o/t - Hybrid Bikes

[Gwylan]

I always forget, while talking about hybrids.
I've had a Carrera Subway, for commuting and pub trips, for 5 years now, and in a minute I will be fixing my 1st puncture.

The same Evans principle aplies to Halfrauds, buy it boxed and take it to an LBS, for them to make.

That sounds incredible to me: I had about 20 punctures in the first six months of this year (last year I had two punctures in one day). I have Armadillos fitted now, which have reduced punctures considerably but one in five years sounds impossible - do you fly?

Oh yes, Halfrauds is a complete waste of time, don't even look there.

 

[Woodchip]

Hi all, sorry I'm late.

What bike have you got at the moment? If it is a hardtail (front suspension, but no rear susspension) or a rigid (no suspension at all) it could be worth just replacing the wheels and tires. That is unless the bike is about 8 ton of RSJs.

If you're looking at a completely new bike you won't go far wrong with this one (apart from it's from Evans)
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86696
However, being the bike whore that I am I'd recommend changing the rear mech.

Or you could go for this one
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70709


I often just use Evans as an online catalogue before I source the parts elsewhere. They are handy if you need some parts on the hop though. I needed some new pedals for the new bike the other week, and didn't want to wait around for delivery so popped in to Evans on the way home to part with £60 of my hard earned cash.

 

[curly]

i've had an hybrid for years, a marin novato, prefer the flat bars to road bikes, i fittted some cane creek end grips, after cutting some of me bars offs, as they were too wide,
i used to cycle through central london daily, no problems, though it has mountain bike wheels with low profile tyres on it, i have done over 8000 miles on with no problems, just a new chain and some rear tyres, i use the kevlar banded ones, only had two punctures, though carry a small can of foam stuff in case,
would highly recommend hybrids!!!
i regularly cycle mine on 60/70 mile trips..
and find hybrids superb moving through traffic, and changing direction fast
would never go back to road bike handle bars!

 

[greengull]

I've got a Specialised Sirrus on order (through Halfords unfortunately) on the cycle to work scheme, so will let you know what its like. If its anything like my Spesh Allez road bike, it will be great- so much better than a slicked up MTB.

 

[Stat Brother]

The tyres on my Carrera are said to be 'blah blah kevlar blah', I instantly thought yeah right, whatever, but honestly, hand on heart, until yesterday I have never had a puncture with them.
My riding on that bike has gone down, but it does still get used for 2 miles every day, as well as shop and pub runs.
Looking at the tyres, as I was replacing the tube, I don't foresee a further 5 years of trouble free cycling.
Plus I inflate my tyres to the 60 psi max certainly every month or so, using a good gauged track pump.

 

[Stat Brother]

Hi all, sorry I'm late.

What bike have you got at the moment? If it is a hardtail (front suspension, but no rear susspension) or a rigid (no suspension at all) it could be worth just replacing the wheels and tires. That is unless the bike is about 8 ton of RSJs.

If you're looking at a completely new bike you won't go far wrong with this one (apart from it's from Evans)
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86696
However, being the bike whore that I am I'd recommend changing the rear mech.

Or you could go for this one
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70709


I often just use Evans as an online catalogue before I source the parts elsewhere. They are handy if you need some parts on the hop though. I needed some new pedals for the new bike the other week, and didn't want to wait around for delivery so popped in to Evans on the way home to part with £60 of my hard earned cash.

I really don't like Trek bikes, although the new Madone is a lot better than before.
But the top of the range Trek hybrid, that's the 'suited and booted' version of the one Woodchip has pointed out, always makes me stop and look, followed by the thought of 'I bet that goes like pooh off a shiney shovel'.

I do my catalogue and specific shopping from Wiggle Cycle Helmets - Performance, Full Suspension MTBs & Jerseys - S/S from Wiggle.co.uk
they have never let me down, and you might get free sweets with your order.

 

[Woodchip]

Stat Bro, I tend to use Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles for my orders, mostly. If not then I pop into my LBS (mrcycles.co.uk) or not so local LBS (Rayment Cycles, Preston Circus). Evans generally have quite good descriptions on their site so I use them, where as Wiggle have very generic descriptions.

I've never been a Trek fan either, but the Remedy makes me go "oooh!!" every time I see one.

 

[Stat Brother]

Glad it's not just me.

I have been singing the praises of LBS's to those new to cycling, they are a special breed of people. I'm a southdowns bikes man myself, and won't here a bad word said against them.

 

[desprateseagull]

just use a mtb, and peddle harder!

some 'bargain's at the shop in london road (near where the big co-op used to be..)

regarding punctures, cant remember the last one i had - while a tricked up mate of mine (he has a TANDEM, ffs!) got two one th same ride, even with the miracle anti puncture tape..?

 

[Woodchip]

Southdownsbikes, if they are the group I think they are, have got a really cool race MTB jersey (with Care to on the side). Saw it at the G2 Revolver on Saturday.

 

[Stat Brother]

South Downs Bikes. SPECIALIZED, TREK, GIANT & ENDURA Stockists. Bikes, Bicycle Components & Cycling Accessories!!! :: South Downs Bikes

Are these the fellas?

Martin, the owner, is a great bloke, with whom I share one of those 'it's a small world' moments with, which got us of to a great start.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Condor, London are the daddy.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Bicycles are cool.

 

[The Clown of Pevensey Bay]

Condor, London are the daddy.

All the bike-heads at work told me this when I first got mine, and indeed it's where I went. However, I've been back twice with various problems that should have been picked up in the free first service. And they frankly don't seem that bothered with me, as I'm not buying one of their hugely expensive frames and having bespoke wheels made and all that.

 

[clapham_gull]

I saw a hybrid bike in Clapham this evening.

You can ride it on the pavement and the road, you can stop at red lights or choose to go through them.

It's getting to a stage where non car owning pedestrians like myself will need "pedestrian" lanes to avoid the selfish cyclists who think the high way code doesn't apply to them.

Couldn't believe my eyes this evening when I saw a bloke cycling on the pavement, wheeling along another bike.

We had to step in the road to avoid him. What a wanker.

Nothing against cyclists, just the complete idiots I see on a daily basis who are a complete law unto themselves, endangering themselves, me and depressingly motorists too.

Why on earth do some cyclists think it's ok, to beat the "pedestrian" on a pedestrian crossing, I see it on a daily basis.

Why do cyclists on the Albert Embankment, think it's ok to f***ing ring their bell at me so I get out the way.

Personally, I don't think you should be allowed anywhere near a main road in London on a bicycle until you've passed some kind of test. If not, I would love to see on the spot fines dished out.

 

[The Clown of Pevensey Bay]

The police are, of course, allowed to dish out on the spot fines for doing stuff like that.

But yes, I think pedestrian lanes are deffo the way forward.

 

[dennis]

I haven’t read all of the threads so apologies if some one has already suggested this but have you considered putting a pair of semi slick tyres on your bike. They will give you better performance on the roads but will give additional support should you wish to go off road. Bridle paths etc but not heavy duty off roading.

 

[London Calling]

I saw a hybrid bike in Clapham this evening.

You can ride it on the pavement and the road, you can stop at red lights or choose to go through them.

It's getting to a stage where non car owning pedestrians like myself will need "pedestrian" lanes to avoid the selfish cyclists who think the high way code doesn't apply to them.

Couldn't believe my eyes this evening when I saw a bloke cycling on the pavement, wheeling along another bike.

We had to step in the road to avoid him. What a wanker.

Nothing against cyclists, just the complete idiots I see on a daily basis who are a complete law unto themselves, endangering themselves, me and depressingly motorists too.

Why on earth do some cyclists think it's ok, to beat the "pedestrian" on a pedestrian crossing, I see it on a daily basis.

Why do cyclists on the Albert Embankment, think it's ok to f***ing ring their bell at me so I get out the way.

Personally, I don't think you should be allowed anywhere near a main road in London on a bicycle until you've passed some kind of test. If not, I would love to see on the spot fines dished out.

Road and skills training is definately the way forward