Which of these hybrids?

[PMJOB]

I'm fairly new to cycling and due to an accident need to replace my Claude Butler Exploer.
The bike will be 90% for road use, but I don't want a road bike (yet).

I've searched the forum and other sites and narrowed my choice to:-

Boardman Comp
Giant Escape 1
Giant Rapid 4
Scott Sportster
Specialized Sirrus
Trek 7.3

Does anyone have any thoughts recommendations or inded negatives about any of these?
Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[vickster]

I have had the Sirrus and a Trek, good bikes, although the Sirrus is very common so not one if you want something different. The others have their fans too

Best thing is to go get some test rides - Evans are good for this but they don't sell Giant. The Boardmans are good too, but Halfords service and mechanics can be very hit and miss - if you do decide on the Boardman, join British Cycling (can find deals at around £20 for a new member) and you get 10% off all Halfords purchases

The Boardman has disc brakes which can be a benefit if riding in muck / wet. It also has an MTB groupset, rather than one of the Shimano hybrid gearsets

 

[helston90]

What will the bike be used for the other 10% of the time? Since the rapid 4 (of which I'm an owner/fan) has 700x 25c wheels so you wouldn't want to be throwing too much of the lumpy stuff at it.
get out and ride all of them- and think about the gearing, the rapid is more road gearing than the much more MTB ratios of an entry level sirrus.

 

[PMJOB]

The other 10% would be off road cycle trails so I would be looking for something more suited to roads so that wouls appear to rule out the sirrus or put it near the bottom of the list?

 

[vickster]

The Sirrus? Is a fast hybrid roadbike on 28/32mm tyres, the gearing affects the gradients ridden not the surfaces

 

[MrJamie]

I'd like the Escape, but that's just me. Should be rather versatile and plenty good on roads IMHO

 

[Cyclist33]

I'd like the Escape, but that's just me. Should be rather versatile and plenty good on roads IMHO

Gets my vote, too.

 

[SquareDaff]

I went from the CB Explorer 400 to the Boardman Pro (similar).
If you go the same way you'll notice a) a massive loss of weight - the bike will feel really top heavy and unstable for a couple of weeks; b) a big increase in stopping power - there's no comparison between the 2 braking systems; c) a big increase in useful power transmission (I'd say speed - but that depends on where you're riding).

One thing to watch out for with the Boardman is the rear hubs - the ones on mine were relatively fragile (circa 2011) and required a lot of continual adjustment after the 1st couple of thousand miles. If you're going to be doing a lot of dropping off kerbs possibly not the way to go.

Whichever bike you go for - you're in for a big treat! Just make sure you go back and ride an Explorer in a couple of months. You'll wonder how you rode it for so long!! I did. Was amazed how "spongy" it felt!

 

[bahamas]

I'm fairly new to cycling and due to an accident need to replace my Claude Butler Exploer.
The bike will be 90% for road use, but I don't want a road bike (yet).

I've searched the forum and other sites and narrowed my choice to:-

Boardman Comp
Giant Escape 1
Giant Rapid 4
Scott Sportster
Specialized Sirrus
Trek 7.3

Does anyone have any thoughts recommendations or inded negatives about any of these?
Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Sirrus is what I have and I love it.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Trying the Sirrus SL4 next week,if I like it,my Ltd is on its way out.Great hybrid.

 

[SubSonic]

I've got the Giant Escape 1 and give it my full backing.....very fast and comfortable on the road and perfectly capable on the paths.

 

[swiftylee]

i had a giant rapid 1 and sold it this week to build a bike... missing it already it was fantastic...

 

[Schmilliemoo]

Just bought a trek 7.3. Very light and stuff, fast as anything. My last bike was a Marin fairfax alp which was almost twice the price. The trek holds its own in that company, I'm very happy

 

[inkd]

I have the Sirrus (basic model), it does the job and has kept me interested in cycling BUT there is no grin factor. Therefore I will be looking at road bikes for my next cyclescheme.

 

[Kies]

2012 sirrus elite. Love it. Stock tyres are 28c armidillos. Fast on road and can deal with basic off road riding as well. It doubles up as my commuter bike with a rear rack and panniers during the summer months