Which Hybrid (upto £500 ish)

[Dino355]

Hi all,

My Boardman Race has just been stolen and I'm looking for a replacement Hybrid.

Budget is around £500. I'd prefer a 2 x chain set on the front (don't see the point of 3 speed)

I would have another Boardman but I don't want anything that looks too flashy. As light as possible, no loud colours and rigid forks.

I look around at what's for sale and it keeps coming back to the Vitus Mach 3 VR it just seems such good value and super light and the best part is it's black with no 'look at me' logos all over it. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-mach-3-vr-city-bike-2014/rp-prod107020

I have a MTB that I've just recently built for off road fun so this new bike is just to pop to the shops, go out with the kids or down to the gym so I can lock it up and not worry too much about it.

The only thing that worries me about the Vitus is the total lack of any reviews about it anywhere? If it's so good why isn't anyone reviewing it or talking about it?

So before I pull the trigger and order one, does anyone have any alternatives I can look at?

 

[Cycleops]

Looks good. I shouldn't worry about the lack of reviews, all the gear on it is tried and tested and I'm sure the frame is fitted to number of other models. If the frame size is OK then go for it. The "all black" look doesn't appeal to me but that's a matter of taste.

 

[Dino355]

I've just been to Evans and tried out the Pinnacle Neon Three http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/neon-three-2014-hybrid-bike-ec054679 and the Hoy Shizuoka 002 2014 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/hoy/shizuoka-002-2014-hybrid-bike-ec059168. Both lovely bikes but the Pinnacles geometry somehow didn't fit me. The Hoy on the other hand was superb.

Again back to the Vitus which is just so much cheaper. It's just a shame it's mail order only.

 

[JonBris]

I also am looking at a hybrid. I know nothing about bikes though. I am looking at Specialized Sirrus 2014 at 400 quid. But am tempted to spend more to get a better one. What is the difference between this bike and the Sirrus elite one? Worth paying double?

 

[Dino355]

I also had a look at the Sirrus today, discounted it due to the 3 speed front chainset, it's unnecessary and adds weight.

The normal Sirrus has 8 gears at the rear and the Elite 9. For an extra £180 with the Elite you do get uprated components over the normal Sirrus. It's up to you if you feel it's worth the extra.

 

[Wafer]

The elite gets a carbon fork which I would heartily recommend if you can afford it. I've had a base Sirrus for a few years, just got a road bike with carbon fork, the difference in feel over the bumps (otherwise known as roads) is incredible. Whether it's a triple or double is irrelevant compared to that in my mind

 

[Cyclist33]

Yes, but some carbon forks are more equal than others, they're not all incredible by virtue of being carbon.

They *will* almost certainly be a lot lighter than alumnium or steel forks though, much more so than the different between a double and triple ringed chainset.

Of course, the location of that weight saving is completely different but if you want to shave off a hundred grams or so by losing the granny ring, go for it!

 

[Wafer]

Fair enough I don't know how carbon forks vary but I wouldn't go for a Sirrus with an alu fork again now I've tried better.

 

[MarkF]

The Vitus looks a good bike at good price.

I had the aluminium forks with the "zertz" absorbtion inserts on my old Sirrus, they were good although I find my Dawes Discovery with carbon forks, much more forgiving.

I'd take the 3rd ring over the small weight saving and then you have a tourer too.

 

[Berties]

I had a Giant Rapid as commuter a few years ago,has got your unwanted third ring though
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Rapid-4-Flat-Bar-2014-Road-Bike_66487.htm
did me well and sold it on with out loosing to much dosh,

 

[Cycleops]

I also had a look at the Sirrus today, discounted it due to the 3 speed front chainset, it's unnecessary and adds weight.

Realistically the third chainring is negligible in weight. As @MarkF says it gives you a tourer and more versatility. I don't find a big difference between carbon forks and steel ones, in fact I would say my bikes with steel forks ride better than the one fitted with carbon forks.