First bike in 10~ years - Hybrid?

Andr3w · 5 May 2015 at 16:32

Begbie said:
I'm not, away to Wales this weekend. I'm back Saturday night. I'd be available Sunday, not sure I'd be any help though.

Planning on buying this weekend, would have just been useful to have somebody around who knew what they were on about! I really don't feel like I could trust the Halfords employee!

Begbie · 5 May 2015 at 16:35

Andr3w said:
Legend! Are you around at the weekend? And if so can I borrow you to drive to Halfords with me?

I'm not, away to Wales this weekend. I'm back Saturday night. I'd be available Sunday, not sure I'd be any help really though. But I'm about if you want me to come along.

Weird double post there! I'm about Sunday, halfords are open then I'm sure.

Andr3w · 5 May 2015 at 16:37

Just added you (or some random person who is about to get confused) to communicator.

You sure you're happy for me to take the Helmet?

edit: Double post confusion!

Begbie · 5 May 2015 at 16:43

I think I'm one of the few who on there! But tbh I rarely use work computer, not really in till Monday either. Send me a trust and I'll fire over my number dude.

Andr3w · 5 May 2015 at 16:53

Sent dude!

androo · 5 May 2015 at 17:22

Andr3w said:
I keep looking at the bike - it looks PERFECT for what I want. Just need some mud guards and a rack on the back!

They don't have it in stock at my local Halfords.
edit: They have them in stock 12miles away from me. I'd like to see one in real life, I'd also need to purchase the additonal items such as Helmet/Lock!
edit2: THIS IS GETTING EXPENSIVE lol!

I'm 6ft, would this require a 57.5cm frame? I'm tempted to buy that online and then take it to Begbie (If he doesn't mind )!

I've also had a look at this bike this weekend. It looks ideal and there is actually 15% off if you buy before the 13th so you save £90 which you can put towards a helmet etc. Seems decent value, provided the parts are all fairly decent?

Andr3w · 5 May 2015 at 18:01

I noticed that 15% offer earlier, what a bonus! Excited about getting a bike now

SexyGreyFox · 5 May 2015 at 20:28

Andr3w said:
I'm really not a fan of drop handlebars and I would like a bike that I could take out on the weekends and explore some coast paths/bike to the shop/bike to a beach etc!

I'd just like to add something here about drop handlebars.
I had my road bike for about 3 years (used it continuously for 1 year and now & then) and I have never ever used the drop in my handlebars but just ride it with my hands on top.
In fact I have never seen another rider in the last 3 years on my commute or driving around with drop handlebars using the drop part.
You can also check out You Tube videos of the Tour De France and most riders will have their hands on top of the handlebars until they get to a bit where they need to go a bit faster, they really are redundant for most of a race but you aren't racing.
After a year of never using the drop part of the handlebars I decided to have a bike (hybrid) that had got straight handlebars but more or less was a road bike so opted for the Trek 7.5 FX.
The only other difference is the 28mm wide knobbly tyres instead of the 23mm wide slicks on my road bike but this extra 5mm and knobbles gives me more confidence on dirt paths and canal paths etc.
Just something else to think about because if you're not a fan of drop handlebars you'll wonder why you ever had them when you never actually use them.

Asprilla · 5 May 2015 at 20:37

You mean apart from straight bars not having hoods? If you don't use the drops but use the hoods then the alternative is bull bars not straight bars.

If you only used the tops then the alternative is straight bars.

andicole0 · 5 May 2015 at 20:46

In the 1st post did you mean hybrid as in with electric? http://electricbikesguildford.com/

Andi.

arknor · 5 May 2015 at 21:11

In fact I have never seen another rider in the last 3 years on my commute or driving around with drop handlebars using the drop part.

Great when there's a head wind or your going up hill though.

always feels like I have far more power in my legs when I get into the drops.

90% of my rides are on the hoods, still feels better and more in control than a straight bar.

lordrobs · 5 May 2015 at 21:21

I must admit that I only use the drops when there is a headwind! Never ridden on the tops for more than a few seconds as it just feels wrong.

As for that CX bike, it looks very nice! I'm sure it will serve you well.

SexyGreyFox · 5 May 2015 at 22:00

I must admit that my back won't allow me to get down to the drops even if I wanted to try it

arknor · 5 May 2015 at 22:47

Dimple said:
I must admit that my back won't allow me to get down to the drops even if I wanted to try it

tbh my back doesn't like the drops either but I normally don't bother with stretching exercises and I spend a lot of time sitting down so my hips are crap..

legs thank me when it's a head wind though

lordrobs · 5 May 2015 at 22:55

Dimple said:
I must admit that my back won't allow me to get down to the drops even if I wanted to try it

Ha! If I'm not careful my belly will soon become the limiting factor

Andr3w · 6 May 2015 at 08:21

So with your help i've decided on the Boardman CX Comp.

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/cx/cx_comp.html

I'll hopefully be picking it up on saturday from Halfords (urgh!) then giving it to Begbie on Sunday to make sure it's not going to fall apart on me

FrenchTart · 6 May 2015 at 08:45

Good stuff

I think you'll enjoy it.

Andr3w · 6 May 2015 at 09:05

Thanks!

Now i've just got to get a bike lock/mud guards and bike insurance

peige · 6 May 2015 at 09:08

lordrobs said:
Ha! If I'm not careful my belly will soon become the limiting factor

Thats about my situation, it will be an achievement when I can use them comfortably!

DaleTheWhale · 6 May 2015 at 13:49

lordrobs said:
I must admit that I only use the drops when there is a headwind!

Have to agree, only having my bike a few weeks the winds lately have killed me, using the drops has been fantastic help when getting up hill and fighting the wind.