Hybrid dilemma

[NeilT21]

I am looking to sell my old Saracen AWOL MTB and Boardman Comp and replace them with one bike (the old two will be posted on here as soon as I can take some photos).
My idea is to buy a hardtail hybrid with lockout on the forks so that I can use it as a comfortable road bike when the weather isn't ideal for my Planet X Carbon, but also ride on gravel tracks and unpaved roads at times (I don't do any serious off roading).
I don't think I want to spend more than about £800 and have looked at the Specialized Crosstrail Comp Disc 2016 and the Cannondale Quick CX 1 2016. Both of these bikes come in over my planned budget, so here's my questions......does anyone have a suggestion of an alternative that comes in closer to my budget and the biggy - am I doing the right thing or should I buy a full MTB and a flat bar road bike instead of trying to do two things with one bike?

 

[vickster]

What's your desired spec? You can easily get what you want for £800, I.e a hybrid with lockout. Which is fine on roads and off as long as you aren't looking for road bike speed or technical off road ability

Look at the options from Whyte and Merida perhaps

E.g http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co....=333&CSS_ID=698&P_MIN=0&P_MAX=10000&MF_ID=231

A gravel or CX bike might work too if wanting drops

 

[NeilT21]

What's your desired spec? You can easily get what you want for £800, I.e a hybrid with lockout. Which is fine on roads and off as long as you aren't looking for road bike speed or technical off road ability

Look at the options from Whyte and Merida perhaps

E.g http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co....=333&CSS_ID=698&P_MIN=0&P_MAX=10000&MF_ID=231

A gravel or CX bike might work too if wanting drops

Hi Vickster, I'm not sure on specs, I just want a decent groupset (Deore or better?), hydaulic discs and flat bars - I'm open to any suggestions

 

[vickster]

Personally I like SRAM. The deore bike I had (a specialized Sirrus) was poor. The alivio ones were better frankly. I don't think it matters so much with MTB shifters

Perhaps go to a few local shops and try some out? Look for older models as you'll pay a premium for a 2016 one

 

[Pale Rider]

I'm bound to ask the old suspension fork question.

Do you really need suspension for 'gravel tracks and unpaved roads at times'?

The answer is a resounding 'no'.

At the risk of going on about Lithium bikes too much, the Lithium 6 meets your requirements.

Nearly all Deore bits, including the excellent disc brakes, for £700 - a tidy £100 under budget.

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-6-2016-hybrid-bike-EV244092

 

[NeilT21]

Thanks for all the advice. In the end I decided to go for the Cube Nature Pro, seemed like a good all rounder at a very reasonable price. @Pale Rider - suspension had to be a consideration as I do live in the heart of the countryside, so I still want the option of going properly off road even if it is a rare occurrence
The Boardman and the MTB will be posted today for sale - if they sell, then that'll mean that my n+1 will turn into an n-1, but I'm guessing that just leaves me some space for the next one!!

 

[Pale Rider]

Thanks for all the advice. In the end I decided to go for the Cube Nature Pro, seemed like a good all rounder at a very reasonable price. @Pale Rider - suspension had to be a consideration as I do live in the heart of the countryside, so I still want the option of going properly off road even if it is a rare occurrence
The Boardman and the MTB will be posted today for sale - if they sell, then that'll mean that my n+1 will turn into an n-1, but I'm guessing that just leaves me some space for the next one!!

Nice spec on the Cube, particularly for about £600.

You even get Shimano hubs, which is a corner cut by the Lithium.

http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/trekking/nature/cube-nature-pro-grey-black-2016/