Hybrid, what do i gain by spending a bit more?

[Mike!]

I'm currently on the look out for a Hybrid, after having my Voodoo Limba cross bike for the last 6 months it has become increasingly clear that i just don't find it comfortable. I was involved in a car accident a few years ago which left me with neck and back problems and the drop bars along with this cold weather really plays havoc with me. I really like the bike otherwise.....

My requirements are for a commuter / occasional weekend ride with the following;

"road" gearing (i want to retain the extra speed my cross bike gave me over the old MTB as much as possible)
Disc brakes (will be commuting in all weathers and want good stopping power and like the idea of no rim wear)
Ability to fit full mudguards (not blades) and a rear rack for my panniers.

Have looked at the following, all of which i can get from local dealers;

Carrera Gryphon Disc @ £300
Boardman Performance Hybrid Comp @ £450
Boardman Performance Hybrid @ £700
Bianchi Camaleonte 2 @ £745
Orbea Carpe Diem H20 @ £779

Now im banking on paying an extra £30-£50 to get the Carrera or Boardman setup properly by my local man after Halfords bodge them up and am also dubious about buying from Halfords because i will not be able to get a test ride other than in the shop.

However if i do not buy from Halfords (like the idea of the Boardman Comp to be honest) then it's a big step up in price to the next thing, will it really be worth the extra money? I know it's 'only a commuter' and the Gryphon is possibly the most sensible buy but i want it to last! Security is also not an issue at work as i sits in the office beside me!!

 

[fixedfixer]

Just a thought reading your post, could a change of stem (to give more rise), flat bars, new levers and changers provide what you want from the existing bike? You'd need to consult the forum over the compatibility of flat bar shifters and your existing mechs, the avid brakes should work with something like an avid flat bar lever.

On the other hand Boardman get a good press on here.

 

[Mike!]

Just a thought reading your post, could a change of stem (to give more rise), flat bars, new levers and changers provide what you want from the existing bike? You'd need to consult the forum over the compatibility of flat bar shifters and your existing mechs, the avid brakes should work with something like an avid flat bar lever.

On the other hand Boardman get a good press on here.

Thanks for the reply fixedfixer, did briefly consider this but decided against it. Mainly as it might not achieve my aim, will still leave me without discs and a rear rack!

 

[potsy]

I suppose it depends on whether you just want to get from A-B then the Carrera will be fine, or do you want a bike that will be more enjoyable to ride and can be used for leisure as well as commuting, if so I'd look at the Boardmans.
There's certainly scope in your budget for a very decent hybrid.
I've gone the other way-hybrid to drop bar and much prefer that now,though I do quite fancy a drop bar with discs and wider tyres soon.

 

[Piemaster]

My son has the Gryphon, bought s/h from ebay. We've also fitted titec 'H' bars to it as well for giving a bit of riding position variety.
The discs are at best ok, but not nearly as good as the hydraulic juicy3 ones on my bike. I reckon it would be worth extra to get hydraulics. I would. They've barely needed touching in 2 1/2 years. (though I don't do massive miles)
Not a great deal of frame clearance on the Gryphon (sons doesn't have guards on his). Braze on interestingly are on the inside of the seat stays, so I would think a normal (as opposed to disc-specific) one would fit. Consider what tyres you may fit to it in the future eg. snow studs
Boardman performance hybrid has carbon fork too - it'll help for a more comfortable ride.

Usual advice is to go try them out, especially as you have a medical requirement. Some of them may still be a little more streched out than you want even with flat bars which you won't know untill you've tried them.

 

[I like Skol]

I just bought one of THESE at the beginning of November and apart from some trouble with disc brake squeal in the damp/wet I have been totally happy with it so far.

I have customised it a bit with a 12-26 cassette and the definitive Blackburn MTB rack (no need for a disc specific pannier rack with this bike) as well as some SPD pedals and bar ends for an alternative hand position at speed.

Got the extras from CRC

Bar ends £9.99

SPD pedals £19.99

SRAM 12-26 9spd cassette £25

Pannier rack £31.99 I only paid £26.99 just a few weeks ago but crc and wiggle both selling at £32 now????

 

[e-rider]

If you have neck and back problems why are you looking at boardman hybrid bikes? They have a relatively 'racey' riding position. surely to improve comfort you'd want something more upright (obviously without going over the top and buying a sit-up-and-beg)

 

[Mike!]

Popped into Halfords at lunchtime, they didn't have everything in stock (had the performance hybrid and the Gryhpon V Brake model) and they were very busy (the perils of lunch hour in December i guess!) so i couldn't get them off the rack to try the seating positions or anything but they both looked nice bikes. The Boardman obviously looks better quality but i have to say the Gryphon looked better than i expected it to.

On inspecting the Boardman it looked like it might be possible to fit a non-disc rack to that too as there didn't seem to be anything to stop the legs when bolted to the frame? Can anyone shed light here?

I Like Skol - looks ideal, add some full length mudguards and it would suit me! Want to be able to source whatever it is locally though to be honest, so i can try it and easily get problems dealt with.....

 

[Mike!]

If you have neck and back problems why are you looking at boardman hybrid bikes? They have a relatively 'racey' riding position. surely to improve comfort you'd want something more upright (obviously without going over the top and buying a sit-up-and-beg)

This is my worry about not being able to test them out at Halfords, are they really that racy? Might have to try some of my other suggestions on the road to see what they are like.

 

[I like Skol]

Mike, I thought I had made a mistake with the GT at first as it appeared to be a bit short/cramped. I soon got used to this and realised that I just wasn't used to a more upright position as my GT MTB has a tall saddle with low and long stem for the a**e up head down position I have always been used to

 

[Mike!]

Mike, I thought I had made a mistake with the GT at first as it appeared to be a bit short/cramped. I soon got used to this and realised that I just wasn't used to a more upright position as my GT MTB has a tall saddle with low and long stem for the a**e up head down position I have always been used to

That looks painfull!!

My MTB has a frame to large for me but as a result i find it quite comfortable as the seat isn't much higher than the bars, maybe i need to look into this with a hybrid. A dealer near me has one of last years Orbea bikes left in a 'large' (at a good price) which may work out well, might test ride that first :-)

 

[Mike!]

I'm not really up on specs but what does the felt qx85 stack up like?

http://www.wiggle.co...x-85-2010/#more

Seems like a good deal with the discount!

 

[Mike!]

Well i've been back to Halfords and got some advice from someone who seemed to know his stuff and who owns two boardmans himself. I'm steering towards the Boardman Performance Hybrid in a Medium, it feels comfortable for me and the specs just cannot be matched at the price as far as i can see.

Are there any Boardman Hybrid owners here running mudguards? He recommended the Crud Mk2 Roadracers. I have full SKS Bluemells on my crosser at the moment which are great but the cruds certainly look better, however if they don't cover the tyre properly (700 x 28) they'll not be good for a commuter....

 

[ColinJ]

He recommended the Crud Race Blades (version 2) and they do now seem to give a fuller coverage.

Do you mean Crud Mk2 Roadracers? Race Blades are made by SKS though some people make the same mistake as you and advertise Crud Race Blades. 

 

[Mike!]

Do you mean Crud Mk2 Roadracers? Race Blades are made by SKS though some people make the same mistake as you and advertise Crud Race Blades.

Yes i do ColinJ - Crud Mk2 Roadracers, i will edit the post!!