Which Hybrid is best?

[Gnarlybluesurf]

Hi there,

Looking for some advice regarding which bike to get for zipping around london mainly for commuting but occasional weekend rides. Have ridden a marin lucas valley 2008 which I liked and currently using a Boardman Hybrid Pro which was given as a present. It is a great bike but with the biggest size(large at 54cm) being a bit too small. Am looking at two bikes in particular at similar price of around £800 from my LBS.

Marin Mill Valley 2008: http://www.marin.co.uk/2008/bikedetail.php?ModNo=3...

Kona PhD 2009: http://bikes.konaworld.com/09/09_phd_uk.cfm

Any other suggestions?

Am looking to hear from anyone who has experience of these bikes and general opinions about the better components. If I had the option i think i'd get a larger boardman as love it but they don't make it and whilst the road bikes are larger I want a flat bar for around town and figure changing it would cost too much.

Oh and should say sadly can't do Cycle to Work as change employer too often.

Many thanks for advice,

Jon

[anonymous-user]

had a quick look around our bike park and the spesh sirrus is the bike of choice but then you can throw a stick and hit a specialized in bristol... there were a few marins and a few ridgeback commuters. one or two Konas, a singlespeed and a geared phd. ours is a very secure site though and impossible for thieves to gain access so having something discreet and unapealling to thieves isnt an issue. the sirrus is a nice drab colour which might account for the popularity in bristol...

quite a few interesting commuters also spottedthough, a glorious marin pine mountain from the early nineties with the original flouro orange fork and stem, a litespeed occee and a pinarello of some flavour!

[71notout]

I currently commute into Edinburgh on my Ridgeback Velocity which I bought in April from Edinburgh Bicycle.

I absolutely love it! Soo fast compared to my old MTB and now fitted with panniers to save my old back from a cheap rucksack.

For around £300 you can't do better IMO - nice and matt black as well so not too attractive to thieving pikeys.

[A - W]

I have a Sirrus Elite. I can't fault it, yes there are plenty around but who cares when it is a great bit of kit.

I'd go to your local dealer and work for 10% RRP.

[will_]

At the lower end of the market the Edinburgh bicycle co-op's own brand bikes (Revolution) are very good value for money.

[Gnarlybluesurf]

Thanks for that, though scotland is a bit far for a cheap bike, the petrol would end up more than the bike. Think the specialized are a bit pricey for their spec and sit you pretty upright.

Anyone got any experience with any of the others?

Cheers

[stu67]

I do the commute in London and have just bought the Trek 7.5fx, very pleased with it so far £560 from the welsh sounding bike store in Spitalfields

[71notout]

Gnarlybluesurf said:

Thanks for that, though scotland is a bit far for a cheap bike, the petrol would end up more than the bike.
Cheers

You do know Edinburgh Bicycle have outlets in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester?

[snotrag]

As above, at the bottom price levels the Couriers are great VFM.

The Sirrus (and the Tricross for that matter) are both massively popular because they are exactly what people want.

The Sirrus is a very fast bike across town - its lightweight and nimble. But unlike a Drop bar racer its very easily balanced, easy to ride, gives a nice tall riding position for traffic, and is not 'scary' in the way that some road bikes are to commuters/beginners/mtb'ers. Theres a bunch of different specs t osuit your budget, and theres also a lot of sizes, going right up to XXL which is something ridiculous like a 62cm frame.

[Gnarlybluesurf]

71notout said:

Gnarlybluesurf said:

Thanks for that, though scotland is a bit far for a cheap bike, the petrol would end up more than the bike.
Cheers

You do know Edinburgh Bicycle have outlets in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester?

I didn't know that thankyou, however as i said i was planning for using it around london and feel a trip to manchester is a little far to buy a bicycle, though thanks again for trying to help.

Cheers

[will_]

Gnarlybluesurf said:

71notout said:

Gnarlybluesurf said:

Thanks for that, though scotland is a bit far for a cheap bike, the petrol would end up more than the bike.
Cheers

You do know Edinburgh Bicycle have outlets in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester?

I didn't know that thankyou, however as i said i was planning for using it around london and feel a trip to manchester is a little far to buy a bicycle, though thanks again for trying to help.

Cheers

If it makes any difference, I bought my Courier Race on the basis of positive reviews, had it delivered (to London) and have no complaints. But it is quite a bit cheaper than the bikes you're looking at.