Upgrade after a year's commuting: expensive hybrid or cheap road?

[Pgd]

Hi all,

A year ago I decided to take the plunge into London cycle commuting, and bought a second-hand Trek T30 for my then 8-mile each-way journey, and for taking/collecting my toddler to/from nursery. Various things have happened since: my bike got nicked, we moved house 3 miles further out of town, and our new nursery is practically next door.

So. I need a new bike, and I'm looking for something more suited to a long-ish daily commute and with less requirement to carry heavy loads (although pannier rack fittings would still be useful). My basic question is: should I invest in a better-specced flat-bar "hybrid", or in an entry-level road bike? My budget's around the £400 mark, so I was thinking either something like a Trek 7.2/7.3 or Giant Escape 2 in the sales, or something like a Triban or TdF/Virtuoso or Raleigh Airlite kinda thing.

I've heard it said that entry-level roadie kit is generally pretty good compared to entry-level MTB/hybrid kit, but how well would that translate into a 5-day-a-week 22-miles-a-day thrashing? Plus we're talking London, so potholes, traffic lights etc.

I've looked through the archives, but I'm struggling to find any discussions of this sort of question.

Thanks in advance!

 

[upsidedown]

I think for city commuting a disc-braked hybrid would be pretty hard to beat. Discs take the pain out of rims wearing down in stop-start traffic and bad weather.
That said i know there are many fast London commuters on here that ride race bikes.
I think though that for around £400 you're going to get more for your money in the utility rather than race sector.

paul

 

[vickster]

I'd go for the hybrid, especially as you'll presumably want mudguards for the winter

I ride a Sirrus, but have always liked the Treks. I have done 900 miles on the Sirrus around SW London, not an issue in sight (touches would). I have a road bike, but for stop start, the brakes on the hybrid are far more comfortable to use - not had the road bike for long, so may just be a need to get used to it, but I don't think that is purely it.

Might single speed work for you, if all flat riding? Was talking to a chap on Sunday who has a similar distance commute and he rides single with mudguard.

This site has some good discounts on 2011 Marin hybrids http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/index.php?cPath=333&sort=3a&filter_id=118

Apex in Clapham or On Your Bike at LBG stock them too

 

[Pgd]

Thanks both. I think it's probably what I expected... I see so many posts on cycling forums about how road bikes/drop bars are a revelation etc (and I'd be interested to try), but I certainly see the advantage of a hybrid for stop-start all-weather commuting, and I take on board the comment about getting more for my money in the hybrid/utility sector. Single-speed (or maybe single-chainring) is tempting, but I think a bit restrictive, I like to vary my route a bit and tackle hills sometimes. I notice Cycle Surgery are doing the Sirrus Sport 2011 for £350 at the moment, looks a good price if they've got any left...

The only other thing I wondered was that mostly you see MTB groupsets (Alivio, Deore etc) on hybrids, but occasionally you get 2300 or Sora. What's the advantage or disadvantage of this -- having an entry-level road groupset instead of a lower-mid-range MTB set on a hybrid?

Cheers!

 

[vickster]

My LBS also has the Sirrus Sport for £350, excellent shop, they are happy for test rides too http://www.pearsoncy...irrus-Sport-XS/ Easy to get to from London

They have deals on Treks too and Specialized road bikes if you want to try

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/store/product/30415/Specialized-Allez-Double-Red-61/

Just don't let the guys in the Pro Shop persuade you to buy a £1300 carbon road bike

 

[Wankelschrauben]

I saw a 2011 Allez on offer for about £400 or so in the LBS last week, and a single speed Spesh for £350.

The 2011 range will start coming down in price now to clear for the next years worth of stock.

 

[upsidedown]

The only other thing I wondered was that mostly you see MTB groupsets (Alivio, Deore etc) on hybrids, but occasionally you get 2300 or Sora. What's the advantage or disadvantage of this -- having an entry-level road groupset instead of a lower-mid-range MTB set on a hybrid?

Cheers!

I don't think it matters that much as long as they're well adjusted and keep the crap out as much as possible.
I run an XT rear mech on a drop bar bike to do 30 miles s day; the guy I sometimes ride with runs Alivio, also fine.

Cheers

Paul

 

[Pgd]

My LBS also has the Sirrus Sport for £350, excellent shop, they are happy for test rides too http://www.pearsoncy...irrus-Sport-XS/ Easy to get to from London

Thanks for the tip! I phoned them up last week and ordered in a Sport, trouble was I'd previously gone into a branch of Evans in my lunch hour to take a look & have a test ride, and the guy in there sized me as a Medium... it felt a bit odd, but I wasn't thinking properly and just put it down to it being a new bike. But I went into Pearson's this evening & the guy immediately said "wtf? you're clearly a Large" and blow me he was right. Damn you, Evans. Anyway, they've got a load of Larges coming in this week, so my name's now on one of them. Can't wait!

Sutton is just down the road from me (Croydon old town) so I may well use Pearson's as my LBS from now on. Certainly seemed a good bunch on first impressions.

 

[vickster]

Excellent...just stay out of the Pro Shop - it's a dangerous place! Although they don't make a bad mug of tea!

 

[paulmac]

ive just got a felt qx75 altho mine s the 2010 model, i love it. Just sold my mountain bike for it too use to commute and im made up with it.

 

[vickster]

One more thing - if you want to fit mudguards, rack, computer or anything else, ask them to do it before you collect the bike as they probably won't charge you (but do check)