Which would you buy?

[kennycl]

I'm stuck between a few bikes, any advice welcome, budget at the very top end in £700, less would obviously be good...

A bit of background, I used to be a regular on my road bike (which I'm going to sell, Schwinn Fastback, so happy with drops), however it's not had much use for the last 6 years due to children coming along. Both girls (6 and 4) are now riding independently and I have had to go from walking to keep up, to jogging and I now fear a flat out sprint so need a bike!

We're mostly on tracks around reservoirs and the like (imagine centre parcs if you've been) and limited distance (5-10K) at the moment, although that will likely start to increase. I'd also like to be able to pop into town which is a couple of miles away, and probably do some slightly longer rides (30K ish) when we go on holiday to France on the flats.

So far I'm torn between a hybrid and gravel bike, and these five seem options (I'm not in a desperate rush, so can wait for stock etc.):

Hybrid:
Trek FX2: https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/fx-2-disc/p/27991/
Trek FX3: https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/fx-3-disc/p/28474/

Gravel:
Boardman 8.6: https://www.halfords.com/bikes/adve...nture-bike-2021---s-m-l-xl-frames-365774.html
Merlin Malt G2 Tiagra: https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g2-tiagra-gravel-bike-2021-197427.html
Merlin Malt G2 Claris: https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g2-claris-gravel-bike-2021-197226.html

Help! I can't make up my mind whether the extra money is worth it on some, nor the hybrid/ gravel distinction.

Thanks!

 

[Cycleops]

I'd go for drop bars because I favour that configuration but you may be different.
I'd avoid the 1x 10 drive as I can see little point in having a bigger gap between gears and paying extra for it.
On the face of it the Boardman looks the best VfM on paper.
Shame that this Triban is just outside your budget:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-rc520-gravel-id_8504030.html

Good luck with whatever you decide and to the forum.

 

[vickster]

You need to decide between flat and drop bars as a start 👍
The Trek Fx is basically a gravel bike with flat bars given the 35mm tyres. It’s not so much a fast flat bar. Hybrid doesn’t really have any specific definition

 

[Milkfloat]

Availability may pay a huge part in your decision making. There are very few options actually available.

 

[All uphill]

As you say you can wait I'd suggest going to a good bike shop in September/October and trying a few out.

You will soon know which one you really, really want.

 

[vickster]

Availability may pay a huge part in your decision making. There are very few options actually available.

The Claris Malts are 👍 the Tiagra was yesterday so must’ve sold out already!

 

[BigMeatball]

anything but trek

 

[DRM]

I would go with the Tiagra spec Merlin, the latest version of Tiagra is so smooth it’s hard to tell audibly that a gear change has happened, it’s that good, I’m certain that it’s rebadged 10 speed 105, basically the spec is identical to my Marin Gestalt which is good on bridleways and tow paths and flies on tarmac, I don’t think you’ll regret spending the extra on it

 

[vickster]

I would go with the Tiagra spec Merlin, the latest version of Tiagra is so smooth it’s hard to tell audibly that a gear change has happened, it’s that good, I’m certain that it’s rebadged 10 speed 105, basically the spec is identical to my Marin Gestalt which is good on bridleways and tow paths and flies on tarmac, I don’t think you’ll regret spending the extra on it

Not available now though

 

[vickster]

anything but trek

Did Lance Armstrong steal your girlfriend or something?

 

[CanucksTraveller]

"Gravel" is a fairly recent marketing term, it's really just a name for those bikes that sit somewhere in that spectrum of being able to do a little bit of off road as well as road. They're a hybrid too, you could argue, just generally more toward the road end.

I've got an older (11 years old) Trek 7.3 FX and still ride it on the type of rides you describe, they're perfectly good for what you're planning.
I'm not sold on the Merlins. The Boardman looks nice, though probably huge overkill (and overspend) for family 5-10k rides on tracks.
I'm a fan of drop bars but I can live without them at those distances easily, I only rule out flat bars when my rides are going to be over about 20-25 miles.

Given you want to spend less if possible, I'd have the Trek 7.2 and be very happy with it. And it's a lovely colour as well!

 

[BigMeatball]

https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g2p-tiagra-gravel-bike-2021-197427.html

looks available here at this link. or is it a different model (with the same name)?

 

[BigMeatball]

ah, one is G2 and the other is G2P....don't know the difference

 

[DRM]

https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g2p-tiagra-gravel-bike-2021-197427.html

looks available here at this link. or is it a different model (with the same name)?

Shows in stock here too

 

[DRM]

ah, one is G2 and the other is G2P....don't know the difference

Gawd knows they look identical other than you can order one but not the other