Hybrid or Road Bike? And for £200 or less..

[MarkusDogus]

Hi everyone,

Having cycled for years on a borrowed Raleigh Firefly, which still has the bike loop attached as my mate couldn't find the key! I am finally ready (financially) to invest in a 'fit for purpose' bike.

I typically commute twice a week on 'usual' public roads on a 6 mile round trip, but particularly enjoy canal path cycling and, once a year (although Id like to do more) I participate in a 40 mile rally (actually a 10 pub cycling crawl called the Batham's 10 - I only have shandy's don't worry!).

I think a hybrid is best suited, particularly for hopping up and down curbs in traffic, but would really like to; (a) climb hills easier because of less weight, and (b) gain more speed (not run out of gears!) going down hill which, leans me towards a sexy road bike.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS (PREFERABLY YOUR EXPERIENCED OPINIONS!) and I believe I've selected a couple of potentials for you consideration;

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/raleigh-edale-mens-hybrid-bike

OR

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/claud-butler-elite-road-bike-r1-53cm

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[steve50]

I would go with the claud butler for speed but it will make hill climbing hard work with that gearing.
The raleigh is ideal for the hills but lacks the top end gearing for speed.

 

[adamhearn]

A road bike has a different riding position (more stretched) to a hybrid so if you can, borrow something similarly sized and see how you get on with it (I don't believe Halfords do test rides of any consequence).

As steve50 said, the drive train on the Claude Butler isn't hill/beginner friendly and the Raleigh is [probably] too much the other way.

A budget of £200 will get you a bike but it isn't going to be a bike that many here will advise you to purchase. If there's any possibility of pushing it up then something like http://paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5226/CANNONDALE-CAAD8-2300-2013 will give you something better (renowned alu frame, carbon forks, cassette rather than freewheel - more choice/upgradable/8 speed and a compact chainset). If the budget is fixed then you could consider second hand where you should find a good selection under £200 especially if you're not out in the sticks. Be wary of anything that's "too" cheap and specification/colour will be whatever is available. Also, sizing oneself for a second hand bike could be hit or miss.

Good luck.

 

[vickster]

You do know you're not meant to pavement hop? Riding on the pavement is illegal. Learn how to filter on the right safely

Look for a used btwin triban road bike perhaps?

 

[T4tomo]

Why on earth have they put a 52-42 chain set on what is essentially a beginners bike. Useful for Norfolk and probably nowhere else.

 

[RBT84]

A little over budget however id go for this
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-flat-bar-road-bike-black-id_8322664.html

 

[KneesUp]

The bikes you've linked to aren't especially convincing for the reasons stated, plus I'd add that the Claud Butler has gear chagers mounted on the flat bit of the bars, which is just a bit of a weird place for them to be.

Equally I appreciate that adding 75% to your buidget is not something any of us want to do, regardless of what that budget is.

Personally I'd go second-hand, but then I quite like building bikes up out of collected parts (I've been sorting the bike shed out today - my 7y.o. was asking questions like "Just how many bikes could you make, if you put all these bits together?" and "When did this blue frame get here?" - she takes after her mother) My curent bike (complete and rideable) is a mountain bike frame with drop bars - the basic bike cost me less than £30 - with parts and so on it would be in your budget.

Looking new at Halfords site (as you obviously can get to a Halfords as you've linked to them) I'd choose the Carrera Parva at £160. It's a decent frame with useful gears, and although a tad heavy (they say 13.8kg) you could cut that I'm sure by putting on some less treaded tyres and so on (which I'd recommend if you're mainly on road - get some Schwalbe City Jets with your spare £40)

 

[Seevio]

I've come to the conclusion that hybrids are an abomination unto Nuggan. If you're riding on tarmac, get a road bike. If you're riding mostly on the roads get a cyclecross bike. If you're riding off roads get a mountain bike of some description.

I have a nice hybrid and it's well comfy for going to the shops or the pub but it really is neither fish nor fowl.

 

[MarkusDogus]

Thanks everyone. KneesUp, your suggested bike seems my best buy new option - I'd go second hand but with my luck I'll get a poor size/ergonomic fit.

Pavement hoping is just that, if it's you being scrapped or knocked off, 5 seconds on the quiet, open pavement at 7.30am never hurt anyone.

A cannondale would be my dream bike (kind of like getting a new audi) but I can only afford circa £200, as have a young family who's finances take priority.

 

[T4tomo]

Search for Triban on eBay, you'll find a nice lightly used one at your budget

 

[adamhearn]

Sizing for a bike from Halfords could end up being a similar experience to buying secondhand. Unless they have the bike you want in stock in the frame size that's suitable and willing to let you ride it for longer than 2 minutes, it's all [educated] guess work. They do produce a guide to form the basis on sizing choice: http://www.halfords.com/advice/cycling/expert-advice/getting-the-right-size-bike. You could use that guide and go out and buy something secondhand.

One thing you should be aware of with the updated bike choice (the Carrera) is getting road tyre more suited to road may be an issue; the wheel is a 650B and I don't think there is much choice outside of knobbly/trekking tyres? Without any significant research: http://www.tredz.co.uk/650b-mountain-bike-tyres/ppp/90

If you mean Cannondale's are overpriced in the same way as an Audi then I'd agree. The heavily discounted price makes it a deal worth considering.

I fear that the bike you're riding now will be as good as anything you're looking to replace it with. OK, it may not be new and shiny but cleaning/maintenance is a requirement for any bike. I'd still vote for a secondhand purchase...

 

[MarkF]

I'd get the hybrid, I have owned loads, most have been bought as mint second handers around the £200 mark. So many lardy people fork out good money with good intnetions then give up so very quickly, my best deal was a "used once", then parked in the garage Specialized Sirrus for £200.

 

[vickster]

@MarkusDogus if not a tall chap, this is a good option

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/fs-triban-3-red-size-54.204428/#post-4380194

Probably suitable if 5'5-5'8 (Red tribans came up small compared to other brands)

It's in Yorkshire which may or may not be close

 

[KneesUp]

Search for Triban on eBay, you'll find a nice lightly used one at your budget

Tribans seem to go for a surprisingly high percentage of their new price. They're also not ideally suited to towpaths, although they'd be doable with care (but if it's a regular thing it'd be tedious)

 

[adamhearn]

You can get more road orientated tyres for a 27.5 wheel, I just looked and easily found them on Evans site.

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-nimbus-sport-650b-27-5-wired-tyre-EV252261

"I found them easily" isn't really the full story as you missed the elephant in the room of Evans only selling 1 [out of 94 tyres listed for 650B even though technically a few are 650C's]. I'd personally want to make purchasing decisions after being informed. It may/may not matter to the op, but how many LBS are going to stock niche products such as 650B road tyres?

Either way good to see there's at least a couple of brands out there.