i want a hybrid bike

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May 24, 2012, 02:28:43 PM

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[nickb]

I am wanting a quick bike for blasting about on and occasionally commuting but also good for 60mile rides.I have a Genesis Hardtail a Meta 552 but neither quick on tarmac but fun off road.
I am a bit fair weather and if its been raining for weeks the idea of hitting the trails on my commie doesn't feel me with joy so i just don't cycle,i think if i have a quick bike that i can use from my front door then i might actually be motivated to go out.
I like the Giant Rapid 1,Cannondale quick 1 or Boardman hybrid pro all of these are under 10kg,i am getting pressure from the girlfriend to make a decision so she can buy me one for xmas although i don't see the rush as its over 2months away.    
Has anyone got a hybrid if so are they any good?I don't think i want a proper drop bar road bike as i might do rides that occasionally go on to light gravely tracks,such as C2C.It's all confusing as some hybrids have 20speeds some 30speeds some disk some v brake.I guess being a hybrid every company has its own idea on how it should be they seem to either lean towards road bike or mtb depending on brand.    

[iain1775]

want you want is a cyclocross bike
love mine, its great for commuting, just getting out and riding from the door, going offroad occasionally and also using it in a few weeks for the coast to coast
drop bars and 700c wheels are much faster

[Brownback]

Second what Iain says, got a six inch travel bike, hardtail, road bike! But what I really, really want is a cx bike!! You could have two sets of wheels, the stock cx wheels and also some 700c with 23mm slicks for the fast stuff!!

[iain1775]

You could have two sets of wheels, the stock cx wheels and also some 700c with 23mm slicks for the fast stuff!!

thats what I have, works great (with 2 cassettes as well, slightly different gearing for on and off road)

[nickb]

thanks for the replies,i thought hybrids had 700c wheels?I have seen people with clip on tri bar's fitted to flat bar bikes although i don't think my reaction speeds would be fast enough if i needed the brakes suddenly.I think budget is up to £1000 but i don't want to go that high if possible as it's my other half paying for it.I suppose 2nd hand could be an option as loads of people buy bikes then never use them.  

The other bike i looked at was a Specialized Sirrus but i will take a look at the CX bikes as well.   

[nickb]

thanks for your advice and having done some reseach with a wish list of spec such as disc brakes speed and all round use,the CX does seem the way forward so i am going to go for a new Marin Toscana CX it's a bit of a bargain as some shops selling 2011 models for £800   http://www.marin.co.uk/2010/pdf/toscana_bigtestwinner.pdf

[dgould]

Charge mixer 8/11 ..... Horny looking bike that

[Pedal Head]

Wouldn't put too much emphasis on how many gears it has unless you live somewhere particularly hilly, I've a Boardman hybrid running a single 48T front & 23 - 11 cassette on the rear and still don't use the full spread. Cracking bike but more at home on the street rather than surfaced trails, they now do an urban Mtb which may be another option.

[iain1775]

Toscana is a nice bike
A kind of urbanised cyclocross the geometry is I think designed to run drop or flat bars without being too stretched
Check if it has mudguard and rack mounts if you plan on commuting or touring on it
My trek doesn't have a full set of bosses but I can still get a rear rack on which is pretty useful and makes it alot more adaptable

This is good - http://on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBPXKAFFDISC/planet-x-kaffenback-drop-bar-disc-hybrid-bike

[nickb]

Thanks for your replies,i dont think the Toscana is an all flying CX but more CX style but should be durable enough for my needs.It looks pretty heavy at 25.3lb but the stock wheel/tyre package is about 9lbs.I just need to work out what size frame to order as i understand that CX type bikes have a higher bottom bracket so people go down a size but then others stay the same.I cannot try before i buy as this model is obsolete now so and only available online,so i will have to take a punt.I am 5'11'' but only a 31inch leg so longer in the body,so just deciding whether 56 or 58cm i am thinking 58cm will have a longer cross bar so possibly more comfortable on longer rides.I want to take my new bike when i get it on the south downs way,i think this terrain will be perfect for it.

It is pretty hilly where i live on top of a hill so more gears the better    

[iain1775]

 58 probably both too big mate and a 56 could go either way
Im 5'10" with 32" inside leg and my Trek is a 54cm and fits excellently, as does a 54cm Specialised Tricross, I also tried a 56cm Kona Jake and it was too big, although the reach was fine, the top tube was almost rubbing on my ball sack! It didnt feel right coming from a dropped top tube MTB, would have been ok on road but I wouldnt have felt good on it offroad
On a road bike I reckon a 56cm would be fine for me so the one size down theory fits

If you cant try that model for size I would definately try a few other brands of cross and road bikes you can then compare geometry charts to get a general idea
I think my LBS has a Marin Toscana in stock (they did about 2 months ago anyway and cant imagine its been sold), all be it not drop bar version, happy to nip down and sling a leg over and feedback how it compares to the above ones I tried if you want?

[nickb]

thanks Iain that's great but only if your passing the LBS don't go out your way.I believe there is a Marin dealer in Newcastle which is about 10miles away so i might see if they have a Toscana or if not the model below which has same frame :-)

[iain1775]

It's literally at the end of my road, pass it daily, not the best shop though so don't often go in

[nickb]

i have now ordered a 54cm 2011 Cannondale CAADX 105,the bike was in the sale £779 from £999.There is a 28day no quibble return/refund policy on the bike.Most people on cycle cross forums with same size inside seam and height as me are running 54cm frames.Cannondale's geometry guide actually says if you ride 56cm road bike you should order 54cm CAADX so i am sure its the one for me.I just hope i get bike for the weekend now so i can try it out :-)  

 http://road.cc/content/review/28545-cannondale-caadx-105