Hybrid (pedal) bike recommendations

[andy tims]

I have a Brompton for my commute (if I ever get back to travelling to the office) and an old road bike which had its day some years ago and I’m thinking of a new bike to do some road rides and a bit of non serious off road.

I’d like something fairly light that will be fun to ride and will last without need to much in the way of maintenance that comes in a small frame size.

I’d like to keep the expenditure to under £1,000 ideally, including pedals, bottle cage, a decent bell and some mudguards.

So far the shortlist includes:

Ribble Hybrid AL Black
Boardman HYB 8.8
Specialized Sirrus 4.0

If anyone has experience of either of these or can recommend alternatives, I’d be grateful.

Thanks in advance.

[SimonH]

I would go for a gravel or CX bike for those requirements rather than hybrid, have a look at the PlanetX website as they do good cheapish bikes in that area. Also the likes of Boardman are good value and strong and reliable (I race a Boardman CX bike and it's strong as an ox). Canyon are very good but might be the top end of your budget.

In terms of reliability, as long as it's got half decent kit from the likes of Shimano/SRAM fitted it should be fine.

[higham5]

I agree with Simon above please consider gravel bikes. They meld mountain bikes to road bikes better than hybrids. I have a gravel bike and have done over 3000 miles on it. I recon 800 miles were off road the rest road.
I also have a road bike, so why use the gravel bike? In short comfort, wider tyres so less sketchy in the winter, better brakes ( disc) and lastly the ability to mix it up eg canal paths forest trails.

Heres a list of gravel bikes for under £1000 enjoy the research

https://www.cyclesuk.com/content/bes...cycles-uk.aspx


Steve

[ptcoll]

I have a cyclo-cross bike too. So versatile, great on bridleways, but stick some slick tyres on and it’s a road bike too.

Pete

[Captain Morgan]

I can’t help with specifics as I’ve built my own from old parts to cover the use you suggest and an old road bike brought from here for longer rides.

I would say just confirm if any details are a must have feature, personally I wouldn’t buy something with cable disk brakes, only hydraulic, many folk say cable are fine, and many say the are carp and hard to adjust.

Back to your question, I agree with the other posts if it’s not full on mountain biking your planning the a gravel bike is good shout.

Have a look at Paul’s Cycles quite a number of bikes under 1k
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/3623/p...19-silver.aspx

Also the pinnical Arkose
https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle...-bike-EV339947

Or

Sonder Camino, the flat bar bike is well in budget the drops go over.

https://alpkit.com/collections/sonder-camino

[Captain Morgan]

Just taking a look at Paul’s and saw this Giant I think my money would go here.

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/3615/p...lackgreen.aspx

[Sonos]

Merida make fantastic bikes in the same factory as Spezialized we have a hybrid and and mountain bike and they are excellent for a fraction of the price of the same spec Spezialized bike.

Obviously try and pick up a 2019 model rather than a 2020 and save a few quid.

https://www.merida-bikes.com

[ernestrome]

Do you have secure parking at each end?

[StuS]

I was looking at options with a mate for something similar and Boardman seems a good option. I have a cx bike of theirs, it’s given me no trouble at all. Pretty good value in my opinion.

Whyte have some options too https://whyte.bike/collections/all-t...oducts/malvern

[GOAT]

Sent you a pm Andy

[andy tims]

Thanks all. I'll be doing some more research.

Do you have secure parking at each end?

Yes, but this bike will not be for commuting. That's the Brompton's job.

[lewie]

I have a couple of year old (bought new on C2W)Boardman hybrid pro- I like it a lot - reciently spent 10 days cycling Cuba and it was perfect
Untitled by biglewie, on Flickr

[ernestrome]

Sorry, didn't read carefully enough.

What is your old bike and is renovating it definitely not an option?

[Metalic Mud]

Don’t want to be a scare monger. But have you seen this.

https://youtu.be/Giaoiq1nPWs

I know any sort of battery can explode. But it’s worth thinking about.

[andy tims]

Sorry, didn't read carefully enough.

What is your old bike and is renovating it definitely not an option?

It's a Scott 309. It'll make a decent road bike for someone perhaps but it's got very aggressive geometry - arse up, head down & it's a very harsh ride on our poorly surfaced roads. I've had it 20 years & easily had my money's worth. Time for something more comfortable.