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Recommend a hybrid bicycle - £300ish

13

Comments

  • tbourner
    tbourner Posts: 1,434 Forumite
    Right the cycle to work scheme is up for this year, it's apparently 18% of initial cost (minus VAT) to buy the bike after 1 year, there are other figures for if the bike is older, but don't know how that works as surely they'll all be 1 year old!

    Still looks a good deal especially if I can find a discounted bike, like the nice hub gear one posted earlier! I'm still confused about 26" or 700c wheels though, won't 700c be better for commuting? Will I notice that much difference? If I'm half the time on gravel tracks then maybe the 26" slightly wider tyre would be better?
    Also, not knowing what wheels are on them, can I change the tyre on the 26" wheel to a narrower tyre generally?

    I'm now thinking £300 bike with 700c wheels, but need to buy mudguards, or £400 with 26" wheel but mudguards included (as well as other better stuff)!
    Trev. Having an out-of-money experience!
    C'MON! Let's get this debt sorted!!
  • TiTheRev
    TiTheRev Posts: 3,215 Forumite
    If part of your route includes gravel tracks then the 26" will be sturdier and handle the conditions better. 700c is almost racing width tyres. You can get virtual slicks to give good rolling resistance on the road, but knobbly sections for grip off road too. (Schwalbe Hurricane)
    :A Luke 6:38 :A
    The above post is either from personal experience or is my opinion based on the person God has made me and the way I understand things. Please don't be offended if that opinion differs from yours, but feel free to click the 'Thanks' button if it's at all helpful!
  • tbourner
    tbourner Posts: 1,434 Forumite
    I'm thinking I'll go for a Carrera Subway 2. Seems cheap enough to not worry my income too much, and most reviews say it's a good quality cheap end bike. Will want to get mudguards fitted and probably a pannier rack and bag then I should be sorted.
    Trev. Having an out-of-money experience!
    C'MON! Let's get this debt sorted!!
  • TiTheRev
    TiTheRev Posts: 3,215 Forumite
    That bike is well spec'd for the price, BUT Id' be wary of mechanicial disc brakes. You'd be better with a decent V-brake or make the swithc to hydraulic disc.
    :A Luke 6:38 :A
    The above post is either from personal experience or is my opinion based on the person God has made me and the way I understand things. Please don't be offended if that opinion differs from yours, but feel free to click the 'Thanks' button if it's at all helpful!
  • tbourner
    tbourner Posts: 1,434 Forumite
    TiTheRev wrote: »
    That bike is well spec'd for the price, BUT Id' be wary of mechanicial disc brakes. You'd be better with a decent V-brake or make the swithc to hydraulic disc.

    Funnily enough reviews of the 1 and 2 suggested it's better to get the 2 with disc brakes as the 1 has pretty poor braking (obviously better quality Vs would be better though).
    I looked at the 8 as well, but there were lots of reviews that said the hub gears were too cheap and kept failing after 6 months - so not as maintenance free as expected! Plus I'm good enough to adjust my own derrailleur now.

    I'm steering clear of Apollo and Raleigh, and the Boardmans are too expensive (£470 for cheapest Hybrid Comp - although it looks very nice and under 11kg!).
    There are other Carreras than the Subway (Gryphon and Crossfire) but no idea what they're like.
    Anyone know what the VooDoo bikes are like? The Marasa has hydraulic brakes but seems to be more MTB than road bike? Are 700cx45 tyres a bit wide? I suppose if I cram 60psi in it'll be OK! :D
    Trev. Having an out-of-money experience!
    C'MON! Let's get this debt sorted!!
  • TiTheRev
    TiTheRev Posts: 3,215 Forumite
    The Boardman would be the ultimate, but the Gryphon and Crossfire are not as well spec'd plus have the 700c wheels. TGhe Marasa looks ok, and is slightly more MTB than Hybrid, but again has the 700c wheels and a pretty poor quality set-up. The BR-M445 hydraulic brakes are fine, and definately better than machanical, but still bottom of the range.

    The Subway 8 would be my pick, for spec and set-up. Especially as it comes with the mudguards & pannier you want anyway.
    :A Luke 6:38 :A
    The above post is either from personal experience or is my opinion based on the person God has made me and the way I understand things. Please don't be offended if that opinion differs from yours, but feel free to click the 'Thanks' button if it's at all helpful!
  • tbourner
    tbourner Posts: 1,434 Forumite
    TiTheRev wrote: »
    the Gryphon and Crossfire are not as well spec'd plus have the 700c wheels. TGhe Marasa looks ok, and is slightly more MTB than Hybrid, but again has the 700c wheels.
    Are you saying the 700c are the worse choice? I thought larger wheels are better for road riding ease?
    TiTheRev wrote: »
    The Subway 8 would be my pick, for spec and set-up. Especially as it comes with the mudguards & pannier you want anyway.
    I would have agreed until I saw loads of reviews:
    http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews140731.html
    saying the hub gears need adjusting all the time and then break etc. I know nothing about hub gears so would be stuck.
    Trev. Having an out-of-money experience!
    C'MON! Let's get this debt sorted!!
  • TiTheRev
    TiTheRev Posts: 3,215 Forumite
    The 700c wheels are nearer road bike width, and if you're going over gravel etc then they may not last so well or keep you vertical! The maintenance of the bike should be checked by Halfrauds after 3months as part of the purchase, and if you need any further tinkering then you can take it elsewhere for routine lube/checks.
    :A Luke 6:38 :A
    The above post is either from personal experience or is my opinion based on the person God has made me and the way I understand things. Please don't be offended if that opinion differs from yours, but feel free to click the 'Thanks' button if it's at all helpful!
  • benjus
    benjus Posts: 5,433 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Are you sure that you can only choose from standard Halfords stock? The company I work for uses Evans, but apparently they can source bikes they don't normally stock if you're using the scheme.
    Let's settle this like gentlemen: armed with heavy sticks
    On a rotating plate, with spikes like Flash Gordon
    And you're Peter Duncan; I gave you fair warning
  • TiTheRev
    TiTheRev Posts: 3,215 Forumite
    Halfords can also source bikes as part of the CTW scheme, but the Carrera range offer great VFM, so no point!
    :A Luke 6:38 :A
    The above post is either from personal experience or is my opinion based on the person God has made me and the way I understand things. Please don't be offended if that opinion differs from yours, but feel free to click the 'Thanks' button if it's at all helpful!
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