Which sports hybrid.. new member seeking advice please

[Cellist]

Hi everyone,
I have this minute found cyclechat and hope after weeks of going in circles, you might be able to help me.I am looking to buy a flat bar, ladies’ fitness hybrid.I currently own a Liv Tempt 1 MTB which I love and use frequently out with my husband and dog in the many muddy woods and fields around us.I am no daredevil but enjoy being out on the bike.I also have my lovely 21speed Bobbin Brownie.Where we lived before, I used it for cycling to work which was a few little roads and an old railway line path. I have been searching and reading for weeks now trying to decide on a bike better suited to longe riding on country B roads, National cycle paths and lightly gravelled paths on occasion.I would prefer a hybrid veering towards the road end of things as opposed to heavier off road.I definitely don‘t want an all in road bike . The bikes I have narrowed it down to...with my very little technical knowledge of chain rings etc are...Boardman women’s HYB 8.8, Trek FX3 disk (women’s), Liv Thrive but Am open to all suggestions.I’d like it to have carbon forks, don’t need front suspension but if lockout that’s ok ,hydraulic disk brakes and be able to give a bit of speed when asked.I’d really like a lighter bike than the two I have if possible and one that is fine on hills! I’d love any suggestions if possible to help me.No matter how much I read about all the bikes, I end up more confused! The Quick Disk 1 looked nice too. So sorry for this long post and many thanks for all help. On one last note...my height is 5 foot 4.The Liv site says I’d be an Xs on a Thrive though my Tempt is a small.Does anyone know if Thrives are larger made? Thank you all, xx

 

[vickster]

In terms of Giant, looks like the Liv Alight is the rigid hybrid model?
https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/bikes-alight-disc-2021
Or the thirve
https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/bikes-thrive-2021

Not clear on what the difference is - do you have a Giant dealer locally?

If you’re going to use a lockout all the time on a suspension fork, don’t bother getting a suspension fork- even locked out they are a bit bouncy and just add weight for no benefit

Look at the Whyte R7 range too

https://whyte.bike/collections/fast-urban-commuter-r7-series

At the moment, availability of all bikes is sketchy (Trek seem to be quoting sometime next year for the 2021 models for example!)

 

[Cycleops]

Hello and to the forum.

Just to add to your confusion you might consider Decathlon’s range of hybrids which offer great VfM:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/cycle...bike-rc520-disc-brake/_/R-p-307286?mc=8543912

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/cycle...bike-rc500-disc-brake/_/R-p-308110?mc=8554412

All the bikes you’ve suggested are good and you won’t be dissatisfied with any, the problem you’re going to have is finding one in stock in your size, talking of which mountain bikes are sized differently to road/hybrids due to frame geometry.
The other thing I should mention is that Halfords (Boardman are a Halfords own brand) level of expertise and service varies greatly from branch to branch.

Good luck.

 

[Cellist]

In terms of Giant, looks like the Liv Alight is the rigid hybrid model?
https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/bikes-alight-disc-2021
Or the thirve
https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/bikes-thrive-2021

Not clear on what the difference is - do you have a Giant dealer locally?

If you’re going to use a lockout all the time on a suspension fork, don’t bother getting a suspension fork- even locked out they are a bit bouncy and just add weight for no benefit

Look at the Whyte R7 range too

https://whyte.bike/collections/fast-urban-commuter-r7-series

At the moment, availability of all bikes is sketchy (Trek seem to be quoting sometime next year for the 2021 models for example!)

Hi and thank you for replying. Yes the thrive is the fast hybrid I like from Giant (Liv). I don't need(want) suspension at all but I see some hybrids have lockout ability so that would work if it was on a bike I really liked otherwise. Both my hardtail MTB and my Bobbin have suspension so no need for another! I've spoken to a helpful Liv dealer and they felt the Thrive was more the bike for me. I'll look at the Whyte ones as well and thank you. I have no realistic aspirations that I'll be buying the bike until next year with the lack of bikes arriving now and after speaking to so many dealerships! Many thanks.. I just want to try and narrow down my search and get opinions from people much more experienced than I!

Hello and to the forum.

Just to add to your confusion you might consider Decathlon’s range of hybrids which offer great VfM:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/cycle...bike-rc520-disc-brake/_/R-p-307286?mc=8543912

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/cycle...bike-rc500-disc-brake/_/R-p-308110?mc=8554412

All the bikes you’ve suggested are good and you won’t be dissatisfied with any, the problem you’re going to have is finding one in stock in your size, talking of which mountain bikes are sized differently to road/hybrids due to frame geometry.
The other thing I should mention is that Halfords (Boardman are a Halfords own brand) level of expertise and service varies greatly from branch to branch.

Good luck.

 

[Cellist]

Hi and thank you for replying. Yes the thrive is the fast hybrid I like from Giant (Liv). I don't need(want) suspension at all but I see some hybrids have lockout ability so that would work if it was on a bike I really liked otherwise. Both my hardtail MTB and my Bobbin have suspension so no need for another! I've spoken to a helpful Liv dealer and they felt the Thrive was more the bike for me. I'll look at the Whyte ones as well and thank you. I have no realistic aspirations that I'll be buying the bike until next year with the lack of bikes arriving now and after speaking to so many dealerships! Many thanks.. I just want to try and narrow down my search and get opinions from people much more experienced than I!

Hi and thank you for replying. Yes the thrive is the fast hybrid I like from Giant (Liv). I don't need(want) suspension at all but I see some hybrids have lockout ability so that would work if it was on a bike I really liked otherwise. Both my hardtail MTB and my Bobbin have suspension so no need for another! I've spoken to a helpful Liv dealer and they felt the Thrive was more the bike for me. I'll look at the Whyte ones as well and thank you. I have no realistic aspirations that I'll be buying the bike until next year with the lack of bikes arriving now and after speaking to so many dealerships! Many thanks.. I just want to try and narrow down my search and get opinions from people much more experienced than I!

Hello and to the forum.

Just to add to your confusion you might consider Decathlon’s range of hybrids which offer great VfM:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/cycle...bike-rc520-disc-brake/_/R-p-307286?mc=8543912

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/cycle...bike-rc500-disc-brake/_/R-p-308110?mc=8554412

All the bikes you’ve suggested are good and you won’t be dissatisfied with any, the problem you’re going to have is finding one in stock in your size, talking of which mountain bikes are sized differently to road/hybrids due to frame geometry.
The other thing I should mention is that Halfords (Boardman are a Halfords own brand) level of expertise and service varies greatly from branch to branch.

Good luck.

Thank you very much! I am sure I will be annoying everyone with my many questions! Also.. thank you for clearing up my confusion re mountain bikes v hybrids sizing. I have much to learn. I'll look a both Decathalon bikes right now.. one of my favourite shops! I most definitely agree with you regarding Halfords and expertise also. I'd really prefer to buy from a local specialist bike shop but the Boardman really caught my eye. Many thanks again.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

The Trek is a really nice bike, if a bit "generic black" which is a shame because Trek do some nice colours. At least the decals brighten it a touch.

I have a Giant Escape (also in black!) which very quickly became my wife's default bike for trails and paths, she really likes that. They're very sprightly, light and quick so you would be happy with one of those too I feel. She's not bothered by it being a "man's" Giant bike, the whole concept of Liv / women's specific versions is something of a marketing wheeze anyway. Splash a bit of lilac about, and Bob's your Auntie.
She's a taller girl though, so she rides a men's "M" or "M/L".