back up after purchase.
Any reviews on any of these bikes would be brilliant, as would suggestions on any others I might have missed.

This from Giant?

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/rapid.0/22034/83621/#specifications

 

[rudders20]

This from Giant?

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/rapid.0/22034/83621/#specifications

Very nice, another 1 for the short list Thanks

 

[MarkF]

I got a Sirrus and promptly road it across Spain fully loaded, no "getting used" it or making changes to it other than adding a rear rack. The bike was faultless and it handled the load and often rough surfaces very well, I wasn't impressed with the component quailty, but then mine was the Sport, yours is the upper end version, I'd go for it and it'll retain a good residual value and be very easy to sell on, the others might not be.

 

[Rykard]

have a wander up to planet x in sheffield, they have a few models that may suit you .. London Road? Kaffenback?

 

[Racing roadkill]

have a wander up to planet x in sheffield, they have a few models that may suit you .. London Road? Kaffenback?

Planet X bikes do offer exceptional value for money. Definitely worth a look.