New bike help
 

Hello,

I am new to Hybrid biking and am completely in the dark.

My work takes part in a bike4work scheme in which the bikes which we can purchase are tax free.

A friend and I are looking to purchase a Hybrid bike each and have narrowed our selection down to five bikes.
We will be riding 30-40 miles once a week as well as our usual to and from work which is only 5 miles at a time, we was originally looking at purchasing road bikes but opted to go for the more versatile considering we could possibly be riding other terrain.

Anyways, narrowed down to 5 bikes:

Urban Studio 74 2013 Hybrid Bike

X2.3 2013 Hybrid Bike

Crosstrail Sport Disc

Crosstrail Sport Disc 2013 Hybrid Bike

QX75 2013 Hybrid Bike


These are all around the £500 mark as we are only beginners so do not intend to spend excessive amounts. Which of these bikes would you guys recommend for us based on the rides we will be doing?

If there are any other alternative (male) bikes on this website which would fit our criteria better please let me know.

Thank you in advance.
Joe

Welcome to Bike Forums :)

Of the ones you listed, I'd eliminate the the Crosstrails based upon your criteria- suspension forks aren't a wise choice for longer road rides. That is my own bias- you may like the shock fork.

That being said, hopefully you have compiled this list based upon what is sitting on the sales floor at your local shops and not just by looking at stuff online. If you haven't laid hands on yet, then you really need to go to the shops and test ride anything and everything in your price point that fits your body. Same goes for your buddy.

Thank you for responding. I understand it's best to have a feel for the bike. A bit of an awkward question to answer. But thanks for the advice.

No problem.

Side note- I've been watching a show on Hulu that is called 'A Place in the Sun' Home or Away' (not sure if it is still in production), but I got to admit that there is some great scenery and charm in the U.K.

Aye, there are some brilliant places to ride, I live down in Kent in England which is mainly known for the scenery. Would like to go ride in Scotland though.

Personally, I wouldn’t completely discount the Crosstrail Sport Disc Hybrid or any bike on your list without first having the opportunity to test ride them. I have a Crosstrail Sport Disc Hybrid and like the suspension fork. I've comfortably ridden more than 30 miles, both on paved (mostly) and gravel surfaces, with it. While a suspension fork does add weight, and from what I’ve read can impact forward momentum, I haven’t found it detrimental to my performance and more importantly my comfort by absorbing the impact of rocks, bumps, potholes and cutouts on riding surfaces. Although the fork has a lockout feature, as an older rider (60’s) I rarely make use of it.

Cannondale Quick 4
 

I highly recommend the Cannondale Quick 4, I just recently bought it at my LBS and love it to death, have had no problems what so ever and the carbon fork helps smooth out the road immensely.

http://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/p564...13-hybrid-bike

If this is a little below what you are looking for you could go a step up and get the Quick 3, same frame(I believe) upgraded components.

http://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes...-sl/quick-sl-3

- T Ride

The point was made, and yes, you need to decide if you like/want a suspension fork; that will cut you list nearly in half, either way.

If you like the suspension, get the 2013 Crosstrail.

If you don't, my order of recommendation is:

Felt QX75
Ridgeback
Saracen.