Which hybrid?

[Insigniaorbrut]

Hi,

I'm looking to get a new bike for communting.

I will be on canal tow paths and road with no hills to content with.

I have been into Evans/halfords and a couple of other shops nearby .

These are what I've narrowed down to

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-920-hybrid-bike-id_8405267.html

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-gb/bike/658/speeder-200

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-gb/bike/652/crossway-urban-100

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-sirrus-x-3-0-2020-hybrid-bike-EV366579

https://www.cyclerepublic.com/boardman-urb-8-9-mens-hybrid-bike-2020.html

What's are your thoughts on these?

Thanks in advance

 

[Cycleops]

I'd tend to avoid bikes with front fork suspension at this price although Decathlon make very good value for money bikes and they do give you lifetime frame warranty.
We're all different but if it were me I'd go with the Boardman, low maintenance Alfine hub with clean belt drive, perfect for commuting, just add rack and guards and you're ready to go. Tyres are a bit narrower than the others so should feel quite quick on the road as well as being able to tackle tow paths and mild off road stuff.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

If on towpath, then I'd be looking for decent sized tyres (35C+) plus mudguards. Given no hills, then most bikes will suit, providing they meet those two criteria, I'd suggest (although there's little or no downside to carrying a third chainring around via a triple chainset - comes in handy from time to time )

Take a look at the Pinnacle range - Evans' own brand hybrid. If you can't find something there, I'd be surprised.

 

[Spiderweb]

I like the Boardman too for all the reasons @Cycleops mentions. I don’t think it has a belt drive though, looks like a chain to me.

 

[Cycleops]

It's a toothed belt.

 

[Spiderweb]

It's a toothed belt.

Pretty sure it’s a chain, KMC Z610.

 

[Pale Rider]

The bike in the link has a chain, although something rings a bell about a Boardman hybrid with a belt.

No sign of it on the website.

I agree the Boardman - chain or belt - is an excellent base for a commuter.

I say base because the OP might want mudguards and a rack, although plenty of cyclists commute on bikes without them.

 

[Cycleops]

Okay but looked like a belt in the pic. My eyes!

 

[Insigniaorbrut]

Are the merida bikes not worth looking at?
A guy in my local shop raved about them and said they made specialized?

 

[Crankarm]

Okay but looked like a belt in the pic. My eyes!

Pic looks very much like a chain .

The Spec list is a give away ............... ;@)


Specifications
More Information

Eligible for cycle to work	Eligible for cycle to work
Brand	Boardman
Type	Hybrids
Frame Material	Alloy
Suspension	No Suspension
Fork Lock Out	No
Number of Gears	8
Brake Type	Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Pedals Included	Yes
Approximate Weight	10.7kg (medium)
Gender	Mens
Frame	Boardman URB, X7 Aluminium
Forks	Boardman URB, Carbon Tapered
Gear Shifters	Shimano Alfine 8-Speed Rapidfire
Rear Mech	Shimano Alfine 8-Speed Hub Gear
Front Mech	-
Chainset	Shimano Alfine, 39T
Chain	KMC Z-610
Bottom Bracket	Shimano, Threaded
Pedals	Yes
Front Brake	Tektro HD-R310
Rear Brake	Tektro HD-R310
Wheel Size	700c
Front Hub	Boardman URB
Quick Release Front Wheel	Yes
Rear Hub	Boardman URB
Quick Release Rear Wheel	No
Rims	Boardman URB (tubeless ready)
Tyre Size	700x32C
Tyres	Vittoria Zaffiro Pro
Handlebars	Boardman Alloy
Stem	Boardman Alloy
Grips	Boardman URB Canvas
Headset	FSA, No.42
Saddle	Boardman URB Canvas
Seatpost	Boardman Alloy
Mudguard Mounts	Yes
Mudguards Included	No
Pannier Mounts	Yes
Pannier Rack Included	No

But even with chain it still looks a pretty good bike for the money with carbon fork. The disc brakes could be better though, at least Shimano Deore or above. Maybe you could use your BC membership to get a further discount as Halfords do discount for BC members? Hurry as Halfords are closing their Cycle Republic stores.

 

[Crankarm]

Hi,

I'm looking to get a new bike for communting.

I will be on canal tow paths and road with no hills to content with.

I have been into Evans/halfords and a couple of other shops nearby .

These are what I've narrowed down to

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-920-hybrid-bike-id_8405267.html

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-gb/bike/658/speeder-200

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-gb/bike/652/crossway-urban-100

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-sirrus-x-3-0-2020-hybrid-bike-EV366579

https://www.cyclerepublic.com/boardman-urb-8-9-mens-hybrid-bike-2020.html

What's are your thoughts on these?

Thanks in advance

If you can stretch to the Cube Hyde Race hybrid, it is far better than your choices above even than the Boardman hybrid. Like the Boardman it has the Alfine 8 spd hub but with Gates belt drive. The frame is really good as it's a Cube. If you are a BC member you might be able to get 10% off as Halfords own Tredz. You might even be able to order it in a Halfords store. Don't know.

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Hyde-Race-2020-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_218481.htm


I see Tredz do the Cube Travel SL which is what I got last year. The 2020 model they offer has been given the Alfine 11 spd hub, not so bullet proof as the 8spd, and the brakes have been upgraded to Shimano XT disc brakes and it's been given a Brooks Cambium saddle instead of the piece of 4x2" on mine, but sadly the price has jumped to an eye watering £1,699.00!!!!!

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Travel-SL-2020-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_218504.htm

Still you could put mudguards and a better saddle if needed on the Cube Hyde Race with Alfine 8 spd hub and belt drive. Rack, front hub dynamo and lights aren't so important but nice to have, but slightly more weighty if you have them. Love mine. The Alfine 8 spd hub gear change is very smooth, silent and the ride of the frame very good. It is stiff but without buzzing or jarring like some aluminium frames can be. The bike is pretty much zero maintenance with the belt drive. Highly recommended.

HTH.

 

[Crankarm]

Are the merida bikes not worth looking at?
A guy in my local shop raved about them and said they made specialized?

They're all made in Taiwan. It's great place to ride a bike.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

I see Tredz do the Cube Travel SL which is what I got last year. The 2020 model they offer has been given the Alfine 11 spd hub, not so bullet proof as the 8spd, and the brakes have been upgraded to Shimano XT disc brakes and it's been given a Brooks Cambium saddle instead of the piece of 4x2" on mine, but sadly the price has jumped to an eye watering £1,699.00!!!!!

£1700 is a hell of a lot of money to blow on a commuting hack, especially when there are any number of 18-speed steel hybrids around that can be picked up dirt cheap, and even after you've swapped the tyres for a pair of Marathon Greenguards to minimise punctures you'll likely still have change from £100.

 

[Crankarm]

£1700 is a hell of a lot of money to blow on a commuting hack, especially when there are any number of 18-speed steel hybrids around that can be picked up dirt cheap, and even after you've swapped the tyres for a pair of Marathon Greenguards to minimise punctures you'll likely still have change from £100.

Which if you actually read my reply properly, you would realise I have NOT suggested the OP buys.

 

[Spiderweb]

Are the merida bikes not worth looking at?
A guy in my local shop raved about them and said they made specialized?

Merida bikes are very good and they do part own Specialized. You asked for thoughts on the bikes you listed and several people recommended the Boardman mostly because of the pretty much maintenance free Nexus hub, great if you are using it daily as a commuter.

There’s nothing wrong with either of the Merida bikes you’ve listed, I’d happily have either but the Boardman IMO edges it.

Apart from the Decathlon (cheap front suspension is poor, heavy and not necessary for what you want) all the bikes you listed are excellent and perfect for the riding you want to do