What hybrid bike?

[Liam8761]

Afternoon all,

I'm currently looking at buying a new hybrid bicycle to work on my fitness. I previously bought a road bike (carrera virtuoso) and do not get on with it at all, I can't get comfortable riding with drop bars and such no matter how hard I try.

I've visited my local indy bike store and have come away way 2 bikes in mind and am having trouble deciding between the two so thought I'd ask around here.

The bikes are a Giant Roam 1 and a Merida Crossway 300.

The specs are as follows:

Giant Roam 1 - £549 (sale from £649)

Size M
Colours White/Red
Frame ALUXX-Grade Aluminum
Fork SR Suntour NEX MLO, 63mm Travel, lockout
Shock N/A
Components
Handlebar Giant Sport, Low Riser 31.8mm
Stem Giant Sport
Seatpost Giant Sport
Saddle Giant Connect Upright
Pedals Resin anti slip, steel cage
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano Deore 30 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore Trekking
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore Shadow
Brakes Tektro HDC300 hycdraulic disc, 160mm
Brake Levers Tektro HDC300
Cassette Shimano HG62 11-36
Chain KMC X10 w/ Missing Link
Crankset Shimano T521 48/36/26
Bottom Bracket Shimano Hollowtech II
Wheels
Rims Giant CR70
Hubs Formula alloy disc hubs
Spokes Stainless steel
Tires Giant S-RX4, 700x40mm


Merida Crossway 300 - £575 (sale from £649)

SIZE 46cm
FRAME Butted and heat treated 6061 aluminium tubing with hydroformed top tube.
COLOR matt anthracite(green)
FORK SR NEX 63mm with lockout
SHOCK n/a
DERAILLEUR FRONT Shimano M390 48
DERAILLEUR REAR Shimano SLX-9
SHIFTERS Shimano Acera-X Rapidfire
BRAKE LEVERS attached
BRAKES Tektro HDC Hydraulic Disc 160 mm
CHAINWHEEL SR Suntour XCR 48A-38-28 CG
BB-SET Shimano Cartridge
CHAIN KMC Z99 9s
HUBS Alloy Disc QR / Shimano M475 Disc
RIMS Merida Comp D
FREEWHEEL Shimano CS-HG20-9 11-34
SPOKES black stainless
TIRES Merida Speed 40 Reflex
HANDLEBAR Merida Comp OS 620 R25
STEM Adjustable Pro OS A-Head
HEADSET Conoid semi Neck
SEATPOST Suspension One D 27.2 mm
SADDLE Cross Sport
PEDALS Lite Alloy SIZES 46cm
FRAME Butted and heat treated 6061 aluminium tubing with hydroformed top tube.
COLOR matt anthracite(green)
FORK SR NEX 63mm with lockout
SHOCK n/a
DERAILLEUR FRONT Shimano M390 48
DERAILLEUR REAR Shimano SLX-9
SHIFTERS Shimano Acera-X Rapidfire
BRAKE LEVERS attached
BRAKES Tektro HDC Hydraulic Disc 160 mm
CHAINWHEEL SR Suntour XCR 48A-38-28 CG
BB-SET Shimano Cartridge
CHAIN KMC Z99 9s
HUBS Alloy Disc QR / Shimano M475 Disc
RIMS Merida Comp D
FREEWHEEL Shimano CS-HG20-9 11-34
SPOKES black stainless
TIRES Merida Speed 40 Reflex
HANDLEBAR Merida Comp OS 620 R25
STEM Adjustable Pro OS A-Head
HEADSET Conoid semi Neck
SEATPOST Suspension One D 27.2 mm
SADDLE Cross Sport
PEDALS Lite Alloy


I'm leaning towards the Giant currently but have been back and forward. I prefer the look of the Merida and it seems to have more comfort features (sprung seat post, more adjustment on the bars) whereas the Giant has a better drivetrain from what I've been told.

As to the type of riding I'll be doing, most of it will be roads or paved pathways. There is the possibility of the occasional (once a month or so) trip to the local woods where I would be riding the main trails of heavily trodden dry dirt, nothing too adventurous.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[I like Skol]

As to the type of riding I'll be doing, most of it will be roads or paved pathways. There is the possibility of the occasional (once a month or so) trip to the local woods where I would be riding the main trails of heavily trodden dry dirt, nothing too adventurous.

Any input would be appreciated.

IMO neither bike! From your intended use I would think you want something without suspension and much less MTB oriented. Comfort is far more about position and fit than suspension. I too have a hybrid that I uses for commuting and also do off-road stuff as well as long distance (plenty of 100 mile rides ridden in comfort on that bike).

This is my bike, a GT Traffic 1.0 and while it has definite MTB heritage in it's frame and components it is more like a flat bar road bike due to straight aluminium forks and 700c wheels.

I have a choice of hard-nutter MTB, road bike or this hybrid and the hybrid is the default go-to bike for most of my rides as it is just so flexible, comfortable and enjoyable.

I know I have a thing for the GT brand but would something like this maybe be suitable?

www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-tachyon-1-2014

 

[Liam8761]

Thanks for your reply. To be honest I know that front suspension is a compromise too many for most but due to wrist and shoulder injuries I'm not sure how well I'd got on without it.
This is why I was playing it safe and looking for locking front suspension.

That said I'm far from being an expert on these matters and that is a nice looking bike.

 

[I like Skol]

.......
That said I'm far from being an expert on these matters and that is a nice looking bike.

Now I know you are not talking about my bike......

 

[Liam8761]

Now I really have to think about whether I need the suspension or if I could cope without it

 

[Cycleops]

I have a Marin hybrid with sus forks and I can tell you that comfort is little improved, but weight is increased greatly. You will increase comfort simply by running your tyres at less than max pressure.
Another thread on here asking similar questions might be useful to you: http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/which-entry-level-hybrid.165496/
Ridgeback bikes give good value, how about this? http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/x3#details

 

[Liam8761]

Now I'm really starting to get out of my depth! I just went into a shop and picked out the hybrids I liked the look of (shiny!) and now bikes I thought were off limits due to my injuries are being thrown in too!

 

[dawn72]

Have you been able to take out any of the bikes you like for a test ride?

 

[crdf]

Have you considered installing breaks on the top bars. I also have a hybrid which I thought it is best for me after trying a road bike, but sometimes I wish I had the drop bar option.
Also how did your wrists and shoulders cope with the road bike.I'm prone to swolen hands and pain in wrists (a lot of hospitality work) but haven't yet had any problems and my bike doesnt have suspension.

 

[Liam8761]

Have you been able to take out any of the bikes you like for a test ride?

Unfortunately I've not had the time for a test ride and the store only had suspension models available.

Have you considered installing breaks on the top bars. I also have a hybrid which I thought it is best for me after trying a road bike, but sometimes I wish I had the drop bar option.
Also how did your wrists and shoulders cope with the road bike.I'm prone to swolen hands and pain in wrists (a lot of hospitality work) but haven't yet had any problems and my bike doesnt have suspension.

I got some minor aching on the road bike which I was expecting but due to how I just couldn't get comfortable on it (plus my awful fitness levels) I've not ridden it more than a couple of miles at a time. I found it quite jarring to ride on some of the roads I had to use though, I was weaving all over the place to avoid pot holes and I noticed a lot of vibes on the back pathways.

 

[dawn72]

Liam, based on the fact that you previously bought a bike and hardly used it because you were uncomfortable and you also have to take previous injuries into account, I wouldn't recommend buying anything without riding it first. Doing your own research or speaking to others can provide info on decent equipment and reliability but only you will know how a particular bike feels for you. I hate the thought of you wasting money or being put off cycling altogether by choosing the wrong bike

 

[Paulq]

Ridgeback bikes give good value, how about this? http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/x3#details

I have this bike and it's perfect for what the OP needs. Very comfortable, pretty upright with nice wide bars, decent components and is surprisingly quick on the road. Great bike, highly recommended.

 

[I like Skol]

I have this bike and it's perfect for what the OP needs. Very comfortable, pretty upright with nice wide bars, decent components and is surprisingly quick on the road. Great bike, highly recommended.

Just looked at the spec of that bike and it's great, certainly ticks all my boxes. Shimano hubs - tick, Shimano brakes - tick, Shimano gears - tick, rigid CroMo fork - tick

The steel fork should also be a lot more forgiving on any rough surfaces and absorb a lot of the buzz that can be transmitted by straight forks, especially the Ali variety.

 

[Paulq]

Just looked at the spec of that bike and it's great, certainly ticks all my boxes. Shimano hubs - tick, Shimano brakes - tick, Shimano gears - tick, rigid CroMo fork - tick

The steel fork should also be a lot more forgiving on any rough surfaces and absorb a lot of the buzz that can be transmitted by straight forks, especially the Ali variety.

It is a great bike. I am a big fan of Ridgeback bikes in general as I find them to be very well made, robust and comfortable so I think they are pretty under rated - I have had a few of them over the years. However, there are lots of others to choose from and the right choice os the one you like the best and feel most comfortable on. The X3 is very much my 'go to' bike as it's so comfortable and is adept at a variety of jobs, commuting, fitness, pootling about etc.

Best of luck with whatever you decide and let us know how you get on.

 

[tudor_77]

I recommend the giant roam. I have that exact model and it is awesome. Do not let people put you off a bike with front suspension, the roam is extremely fast and nippy. I also have a full carbon giant defy which cost twice as much. The roam is just as fast as the defy but, more importantly, much much more fun to ride. I tried various bikes in this class and there were no comparisons to the roam, best money I have ever spent. Front suspension can be locked out and won't add any noticeable weight. This is certainly NOT a mountain bike, as I say it is just as fast as my full carbon road bike. The handling is just amazing.