It's summer and I need some advice!

[MajorMantra]

Just been doing some research and having a look at other forum posts... am I right in thinking I should go for a hybrid over a road/race-style bike? I don't fancy the idea of properly hunching over my bars... and race-style bikes seem skinnier (therefor skinnier seat), so wont that make the ride more uncomfortable over rough bits?

A narrow saddle that fits you reasonably well may well be more comfortable than a wider one as it allows maximum freedom of movement for pedalling and minimizes chafing.

You are more 'in touch' with the road surface on a road bike with narrow tyres but they are by no means uncomfortable unless you have a particularly harsh frame/forks combination.

Road bikes come in many flavours and depending on sizing and frame design they don't have to place you in an overly 'hunched' position. Those designed for long distance riding rather than maximum speed will be more comfortable and with any road bike you can adjust your riding position somewhat by changing the height and position of the bars.

If you want some of the advantages of pure road bikes but with more practicality, a light tourer or sportive/audax bike might be worth considering.

Matthew

 

[RedStork]

Right then, guess I'm off down one of the local bike shops tomorrow. May go to Evan's in nottingham this weekend too.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Right then, guess I'm off down one of the local bike shops tomorrow. May go to Evan's in nottingham this weekend too.

Hi, some good advice, particularly Jack the Lads post.
If you're going to use roads, cyccle tracks, canal paths etc, then a hybrid/flat bar bike with proper forks will be fab. Something like the Specialized Sirrus range would be a good bike to aim at, fairly brisk, will take guards and a rack if required, no complication of disks or suspension forks. Other brands do similar style bikes as well.
Specialized, Trek, Giant, Bianchi, Ridgeback all do very good bikes.
Take your time, ask lots of questions, try em out. The most important thing is to make sure the bike 'fits' you well.

 

[snorri]

Do remember, there is no law says you can only have one bike
It might be worth consideriing getting a bike suitable for your commute in the first place. You can use it for leisure rides as well of course, and you will build up a knowledge base and gain experience to help you choose a second bike ideally suited to your leisure requirements at a later date. It could be you will decide to go for a tourer able to carry camping loads rather than a lightweight fast model for your second bike.

 

[RedStork]

Hi, some good advice, particularly Jack the Lads post.
If you're going to use roads, cyccle tracks, canal paths etc, then a hybrid/flat bar bike with proper forks will be fab.

How do I know if they're proper forks? What do I need to look out for? I've had a look at some of the sirrus bikes. I quite like the look of the Sirrus Sport 2009.

Do remember, there is no law says you can only have one bike

Unfortunately I'm limited by space. I have a small shed that I can only fit 2 bikes and a BBQ in (and the missus has a bike) and there's no way I'd be allowed it bring it inside - .

 

[ASC1951]

Personally I would go to a big bike shop that stocks all sorts of bikes, like Evans. Once you've sussed the right kind of bike at Evans, shop around to find the nicest one and best value.

+1 for that, except that the advice in the warehouse shops is very variable.

If you are going to a big bike shop to poke and prod all their stock and kick the tyres, by all means then look at closer/smaller shops too, or even online, but IMO the right thing to do then is to go back to the big shop to give them the first crack at matching the deal.

That's my philosophy, anyway. I won't buy stuff online unless my LBS does not stock it and cannot get it. If I know I will get it elsewhere, I don't try it out in my LBS first.

 

[arallsopp]

Also, I know it flies in the face of fiscal sense, but £25 extra over the life of the bike is little issue for having a good LBS that can sort you out for all the tinkering, tweaking and reassurance that keeps you smiling and on the road.

The most important thing to keeping a bike enjoyable (IMHO) is the first month's service. This'll be the one that a good LBS will do for free. Tightening everything, checking things over, retensioning cables, etc.

After a good first service, the bike should be pretty much trouble free, which is why my LBS offers a years servicing as part of the deal.

 

[Fab Foodie]

How do I know if they're proper forks? What do I need to look out for? I've had a look at some of the sirrus bikes. I quite like the look of the Sirrus Sport 2009.


.

Hi
The Sirrus range are great, by proper forks I mean non-suspension forks, so regular old-style fork blades.
The Sirrus Sport seems to have Carbon forks and Carbon rear-end, and nice 27/28c tyres. It will be a nice light fast and comfortable ride, primarily for roads and gravelly bike paths/cinder/tow-pathy stuff. It's almost a road-race bike with straight handlebars. Very Nice.

You may wish to check whether it will take mudguards if that's important.

 

[RedStork]

Definately think this one is high on the list then:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/sirrus-sport-2009-hybrid-bike-ec016919

 

[Fab Foodie]

Definately think this one is high on the list then:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/sirrus-sport-2009-hybrid-bike-ec016919

RedStork, it's hard to go wrong with that to be honest.
Make sure you're happy with the fit and get a test-ride, a decent lock if you're gonna leave it somewhere.

 

[Sittingduck]

I have seen the standard 09 Sirrus on sale somewhere - might have been Evans @ Blackfriars... Very recently. Price was under 300, I think £292 or something!

 

[RedStork]

So, what's the major difference between the standard and the sport? As far as I can tell, it's just the type of gears? But I cant see how they can make a £100 difference.

 

[Sittingduck]

My Bad Redstork - thought Fab Foodies link was to the regular Sirrus, Sorry!

In answer to your question, I am not 100% sure. Likely better components on the sport.

SD

 

[RedStork]

Just bought it! And I found a 15% off code, so it only cost me £330!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Just bought it! And I found a 15% off code, so it only cost me £330!

Fantastic! Full test-report is obligatory!