Hybrid/Road Bike advice

[sarkmeister]

Hello all

For a while ive been considering getting into cycling, and need a bit of advice.

Ive signed up for the London to Paris ride in September with some friends at work, therefore im gonna buy myself a bike. Originally I was going to go for a proper road bike, but i feel this will be a waste of money because i wont be able to use it as much as i like after the ride. Therefore, ive opted to get a hybrid bike that i will be able to take on canal towpath/forest tracks etc. Anyway, I have £350-£500 to spend and ive been looking at the following bikes:

Trek FX 7.3 Disc 2007 - www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70710

Pinnacle Mean Streak 2.0 - www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70758

My idea is that after the paris ride I can buy a set of slightly chunkier wheels for both and they will be good for paths etc.

Has anyone got any comments on the bikes ive mentioned? Or know any alternatives?

Or anyone got any tips on how good these bike will be for the London to Paris, and if any modifications will help?

Thanks

[ewenm]

My advice for the London - Paris trip would be to make sure your hybrid has some skinny slicks on it, pumped up nice and hard - so much easier to ride than squashy trail tyres

[sarkmeister]

ewenm said:

My advice for the London - Paris trip would be to make sure your hybrid has some skinny slicks on it, pumped up nice and hard - so much easier to ride than squashy trail tyres

The bikes im looking at tend to have slicks on. The Trek has "Bontrager Race Lite HC 700x32c"

[rrbdsc]

You realise that the Pinnacle has a single chainring at the front and therefore less gears? Its a nice looking bike, I work in a shop that sells them and I like the single chainring set up personally, but I'm not sure its really what your after.

[sarkmeister]

rrbdsc said:

You realise that the Pinnacle has a single chainring at the front and therefore less gears? Its a nice looking bike, I work in a shop that sells them and I like the single chainring set up personally, but I'm not sure its really what your after.

Yeah, i noticed that. I initially thought that would be a good thing but since realised it would probably mean i would have to replace it with a double/triple. Therefore, that bike is off my list. I have since been looking at Giant FCRs and a really nice Bianchi hybrid. Both a much more road bike like (if that makes sense).

[A - W]

I have bought one of these.

www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70091

I know people have their own choices but I really am impressed with the full all round package.

Just a thought.

[sarkmeister]

A - W said:

I have bought one of these.

www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70091

I know people have their own choices but I really am impressed with the full all round package.

Just a thought.

A few people have recommended the Sirrus 2007. I know they have one in my nearest Evans. Might go have a good look at it tonight. Cheers.

Anyone got any experience with Giant FCRs? the model range seems huge so im a bit confused about which on i should be looking at with £400-£500 in my pocket.

[Bacardi]

After 15 years out of the saddle, last year I bought one of these:

www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=60166

Slightly over your budget but I notice the new 2007 Elite is cheaper. A mate also bought one and we have been very pleased with them. Comfortable, easy bike with enough gears (too many really), for anything. Use the bike 20% of the time off road on trails and forest paths. The tyres that came with it have just enough tread for that and yet still make for nice smooth road use and no punctures yet. No good for muddy paths but then I'm not interested in that. Most of these bikes seem to be much of a muchness, I don't think you can go too far wrong with any of them. Try a few out.

ETA: I see I'm a little late with the suggestion

Edited by Bacardi on Monday 16th April 11:46

[sarkmeister]

Just thought id drag up this post again to announce that ive gone and bought a bike.

I went for Genesis Day 01 for only £399.99

Ill post a review once i recieve it.