Which hybrid would you recommend and why?

[Stevelewis44]

Thinking of new straight bar road bike and wondered peoples suggestions/thoughts?
1. Trek FX Sport 5 vs.
2. Cannondale Quick 1 vs.
3. Canyon Roadlite 7

Many thanks,
Steve

 

[vickster]

The one that fits you best and makes you smile most on test ride…just because that’s more important than the minutiae of specs

 

[bonzobanana]

Also Merida Speeder and Giant Fastroad models worth considering. Those typically offer higher quality frames. Canyon, Cannondale and Trek are all reliant on third party factories in Asia but Giant and Merida make their own frames and forks. The Cannondale for example is a bog standard 6061 frame nothing special but Merida would offer 6066 and Giant 6011 both more advanced alloys.

 

[mikeIow]

Very partial to my Specialised Sirrus X 3.0
Added ergon gp5 bar ends and some spirgrips for variety….added a rear chain set with lower gearing to help me plod up the hills (but after I had done LEJoG with the original set 🤪)
Here it was yesterday during a 60m ride I stupidly did!

I do agree with Vickster: if you get the chance to try them, you may find one just ‘feels’ right.
I didn’t, given it was a lockdown R2W bike, so took rather more of a punt, but it paid off for me 👍

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

A steel Raleigh Pioneer from the 1990's, because they are well built bikes fitted with decent quality components and comfortable to ride if sized correctly for the rider. The earlier ones with lugged frames have shorter top tubes than the welded ones, which means you can fine tune them to your body proportions by going for the construction variant that fits best.
Not being on the potential purchase radar of most buyers means if you are patient you can still pick them up at bargain prices.
Much rarer, but worth grabbing at the right money is the Raleigh Gemini with a lugged frame of Reynolds 531 main tubes. Higher spec components and good ride qualities.
Expensive when new, few and far between on the secondhand market.

 

[MichaelW2]

Also Merida Speeder and Giant Fastroad models worth considering. Those typically offer higher quality frames. Canyon, Cannondale and Trek are all reliant on third party factories in Asia but Giant and Merida make their own frames and forks. The Cannondale for example is a bog standard 6061 frame nothing special but Merida would offer 6066 and Giant 6011 both more advanced alloys.

Merida went through a phase of trying to impress buyers with their frames. Are they still trying? They own Specialized as well. I don't think brand is a huge matter except to find some variation in geometry. Some bikes are longer for the height and others shorter but they all hover around simular geometries.
Look for standard positioning of threaded eyelets for luggage rack and mudguards.

 

[vickster]

Thinking of new straight bar road bike and wondered peoples suggestions/thoughts?
1. Trek FX Sport 5 vs.
2. Cannondale Quick 1 vs.
3. Canyon Roadlite 7

Many thanks,
Steve

Post links to the specs if these are the only bikes you are considering.

+1 for Whyte from me though

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

It's worth the effort to seek out the geometry charts of any potential purchases and compare them to those of a model of bike you have ridden and know they fit you ok.
The geometry of mid-sized bkes of any particular genre doesn't tend to vary massively, but sometimes those at the extreme ends of the size range have rather odd geometry, compromised to fit the wheels rather than to fit the rider! For example, small frames fitted with 700c sized wheels are often poorly designed.

 

[avecReynolds531]

It's worth the effort to seek out the geometry charts of any potential purchases and compare them to those of a model of bike you have ridden and know they fit you ok.
The geometry of mid-sized bkes of any particular genre doesn't tend to vary massively, but sometimes those at the extreme ends of the size range have rather odd geometry, compromised to fit the wheels rather than to fit the rider! For example, small frames fitted with 700c sized wheels are often poorly designed.

+ 1

 

[bonzobanana]

Merida went through a phase of trying to impress buyers with their frames. Are they still trying? They own Specialized as well. I don't think brand is a huge matter except to find some variation in geometry. Some bikes are longer for the height and others shorter but they all hover around simular geometries.
Look for standard positioning of threaded eyelets for luggage rack and mudguards.

I'm not sure they own all Specialized I thought they owned more in the past and their holdings in Specialized were reduced but I could be remembering wrongly. The issue is as both Giant and Merida are actual manufacturers they can often retail a better spec bike for less than those brands that rely on third party factories to make their products. Cannondale is part of Dorel and they have switched factories many times in recent years plus use different factories for different price models and different types of models. You can't really make a quality assessment of a Cannondale when you don't know the factory used. I know many Cannondales were made by Fuji-ta a few years ago and with the best will in the world I don't think you can compare Fuji-ta to Giant or Merida in manufacturing quality.

 

[Chief Broom]

I like my Dawes 201 it has a kind of retro simplicity and charm and it makes me smile

 

[bonzobanana]

I like my Dawes 201 it has a kind of retro simplicity and charm and it makes me smile
View attachment 634869

Looks a lovely bike, simple 1x drivetrain, easy to adjust and maintain V brakes, thick comfortable tyres and easy to get a perfect bike fit with the adjustable height of a quill stem with angle adjustment. You also have a high spoke count on both wheels plus double wall rims so the wheels look pretty bomb proof. You have foot retention without needing to use special shoes so you can walk normally when off the bike but still get improved pedalling efficiency.

The only thing I don't like really is the look of the saddle but it is I'm sure a saddle that works really well for you but I don't think it would work well for me.

 

[Chief Broom]

Looks a lovely bike, simple 1x drivetrain, easy to adjust and maintain V brakes, thick comfortable tyres and easy to get a perfect bike fit with the adjustable height of a quill stem with angle adjustment. You also have a high spoke count on both wheels plus double wall rims so the wheels look pretty bomb proof. You have foot retention without needing to use special shoes so you can walk normally when off the bike but still get improved pedalling efficiency.

The only thing I don't like really is the look of the saddle but it is I'm sure a saddle that works really well for you but I don't think it would work well for me.

Well described I can get uncomfortable after 20 miles or so but then im still a relative newbie and not used to long distance. Its now more practical with full mudguards and bigger panniers. I put a new chain on it yesterday so must be racking up the miles, no problems to date. https://road.cc/content/review/271767-dawes-discovery-201-2020

 

[brucers]

The Canyon, purely because you will see less of them around.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

The Trek, a Giant, or a Whyte. The first two because I've owned several of each over many years and they're always top quality bikes. The latter because a couple of my friends have had them and I really wanted one after having a ride.

I agree with everyone who said have a ride and decide on that. Treks and Giants have always made me smile, lovely bikes.