Which hybrid?

[andtmas]

Hi,

I'm seeking advice on which bike to purchase for commuting to work (only about 5 miles each way) and for leisure use. I’ll use the bike on tarmac roads and gravel & mud paths (on common, canal tow paths, etc.) so have therefore decided that a hybrid bike is the best option.

My maximum budget is £300 and as I will buy using the cycle to work scheme will need to get the bike from Halfords or Evans Cycles.

I prefer a more upright riding position and have shortlisted the following bikes with alloy rather than steel frames. Some have front suspension – it seems that the benefit of this is questionable?
I would be grateful for opinions on these and any other suggestions.

1. From Halfords
a. Carrera Crossfire 1 Hybrid 2011/2012 @ £249.99 http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810683_langId_-1_categoryId_165534
b. Carrera Crossfire 2 Hybrid 2011/2012 @ £299.99 (reduced from £449.99) http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810719_langId_-1_categoryId_165534
c. Carrera Subway Hybrid 2011/2012 @ £279.99 (reduced from £399.99) http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810603_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

2. From Evans
a. Dawes Discovery Trail 2013 Hybrid @ £199.99 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/discovery-trail-2013-hybrid-bike-ec050666
b. Mongoose Crossway 150 2012 @ £229.99 (reduced from £299.99) http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mongoose/crossway-150-2012-hybrid-bike-ec030515
c. Dawes Discovery 101 2013 Hybrid @ £259.99 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/discovery-101-2013-hybrid-bike-ec050859
d. Claud Butler Urban 100 2013 Hybrid @ £269.99 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/claud-butler/urban-100-2013-hybrid-bike-ec048988
e. Ridgeback Motion 2013 @ £269.99 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/motion-2013-hybrid-bike-ec043394
f. Dawes Discovery Sport 1 2013 Hybrid @ £279.99 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/discovery-sport-1-2013-hybrid-bike-ec050657
g. Norco VFR 4 2013 @ £290 (reduced from £320) from Evans http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/vfr-4-2013-hybrid-bike-ec041286
h. Claud Butler Urban 200 2013 Hybrid @ £299.99 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/claud-butler/urban-200-2013-hybrid-bike-ec048990

Thank you

 

[jarlrmai]

How bad are these tow paths are they mostly tarmac?

I would not bother with suspension (harder to maintain the bike) and get smooth tyres (better for when you are on tarmac)

That Norco seems to have some Altus components which is a decent set for a commuter bike, everything else seems to have TX everywhere.

Make sure you remember to budget for accessories!

Oh and get a fitting to make sure you are buying a correctly sized bike.

 

[Schmilliemoo]

I've just bought a trek hybrid for £300 on eBay. I know that his isn't an option for you cause of the cycle to work scheme.

However I find Evans cycles to be absolutely brilliant. Great customer service and very patient. Can't really recommend a bike but those guys literally can't do enough for you.

 

[vickster]

The suspension on an entry level bike will be pretty poor, so I would avoid

The Subways get good press

 

[Cycleops]

The Norco does look a little better than the rest, and doesn't have suspension forks which you don't need. But you could do rather better by going second hand. There are loads of bargains to be had out there on preloved, gumtree, ebay and the rest. Just make sure they haven't had too much use, you can could end up with a better quality bike.

 

[Schmilliemoo]

Yeah that's why I went second hand, but I'm assuming the cycle to work scheme needs the purchase to
Come from a dealer?
My bike budget was £300. Got a second hand but like new one for exactly that which would've been about £600 new.

 

[andtmas]

Thanks for all the responses.

To buy through the cycle to work scheme the bike has to be new from a dealer running the scheme - in my companies case its Halfords or Evans. I could buy secondhand but would lose the tax saving I'd get on the scheme, I would also be a bit concerned on how well they had been maintained (not having had a bike for over 20 years).

General consensus seems to be the Norco and the Subway as the best bets and certainly no bike with suspension forks. I also understand that with the Subway I can change the stem for a longer version to get the handlebars higher, which I can't on the others?

Jarlrmai - the off road paths are a mixture of compacted gravel and mud - no tarmac. Would smooth tyres be ok on this type of surface? The £300 budget is for the bike - I've allowed separately for accessories (but good point - as is buying a correctly sized bike).

My revised list excluding bikes with suspension is:

1. From Halfords
a. Carrera Subway Hybrid 2011/2012 @ £279.99 (reduced from £399.99)http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810603_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

2. From Evans
a. Norco VFR 4 2013 @ £290 (reduced from £320) from Evans http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/vfr-4-2013-hybrid-bike-ec041286
b. Dawes Discovery Trail 2013 Hybrid @ £199.99 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/discovery-trail-2013-hybrid-bike-ec050666
c. Dawes Discovery 101 2013 Hybrid @ £259.99 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/discovery-101-2013-hybrid-bike-ec050859
d. Claud Butler Urban 100 2013 Hybrid @ £269.99 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/claud-butler/urban-100-2013-hybrid-bike-ec048988
e. Claud Butler Urban 200 2013 Hybrid @ £299.99 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/claud-butler/urban-200-2013-hybrid-bike-ec048990

Thanks

 

[vickster]

Have you actually calculated the tax saving on a £300 spend? And checked out what payment you may need to make once the 12 months are up

Make sure you buy a good lock (be about £60-100) and insure the bike if buying on an sort of hire / finance scheme

 

[Pale Rider]

Tyres will have a big impact on rolling resistance.

The Carrera has 1.95 - wide - mountain bike tyres, albeit with a shallow tread.

The other bikes on the list have much narrower tyres which will roll easier.

All should be fine on gravel/hard pack paths.

None will do very well on 'mud paths'.

 

[andtmas]

Have you actually calculated the tax saving on a £300 spend? And checked out what payment you may need to make once the 12 months are up.
Make sure you buy a good lock (be about £60-100) and insure the bike if buying on an sort of hire / finance scheme

With accessories (lights, D-lock, mudguards - I have a helmet and cable lock) I'm allowing a spend of £400 - based on a 12 month hire contract the saving would be £128 and as the bike would be transferred by the company to me as a benefit in kind I would pay tax of £14.40 (£400 x 18% x 20%). Therefore the overall saving would be £113.60 (28.4%).

 

[andtmas]

Tyres will have a big impact on rolling resistance.
The Carrera has 1.95 - wide - mountain bike tyres, albeit with a shallow tread.
The other bikes on the list have much narrower tyres which will roll easier.
All should be fine on gravel/hard pack paths.
None will do very well on 'mud paths'.

Could I change the tyres on the Subway to narrower ones with the existing rims - if so any recommendations as to tyre size and make for use on tarmac and compacted gravel paths?

 

[Sharpy]

Shwalbe city jets 1.5 are an easy replacement but you may as well keep with the standard 1.95's as the rolling resistance is quite good as long as you keep the pressure at around 60-65psi.
Also the Subway is based on a mountain bike therefore you wont actually be in a sit up position which you would be on a Carrera Crossfire, which which would also be more comfortable because of the comfort saddle and would be more efficient because of the 700-35s puncture resistant tyres it comes with.

 

[andtmas]

Also the Subway is based on a mountain bike therefore you wont actually be in a sit up position which you would be on a Carrera Crossfire, which which would also be more comfortable because of the comfort saddle and would be more efficient because of the 700-35s puncture resistant tyres it comes with.

I was going for the Crossfire but it has front suspension forks, which I've been advised adds weight to the bike, does practically nothing off road and is not configurable. Also due to the extra cost of the forks over non suspension ones, the other components are lesser quality.

I was thinking of the Subway as I understand that I can get an extender to raise the height of the handlebars and get a more sit up position. I didn't consider the saddle but suppose I could change it if I found it to uncomfortable.

 

[Schmilliemoo]

How about the specialized crossroads? I think that comes in at £300

http://m.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/crossroads-2013-hybrid-bike-ec042520
There's the sport at £350 too with a suspension seat post

 

[andtmas]

How about the specialized crossroads? I think that comes in at £300
http://m.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/crossroads-2013-hybrid-bike-ec042520
There's the sport at £350 too with a suspension seat post

I didn't think the spec was as good as the Subway or the Norco - only has 7 gears with Revo twist not 24 / 21 gears with trigger shifters. The Subway also has disc brakes . I will look at one though when I go to Evans.