Which Hybrid

[DerbyMalks]

Hi,
I'm a newbie living in North Derby and, knowing very little about bikes I need advice of which bike to buy.
I've just tried cycling to work (about 12 miles) on my Raleigh Glide with wide heavy tread tyres. It takes 70 minutes or so.
The route is mostly roads , then tarmac cycle path (along riverbank) with half a mile of shale.
I'm 54, 5.10 tall, and at 15 st sadly overweight.

I've only done the trip twice but found it enjoyable and addictive, but struggled slightly on the road against a medium head wind. I would like to cut down the journey time to an hour or so and think it possible with a bike that's more free wheeling on the roads.

What Hybrids would you recommend in the GBP 250 to 350 range.
Any advice would ne most welcome.

Also, is it worth joining a local cycle club. I've looked at a couple of sites and they seem more geared towards 50 mile fun rides.
Do the cater for oldies like me?

Cheers,
Malcolm

 

[HLaB]

Hi,
I'm a newbie living in North Derby and, knowing very little about bikes I need advice of which bike to buy.
I've just tried cycling to work (about 12 miles) on my Raleigh Glide with wide heavy tread tyres. It takes 70 minutes or so.
The route is mostly roads , then tarmac cycle path (along riverbank) with half a mile of shale.
I'm 54, 5.10 tall, and at 15 st sadly overweight.

I've only done the trip twice but found it enjoyable and addictive, but struggled slightly on the road against a medium head wind. I would like to cut down the journey time to an hour or so and think it possible with a bike that's more free wheeling on the roads.

What Hybrids would you recommend in the GBP 250 to 350 range.
Any advice would ne most welcome.

Also, is it worth joining a local cycle club. I've looked at a couple of sites and they seem more geared towards 50 mile fun rides.
Do the cater for oldies like me?

Cheers,
Malcolm

Hiya and welcome to the forum.

Check out the Assesories and bikes section, the two that spring to mind in that bracket are the Carrera Subway and the Specialized Globe


Sometimes the camaraderie in a group can be fine, my guess would be a CTC club they seem to be much more friendly than other clubs and tend to specialise on the plus 50 rider. There are also group who sometimes advertise in lbs and they do short 10 or 20 mile introductory rides.

 

[MarkF]

I started on a Dawes Discovery 201, progressed through others to my current 501, which suits all my requirements from towpath riding to commuting to touring.
I'd go for this 201EQ, what more do you need, a decent starter bike with mudguards and a decent rack.

I am sure that these bikes were 30% less a year or so ago.

 

[DerbyMalks]

Hiya and welcome to the forum.

Check out the Assesories and bikes section, the two that spring to mind in that bracket are the Carrera Subway and the Specialized Globe


Sometimes the camaraderie in a group can be fine, my guess would be a CTC club they seem to be much more friendly than other clubs and tend to specialise on the plus 50 rider. There are also group who sometimes advertise in lbs and they do short 10 or 20 mile introductory rides.

Hi,
Thanks for your advice. I'll check out the Carrera Subway ...and the local clubs.
Off to surf the net !!!

Cheers again
Malcolm

 

[DerbyMalks]

I started on a Dawes Discovery 201, progressed through others to my current 501, which suits all my requirements from towpath riding to commuting to touring.
I'd go for this 201EQ, what more do you need, a decent starter bike with mudguards and a decent rack.

I am sure that these bikes were 30% less a year or so ago.

Hi
Thanks MarF.
I'll check out the Dawes Discovery for local stockists ....hope you're wrong about the 30% though
Malcolm

 

[Andrew_P]

I bought a Hybrid, and I have been lusting over buying a Roadie ever since my first serious ride.

I have promised myself one if I can prove commuting is not a flash in the pan.

just my 2p worth. Given my £400 odd again I would buy a road bike and get a cheapo MTB or Hybrid of off eBay for doing trails with the kids

 

[DerbyMalks]

I bought a Hybrid, and I have been lusting over buying a Roadie ever since my first serious ride.

I have promised myself one if I can prove commuting is not a flash in the pan.

just my 2p worth. Given my £400 odd again I would buy a road bike and get a cheapo MTB or Hybrid of off eBay for doing trails with the kids

Hi,
I did toy with the idea of buying a road bike as I only work part time. My girl friend works full time and therefore I have a day or sometimes two days free each week for cycling trips. This is the main reason I thought of joining a club for some company on mid week trips. But, quite reasonably, they (seem) to have these at week ends and evenings only.

I'm not sure a road bike would cope with the shale at the end of the cycle track. But I know what you mean, if I bought a hybrid I'd have two similar(ish) bikes ...However, a reasonable hybrid could enable me to get to work in an hour or so, which, say leaving at seven means I can shower at work and have some weetabix before 8.30 start ... and leave, say 4.30 and flop in an armchair around 5.30pm ...so I think, for the moment I'll go for the hybrid and, like you, lust after the roadie ...if it turns out not to be a flash in the pan (or just a way of saving GBP 20 a week on petrol) and it continues to be fun cycling I'll join a club and buy that roadie.

It's not easy , is it !

 

[mcshroom]

As you already have the Raleigh, it may be worth speeding that up first before committing to a new bike. Try fitting some slicker tyres (something like a Schwalbe Silento or Continental Travel Contact) and speeding up the old bike.

If it works then you have some money left over to get a road bike

Otherwise, if you are prepared to run the gauntlet of their mechanics then Halfords have the Carrera Gryphon Disc inside your budget, to add to the other suggestions

 

[carpiste]

Like you I am fairly new and only recently started cycling after a gap of over 20 years.I`ve been riding a cheap and cheerful MTB but now after a hybrid.
I`m virtually the same size as you and 50yrs so not a lot of difference there.
I ended up trawling through this site and loads of bike stores.I found at Evans cycles a good choice and went for a visit,and got some great advice.I`ve plumped for a Scott p6 in a medium.£329 and appears to be well worth the price.I pick it up on Friday,and after having a short test ride on it I can`t wait.

 

[Fuzzball]

Why not take a quick look at cyclo cross as well they will easy deal with the off road and let you get a bit of speed up on the road compared to hybrid. Also can take panniers

 

[DerbyMalks]

As you already have the Raleigh, it may be worth speeding that up first before committing to a new bike. Try fitting some slicker tyres (something like a Schwalbe Silento or Continental Travel Contact) and speeding up the old bike.

If it works then you have some money left over to get a road bike

Otherwise, if you are prepared to run the gauntlet of their mechanics then Halfords have the Carrera Gryphon Disc inside your budget, to add to the other suggestions

Hi,
Interesting idea, and thanks for embedding the links.

I think I may just try new tyres and see how they go ...

As I said earlier, I would prefer a road bike and join a club if possible, but don't really need 3 bikes.

Cheers.

 

[DerbyMalks]

Why not take a quick look at cyclo cross as well they will easy deal with the off road and let you get a bit of speed up on the road compared to hybrid. Also can take panniers

Hi,

Interesting suggestion. I didn't even know about these bikes. I'll certainly check them out (and all the other suggestions). I've had a look at all of them on the net, but want to see them all in the flesh before deciding.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.
I've spent alot of time reading Football blogs and it's refreshing to see constructive advice and suggestions rather than some of the crass comments on the football chat sites.

 

[DerbyMalks]

I bought a Hybrid, and I have been lusting over buying a Roadie ever since my first serious ride.

I have promised myself one if I can prove commuting is not a flash in the pan.

just my 2p worth. Given my £400 odd again I would buy a road bike and get a cheapo MTB or Hybrid of off eBay for doing trails with the kids

Hi,
Thanks. I'm checking out all the suggestions, but maybe erring towards some better tyres and a roadie.
First, I think I need to visit the local bike shops and check them out in the flesh.
Cheers

 

[newbie2010]

Hi,

I am also looking for a cheapish Hybrid around the £250 mark. I've had a look at the Dawes 201, but was wondering how people felt this compared to the Ridgeback Motion? Both are roughly the same price.

Most of the cycling I will be doing will be along river towpaths, with a bit of road based commuting.

Cheers

 

[g00se]

Have a hunt around for 2010 bikes going cheap as ex stock (2011 bikes are already out). Also, get one before the VAT increases.

Something like these are better speced that the Dawes 201:

http://www.singletrackbikes.co.uk/product/4682/Kona_Dew_2010

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-CRS-2-2010-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_28350.htm