hybrid bike

[Kevin ADDERLEY]

hi, i am a newbe.

I am looking at getting a new bike and i think a hybrid with some suspension is preferred. i will have a budget of about 400 - 500 and seen

specialised cross trail
scott speedstar 55
scott roam 2 (i think)

not sure if i should get disk brakes and if it adds any value.

i be using the bike for work, college - mostly on road but i would also like canal paths - anyone got any experience of using any of these and if there is much difference?

 

[Kevin ADDERLEY]

and i have looked at the

pinnacle bike

 

[HLaB]

Doesn't sound like you'd need front suspension, IMO its just an unnecessary weight unless you are going for some serious fast downhill off roading. You can survive without disc brakes but they are lighter and more compact these days and you benefit from more predictable braking in the wet.

 

[sabian92]

I'd look for something with rigid forks - on the road suspension just sucks your speed and kills your pace, and as long as you have the right tyres on, you'll be fine on canal paths. Look at something like a cyclocross bike - avoid suspension (front and back) at all costs.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Another vote for rigid forks. You only need suspension if you are ongoing to tackle mountain bike style trails - anything else is pure overkill!

 

[rollinstok]

Hi, another vote for rigid forks. Suspension just adds weight and increases the cost of the bike. For that sort of money you could buy a really nice used boardman hybrid. I got myself a used Marin sausalito hybrid nice and cheap.. took the suspension fork off and bought a carbon cross fork..the bike is now much better and can go anywhere except really rough stuff.

 

[growingvegetables]

+1 on rigid forks

 

[mickle]

Highbreed? What is Highbreed?

 

[rollinstok]

Highbreed? What is Highbreed?

Another word for inbred.

 

[Kevin ADDERLEY]

what the 'pinnacle range like' and this may seem a stupid question but what is a rigid fork?

 

[MattHB]

I have a crosstrail and it's great, but I'd echo the others, unless your going to be banging down some pretty rough woodland, you won't need suspension, it's heavy and sucks energy horribly.

 

[rollinstok]

what the 'pinnacle range like' and this may seem a stupid question but what is a rigid fork?

A normal fork.. i.e not suspension.

 

[Dave7]

My 2pence worth (might not be worth that much).
Think about what sort of cycling you might or are likely to get into.
If canal paths are definitely it then I echo the comments......suspension not necessary. However-for years I had a hybrid with very basic front suspension and found it a great relief on the arms/wrists.
If you think you may progress to anything other than canal paths e.g. forrest paths-then front suspension will be useful........and remember you can lockout the front suspension when on the road or canal paths so that it doesn't suck all your energy.
Re' your question.....rigid forks are exactly that-they dont have suspension.

 

[Part time cyclist]

+1 for no suspension I have a hardtail with front sus and a specialized Sirrus no suspension an I would have the Sirrus any day .... My opinion for what it is worth :0)

 

[Peteaud]

Pinnacle are good bikes, in fact many have good spec for a very good price.

My bike has front sus that locks out, most of the time i dont need the suspension, but a few roads and cycle paths round near where i live you def need it. I prefere the option, but if you are on pretty good surfaces then dont bother.

Disc brakes, 50/50, nice but not essential.