Looking for a hybrid, any recommendations?

[TheBoyBilly]

Question: do I need/would I benefit from front suspension?


Almost certainly not. If there were no such thing as Suss forks what would you do? Suspension forks add weight.....don't fall for the ad-men's line that you NEED this or that. Make your own mind up. IMHO suspension forks are wasted unless you do 'serious' DH, FR or Cross-Country on a MTB. Hybrids don't need all that fluff. Save your money.

Bill

 

[3outof5]

Question: do I need/would I benefit from front suspension?


Almost certainly not. If there were no such thing as Suss forks what would you do? Suspension forks add weight.....don't fall for the ad-men's line that you NEED this or that. Make your own mind up. IMHO suspension forks are wasted unless you do 'serious' DH, FR or Cross-Country on a MTB. Hybrids don't need all that fluff. Save your money.

Bill

Got ya. I popped in to the most local shop to me on the way home last night, SixtyNine Cycles in Hoole, Chester. I tried out the Merida Crossway and the Merida Speeder T2. Certainly the Crossway was more immediately comfortable to sit on, but after Nick, the owner, adjusted the seat on the T2 I found that very nice and had a good scoot around the car park. I had a chat with Nick regarding the suitability of a non-suspension bike for my commute and he reassured me that there was no requirement for suspension at all. Along with your advice, I'm satisfied that this is the type of bike I want. Only downside (if it is a downside) is that SixtyNine Cycles pretty much sell purely Merida so far as mountain, road and cross bikes are concerned. However, they are pretty nice bikes so far as I can see with my limited experience.

 

[g00se]

Yup. Merida are good bikes. They also make the frames for Boardman bikes and own half of Specialized. The S-Presso and Speeder hybrids look good.

 

[3outof5]

Okay, let's say I'm going to go with Merida - one reason is that they are sold by my very nearest LBS which is a mere half-mile away, another is that I like the look and feel of them.

I'm torn between the Speeder T2 and the T3

In terms of spec, the primary difference between the two bikes appears to be:

Carbon forks (T3) v. Alloy forks (T2)
Shimano 105 Rear Mech (T3) v. Shimano Tiagra Rear Mech (T2)
9 speed Shimano Cassette (T3) v. 8 speed Shimano Cassette (T2)
Avid FR5 levers and Avid SD3 V brakes (T3) v. X-Mission (Merida own brand I think) levers and V brakes (T2)
FSA Gossamer Chainwheel (T3) v. FSA Vero Chainwheel (T2)

There are other detail differences but those are the significant ones.

The question is (and I know I've been totally sucked in to the "spec. trap" here

), do those upgrades justify the difference in price, which is £561 for the T2 and £745 for the T3? I don't know at the moment whether any 'sweeteners' can be applied to those prices, we'll have to see.

Essentially the difference to me is about £10 a month out of my wages via the CTWS, over the course of a year.

 

[HLaB]

Looks a nice bike, its up to you really if £10 a month is noticeable but I would go for the T3. I don't think the minute weight saving of better kit is really important but the T3 has carbon forks and you will find they make for a more comfortable ride. Also whilst not crucial having that extra gear (9sp) or closer spaced can make a ride more enjoyable. Good Luck

 

[g00se]

Try the two out and see how it feels. The 105 kit has a very good reputation, but Tiagra is by no means bad

i think the forks will be the main difference, the carbon ones will absorb a lot of road rattle - the aluminium ones MAY be a little harsh.

 

[3outof5]

Try the two out and see how it feels. The 105 kit has a very good reputation, but Tiagra is by no means bad

i think the forks will be the main difference, the carbon ones will absorb a lot of road rattle - the aluminium ones MAY be a little harsh.

I eventually decided not to pay out that much money for the T3, and instead decided on a 2011 Specialized Sirrus Elite. The drivetrain is nowhere near as good as the Merida, but at £549 versus £745, I couldn't justify the extra £200, much as I would have liked to.

Anyway, I'm just getting used to the Sirrus, I did my usual commute today and obviously there's a massive difference in the amount of vibration through the back of the bike - mainly due to the relative thinness of the Sirrus' tyres compared to my previous not-very-well inflated balloons, and the again relatively hard saddle compared to my previous big arse gel and sprung saddle.

That aside, I'm starting to enjoy the bike, trying not to send myself over the handlebars with brakes that actually work. Looks a treat too. I wonder how long I can leave it before I get the 'upgrading bug'.

Thanks for the advice!