Another "What Bike" thread - Hybrid

[V8Taxi]

A couple of years ago I bought a nice new road bike (Ghost Race 4900). I loved it, but after trying to get on with it for a few months I just found it a bit too extreme for me - I have a slightly dodgy back and a very dodgy knee.

This year I'm going to try again but I'd like something a bit more relaxed in style and a bit more comfortable.

I'm unlikely to go off tarmac (though it's not impossible and it would only be dirt track at best) so I'm thinking non-suspension, flat bar, fairly upright riding position... Sound about right? I'm about 6ft tall, maybe slightly over.


I know a lot of these questions are subjective in answer, but can anyone recommend a selection of bikes that might fit my criteria? I'm struggling to find many online reviews/comparison tests of current bikes.

Budget is up to the £1000 mark at absolute tops.

Thanks.



edit: should say it'll be Halfords Cycle 2 Work vouchers, so the retailer would need to accept those. I believe that rules out a few of the interesting options, sadly.

Edited by V8Taxi on Thursday 2nd March 20:23

[ED209]

Boardman hybrid comp or pro from halfords

[V8Taxi]

ED209 said:

Boardman hybrid comp or pro from halfords

Thanks for that.

Saw those in Halfords today, but someone here in another thread said to avoid, or at least "tread carefully" with these, although I'm not really sure why?

[ED209]

V8Taxi said:

ED209 said:

Boardman hybrid comp or pro from halfords

Thanks for that.

Saw those in Halfords today, but someone here in another thread said to avoid, or at least "tread carefully" with these, although I'm not really sure why?

Both me and the wife have had boardman comps for about 5 years, mine has been faultless. She has had to replace the wheels due to wear and tear. They have had a lot of use though.

[NatAsp]

V8Taxi said:

Thanks for that.

Saw those in Halfords today, but someone here in another thread said to avoid, or at least "tread carefully" with these, although I'm not really sure why?

All of the Boardman bashing you see from select people on PH is completely unfounded and bordering on moronic. If you ever ask these people to explain exactly what is wrong with a Boardman they'll say something like "the components are crap' without any further explanation on what components they are using and why they are crap compared to bikes of a similar price. They can't give one because it's not true. The other classic thing people do is to point to the fact that the frames are manufactured in SE Asia, without realising that loads of the best frames from the most popular brands are made over there.

As Superhans once said "people like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis... you can't trust people'

Boardman make good bikes, and offer great value for money. You've just got to be wary of the Halfords employee setting it up badly is all.

Edited by NatAsp on Friday 3rd March 07:10

[Timothy Claypole]

Maybe buying from cycle republic is a good compromise. Owned by Halfords, but from what I've read a decent attempt at building a focussed cycle shop business for cyclists. I've been in to the Lime St. store and enjoyed chatting bikes with the staff, they have a walk in bike clinic which saved me some bother too.

Boadman Hybrid range https://www.cyclerepublic.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes.h...

[V8Taxi]

Thanks ED209, NatAsp. I'll keep them in mind. There's a little LBS with a few Boardman bikes in, I'm also waiting on them getting a couple of Bad Boy 3/4s in in a couple of weeks so I can have a look at them. I quite like the stealth look of those and the chap working there said they're a superb bike. I also like the Cube Hyde Race and Specialized Sirrus Elite.

Not so stealthy-looking are the Marin Fairfax SC4 and Merida Crossway Urban XT Edition (2016 version reduced at Tredz) but again, it's finding reviews or comparisons of them which is proving tricky. It's a bit of a minefield...


edited for speeloing

Edited by V8Taxi on Friday 3rd March 08:41

[V8Taxi]

Timothy Claypole said:

Maybe buying from cycle republic is a good compromise. Owned by Halfords, but from what I've read a decent attempt at building a focussed cycle shop business for cyclists. I've been in to the Lime St. store and enjoyed chatting bikes with the staff, they have a walk in bike clinic which saved me some bother too.

Boadman Hybrid range https://www.cyclerepublic.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes.h...

Missed this while I was typing, thanks.

I shall have a look into it, ta very much.

[Timothy Claypole]

I forgot to say, I recently bought a hybrid and have done nearly 1000 happy miles on it, it's a 2008 Kona Dew, but I'm sure a new one would be nice too!

[V8Taxi]

Timothy Claypole said:

I forgot to say, I recently bought a hybrid and have done nearly 1000 happy miles on it, it's a 2008 Kona Dew, but I'm sure a new one would be nice too!

Thanks, I'll have a look at Kona. Read decent things about their bikes.