Hybrid Purchase

[wooster]

Hi all,

I'm an elderly ( 66 yo ) man looking to buy his first bike since adolescence. I'm going for a hybrid as I don't want the riding position of a MTB or a Road Bike. I am looking at Merida Crossway 20D or Giant Roam 4. I've arthritic hands and wrists so want to keep it light and easy on the hands. I particularly don't want to put a lot of my weight on my hands and wrists. To this end I'm planning on getting some handlebar mods done. I reckon I might get North Road/Dutch bike type handlebars fitted onto it.

I'm planning to do leisurely rides along unchallenging paths on roads or compressed earth with the most difficult trails I will attempt perhaps being the easier ones in the woods or riverbanks.

Any suggestions as to which between these two bikes?

 

[MichaelW2]

I fitted On One Mary bars, cut down a little, with cork Ergon grips.

 

[Sharky]

Neither!
I think both of these have front suspension?
For the type of riding you are planning, probably not needed and at these price points, will just give a heavier bike.
Try before you ride if you can.
Good luck

 

[wooster]

Thank you.

@MichaelW2 I'm really after a bit more of an angle than the On One Mary Bar has. More like parallel to the top bar on the bike frame. I'm hoping this is possible.

@Sharky Re the suspension. Yes, they do both have it. They have lock-out facilities though obviously, that wouldn't make it lighter. Would you recommend the Giant Escape over the Roam or another model?

 

[wiggydiggy]

I think your on the right idea with those bars, an upright riding position shouldn't impact your hands/wrists too much.

If this is the Merida you mean then from their pic I think it's better, but the seat will be adjusted to you so try both if you can.

Ergon grips - they are great and I have 2 different types on both my bikes.

Suspension - I know I'm happier on my MTB with suspension on rougher trails, than my Hybrid without but that's on rough stuff. Though you will not get 2 people with opposite views to agree on that one I'd say you probably don't need it.

 

[wooster]

I think your on the right idea with those bars, an upright riding position shouldn't impact your hands/wrists too much.

If this is the Merida you mean then from their pic I think it's better, but the seat will be adjusted to you so try both if you can.

Ergon grips - they are great and I have 2 different types on both my bikes.

Suspension - I know I'm happier on my MTB with suspension on rougher trails, than my Hybrid without but that's on rough stuff. Though you will not get 2 people with opposite views to agree on that one I'd say you probably don't need it.

Thank you. From what I can make out with a quick google, both the Escape without Suspension and the Roam with it are the same weight. I am assuming that will translate to the Merida but maybe not? Anyway, I'm trying both out tomorrow so will have an idea.

Do you mean the North Road bars are a good idea or stick with the original bars and use Ergon grips on them? I'm quite keen to go for Dutch bike style bars to relieve weight as much as I can. I guess I could put Ergon grips on these bars if I can get them?

 

[wiggydiggy]

Thank you. From what I can make out with a quick google, both the Escape without Suspension and the Roam with it are the same weight. I am assuming that will translate to the Merida but maybe not? Anyway, I'm trying both out tomorrow so will have an idea.

Do you mean the North Road bars are a good idea or stick with the original bars and use Ergon grips on them? I'm quite keen to go for Dutch bike style bars to relieve weight as much as I can. I guess I could put Ergon grips on these bars if I can get them?

Look up the Merida with/without suspension and see? I've only ever regretted when being on the Hybrid me not having my MTB with suspension on the roughest terrain, but you can always slow down for short rough patches.

Ergon grips I've only used with straight style bars, I find they let me rest more of my weight on the palm. On Dutch style I think they would work the same but maybe someone else can help who has used them on those bars?

These are what I use. GP1 on MTB and GP2 on hybrid, you can adjust the angle of the prong on the GP2.

 

[T4tomo]

On Dutch style I think they would work the same but maybe someone else can help who has used them on those bars?

I think they'd be counter productive on dutch style bars as you need to turn your wrist thru 90* from a straight bar position to a dutch bar position.

@wooster have you checked the gear shifters would still be comfortable to operate from dutch bars?

 

[Cycleops]

I'd also say forget about suspension fork, you can drop the tyre pressures to give a softer ride. Hybrids are a competitive sector so shop around for a deal and what's available. Getting the right size is important.
You might also consider butterfly bars which will give you more hand positions and maybe take weight off you wrists.

 

[Sharky]

@Sharky Re the suspension. Yes, they do both have it. They have lock-out facilities though obviously, that wouldn't make it lighter. Would you recommend the Giant Escape over the Roam or another model?

Sorry, but don't have first hand experience of bikes of the sort you are considering.

I'm a bit older than you and have always found dropped bars give the most varied and comfortable positions.

Finding the comfort sweet point is difficult. You have the three contact points - hands, bum and feet. If you focus on just one of these in isolation and make significant adjustments, it could just move the issue to one of the other contact points. For example, with the saddle at the right height, tilting the saddle or moving it forward/backwards will have a significant impact to the weight on the hands.

Another thought - if you haven't ridden a bike for many years, whatever bike you end up with, there will be aches and pains all over the body. But surprisingly quickly, the body will adjust to the new demands on the body. Need to give yourself time and lots of recovery between rides.

Good luck

 

[Cycleops]

Good points from @Sharky . If you haven't ridden for some time the saddle will take some getting used to. Don't be tempted to get one of those soft gel ones.
Correct saddle height is important too if you're to avoid knee pain.

 

[wooster]

I think they'd be counter productive on dutch style bars as you need to turn your wrist thru 90* from a straight bar position to a dutch bar position.

@wooster have you checked the gear shifters would still be comfortable to operate from dutch bars?

Good call about the gear shifters. Thanks

 

[wooster]

I'd also say forget about suspension fork, you can drop the tyre pressures to give a softer ride. Hybrids are a competitive sector so shop around for a deal and what's available. Getting the right size is important.
You might also consider butterfly bars which will give you more hand positions and maybe take weight off you wrists.

Thanks. When you fit them, can these butterfly bars be swivelled around on their axis so that the front part is sitting above the rear thus giving mor height on the hand position and also allowing the hands a more horizontal grip when holding the sides?

EDIT. I'm just realising that that kind of horizontal grip would be achieved by the ergon grips

 

[Cycleops]

Yes you can turn them in the stem mount putting them further forward or back so raising or lowering your hand position.

 

[Alex321]

My previous bike was a Boardman hybrid with front suspension, and I hardly ever unlocked it.

If riding on roads or easy paths, it really isn't needed, and just adds weight and complexity. If the Giant without it weighs the same as the one with it, that will be because something else has been beefed up I expect.

But according to this, the Escape is 800g lighter, at 12.4Kg as opposed to 13.2Kg.

Though that is comparing the roam 2 to escape 2.
Compare te Roam 4 to the Escape 3 (there isn't an escape 4), and it doesn't show weights, but the escape has a 3x7 drivetrain while the roam has a 2x7