Another Newbie seeking advice on a new bike...sorry :)

[RAFmark]

Hi all, I have spent the last week searching various website's for the perfect first bike to no avail. My budget is £400 and I'm looking for a Hybrid bike. My commute to work is 6.5 miles mainly on cycle paths with a few bumpy sections due to tree stumps pushing the path up. Ideally I am after a bike with 700c tyres for 'speed'.

I'm looking at Claud Butler, Dawes and Focus, in particular I have found this:

http://www.wiggle.co...on-hybrid-2010/

Basically I'm looking for advice, is it good value and is it fit for purpose. I really have no clue to quality or reputation to brands, the last bike I owned was a Raleigh night burner . Thanks for taking the time to read and hopefully reply.

Mark

 

[HLaB]

'speed' and front suspension are a bit of a contradiction; you'll go much faster with lighter fixed forks. There's plenty of bikes out there for around £400 that will do the job, just depends if you wanting a faster hybrid (aka a flat bar road bike) or a more comfortable hybrid more orientated towards the mtb end of the spectrum; the choice is yours and whatever you go for enjoy :-)

 

[the snail]

+1 What HLab said, personally I think suspension is just extra weight, and doesn't make much difference to comfort. Only other thing I would think about mudguards/rack if you might want practicalities.
Don't spend too much time fretting though, you could just go to bike shop and pick the one you like most, it's hard to go wrong with so many great bikes to choose from!

 

[cyberknight]

These are cracking bikes for the money if you want a fast , non suspension bike..
You have 700c wheels and room for gaurds + rack mounting points .

V brakes for £279 and disc spec for £329
My link

 

[RAFmark]

Thanks for the advice, I have looked at the Carrera Gryphon, actually sat on it, my only concern is will the tyres carry my weight, being 6ft and 15 stone?? Or is that me no really having an idea. I have visions of the wheels buckling at the first sign on uneven road.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks for the advice, I have looked at the Carrera Gryphon, actually sat on it, my only concern is will the tyres carry my weight, being 6ft and 15 stone?? Or is that me no really having an idea. I have visions of the wheels buckling at the first sign on uneven road.

The bicycle wheel is an extremely strong structure and properly made will take enormous abuse, so fret not!

Here's the deal, thinner tyres offer (generally) zippier performance at the risk of reduced comfort. Slightly fatter tyres and wheels, more comfort and will cope better on rougher tracks. If you're primarily riding on the road then for my money the lighter faster set-up would keep the smile on my face.

As well as the Carrera, Trek, Giant and Specialized all do a good variety of Hybrid/Flat-bar roadies and if the budget stretches, the Boardman is a beauty.

 

[Norm]

Thanks for the advice, I have looked at the Carrera Gryphon, actually sat on it, my only concern is will the tyres carry my weight, being 6ft and 15 stone?? Or is that me no really having an idea. I have visions of the wheels buckling at the first sign on uneven road.

All I'll say to that is get some pies in, you lightweight.

I have more weight, with narrower tyres and lighter wheels on my bike, you should have no problems unless you are very unsympathetic to your ride.

 

[RAFmark]

Brilliant, thanks for all the advice, specially like the 'eat more pies', that'll do me nicely. I've looked around at various local shops and have found them to be a bit on the expensive side, so the Gryphon wins I think.

Thanks again guys.

 

[Hicky]

[sub]I've got a Specialized Sirius, did have 32c armadillos on it and it is superb....I've swapped them for 23c gatorskin for road speed but do occasionally use tracks.
Anything roughly with a similar spec then you're really looking for fit and your favorite colour.
Hargrove cycles and Kudu(both have websites) do a 10% squaddie(crab) discount check on defense discount directory, however many places with give a discount on production of a MOD90.[/sub]

 

[Jim_Noir]

re weight, and someone here will have a better idea of this... the LBS that service my bikes says that cause I'm light (62kg) I put more damage on the bike than someone who is a "decent" weight... he did explain it to me, but the decent weight bit got me!

 

[oliglynn]

I have a Trek 7.3fx and it's been a great bike. It's a noticeably smoother ride than my road bike, it's pretty light, pump the tyres up to 80 - 100 psi and it goes at a very good pace on the road. I can let you know that your weight won't be an issue on the trek as embarrassingly I'm heavier than you!

 

[AuraTodd]

Is Wiggle very good on-line store?

 

[Adasta]

Is Wiggle very good on-line store?

Yeh!

 

[RAFmark]

Well after looking around at several shops and bikes, the winner is the Chris Boardman Hybrid Comp 2010......just have to wait now until Friday to pick it up

I'm like a big kid now waiting, its the decent bike i've actually bought for myself.

 

[cyberknight]

Nice !!

never thought about them as the road comp is £700 ish .

Boardmans are highly rated bikes i want one but i am not allowed any more bikes by swmbo