hybrid bikes for all season riding

[greyhound_dog_1]

Dear forum

Looking to upgrade from my rather overworked entry level Halford Apollo mountain bike to a faster hybrid bike.

Sort of two questions really. 1. are my ideas correct on what I should be looking for; and 2. what bikes fit those specs.

So I am thinking
- hybrid bike, i.e. 700cc wheels preferred
- Internal gear hub drive
- front suspension forks, maybe or not
- Disc brakes, probably.

IGH:
I tested a bike once with a Nexus hub, and very much liked the experience (clean shifts and when stationary is a plus). Plus I am looking to go from fair weather cycling to all weather car replacement cycling, so the bike needs to cope with the british weather. The IGH fits with my low maintenance and winter-proof requirements, and I don't have serious hills (I only use the middle cog of my triple chainring anyway and all eight on the back derailleur).

I've hunted on forums, and there seems to be differences of opinion on just how maintenance free and winter-proof the IGHs actually are compared to a derailleur (grease/oil changes, grease thickening up in cold weather...)

If anyone cycles with a derailleur in snow and has no issues, let me know, as maybe I should just get a better derailleur bike and widen my choice (and cheaper).

700cc wheels:
I hired a no-suspension hybrid bike recently (700cc wheels), and found it much more comfortable than my hardtail mountain bike (26" wheels), though only marginally quicker. I guess because the wheels are bigger it doesn't sink into holes a much.

Front suspension:
I don't have massive obstacles to jump over but the cycle path is a bit rough and I'd like to absorb some of the high frequency vibration from stones.
Maybe I would be better with saving weight and just having a good suspension seat post as a retrofit?

Disc brakes (or hub roller brakes):
Better for winter riding than rim brakes, coping with light snow, and icy rain etc...?
However there is also an argument to say the tyre grip is limiting factor, not the braking power, so maybe v-brakes okay on good aluminium rims.
But also issues of rim wear, especially if hub geared so have to pay to relace hub to new rim every few years. So discs I think are better in the long run.
Again if anyone rides v-brakes in snow and is still alive feel free to provide counter argument.

So that was my first question, helping with my specification. It will probably degenate into a hub vs derailleur or disc vs rim brake thread, but all opinions and experiences gratefully received.

---

Anyway, on to the actual bike choice question.

I note that a few years ago, there was a good choice of 'urban hybrids' which were sub £400 and came with hub gears.
e.g. Ridgeback Nemesis, Carrera Subway 8, Revolution Courier Nexus. I very nearly bought a Subway8 when they were discounted last year.

Looking at the ranges now, it strikes me that you only get hubs (Alfine typically) at the £900+ price point. I didn't manage to look extensively, as I couldn't find a good bikes sales website that filters bikes by features like IGH, but from what I have seen there doesn't seem to be an equivalent to a hub hybrid at a Ridgeback Nexus price point bike any more. Maybe that's inflation for you or I'm not looking hard enough.

So if I were looking for a lightweight, responsive and rugged hybrid bike with half-decent components and a hub gear (suspension and disc brakes desired but optional), what would my options be for buying now? Would not wish to spent much over £500-600, or is that optimistic?

Or if I was hunting on the used market for a hub hybrid what bikes should be on my list? Given that my argument for a hub was that they are bulletproof and maintenance free items, then there should be no risk in getting a used one.

- Andy

 

[stoofer34]

My steed

http://www.discountc...roducts_id=9227

Nice for a short commute
Shame the wheels are 26"

Ride so smooth like an automatic!

Stoof

 

[The Jogger]

Get a Trek 7.3FX stick a pannier and mudguards on it and Bob's your uncle an all year bike with excellent tyres, I'm not going to push my luck but I've had mine for two years and no you know what with those tyres. Fast and excellent on most surfaces. You don't need the extra weight of disc brakes or suspension.

 

[sabian92]

I'd honestly avoid a front suspension fork - I went from a hybrid with front sus (26" wheels, slicks) to a road bike (700c wheels) and my average speed doubled, and partly because of the lack of front suspension. They're not really a must have item for the road unless you don't mind putting up with going a bit slower. I just use my arms now instead - I go faster and it's not really much more uncomfortable.

 

[rowan 46]

this isn't a 700c but its a good price
http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=9227

 

[wiggydiggy]

For what you want at the price you want yes you've noticed the price is difficult, remind later near 12 and I'll have a look in the work shed as there's a chap that has a bike very similar to what you want minus the front forks..... Cant remember what its called right now.

 

[Piemaster]

Not sure where I read it but there was a theory that the Subway and the Halcyon Yukon in the links are actually the same bike. The Halycon being an older model.

Costs a fair bit more but I love my Pompino. Quick and comfy.

 

[threefingerjoe]

I have done plenty of riding in snow/ice in midwestern USA with V-brakes and aluminium rims and 9-speed deraileur. No problem if you have decent brake pads. Where are you located? do you get the amount of snow and ice that we do?

That being said, why buy a special "winter commuter?" Get the new bike that you want for nice weather, and make your old bike the winter bike. My winter bike is a Trek 7500FX (aluminium hybrid) that I mount carbide studded tyres on in icy conditions. I have the tyres mounted on an old pair of rims, so I can throw them on in a hurry if it snowed or got icy overnight. Otherwise, I run any old crappy tyres, and use this bike any time rain is in the forecast.

I would advise against any suppension parts, but that is just my preference. I would advise full mudguards, rack, and good lights.

 

[greyhound_dog_1]

Thanks for all the tips. It would seem there are many people advising front suspension as not required (which I expected). Lots of support for hubs. I believe Sheldon Brown used to advocate hubs a lot on his website.

>>That being said, why buy a special "winter commuter?" Get the new bike that you want for nice weather, and make your old bike the winter bike.

Actually I have a grander plan, I am considering trying to get a good low maintenance bike, then adding an electric kit to it (Wisper Daahub or Cytronex). I've done research on pedelecs forum about ebikes, and I was trying to get some feedback on general bike choice. Unfortunately as built hub e-bikes are very pricey so I was looking into sourcing a cheaper hub bike, possibly used, to fit out as an e-bike.

I'd need the e-assistance in order to encourage me to cycle when the weather is bad, windy, etc. The current bike would be a emergency backup.

Thanks for the example bikes. The Pompetamine looks very sporty and fast in white.