3brookcottages

Firstly, a little background. I'm moving to rural Kent (Marden/Collier St) from SE London (Hither Green/Catford). I've never been much of a bike rider, nor owned a bike since boyhood (I'm 39) but with the greater freedom of country living, I'm now keen to embrace riding as a genuine recreation. I will also have a 2 mile cycle to the train station every day, which I guess is a semi-commute. The exertion shouldn't be an issue (I'm fit & athletic) but the scant knowledge inevitably will be!

I've long mulled over bike options & think that the best for my current circumstances is a flat-bar road bike/commuter bike. I suppose hybrid as well, although I doubt very much I'll be doing any off-road cycling. (In truth, the differences between flat-bar-commuters & hybrids, to the unschooled, does seem somewhat hazy - perhaps someone can enlighten me). I'll also be attaching mudguards & will have standard pedals (not clips). I hope, ultimately, that I'll be suitably enchanted to want to purchase a road bike for more serious riding, but am equally sanguine that this might simply turn into a recreation of convenience rather than passion. We shall see - baby steps.

I'd like a decent bike (I'm particular about quality) but nothing absurd & have set myself a budget of approx. £500. Traversing the various reviews/information available, I've shortlisted the following & would be hugely grateful if the more experienced & knowledgeable among you might advise me:

HOY Shizuoka .000 2015 Hybrid Bike (HOY Shizuoka .000 2015 Hybrid Bike | Evans Cycles) £525

HOY Shizuoka .001 2015 Hybrid Bike (HOY Shizuoka .001 2014 Hybrid Bike | Evans Cycles) £595

Specialized Sirrus Sport 2015 Hybrid Bike (Specialized Sirrus Sport 2015 Hybrid Bike | Evans Cycles) £500

Specialized Sirrus 2015 Hybrid Bike (Specialized Sirrus 2015 Hybrid Bike | Evans Cycles) £400

Specialized Sirrus Elite 2014 Hybrid Bike (Sirrus Elite Sirrus - Specialized Concept Store) £520

Trek 7.2 FX Disc 2015 Hybrid Bike (Trek 7.2 FX Disc 2015 Hybrid Bike | Evans Cycles) £475

Trek 7.2 FX 2015 Hybrid Bike (Trek 7.2 FX 2015 Hybrid Bike | Evans Cycles) £425

Boardman Hybrid Comp Bike (Halfords | Boardman Hybrid Comp Bike) £499

I'm erring toward the Specialized Sirrus Elite 2014, as I think this might be a bit of a steal simply because it's last year but am also taken with the Hoy's. Equally, Treks I see everywhere, so they must be peddling a fairly superior product themselves.

Apologies if this seems like protracted drivel. Many MANY thanks for anyone who might offer-up their pearls of wisdom. It is a somewhat daunting market, especially if you're somewhat research obsessed like me.

ShortLegCyclist

How high is the bike theft risk on the other end of the train commute, and will you have to leave the bike locked outside, or can you bring it in with you?

If high risk, all the bikes you list would be prime targets, which is why many who can afford nice bikes commute to risky areas on beaters

HauntedMyst

First, go ride them all and see which ones are most comfortable to you. You'd be surprised how similar looking bikes can ride so differently. Then pick the bike most comfortable to you. Hybrid is a somewhat generic term though I take it to mean a bike comfortable on the road and trails, that does both but not as well as a specific road or off road bike. Flat bar road bikes are road bikes. Generally, they have a somewhat higher stance than drop bar road bikes which some prefer for commuting in traffic.

BobbyG

Two miles is about a ten minute ride at 12mph (~20kph) which seems to be the lower end of the average commuting speed spectrum. That's not enough for a workout, so I second the idea of getting a beater, or something else less desireable to theives. Then you could get something nicer for longer ride. On the other hand I just Googled your intended Kent Marden St area. So green, lush and rural. Maybe crime is not an issue. Another option is to get a nice bike, but find a business or person near the train station where you can secure the bike inside, perhaps for a small fee, or exchange of some sort. Makes me think of my time in Iowa where there werem't so many people, and most were the good, honest kind.

3brookcottages

Thanks SO much, everyone, for all your advice. Much appreciated! (Humble apologies that I've been so tardy with a response).


I paid heed to your experience & bought, for my station bike, a great condition Giant Boulder AluLite mountain bike (circa late 90s), just fully serviced & cleaned up. It's actually fairly light (12kg) & a really decent ride. Very pleased.


https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/nkUAAOSwrklVfDex/$_57.JPG


(My partner went one step up & purchased a Scott Metrix in fantastic condition.


https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/dDUAAOSwv0tVYmEa/$_57.JPG


Whereas I'm looking to purchase a sightly better bike for myself, for recreation & longer rides, she will use the Scott for both station & fun. I hope I'm right in assuming it's a pretty decent hybrid for initial rides. If she gets hooked, we'll both probably look at trying out some road bikes in the next 12 months, etc, being the novices that we are).


As mentioned, I'm considering a second bike for recreation without yet embracing the drop models. All the cycling will be on country roads, (vlittle traffic & long stretches) therefore I'm looking for something swift, light & well-specced - a decent flat bar apprenticeship as a precursor to anything more advanced. I'm buying used (my research over the past two months suggests this is definitely where I might find the best bargains whilst still experimenting). After much number-crunching, I've narrowed my choices to:


- Giant FCR 1 flat bar 2008
(2008 Giant FCR 1 - BikePedia)


- Cannondale Quick 3 hybrid 2012
(2012 Cannondale Quick 3 - BikePedia)


- Cannondale Quick SL3 hybrid 2014
(2014 Cannondale Quick SL 3 - BikePedia)


- Giant Rapid 2 flat bar 2012*
(2012 Giant Rapid 2 - BikePedia)


*maybe a similar specced Rapid 3 or 4, similar age


- Scott Speedster S50 flat bar 2011
(2011 Scott Speester S50 Flat Bar - BikePedia)


I'm committed to spending £200-£330, approx. All the examples mentioned are fully serviced with some decent upgrades, well-kept (single owners, always stored indoors, regularly cleaned & looked after) & decent used options. So, I was wondering, given the experience of everyone out there - WHICH OPTION MOST TICKLES YOUR SECRET BITS & WHY?!?


Many thanks, in advance, for any advice you might offer.