gaz71
Über Member
- Location
- teddington
They sell Specialized and Giant,dont think they do Trek though.
Advice for a hybrid bike
- Thread starter tomtomato
- Start date
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vickster
Legendary Member
Indeed, the OP is looking to buy a Trek
gaz71
Über Member
- Location
- teddington
Was also looking at Specialized and Giant in his OP though.Indeed, the OP is looking to buy a Trek
vickster
Legendary Member
True but I think he's decided on a TrekWas also looking at Specialized and Giant in his OP though.
gaz71
Über Member
- Location
- teddington
He might change his mind after a visit to Moores.True but I think he's decided on a Trek
gaz71
Über Member
- Location
- teddington
He might change his mind after a visit to Moores.True but I think he's decided on a Trek
Thanks. There is a Giant store in Twickenham, and a Specialized store in Kingston. I have visited both, and still prefer the Trek bike. The Giant Escape 0 was appealing, but it seems to be impossible to know about its weight. The tyres were nice, but the cabling was not integrated. The Specialized bikes don't seem to be very good value for money (lower level of equipment, higher price).
Using the Trek store locator, Sigma in Hampton Wick are an option, but they only sell road bikes (I believe they are associated to the Specialized shop in Kingston also). Otherwise, it's Evans Cycle in Kingston, or Actions bikes in Sheen. A shop near Richmond Bridge/East Twickenham does Trek bikes, I need to go visit them.
Therefore, Moores does not offer anything special to me, as they don't do Trek, and I would buy a Giant or Specialized bike at a dedicated shop if those were options...
However, I may go to see them for servicing.
Using the Trek store locator, Sigma in Hampton Wick are an option, but they only sell road bikes (I believe they are associated to the Specialized shop in Kingston also). Otherwise, it's Evans Cycle in Kingston, or Actions bikes in Sheen. A shop near Richmond Bridge/East Twickenham does Trek bikes, I need to go visit them.
Therefore, Moores does not offer anything special to me, as they don't do Trek, and I would buy a Giant or Specialized bike at a dedicated shop if those were options...
However, I may go to see them for servicing.
I wouldn't want to use M+ on the gravel paths in Richmond park or along the Thames. Would prefer to fix a puncture
My current bike has Marathon tyres (not the plus version). They are OK, but not that much grip on gravel or dusty paths indeed (or wet road markings). However, they seem to be a compromise between path tyres and road tyres, and seem to be very good against puncture.
In term of puncture (which is my nightmare), the Marathon range seems to be the best choice (at the expense of weight). However, maybe I need tyres with better threads.
It's all very complicated to find a good compromise in term of bike and tyres for road and paths/park usage!
vickster
Legendary Member
Pearsons sell Trek and are in Sheen too. As I said I am not sure if that store only sells roadbikes (Sutton definitely has hybrids) but I'm sure that if you chat with them, they could sell you the bike through Sheen, do the 6 week service. They really are a top LBS, the family has been in the bike business for over 150 years after all
http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/trek-7-4-fx-10593.html
youngoldbloke
The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
Given the amount of riding you're doing (ie - not commuting) I'd be tempted to suggest that you see how you get on with the tyres supplied with the bike. Be wise to learn how to change an inner tube too, as even the most puncture resistant tyres can suffer that fate. Personally I would always go for a lighter tyre anyway. Before I 'knew better' I rode towpaths and gravel cyclepaths on 18mm tyres - not to be recommended, particularly regarding comfort, but perfectly possible.
spiderman2
Veteran
- Location
- Harrow
28 Ib
Southside Mike
Active Member
- Location
- Somewhere wet and cold
Some advice - it's easy to get into the mindset that what matters when judging a bike is what is written on the rear derailleur. I have a Btwin Triban 500 (2014). It's an excellent bike and at £430 for a road bike with a full Sora groupset (not mix and match) and a carbon fork it was excellent value. However, the wheels were rubbish and I had to replace them and the tyres after less than a year. That cost £150 so now we're talking £580 - still decent, but not quite the bargain it appeared initially. I also have a Spesh Sirrus (2013) that I have used to commute twice a week through Glasgow in all weathers for three years. The wheels are still fine and I used the original tyres for two years without a single puncture - tbh I only replaced them because I wanted to try something else (Conti 4 seasons - excellent but three punctures this year). The Sirrus also has a far superior frame to the Triban - one look at the joints will tell you that.
The point I'm making is that Specialized get rather a bad rep on this forum, partly because some high volume posters on here don't like them. On paper, they often look poor value for money but you will get a well made and designed frame, decent wheels and tyres and body geometry saddle and grips. You also have a dedicated shop to take it back to if you have problems. OK, the drive train might be a step down from what you can get elsewhere for the same money, but it'll still shift ok you know, and it will wear out too - then what you are left with is the frame.
One final point - are you sure a hybrid is what you need? As far as I can see you are wanting it for weekend pleasure riding on a variety of surfaces. I wouldn't want to commute on anything other than a disc equipped hybrid - tall riding position to see and be seen , rapid stopping in wet conditions, easy to maneuver, but for the weekend I'd much rather have something like an adventure/gravel bike. Faster on the road, more fun off it. Have you looked at something like the Diverge (Spesh again)?
I am sure Specialized bikes are well made, and of quality. You are right, it's not just about the version of the Shimano components being used.
However, Trek bikes seem to be well made too (at least the one I have seen and tried), so I have no specific reasons to pay more for a Specialized.
I do want a hybrid bike: I don't want a road bike (don't like the position), and I don't want a mountain bike (too slow).
I am riding 30% on the road, 30% on tow paths along the Thames, and 30% in parks.
I am not commuting with the bike, and typically only use it when the weather is dry, so I don't believe I need disk brakes either. They are heavier, and more difficult to maintain/fix. They also make the wheels a lot more difficult to remove. Since I won't be riding at high speed, or going down mountains, I don't think I need the breaking power either.
If I was commuting to work everyday on a bike, then I fully agree that disk brakes would be preferable.
However, Trek bikes seem to be well made too (at least the one I have seen and tried), so I have no specific reasons to pay more for a Specialized.
I do want a hybrid bike: I don't want a road bike (don't like the position), and I don't want a mountain bike (too slow).
I am riding 30% on the road, 30% on tow paths along the Thames, and 30% in parks.
I am not commuting with the bike, and typically only use it when the weather is dry, so I don't believe I need disk brakes either. They are heavier, and more difficult to maintain/fix. They also make the wheels a lot more difficult to remove. Since I won't be riding at high speed, or going down mountains, I don't think I need the breaking power either.
If I was commuting to work everyday on a bike, then I fully agree that disk brakes would be preferable.
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