aletank

I want a Hybrid mainly for my 4 mile commute to work - here's my short list

A 2011 Trek 7.3 FX £425 https://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-bike-ec023963
A 2011 Cannondale Quick 4 £500 https://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-bike-ec025276
A 2011 Trek 7.5 FX £600 https://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-bike-ec023967
A 2012 Specialized Sirrus Elite £600 https://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-bike-ec030146

The thing putting me off the Treks is that I read you can't put bar ends on them.
I tried a Large Cannondale in the shop today and it felt Small(I'm 5"10) A Large is only a 18inch frame though - So maybe a XL is needed.

Thanks for your thoughts

RollCNY

I can't get the links to work but it may be me. I owned a 2010 Sirrus Sport, which is I think the same level as the comp now (carbon fork, aluminum frame). Great bike, at 6'3" I got their XL, and over time had wished I had gotten a tad smaller. You ultimately have to decide how aggressive you want to ride. As an all on road bike, I couldn't get the seat to bar drop I wanted on the XL Sirrus.

Cannondale Quick is a gorgeous bike in my opinion, as is the Giant road hybrid.

Only advice I can give is don't get an aluminum fork. Buzzy. Get steel or carbon. If you are all weather commuting, disc brakes might be nice. I have never disc, but rim brakes definitely lose a lot of stopping power in the rain.

SlimRider

So its just between those four. It's clearly not about fully lugged, chromoly steel-framed, Raleigh Grand Prix or Record Ace, road bikes!

I guess, after much deliberation and soul-searching, I'd have to go with the one that I own, and occasionally enjoy!

I'd have to go with the Trek 7.5FX!

- Slim

jsdavis

Do you have to climb hills going to work or home? One big difference on the Trek 7.5FX is that it has only two chainrings, 50/34, and a cassette of 11-34. If you have big hills to climb like me, then that would be a bad choice especially if you are new to bicycling. You will find yourself walking yourself up some hills. Just like you, my commute is around 4 miles, but it involves climbing 300-350 ft over a distance of about 0.8 miles, or 90-105 meters over 1.25 km, and for myself, the gearing on the 7.5FX would be completely unsuitable. Even though I've been commuting by bicycle since Q1 this year, I still find myself using the 28-34 gear combination on my bicycle for the entirety of the climb.

By comparison, my current bike has 48/38/28 chainrings and 11-34 cassette so the gearing goes much lower for the times when I have to climb those hills. Although, I seldom find myself in my big chainring. I wouldn't miss it if it were not there.

no1mad 

Don't let the inability of adding bar ends to the Treks put you off if you like everything else about either of those. You can swap out handlebars, add some Ergons and the bar ends of your choosing.

tchen510

Of the four, the 7.5 has by far the best components, and the 7.3 is better that the others. If you can afford it, the 7.5 will make you the happiest.

Schertzcyclist

I would say the Sirrus since its more like a road bike.

Bunnicula

Whichever one fits you better and gives you the ride you want. I can't get a good fit with the FXs, but the Cannondale frame fits like a glove. You may need to go larger, but were you fitted to the Cannondale before you rode it?
And a Quick 3 or the Sirrus would be more road oriented. But for a short 4 mile ride, any of them would be fine.

aletank

Thanks For The Reply Guys
The 2011 Trek 7.5 FX has 3 rings up front "Chainrings:48-36-26 Teeth" "Cassette:SRAM PG950 11-26 9 Speed"
How much would new handlebars set me back if I decided on really wanting bar ends ?
THe guy in Evans fitted me to the Cannondale but even he thought I looked cramped and thought it was labelled up wrong. It was only when I got haome and looked up the Cannondale Sizing I found that a Large is a 18" Frame & XL is 20".

I'm currently riding a 2002 Marin Bolinas Ridge with a 24/34/42 upfront & 7-speed, 13 - 34 teeth on the rear.
I find myself running out of gears a awful lot and the front 24/34 cogs never used

https://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/B...idge&Type=bike

Thanks For The Info
Anymore greatly appreciated

aletank

I've just ordered a 2011 Trek 7.5FX in Black on the CycleScheme from Evans. Evans allowed me to have a discounted 2011 bike, other shops wouldn't.
So I got the Trek for £600 and £25 of accessories thrown in !
I've ordered a rear rack & mudguards and some lights.
I've just got to wait for my CycleScheme voucher now

fairymuff

Congratulations on the new bike. I think you'll like it!

Did you get it off the new Evans in Hannover Street? What's it like? I haven't had a chance to visit (yet)

aletank

Yeah Hanover Street, The shop is good, mainly Pinnacle, Cannondale & Scott bikes on display but they can order anything on their website.

aletank

I've now got my Trek 7.5 FX 2011, I've only ridden back from the shop in the wind with a brake block rubbing ! so couldn't really tell the difference.
I've sorted the brake block, got my seat height right and put 80 psi in the tyres, had a little ride around the block and it feels faster n smoother !
I have the SKS Chromoplastic P45 Mudguards & Topeak Super Tourist Rack fitted
Here's some pics anyway