Choosing a hybrid bike

"David Lee" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I am currently looking for a hybrid bike. I've been using a conked out old MTB (ridgeback) (about
10 years old) and it is in a right old state, as well as being incredibly heavy. I have heard good
things about the Specialised Sirrus range, the Ridgeback Genesis range and the Treks. Could anyone
offer their opinion as to which is the best value of these, or indeed if there are other hybrid
bikes on the market that are any good?

I am looking to spend £250-£400.

I have a daily commute of about 6 miles each way, part of which is along an off road path. I plan
to attach panniers as I need to carry stuff to work and back. And are there any good cycle shops
in the South London area with deals on hybrids at the moment?!

Thanks very much

David

Check out the Dawes Discovery range - www.dawescycles.com - I've been riding the cheapest one ( the
201, c.£199 sterling ) all winter with no complaints so far. They all have a full set of braze ons,
so luggage and mudguards are no problem. Hope this helps, Tony R.

X-No-Archive: yes

David Lee said:

Hi,

I am currently looking for a hybrid bike. I've been using a conked out old MTB (ridgeback) (about
10 years old) and it is in a right old state, as well as being incredibly heavy. I have heard good
things about the Specialised Sirrus range, the Ridgeback Genesis range and the Treks. Could anyone
offer their opinion as to which is the best value of these, or indeed if there are other hybrid
bikes on the market that are any good?

I would say that the Genesis range of bikes is a ptt light wieght for what you want being more a
road bike with flat bars. The some to certain extent is true of the Sirrus but to a lesser extent
and shouls meat your needs.

You may whish to look for a slightly more rugged bike as its for comuting. Like
dawescycles.comsonoran.htmOpen ↗

Or even something like this ridgeback.co.ukbike.aspOpen ↗ I now a mountain
bike get the shop to but slick on and check you mudguard situation

When selecting a bike almost more important than brand is fit.

Places to try and look is evanscycles.comevanscycles.comOpen ↗

If you can bear to cross the Thames condorcycles.comindex.htmlOpen ↗ [censored] site
great Shop

Sure their are other great shops just Il live in herts.

Peter

"David Lee" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I am currently looking for a hybrid bike. I've been using a conked out old MTB (ridgeback) (about
10 years old) and it is in a right old state, as well as being incredibly heavy. I have heard good
things about the Specialised Sirrus range, the Ridgeback Genesis range and the Treks. Could anyone
offer their opinion as to which is the best value of these, or indeed if there are other hybrid
bikes on the market that are any good?

David,

I and my wife both own Sirrus's. I own a 2003 Expert and my wife the standard Sirrus. We both really
like our bikes and there's only limited difference between them. The Expert has a carbon fork and 28
spoke front wheel. The standard has a 32 spoke front wheel and steel fork.

If you want a really, "sporty" bike I'd opt for the Expert. If you want the best value, the standard
Sirrus is a good deal and a little sturdier. Regardless of which model you buy, I'd recommend that
you have the rear cluster and derailleur changed at time of delivery. The bike comes with a 12-25
cluster, I had mine changed to an 11-30 giving me much more hill climbing ability. In addition, the
Expert comes with a 52, 42, 30 chain gear, the standard comes with a 44,34, 28 chain ring, giving
the standard the lower gears for even more hill climbing ability. I had my wife's changed to an
11-30 as well. If you change the cluster, you have to change the derailleur to a long reach such as
the Deore Lx. The shop charged me $35 US for the change on both bikes.

You can check out our bikes on my website at: angelfire.comtouringonbikesOpen ↗

Jerry in Lodi, CA

Thanks for your help. I am tempted by the Dawes, as it is cheaper! And looks good. A significat part
of my journey will be off road (well, an uncovered river path), so i need a bike that can deal with
that terain as well as being fast on the road.

I am also thinking of having a look at the Ridgeback Switch series... which seem designed for that
kind of ride.

ANyway, I plan to try a few out for test ride today, so I'll post an update later on!

Thanks again

David

"David Lee" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks for your help. I am tempted by the Dawes, as it is cheaper! And looks good. A significat
part of my journey will be off road (well, an uncovered river path), so i need a bike that can
deal with that terain as well as being fast on the road.

I am also thinking of having a look at the Ridgeback Switch series... which seem designed for that
kind of ride.

ANyway, I plan to try a few out for test ride today, so I'll post an update later on!

Thanks again

David

David,

If you're even thinking about off-road, cross the Sirrus off your list. It is definitely a road
bike. My wife's, with the wider Nimbus tires, does OK on packed trails but I wouldn't consider
taking either off road. I would look for a 26" wheeled bike for off road as well, the wheels just
seem a lot stronger.