1st bike advice - A hybrid for commuting/small hills/river towpath cycling

[cycling4rowing]

Hi,

I am totally new to cycling and am getting a bike for commuting to work through the Cycle-to-work scheme (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/ne...e-work-scheme-turn-nation-cycling-heroes.html).

I would like to use the bike for fitness too (rowing training), so will be using it for longer journeys with small hills. I am thinking I am best off getting a hybrid for my first bike, especially as I am likely to use it on the river towpath, which is a bit bumpy.

Does anyone have any suggestions for hybrids that would be good for fitness training? I have been recommended Carrera but my work is tied to the Evans bike scheme and they do not seem to stock Carrera.

I have been considering getting a Ridgeback or Trek or Pinnacle.


Any tips appreciated!

 

[mark st1]

First thing everyone will ask matey is whats your budget are you going to use the full 1k of the C2W scheme ? dont forget locks helmets lights etc all have to be included in your budget welcome to btw

 

[Pikeman]

I'm in the same position as you, after lots of reading I came down to a trek 7.3 fx

 

[defy-one]

Trek 7.3
Specialized Sirrus sport or comp
Giant Rapid 3

All the big boys do fast hybrids that resemble road bike frames with a flat bar. They usually run on the same size wheels of 700c and a slightly fatter tyre like a 28 or 32.

What's your budget?
How far is your commute?
Will you need a rear rack?
Which bike feels right to YOU?

All things you need to think about

 

[vickster]

Or the Specialized Vita which is the female version of the Sirrus - be quicker than the Trek, the Trek has more rugged tyres - be better over the rough stuff but (marginally) slower on the roads (I am assuming you are female due to the avatar - but I have been fooled by this before)

Defy's questions above are certainly valid. The advantage with Evans is they are good for test rides

 

[BrumJim]

Firstly, check that you want a Hybrid. Be careful; if you are a competitive rower, you might end up doing a Rebecca Romero, so make sure that you don't actually want a mountain bike or road bike instead. Both of these offer better options in terms of pushing yourself when you aren't getting on the water.

Secondly, Ridgeback, Pinnacle and Trek are all good makes. Find out which you like better, and which you are most comfortable on.