A "which bike" question from a newbie

[Griffo]

Around 10 years ago I used to really enjoy cycling, I had a 1999 Canondale M400 Tommy Hilfiger edition.
About 6 months ago I decided I was going have another go at cycling so got the old 'dale out of storage at my parents and moved it into our garage where it was promptly nicked.

Im attempting to claim around £800ish from the insurance as that was the cost of the bike when new.
I also want something that rides similarly to the canondale in that it is nice to ride on road but is capable of venturing off road too.

I think this is a good time to try and describe "off road" as my understanding of it. I'm not wanting to go racing around over rocks and tree roots or dropping off cliffs or jumping etc. I want to be able to ride on grass, gravel, muddy paths, mountain trails etc.

at the moment, I have my eyes on these two:

Portobello

I'm concerned about this ones ability off road, with off road tires would it cope alright? I dont want to brake a bike that costs this much.

Malvern

This one will obviously cope with the off roading I want to do but is it overkill?

I dont really want a proper mountain bike as most of my riding will be on tarmac or cycle paths, a Hybrid seems the best option but if not capable of doing what I need, maybe a cyclo cross like the specialized tricross 2011?


Any help much appreciated,

Griffo

 

[seadragonpisces]

good luck with that. there are so many bikes out there. i had a specialized centrum (hybrid) and loved it. the tricross looks good i have to say. i love the cannondale bad boy but then i love to be 'dark'. i am sure there are a million opinions and all correct, so just do your research, check out the reviews and go on some test drives.

i love hybrids but am now into cruiser bikes, so going to be lazy and float around whereever i go now.

good luck :-)

 

[Griffo]

Thsanks for the Reply,

any idea if the portobello can be ridden off the tarmac?

 

[anyuser]

Griffo,I have a Stirling so the same frame as the Portobello. Your limit is going to be the tyres on that frame. I cannot see how anything wider than a 700x28 will fit, so that may limit your offroad ambitions.

Having said that, my Stirling is fine on rough road surfaces but I haven't tried it on loose gravel/dirt type cycle tracks yet. I suspect the Malvern would be more suited to offroad.

 

[Griffo]

Griffo,I have a Stirling so the same frame as the Portobello. Your limit is going to be the tyres on that frame. I cannot see how anything wider than a 700x28 will fit, so that may limit your offroad ambitions.

Having said that, my Stirling is fine on rough road surfaces but I haven't tried it on loose gravel/dirt type cycle tracks yet. I suspect the Malvern would be more suited to offroad.

Thats great news, Tyres arent to much of a worry, frame/forks/wheels etc were my issue, didnt want to bend things. I am tempted by the Malvern, just worried about the seating position being to upright as with mountain bikes, hopefully I can see both tonight as I am off to my local supplier