General Cycling Discussion - Wot bike do you think?

I am about to buy a new bike and have about £250 to spend. as I am a bit oldish I only need a hybrid ie for road work .
I have been looking at Claude Butler "Odyssey" and "Legend" which seem to have all the things on 'em that I need but other people have said look at other makes.
I need lightness in weight but good quality. I only do riding on roads and do about 8 to 10 miles a day at the moment but want to increase a bit.

any ideas? What about Giant ? Has anyone had good experiences from those or any other makes that may be worth looking at.

Thanks in advance

Ken Bean

Ken,

I have a Giant Sedona DX from about 3 years ago.

It has served me well.

I have changed the tires to semi-slicks and otherwise rode it stock. I have weighed between 365 lbs and 300 lbs (generally decreasing) since I started riding, and have a little more than 2100 miles on it. I have ridden it in two metric centuries, and regularly ride 20+ miles when I do go out for a ride.

I think it has been a great bike. However, if I were to have the decision again, I would opt for the Cypress because I think I would prefer the 700c wheels.

My only maintenance issue has been a broken spoke.

One additional note, if I were to purchase today, I would try to buy a bike of this type without the suspension fork. I don't mind the weight too much (although it is a fairly heavy bike), because relative to my own weight it is nothing, but it does bother me to have the front end absorb some of my energy when I stand up to climb hills or accelerate.

hi DGregory etc

Thankyou for your prompt reply. It is nice to talk to someone from across the pond.
I must admit that I am a complete novice when it comes to bikes. I had a old Raleigh until recently but have gotten rid of it and now want to buy something new.
You raise a pertinent question however (and thanks by the way for your views they are most valid especially as I have been looking at some Giant bikes today although the one that I tried was an Expression DX)
My pertinent question: Is it worth getting suspensioin forks ? I thought that they would be a good idea 'cos riding over here in the side of the road ( to keep out of the way of the traffic) you often hit the pot-holes in the side of the road which "jar" like crazy and I thought that sus: forks would alleviate that a bit. However your comment about "our energy used to propel the bike" so to speak" being lost to the sus: forks is a very valid one and therefor I am wonderin' whther it is worth going for a bike without sus: forks.
BY the way what do y ou call 700c wheels . what is that in inches?
sorry to bore you with what may seem inane drivel but it is good to talk to someone who has had a bit of experience, which I hav'nt had much of , on bikes.
Cheers
Ken

Ken,

I think it has been a great bike. However, if I were to have the decision again, I would opt for the Cypress because I think I would prefer the 700c wheels.

One additional note, if I were to purchase today, I would try to buy a bike of this type without the suspension fork. I don't mind the weight too much (although it is a fairly heavy bike), because relative to my own weight it is nothing, but it does bother me to have the front end absorb some of my energy when I stand up to climb hills or accelerate.

The Hybrid type bikes are making a resurgence in the UK but You have to be a bit carefull of some of them. Saw a cypress in my local shop a few weeks ago and Not a bad bike. Agree about not having suspension on the front of a bike used on the road- but For £250 you may want to go a bit higher and get a slightly better bike.

Hi Stapfam

Tis good of you to respond .Thanks. As I said in my earlier thread however I am a newie at this game and you said go up a bit and get a better bike. But what are the better bikes please . I need some advice on that score please. any ideas or advice that you can give me would be much appreciated.
I need names and model suggestions , if you can.
cheers

Ken

Suspension does help some for the sudden jarring impacts, but it is not as good as technique...

When approaching a rough patch the best thing to do is to get your weight on your feet, and use your legs as shock absorbers. The hybrids attempt to do this for you, and I think it is less than ideal.

It does help to soften the blow for any bumps you don't see quick enough to prepare for, but those (for me) are pretty rare.

700c wheels are not usually referred to with inches. They are slightly smaller in diameter than a 27" rim... when they place an extremely large tire on wide 700c rims they are sometimes referred to as 29"

This page has some good info on wheel and tire sizes etc...

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

Hi stepfam (again)

I've had an afterthought. I rather fancied a bike with mudguards to avoid getting wet legs etc in the rain.
Am I being over fussy and am I doing myself short on choice 'cos earlier suggestions from Gregory and yourself about Sedona's and Cypress's ,both of those models do not have mudguards!

Ken

For about $30 you can get mud guards to add on to most bikes.

I bought a set of SKS and have installed the rear guard. I will install the front after I change forks.

If you want mud guards, give higher preference to a bike if the frame (rear) and fork (front) have attachment points. It makes it much easier. There are mud guard options for virtually any bike as long as it has clearance for them...

Hi Dg57... Thanyou very much indeed for the info.I am most grateful.

Best regards. Ken Bean