Quick advice needed about buying a new hybrid sport bike

[krazyploqnk]

Looking to buy my first bike as an adult and don't know too much. I want a cheap-ish hybrid to ride primarily on roads but also on gravely dirt roads when needed. I've found one that I LOVE the look of - http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/products.php?show=16943

I just want to know if that is good quality build for the price offered or if the price is just for the brand and look (i.e. is it Beats or Bose?).

Also, are hydraulic disc brakes that much better than the regular V-brakes?

Thanks!

 

[bonsaibilly]

It's more like Bush than Beats or Bose, but is likely to be okay for what you're after. Having said that, what with suspension fork, lockout technology on it and a suspension seat post, those things individually should cost more than that bike to get decent level of components, so you might be better off shopping around more.

 

[Pale Rider]

Saracen is a decent brand.

General spec of the bike looks about what you should expect for the money.

Hydraulic discs stop slightly better in the wet, but in general terms V-brakes have plenty of power and are cheaper and lighter.

Hydraulic brakes are all but maintenance free, V-brakes may require the occasional fettle to keep them operating nicely.

One thing you don't want is cable discs, at this price point they are poor, offering no more grunt that V brakes, but also requiring a fair bit of tinkering to keep them set up correctly.

 

[krazyploqnk]

It's more like Bush than Beats or Bose, but is likely to be okay for what you're after. Having said that, what with suspension fork, lockout technology on it and a suspension seat post, those things individually should cost more than that bike to get decent level of components, so you might be better off shopping around more.

Ok, thanks for your thoughts! Do you mean that those individual components cost more than the whole bike normally?

 

[krazyploqnk]

Saracen is a decent brand.

General spec of the bike looks about what you should expect for the money.

Hydraulic discs stop slightly better in the wet, but in general terms V-brakes have plenty of power and are cheaper and lighter.

Hydraulic brakes are all but maintenance free, V-brakes may require the occasional fettle to keep them operating nicely.

One thing you don't want is cable discs, at this price point they are poor, offering no more grunt that V brakes, but also requiring a fair bit of tinkering to keep them set up correctly.

Thank you!

 

[bonsaibilly]

Ok, thanks for your thoughts! Do you mean that those individual components cost more than the whole bike normally?

Not quite. I meant that a good suspension seat post normally costs more than that Saracen. So the one on that bike may not be particularly good.

Likewise with a suspension fork, they only get half decent once you spend about 150 or more on one, so I was querying really whether you really need a bike with cheap suspension that probably won't be very good and will add weight. And lastly, you can probably do better for the money without suspension at all.

Amateur opinion only, though!

Cheers

 

[S-Express]

Also, are hydraulic disc brakes that much better than the regular V-brakes?

Yes. Loads.

 

[vickster]

Can you try one out as well as similarly priced alternatives that are aesthetically acceptable

Also if buying online, check reviews for the retailer and only buy with a credit (not debit) card in case of issues (unlikely but always a risk buying remotely, those guys for example are in Ireland, you may be too but if not plenty of scope for a courier to do damage)

 

[CanucksTraveller]

I echo @bonsaibilly, most bikes are compromises to some extent. When people want fullly equipped bikes (with full suspension and disc brakes, say) it's either a choice between the more expensive bikes which are built to a high spec with very good components all round, or lower priced bikes that either (1) don't have some of those options or else (2) compromise on quality to provide all of them at a tight budget. This is true at most price points as well, even as you go up the scale. Want the more expensive group set on your new road bike? Fine, but the wheels will be the cheaper ones, as the complete bike still needs to be competitive with others. Want a carbon frame? No problem, but it'll have the lower group set than the aluminium frame.
In essence, you need to ask yourself if you need those suspension and discs, or whether you'd like a better quality bike for the same price without the boingy bits, because things like suspension are compromise areas. And for some cyclists they're only "must haves" because they think a bike is supposed to have them.