Hey there,
Looking to get a commuter that I can also take out into the hills and fields around town.
I was hoping to find a local brand (even if not manufactured locally) that would be decent quality. The idea is to buy something I like but also support local (UK) brands and dealers. These are what I have come up with so far but I can't really find any reviews on them. Has anyone tried any of these on the list?

1. Saracen X-series Cross 2: Cross-2 | X-series | Urban Bikes | Saracen Bikes Is the suspension seat post any good or just a gimmick?
2. Raleigh Strada trail sport 3: https://www.raleigh.co.uk/bikes/urba...-sport-3-17729
I know they are now owned by a Dutch company but they claim to still to all the design and assembly locally.
3. Whyte Fairfield: https://www.whyte.bike/fairfield
How does this one compare to the other more expensive hybrid Whyte's as well to the choices above? I can't find a local dealer for Whyte and would have to go get it in Nottingham.

Any other UK brands that make hybrids around this price range? I don't want to support Halfords.

Many thanks!

Why support a UK brand when the whole bike is probably manufactured offshore anyway? I looked at that strada and it has the cheapest parts you could get on a bicycle and they want over 500 pounds? No way. Raleigh made good racers back in the 80's but they are just a brand name now.
Shimano Altus Rapid Fire 9 Speed? That's the cheapest gearset going
Suntour Nex Hlo fork? That's a rubbish sprung fork, more trouble than it's worth.

Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere or you'll be riding a dog so a chav can drive a sports BMW

Well, regarding the manufacturing, I agree, and this is probably the case with any UK based brand selling bikes for under 1300 pounds (AFAIK). But I don't think it's pointless to support the design, testing and assembly side of things even if they are ordering parts from abroad.

Thanks for the mini review of the components for the Strada. What did you think of the other options I mentioned? Is there any others you might like to suggest?

I think that Raleigh Strada looks just fine. My primary bike (a Trek in the US) has a very similar drivetrain to that Strada, and it works a treat. The derailleur on Strata's website is noted only as "Acera", but it's probably an M360 or similar and it works well. The shifters will work fine, and it has hydraulic disc brakes. My bike has a Suntour NEX fork, and mine doesn't even have a lockout, and I enjoy it on mine. I have probably 500 miles on mine so far and the components have served me very well, and everything still works like it did 500 miles ago.

Regarding suspension seat posts, my Trek has one, and I actually don't think it works all that well. I may replace it with a rigid seat post, but will leave it for now. It doesn't operate nearly as smooth as the suspension fork, and it seems like it's pretty much stuck in one position until you REALLY jar it, then it'll give suddenly. I think the concept has merit, but mine doesn't work all that well. Otherwise, that Saracen Cross-2 looks fine as well. Similar drivetrain to the Strada; very functional.

The Whyte Fairfield looks interesting. It has a similar drivetrain spec as the other bikes. It has a rigid fork and rim brakes, and it appears to sell for a similar price. Maybe there is something to their claims of unique frame design, I don't know. It's weird how they mount the rear rim brake UNDER the seat stays, which moves the noodle to the right side of the bike. It also has decent-looking 42mm tires, which I think are wider than the other choices (which I generally prefer).

I'm not up on the value of a British Pound, so I don't know if those are good or bad prices, but the bikes themselves look like decent choices. Not high-line bikes, but not bottom-basement bikes from a big box store, either.

Thanks for your opinion. I have requested my local dealer to bring in the Strada for a test. Iīm not very snobbish when it comes to components. As long as they serve their function properly and are reliable I guess Iīm happy. Maybe thats because I have not had the chance to ride really high caliber bikes...

Ive continued to research the net and am now attracted to the idea of a belt drive hybrid. Most come in 8 and 10 speed internal hub gears, unless you are willing to pay over a grand. Iīm quite fit and suppose I could still make it up a hill on an 8 speed if I tried, although terrain around here is mostly flat.

I like the looks of the Whyte bike but I'm not a fan of suspension in urban riding. but if you want the comfort and not trying to do much riding fast on roads then the suspension could be helpful. I don't see tire width listed for the Whyte bike. If they were wider tires I would much prefer that over lower end suspension. Really depends where your riding though. I can see why you would want suspension on constantly bumpy paths.

does it have to have suspension forks?

what about this?

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle...-bike-EV275574

Nice one! I have been winding down from the the idea of having suspension actually. Itīs not hugely important to me anymore. However I am growing more on the idea of having a belt drive. I have not found many UK brands that make them. Here is one:

Roux Carbon Drive A8

In the meantime I have bought this and taken it to be serviced. Iīll be using it until I decide on something more modern. Bunny how in a way it is similar to some of the hybrids coming out these days:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0y...ew?usp=sharing

I expect they all pass the the Southampton Container shipping port.

regional bike/frame building companies could not compete, in 88 FW Evans had their own bikes,

Now they retail the Imports..

I expect no different. But I still value the effort that goes into design, sourcing, assembly and support.