What is the least expensive new hybrid you would feel ok touring on?

[thistler]

My SIL has decided she would like to get a new bike and possibly do a few short tours with me. She wants a hybrid, (not a ladies frame) something that has mudguards and can take front/rear racks. She wants to buy a new one, though I have thoroughly explained about the advantages of buying used.....  

I know so little about 'modern' hybrids - are there any out there you could suggest for her? It will be mainly for road use but occasionally for canal path type stuff. Not proper off-roading. She doesn't have a big budget and originally thought she could get something decent for £100... how I did laugh....   I think the general consensus is that anything under £300 is going to be a POS for touring? Is that right? She won't spend that much, I know there are a slot of sales going on so I thought I'd try to get some advice.....

 

[Hacienda71]

Have a look at Decathlon they do quite decent own brand bikes. You can try them for size in store, They tend to have decent components and are certainly what I would call good value.

 

[snailracer]

A cheap bike from a proper bike shop, or Decathlon, is unlikely to be a POS.

More money mostly buys lighter weight, not necessarily durability - and if your SIL wants racks and mudguards, weight isn't her priority.

My conclusion is that it's the assembly that matters, which is more to do with where you get the bike from and not the price of the bike.

 

[thistler]

Thanks so much - there isn't a Decathalon anywhere near us so maybe we will have to go on a road trip, will also check out the LBS. There is a shop not too far away that carries Dawes - would something like a Mirage or a Mojave be suitable if properly assembled?




http://www.discovercycling.com/bikes/bikes-hybrid/dawes-mirage-gents-trekking-2010-.html

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4138&language=en

 

[mcshroom]

It would be possible to get a functional bike for £100 with something such as this from decathlon, which although the frame will be heavy the components are durable enough (I have the old next model up which had the same components but an alu frame and a bouncy fork)

As for hybrids, it looks like you would be looking for a trekking bike style one rather than a flat bar racer. In that category there are a few decent ones. I would look at things like these: -


Dawes Mojave
Dawes Discovery 201EQ
Claud Butler Classic - I rode the Hadrians Cycleway on a 2009 version of this, although I switched to a flat bar with bar ends
Revolution Strretfinder

All these seem to have pretty much the same equipment.

A slightly different approach may be to go hub gear and disks, in which case Halfords have the Carrera Subway 8 at £280. I don't know much about Nexus hubs though

 

[thistler]

Thanks Mcshroom - that Revolution looks ideal!!!