Recommendations for a hybrid bike for urban use

[Ericck]

Time to treat myself to a new bike but difficult to know what to buy as too much to choose from.

I use my bike everyday, mainly for riding around in town, so it needs to be robust enough to bump and down kerbs and handle the occasional gravel track.

I currently have a claud butler urban 300 and before that had a claud butler urban 200. I can't really fault these bikes as they have done everything I asked of them, however for a bit more money can I step up a level.

So can any one recommend a particular make or model of bike (rigid frame) that may suit my needs, I would have a budget of about £500 for a new or even a good condition second hand bike.

Any opinions appreciated.

 

[jowwy]

ridgeback ultraflight 02 , Giant Rapid 2, 3 or 4........all superb flat bar bikes

 

[I like Skol]

Most people will recomend their own bike so here goes.......

Having said that, My experience hasn't been exactly smooth although I am still convinced of the GT brand 'toughness'.I have had problems with the wheel rims and then spokes snapping on the replacements but that may just be unlucky, factory wheels don't appear to be universally rubbish and soome people manage with them just fine?

The other thing I would suggest is that disc brakes are not necessarilly the Holy Grail of braking, The Tektro hydraulic items I started with needed constant attention and in the end I gave up and fitted a set of Shimano XT£££ which appear to be very good so far but if I were to do this again I would probably just pick a bike with V-brakes as they are ultra reliable, foolproof and cheap. I could have bought many, many sets of top quality V-brakes for the amount I have spent on fitting the XT disc sets.

 

[SquareDaff]

Never had any problems with my Boardman Hybrid Pro or its disc brakes. I used to have the CB Explorer 400 and noticed a huge difference when changing in terms of speed for the same effort. Not sure about the bouncing up and down on kerbs though.

 

[Ericck]

Yeah I appreciate it will usually be a matter of personal choice but was hoping
a few models would be mentioned more than others and be worth looking at.

Also not bothered about disc brakes or loads of gears or latest doo dahs. Rigid frame, 18 gears or so and V brakes will do fine. Don't like to bounce up the kerbs but sometimes have to so looking for something that will take a fat road tyre 700x38 or 700x40.

Glad to receive any thoughts.

 

[Dayvo]

I'm on the look-out for one of these: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/qx-85-2012-hybrid-bike-ec032674#features to replace one, or both, of my commuter/hack bikes.

This also looks tempting: http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/cannondale-quick-4.html

 

[Beebo]

I used to ride a Trek 7.3FX, it fits your price range and does everything you require.

 

[AndyFletch]

I was looking at a similar level, for £500 I was thinking the Giant Escape 1. Carbon forks & 700 x 35c tyres to smooth out the ride, quality Shimano Alivio rear derailleur etc etc.

However I am tempted to spend a bit more with £700 for a Cannondale Quick 3 which looks like it offers a great all round spec. or perhaps more interestingly a Jamis Allegro Elite (£675 at Evans). The Jamis has a Hybrid frame and 700 x32 wheels matched with Shimano Tiagra road gearing. Not sure if this means it will offer the best of both worlds or not be very good at anything....