First of all I can see this has been covered in several different ways before so sorry for going over it again.

I'm looking to buy myself a new bike that I can use to commute to and from work with (about 4 miles each way) but id also like to be able to use it to ride around at the weekends etc.

I do not plan to use it off road as such but would like to use it around my local park that has pre set gravel tracks that are quite even (not deep stones and not particularly muddy but a little rougher than a road / path). also if i'm on a path id like the ability to pop onto grass or a few feet if i'm in somebody's way.

I'm after a bike under £500 that is easy to ride (the bike I have now was a £100 argos special mountain bike, it is incredibly heavy and hard to ride even the short 4 mile level run)

I would also like to be able to ride in most weather conditions ie if its raining on my way to work, im not looking to ride through mud.

A little more info that may be of use? Im a 5ft4" male, slim build, weigh approx. 8stone 8lbs. im not particularly fit nor strong.

I have been swaying towards a Hybrid something like a Charge Grater or Giant Roam 4 but id like a little help from people who may know or who have had similar issues in the past

thanks in advanced

I'm 5'5", pretty slim as well. just find a bike that fits - all models come in all different sizes.

since it's your first bike, for exactly what you're looking for, I'd recommend: giant escape 3 or trek FX 7.1

have fun.

Thanks for your reply, Based on the too bikes you have stated im assuming a hybrid would be what im after? I wouldn't suffer with puncture issues on the tracks in my OP? Thanks

No need to get hung up on the nomenclature too much; either 'type' can be set up well or poorly, so look for the features you need, e.g. clearance for a wider, say 700 x 32mm, tire and fender mounts (aka braze-ons).

should be fine. when you are at the LBS ask about hybrid tires as well, tell them what you're looking for riding on. there are good street-wise tires with ust enough tread to handle something like small gravel. just don't get pure road slicks and you should be just fine.

ask about a tyre upgrade at point of sale substituting a more expensive pair

that offer more puncture protections , anticipate an upgrade charge.

I would go for with a hybrid or even a comfort bike, If you get the hybrid then forget the suspension, Too heavy and just another thing to break. There is really no need for it given the riding areas that you listed.

Thank you for all your help on this guys, I think I now know what im after. sorry chaadster but I do not really understand your post.

So I think im settled on a Hybrid now, Would disk or V brakes be advised? and what type would be advised ie mechanical or hydraulic.

Come on, hybrids suck on the trail and on the road. Choose one, cuz hybrids do neither well.

License2Ill, Very helpful input you have there...... not. You say they suck yet everybody else in this thread seems to advise them. Then you say choose one cuz hybrids do neither well, I presume you refer to choose a use at this point. Il go with road on this one and as per the rest of the advice in this thread il look into some hybrids.

nah, just get a commuter. You'll be fine. make sure it fits right.

'Cross bikes' in some countries is what they call hybrids.. if it makes you feel better..

1.5" tire on a 26" is close to a 37 mm width, on a cross/hybrid/29er wheel ..

over all diameter is different, of course..

I prefer discs for bad weather,and will never ride anything but them in the snow. Mechanicals are easier to work on and modify(changing cable length for different bars),but hydros have better feel and require almost no adjustments.

500 isn't enough to get a bike with hydraulic disk brakes (at least good ones, the lower end ones are probably only as good as a quality set of V-brakes). At the op's price, mechanical disk brakes or V-brakes are the most likely equipment.

Based upon the bullet points, I'd say a hybrid with wide tires (or clearance for them), fenders (that fit the wider tires), mechanical disk preferred, v-brakes acceptable, and avoid suspended fork. Now make note of my recommendations (feel free to add the others as well ) and then go visit some stockists and give them your list and see what they show you.

Go for test rides. Come back here with your 'short list' for further input (if needed/desired), then go for more test rides.

I'm looking at the following three bikes (as i'm not too sure on specs I don't know if they all fit the above requirements). HOY Shizuoka .001 , Charge Grater , Felt QX75. I know neither have fenders as standard, the HOY and QX75 have disks (hydraulic on HOY, Mechanical on QX75), neither have suspended forks. The tyres i'm still very much confused as to what's on them and what can be.

Have you considered GT bikes - Traffic series offer disc brakes on higher end models. 700x35c Schwalbe Road Cruiser tires - I ride hard pack gravel & dirt - certainly not afraid to get off the MUP into the grass or to bunny hop a short curb.

My GT Traffic 3.0 weighs under 25 lbs. and I even ride with cyclosrossers sometimes. I've had it for a year- likely commuted 200 days x 20 km, along with weekend/evening fun rides, grocery shopping and a few day tours- estimate 5000 Km and no issues, other than regular lubing and tightened brake cables this spring.

Should mention add-ons: rear alloy rack,rear panniers(with trunk bag), Bontraeger clip on plastic fenders, softer ergo grips, bar ends, front basket/handlebar bag (quick release) , clip on lights & Airzound horn.

Hi GTryder, Maybe another one to add to the list there. I am struggling to see a stockist for it though, I can see the GT Traffic 3.0 on the GT website and it looks pretty good. I don't know how the 4 bikes square up against each other and my needs though.

Went to my local bike shop today to ask what they thought, they've come back with a Felt QX80D. What's anybodys thoughts on this? Seems to tick most of the boxes also has 700 38c tyres and suspended forks but they do have a lock feature.

How's it ride?

I run both. My road hybrid running on 28c road slicks, and my fuji outland pro running deore with hydros and 1.75 slicjs. For reallly long rides with varied terrain I prefer the mtb for comfort and adaptibility. For shorter faster commutes hybrid is better. A hard tail mtb with decent lockable shocks and hydros running slicks is reallly a do anything bike. If I had to pick one it would be the mtb.

There ordering one I can actually fit on before I can take it for a ride what they had there was far too big for me.

Another option you might want to consider is to get one of the newer, more forgiving cross style or even road/touring style bikes that can take fat tires: you'll get a more comfortable riding position - particularly if you go for a flat bar handlebar - and big fat tires like Big Apples should offer some good suspension. The gravel you describe does not seem like it requires a lot of suspension.

If you go this route, you might also find some older steel frame, road style bikes that can accept wider tires. Steel is generally a bit more forgiving than aluminum, and if your rides are 20 km or less, you shouldn't need a bike with lots of *new* technology. A reputable LBS that carries restored bikes might be able to provide you with a much better value package than the price of a brand new bike.

I'm with the others who say go one way or the other: either more road, or more mtb. I have an old GT hybrid. It's a decent bike, and useful for all sorts of situations, but not particularly great in any one situation. It sounds like you'll be on pavement or packed trails primarily, and that suggests a more road oriented bike might serve you better most of the time.

Suspension forks are poorly suited to fitting full coverage fenders. Ask the shop if they can do it, if not, ask if they can swap on a rigid disc brake fork. If not, keep looking.