Fast hybrid

[vickster]

Not looking to buy this year, but I am sure I'll get itchy feet next year and be wanting to upgrade the Sirrus. I don't think I'll be wanting to go road bike, as this will be a dry day commuter and potter around beast. I'll be looking for as light as possible, probably carbon forks, good brakes and gears etc...the important stuff

What would the models to consider, I like Trek so would look at the 7.6, probably wouldn't have another Specialized? Maybe something a little more unusual / obscure?

Oh and it needs to look nice, so probably no grey or black bikes and no suspension

This is a good looking machine (imo) for example http://www.marin.co.....php?ModNo=11LV

To get good vfm, I'd probably seek out a 2011 some time in the new year. Will need to be a men's bike, even the biggest women's models feel too small and cramped

Unless you can convince me to go for a road bike but I prefer an upright position (having had back issues - discectomy about 20 years ago - and ongoing knee ails)

Cheers chaps.

 

[Alembicbassman]

Boardman Bikes get good

The Performance Hybrid Team is nice spec although it is grey and black

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165534

Brake Type: Hydraulic Disc <LI>Chainset: FSA Gossamer compact crank <LI>Forks: Full unidirectional carbon front fork with carbon steerer. <LI>Frame: Lightweight 6061 triple butted aluminium frame with tapered headtube <LI>Frame Colour: Grey <LI>Frame Material: 6061 Alloy <LI>Front Brake: Avid juicy 3 hydraulic disc brake 160mm rotor <LI>Front Mech: Microshift <LI>Gear Shifters: SRAM S700 2x10 <LI>Gears: 16-20 <LI>Gender: Mens <LI>Handle Bars: Boardman 31.8mm alloy low-rise <LI>Headset: FSA 1 1/8 - 1.5 Aheadset <LI>Hubs: Formula 32 hole Q/R disc hub <LI>Number of Gears: 20 <LI>Pedals: Wellgo alloy body fitted with toe clips & straps <LI>Rear Brake: Avid juicy 3 hydraulic disc brake 160mm rotor <LI>Rear Mech: SRAM Apex <LI>Rims: 700c Ritchey Pro double wall black 32 hole disc rim with CNC braking surface <LI>Saddle: Boardman black with cro-moly rails <LI>Seatpost: Boardman 350mm x 31.6mm black alloy <LI>Stem: Boardman black alloy 31.8mm <LI>Tyre size: 28c <LI>Tyres: Vittoria Zaffiro 700 x 28c rigid black <LI>Wheel size: 700c <LI>Approximate Weight (KG): 9.79

 

[vickster]

Yeah, I happened to be in Halfords earlier and had a look. How do they compare to a comparably priced bike from one of the Yank brands say? I am not overly keen on the branding and the whole Halfords thing is a bit of a turn off (for an unrepentant snob like me )

I was just looking at Whyte bikes, this is a pretty jalopy! Never heard of them however!

http://www.whytebike...odNo=W-1-031-11 I guess 22lbs is pretty light? Pay another £100 and the next model up is 20lbs

I don't know anything about the different types of components, I am shallow and choose on styling and price

 

[Fuzzball]

I use a ridgeback supernova, but if I'd had the money i would loved one of their flight range, a colleague has one and it is a great bike. Generally well spec'd compared to bikes in same price range and pretty too.

 

[Alembicbassman]

Boardman isn't a Halfords brand, they just happen to sell them exclusively. Needs building up by a decent mechainic though.

Reviewed here anyway

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/hybrid/product/review-boardman-hybrid-team-11-44565/

 

[vickster]

Last year's hybrid pro looks good, shame this year's is black ... I like my white bikes

http://www.bikeradar...id-pro-10-37976

And more expensive http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165534

What are thoughts on Marin, don't seem to be many around these parts?

 

[vickster]

Just had a quick trip to Halfords...looked at the Team and the Pro and they look well errr cheap...nasty rough round grips, kind of chunky frame, very basic looking saddle

I have to say, that although I am sure the components are totally superior on the Boardman bikes, my £450 Specialized looks far better than the £1000 BM pro - bar ends, BG saddle, ergo grips, just a cooler look and paint job ... I did say I was shallow ...I'd have to spend a hundred quid changing the saddle, pedals, grips, maybe adding bar ends, not to mention giving my LBS £100 to check the build!

I'd be paying cash rather than C2W so could have any bike in the price range that I could find in London

 

[xxmimixx]

how about this? Cube makes good bikes and it's white

 

[vickster]

That is quite cool and white...branding maybe a bit 'in your face', what model is it?

Google, this one? http://www.jejamescy...ke-id59986.html

Now this is lush http://www.jejamescy...ke-id60118.html

Lordy, Orbea make some superb looking hybrids too

Problem is with these obscure brands is finding the bikes to test

 

[xxmimixx]

it's the Cube SL Cross Pro but the Bianchi is even nicer
You will have to narrow it down to 2 or 3 max and then go for a test ride, when you compare the ride there is always something that will make you sway one way or another. It's little subtle things that make all the difference.

 

[vickster]

Indeed, it's just finding the models to ride...can't find many stockists of Bianchi hybrids at all! Evans have the 1-4, not the 5...I'll have to get up to their big flagship store in town for a drool

I am a bargain whore, so it'll probably end up being the best discounted 2011 model come March next year! You know, £1000 to £800 or whatever!

 

[Alembicbassman]

Tiagra/Sora/Deore components - Lower end of the market

If I was spending £700-1000 I'd want better to be honest. At least 105/X7/Apex/SLX/XT etc...

The cube has aluminium forks.

I think you get better value with a normal road bike

GT Tachyon 1.0 is white and has decent kit

GT Tachyon compact geometry aluminium frame with hydroformed TT and DT, Internal cable routing, forged drop-outs with removable derailleur hanger and all braze ons
Fork: GT Type R Carbon fork, rack and fender eyelets, Alloy steerer
Cranks: Shimano R553 50/39/30t
Bottom Bracket: Shimano Integrated sealed
Front Derailleur: Shimano R770 BL
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 10spd
Shifters: Shimano R770 Rapid Fire Flat Bar Shifter
Cassette: Shimano 105 10spd cassette 12-25
Chain: Shimano 10spd
Front Hub: Shimano WH-R500
Rear Hub: Shimano WH-R500
Rims: Shimano WH-R500
Tyres: Kenda Kiniption 700x28c
Front Brake: Tektro RX-3
Rear Brake: Tektro RX-3
Brake Levers: Tektro RX-1 levers
Handlebar: GT Type R double butted flat bar
Headset: Integrated sealed bearing
Stem: NVO F-1 adjustable ahead system
Grips: GT Type R ergo w/ sprint bar ends
Saddle: GT Type R race saddle
Seat Post: GT Alloy seat pillar
Seat Clamp: Collar with bolt

 

[xxmimixx]

Lol or you can phone the relevant uk distributor and ask who stocks them local to you. Good luck and let us know next year

 

[vickster]

Cheers guys The whole components thing is rather gobbledegook and probably wasted on me lol...I only use about 6 gears on the Sirrus right now! You do seem to get a bit more with road bikes, more competition in that price range maybe, but I am not sure about dropped bars. I don't think I'd get the benefit and probably get fed up with the brake position. That said, that green Bianchi colour is divine!

I subscribe to Cycling Active so I'll look back at their group tests at that sort of level and keep an eye going forwards

 

[Wardy]

I use a ridgeback supernova, but if I'd had the money i would loved one of their flight range, a colleague has one and it is a great bike. Generally well spec'd compared to bikes in same price range and pretty too.

+1 on the Supernova