Which hybrid bike?

My existing bike is cheap and falling apart - the repair bill is high enough that I might as well buy a new one.

I have c拢300 to spend, but can you recommend a good hybrid to buy? I use it almost exclusively for commuting, with the odd tour further afield. I do about 1000 miles a year across Birmingham.

Let me know what you think.
Thanks

All bikes mention are great bikes for their price and purpose. I would agree with the Claud Butler hybrid as one of my favourite.
Also the Specialized Globe City or even better the Specialized Sirrus.
The Trek FX range are also a good choice-

As someone mention, the fit and feel of your future bike is a personal matter, so try them out.
Enjoy getting your new bike, it is great fun and you are doing it a the best time of the year.

Luck to you!

see what you think of these

solar tracker owner

regards x kitti x

I had a Trek 7200 that I rode about 1,000 miles this summer. It worked very well for me and has a lot of life left in it. You may be able to find a left over 2007 model and save a ton of money on it.

I can recommend a Claud Butler hybrid.

I went for an Urban 300 and it's been rather good. It should be well withing your budget. I commute a similar amount to you (although my commute is a bit hillier than Birmingham) and use it for trips out etc. Nice bike.

I have fitted puncture proof semi-slicks instead of the semi-knobblies that were fitted. This made a big difference to how easily the bike rolls - the best 拢25 you can spend on a bike IMO.

For a bit less money, the Carrera hybrids in Halfords are good bikes (shame Halfords mechanics are so poor) - not the Apollos which are almost all heavy junk. I bought my wife a Crossfire which is nearly as well made as my urban 300 and one of the chaps at work commutes 100 miles a week on his Subway 2 and it's taken him quite a while to wear it out, even though he doesn't look after it.

The bicycle business is so competitive these days that any two bikes at the same price point are very likely to be equivalent values. The most important thing is how the bike fits you. Test ride as many bikes as you can. One of them will fit you better than the others. This will be come apparent to you very quickly after you sit on the bike and ride it for just a few minutes. Buy that bike. It is the one you will enjoy most. The hardest part of the whole process is learning to ignore the marketing hype and fancy brochures.

HTH

I like the Trek, but I like the Schwinn Super Sport even more -- I bought one in 2006. I have about 1900 miles on it and all were either 100K's or 100mile events. (It is my rain bike)

I replaced the original Kenda 700 X 28's with Bontrager Race X Lite 700 X 25's.

The bike is comfortable, very fast for a hybrid (non suspension front fork), and handles like a dream. Even in high speed descents (45+ mph) it handles solid and gives you confidence.


The Schwinn I can recommend to anyone without reservation.

Paul---I have heard of reputable hybrid bike sellers there in U.K. ( and this Yule, you'll absolutely get a real bargain at this season!)---Find one in shops like EvansCycles, Merlin, Psyclewerks ( most of them advertise in Mountain Bike International magazine or 'MBR' ). Though in EBAY you may find it in the Sporting Goods section. ( new and second hand models to choose from---) Try the Kona 'Jake the Snake'---its a KILLER!

I ride similar routes and distances , See if you can purchase a Giant Cypress SX

Fast like a road bike , but sturdy for light off road , commute

Just add the rear rack and some fenders (good to go ) :-)