Reply With QuoteI got a few recommendations here
https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?469820-Hybrid-(pedal)-bike-recommendations
but I went with a Hybrid in the end
Boardman HYB 8.8
Anyone have any experience with one of these?
I am thinking of starting to commute to work on one, about 14 miles each way. I would like at weekends to take it onto the Longmynd, where the trails are very road esque.
Any advice be much appreciated.
thanks
I got a few recommendations here
https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?469820-Hybrid-(pedal)-bike-recommendations
but I went with a Hybrid in the end
Boardman HYB 8.8
Last edited by andy tims; 20th April 2020 at 17:04.
Andy
Wanted - Damasko DC57
So many to choose from and very budget oriented. There's loads of reviews and recommendations on YouTube, the large manufacturers all have gravel/adventure bikes and then there's smaller manufacturers like Mason and Fairlight (both of whom get good reviews in the main). You can ride a lot of road bike on gravel, especially if your majority riding is road, but tyre width tends to be the major consideration followed by the ability to fit guards and take loads on the frame/forks etc.
Many bikes are designed to take 650b and 700 which is a popular option if you want the best of both worlds and have the funds to purchase separate wheelsets. I think the main issue is gravel bikes tend to be a Jack of all trades, rather than specialising in one so you need to make sure you're happy with that compromise.
I fancy the Mason Bokeh but haven't had chance to test one yet so am using a Genesis Equilibrium as a bit of a do it all bike fitted with 28mm tyres. It's really a versatile steel road bike whereas the Giant Defy, Canyon Grail, Spesh Diverge, GT Grade, Cannondale Topstone etc were all designed as adventure bikes.
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Good choice Andy , that looks a nice bit of kit.Originally Posted by andy tims
I got a few recommendations here
https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?469820-Hybrid-(pedal)-bike-recommendations
but I went with a Hybrid in the end
Boardman HYB 8.8
Steve
Will your commute be on roads? I ask because I've been looking into gravel/adventure/cyclocross bikes and the majority have looked to be rather under geared at the high end for road work.
F.T.F.A.
I have had my Gravel Bike, a GT Grade Carbon 105, for a couple of years.
It is by far the most versatile bike I own. Most of the time it runs road tires and a rear mudguard and I use it as my winter club run bike, but also as a wet weather bike for the rest of the year. I occasionally commute on it either a 20 mile round trip or sometimes a 40 mile round trip if I cycle all the way home rather than get the train.
I also remove the mudguard and put on CX tires and use it for off road activities. Some gravel rides on the local forest fire roads and I have raced Cyclocross on it.
It has even been up an alp or 2, both on and off road.
If I was only allowed 1 bike, it would be a Gravel Bike!
Some pics:
At the top of the Col de Madelaine, having ridden up from Moutiers to watch a stage of the Tour de France
IMG_0390 by Alan Brown
Beside Loch Ard in the Trossachs on a winter gravel ride
IMG_0002 by Alan Brown
The muddy aftermath of a CX race
IMG_0556 by Alan Brown
I have this, a Specialised Tricross.
I only really bought it as a second winter road bike, because I got it second hand for a good price. But the chunky tyres do take some of the grief out of rubbish road surfaces and it does feel very robust.
Back when we called them Cyclocross bikes I had this one built as a CX race / bike packing / gravel / winter all-purpose thing...
Indy Fab
The dealer took some lovely photos which Indy Fab are still using on their website.
Last edited by Meesterbond; 21st April 2020 at 08:37. Reason: Added picture
Before I had to stop riding, I was enjoying this bike more than any other. Genesis Croix de Fer (titanium, custom build).
Definitely not the best photo but I have very few of it, as it was rare I could praise myself off the saddle to take any! On my commute, which could either be a quick but hilly road blast, or a more leisurely and enjoyably hilly off-road jaunt, it was the perfect bike. Quick enough for me on road and strangely enjoyable, in a vaguely masochistic, going back decades, kind of way, off-road.
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Merida Silex is worth a test if there is a dealer nearby. It has a tall head tube giving a better stack height.
I keep being tempted, but I know I really don't need a drop barred bike again. I buy at least a couple of bikes a year and build my own as well (currently have 4.5 to choose from, but generally have between 4-7) but I think cycling is just more fun if you can sit up a little and see where you are going.
I am currently working on my specialized chisel which is shaping up to be a pretty good do anything bike and am probably going to make it fully rigid and very light.
I have a heavily modified specialized sirrus elite for fast road/flatter touring, and a Brompton foreeverything else including the BWC final last year.
That said, I will probably end up with a Cannondale topstone carbon or a Ribble cgr-e later this year, I don't think it will get the use I would like though....
If you don’t have a drop bar bike now, then a flat bar hybrid like the Boardman above is probably your best option.
I have Kinesis cross bike. By far the most versatile bike I have.
Pete
I have a Titanium Croix de fer pictured on here many times. Great road / gravel paths bike. I have done probably 3.5/ 4 k miles on it. Absolutely stable both on and off road. Not light despite being Titanium, but I recon the frame will still be going in another 100 years time!Before I had to stop riding, I was enjoying this bike more than any other. Genesis Croix de Fer (titanium, custom build).
Definitely not the best photo but I have very few of it, as it was rare I could praise myself off the saddle to take any! On my commute, which could either be a quick but hilly road blast, or a more leisurely and enjoyably hilly off-road jaunt, it was the perfect bike. Quick enough for me on road and strangely enjoyable, in a vaguely masochistic, going back decades, kind of way, off-road.
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I’d probably buy a Ragley Trig
Based on seeing the quality of the build and talking to people in the know. About £1200 I think
Around 1k would get you a Surly Crosscheck. Tough as old boots!
I Have a Rondo HVRT, more road than Gravel, but with a flip chip on the front fork which is claimed to make it more offroad when required.
No idea if it works, but its a study well equipped bike for the money.
My only real gripe is the mudguard mounts are a bit awkward, and fitting was a real faff with lots of mods having to have been made to the guards.
And they still wobble around, they are coming off this week....
Muddy aftermath of a CX race you say?
Lovely, I have the Ruut ST and it's great. Can take it anywhere really.I Have a Rondo HVRT, more road than Gravel, but with a flip chip on the front fork which is claimed to make it more offroad when required.
No idea if it works, but its a study well equipped bike for the money.
My only real gripe is the mudguard mounts are a bit awkward, and fitting was a real faff with lots of mods having to have been made to the guards.
And they still wobble around, they are coming off this week....
I did have a Ruut CF2, sadly this was stolen about a few years back, along with 3 of my mountain bikes and a all my work tools.
Basically them emptied my garage overnight, but kindly left my kids bikes behind...some Robin Hood style gesture no doubt..
TBH I did prefer the Ruut.
Happened to my dad once too. I absolutely despise this kind of behaviour.
We have a Winner!Muddy aftermath of a CX race you say?
I was going to post a "muddy" pic of my bike, but I won't bother
Andy
Wanted - Damasko DC57
I have a Salsa Warbird, which is lovely. Very versatile, but I rarely use it as my mountain bikes get a lot more use. It’s still a good option for doing road miles then diverting to interesting looking trails if I see any.
Tyres make a huge difference - a Sammy Slick is a good compromise as it’s relatively fast on road but with side knobs for off-road stuff.
I can recommend the TREK Disc 3 Hybrid. My rides are 15 miles Canal tow path and 5 miles road and since having this, I am consistently averaging 15 minutes off my rides on this bike compared to my Boardman Hybrid. The problem with Boardman Hybrids although well built they are heavy.
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Last edited by hilly10; 2nd May 2020 at 09:46.
Gravel bikes are certainly interesting. I'm debating a Specialized Diverge / Cannondale Topstone Vs a Specialized Sirrus. As is typical for me on most purchases I think the Sirrus is probably the correct choice but I don't want to commit and then wish I'd gone all in on a gravel. Hard to know.
+1 for the Genesis Croix de Fer. I’ve had a steel one for a few years after rationalising from a hybrid and a carbon Specialized and it’s superb - has done roads, gravel and even the 2014 Commonwealth Games MTB course with zero issues. If you want one bike to do it all, this is the one.
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