Cube, Whyte, Marin, Boardman - which hybrid is best?
Discussion
HELP! So many manufacturers, so many opinions. I am wondering if any of the manufacturers mentioned have a worse or better reputation than the others?
I'm looking for a hybrid, mostly for road use.
I want flat bars and hydraulic discs.
I'd rather have no suspension than poor suspension.
I'd prefer QR hubs as I will want to take the bike in the car.
Budget £450 - £1000.
Does weight really matter with a hybrid?
I looked at the Boardman Performance Hybrid Pro which is very light, with a carbon fork, weighing in at 9.3kg. It is always at the back of my mind when I look at other bikes weighing 13kg+.
Really I'm looking for someone to tell me to make my bloody mind up, or tell me what to avoid....
I'm looking for a hybrid, mostly for road use.
I want flat bars and hydraulic discs.
I'd rather have no suspension than poor suspension.
I'd prefer QR hubs as I will want to take the bike in the car.
Budget £450 - £1000.
Does weight really matter with a hybrid?
I looked at the Boardman Performance Hybrid Pro which is very light, with a carbon fork, weighing in at 9.3kg. It is always at the back of my mind when I look at other bikes weighing 13kg+.
Really I'm looking for someone to tell me to make my bloody mind up, or tell me what to avoid....
the boardman bikes are fantastic value for money and hold their own on tests too. i have boardman road bike and its lovely. they have a good connection with ritchy for finishing components whic are excellent and they are always very well specced for the money.
dont be put off by the purists and the snobs who will mock you because its from halfords, the bikes are built using frames identical to those used by the popular brands such as merida. the frames will be used by other manufacturers too but they keep things like that very quiet for obvious reasons... halfords dont touch the bike unless you get them to build it prior to collection, you can collect it in the box and take it home to finish off.
as for alternatives, I really like the look of the Giant "rapid" range, its sold as a flat bar commuter bike not a hybrid, they have no suspension and have good aggressive (read fast) geometry, not you usual hybrid sit up and beg style.
definately go rigid, it should be able to handle rough stuff fairly well. put it this way, back in the early nineties we threw ourselves down hills on rigid mountain bikes that the kids today would need 6 inches of travel front abck to attempt. i;m not saying we did it as quick as they could now but we did it none the less... crap suspension is, well crap, and heavy, and badly affects the steering...
so to summarise, boardman.....or giant rapid....
dont be put off by the purists and the snobs who will mock you because its from halfords, the bikes are built using frames identical to those used by the popular brands such as merida. the frames will be used by other manufacturers too but they keep things like that very quiet for obvious reasons... halfords dont touch the bike unless you get them to build it prior to collection, you can collect it in the box and take it home to finish off.
as for alternatives, I really like the look of the Giant "rapid" range, its sold as a flat bar commuter bike not a hybrid, they have no suspension and have good aggressive (read fast) geometry, not you usual hybrid sit up and beg style.
definately go rigid, it should be able to handle rough stuff fairly well. put it this way, back in the early nineties we threw ourselves down hills on rigid mountain bikes that the kids today would need 6 inches of travel front abck to attempt. i;m not saying we did it as quick as they could now but we did it none the less... crap suspension is, well crap, and heavy, and badly affects the steering...
so to summarise, boardman.....or giant rapid....
I have a Whyte Portobello. It was a toss-up between that and the equivalent Boardman. The Boardman was slightly lighter but I didn't fit well on it. I really love my Whyte but since buying it I found myself less comfortable over 20+ miles so I have changed handlebars to some which offer a much higher rise and now it's perfect. Of course, given similar treatment the Boardman could have been equally comfy.
I wanted hydraulic discs because I'd never had them before and I enjoy the engineering aspect of bike as much as the functional side. Thing is, they work astonishingly well, with the most wonderful feel at the brake lever. I would never go back to rim brakes now.
I also wanted a double chainring rather than a triple to motivate myself to work harder. I think doubles look better too - less cluttered.
I wanted hydraulic discs because I'd never had them before and I enjoy the engineering aspect of bike as much as the functional side. Thing is, they work astonishingly well, with the most wonderful feel at the brake lever. I would never go back to rim brakes now.
I also wanted a double chainring rather than a triple to motivate myself to work harder. I think doubles look better too - less cluttered.
GreatGranny said:
You can't beat the Boardman for value.
Lots have then at work and rate them highly.
Yep bought a Boardman Hybrid a few months ago when Halfords were doing a 'sale'. They tend to do sales around holiday times so with August Bank holiday / school holidays approaching may be worth having a look. Order online as the stores don't usually have much stock. I was looking for the right bike and after looking at several 'brands' in local bike shops settled on the Boardman. Lots have then at work and rate them highly.
The guys that have Boardman Hybrids - what versions have you got?
Is the Carbon fork of the Pro worth the extra money? Quite like the look of the Comp in white, but it's half the price of the Pro?
How does the value of the Boardman compare to others such as the Specialized Crosstrail or Scott Sportster Hybrids?
(Sorry for jumping in - very interested in this thread also)
Cheers!
Is the Carbon fork of the Pro worth the extra money? Quite like the look of the Comp in white, but it's half the price of the Pro?
How does the value of the Boardman compare to others such as the Specialized Crosstrail or Scott Sportster Hybrids?
(Sorry for jumping in - very interested in this thread also)
Cheers!
''I'm looking for a hybrid, mostly for road use.''
I was after the same thing.
So many cyclists seem to hate the hybrid.
After doing lots of reading on getting the right bike it all came down to this;
For road riding, get a road bike.
I have a road bike on order now and plan to get some old hack for canal paths etc.
I was after the same thing.
So many cyclists seem to hate the hybrid.
After doing lots of reading on getting the right bike it all came down to this;
For road riding, get a road bike.
I have a road bike on order now and plan to get some old hack for canal paths etc.
Harpo said:
''I'm looking for a hybrid, mostly for road use.''
I was after the same thing.
So many cyclists seem to hate the hybrid.
After doing lots of reading on getting the right bike it all came down to this;
For road riding, get a road bike.
I have a road bike on order now and plan to get some old hack for canal paths etc.
I've got the white comp and its fine. I also have a Bianchi purely for the road though.I was after the same thing.
So many cyclists seem to hate the hybrid.
After doing lots of reading on getting the right bike it all came down to this;
For road riding, get a road bike.
I have a road bike on order now and plan to get some old hack for canal paths etc.
Slight thread hijack!
How good are these Boardman pro hybrids for light off road use like reasonably good surfaced canal paths and bridle paths?
Ive already got a road and mtb but have another cycle to work voucher and fancied a hybrid for erm a 'mixed' sort of riding. I expect it depends on tires, the Boardman pro seems to use conti ultra sports.
How good are these Boardman pro hybrids for light off road use like reasonably good surfaced canal paths and bridle paths?
Ive already got a road and mtb but have another cycle to work voucher and fancied a hybrid for erm a 'mixed' sort of riding. I expect it depends on tires, the Boardman pro seems to use conti ultra sports.
el stovey said:
Slight thread hijack!
How good are these Boardman pro hybrids for light off road use like reasonably good surfaced canal paths and bridle paths?
Ive already got a road and mtb but have another cycle to work voucher and fancied a hybrid for erm a 'mixed' sort of riding. I expect it depends on tires, the Boardman pro seems to use conti ultra sports.
Should be fine. My Whyte gets chucked about on such trails - not too disimilar to the Boardman.How good are these Boardman pro hybrids for light off road use like reasonably good surfaced canal paths and bridle paths?
Ive already got a road and mtb but have another cycle to work voucher and fancied a hybrid for erm a 'mixed' sort of riding. I expect it depends on tires, the Boardman pro seems to use conti ultra sports.
And when you think about the kinds of biked we had as kids... my old racer, converted to single speed and with cowhorns with "spuddy" tyres used to get knocked about, jumped, etc all the time. You're not planning such abuse. It'll be fine.
el stovey said:
Slight thread hijack!
How good are these Boardman pro hybrids for light off road use like reasonably good surfaced canal paths and bridle paths?
Ive already got a road and mtb but have another cycle to work voucher and fancied a hybrid for erm a 'mixed' sort of riding. I expect it depends on tires, the Boardman pro seems to use conti ultra sports.
I think thats exactly what they are designed for, I have a Dawes Discovery 600 and it works really well on light dirt tracks etcHow good are these Boardman pro hybrids for light off road use like reasonably good surfaced canal paths and bridle paths?
Ive already got a road and mtb but have another cycle to work voucher and fancied a hybrid for erm a 'mixed' sort of riding. I expect it depends on tires, the Boardman pro seems to use conti ultra sports.
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