Need new bike for commuting, canal towpaths and trails £600

pumaz

pumaz

pumaz

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Joined
7 Oct 2003
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Nottingham
I already have a road bike and mountain bike but I'm looking to replace my ancient 2004 Specialised Hardrock sport for something quicker and lighter but must be able to handle towpaths with loose roadstone etc. As well as a 7 mile each way commute 5 days a week which is no fun with heavy traffic and lots of lights on a road bike!

I've been looking at hybrids as they seem to be the best fit for what I want, I don't think I need suspension forks or fat tyres in fact I'd like to know what's the thinnest tyre I could get away with while still being able to handle loose stone on canal paths etc.

My max budget is £600 which would have to include tyres if needed. Any ideas?
 
Thanks guys, I'm happy just to ride my Canyon Road Bike on a Sunday or on days off but I really want something to replace the MTB, Ive never really gone nuts! on the MTB but I do like exploring canal networks and trails. I'll do 25 to 30 miles after work when nights are lighter on the MTB and I love the more comfy riding position and flat bars, heck I don't even clip in! So honestly guys I don't want to use a Road bike for this :)

Been looking at the Voodoo Marasa which seems to tick all the boxes but at £350 is it built to last? don't get me wrong the cheaper the better and it looks great accept maybe the weight, was hoping to get closer to 10K

is it worth spending the extra £150 on the Boardman Hybrid Comp Bike or £200 on the 13 Implicit Beta Hybrid Bike 2015?
 
I'm heavily leaning towards the Voodoo Marasa, seems like a bargain and it even looks good! I'll probably change the tyres to 35mm Swalb Marathons.
 
Just been reading through some older threads and discovered there's not much love for hybrids :( consensus seems to be they're a jack of all trades, master of none which as made me question my choice.

The towpaths and trails I want to use I would not take my road bike on yet my mountain bike is too slow and if I'm honest uncomfortable, I'm 5ft 8" and was advised I needed a 17" frame but really it's too small, I'm constantly having to push myself to the back of the seat!

Honestly don't want another MTB but now I'm wondering if a Hybrid is the right choice.
 
Thanks again for the input, some good points raised :)

My take on drops vs straights, When I'm out on the road bike I do mostly ride the hoods but I will use the drops when going down hill or on long flats with little traffic, I do find find them comfortable and the fact you can ride in 3 different positions is great. I also like straights even if they're not quite as comfy as drops simply because the control and feel of security when on trails or towpaths etc.

I have passed other riders on cyclocross bikes on the towpaths I use so I know a cyclocross is an option but it just doesn't look comfortable.
 
Just seen you can buy the Voodoo Marasa for £299 from Halfords eBay store and pick it up from your local store all setup after 4 days. Is there any downsides to doing this rather than just purchasing through Halfords website/store? Also the're only two sizes 18 or 20" I'm 5ft 8" and the size guide suggests size 18 from 5ft 5" and size 20 from 5ft 10" now I obviously don't want something that's too big but I feel my MTB is about 2" too small at size 17.

Anyone my size riding a voodoo bike size 18 or 20? Long shot I know!
 
I'm going to try and get to a Halfords tomorrow and see one in the flesh also ask if I can sit on one. I wonder actually if I show the the eBay listing if they'll just cut out the eBay palaver and just sell me one for £299!
 
Just back from Halfords and didn't like the Marasa at all, looks like a youth bike in fact only the bordmams looked half decent. I know it shouldn't be about looks but I've got to want to go out on it!
 
Yeah the Marasa looks worse in real life than pictures and the general finish wasn't very good. I couldn't sit on one which was the 20" version as it was padlocked in to the stand and no one was around. It did look a better size though but without sitting on one it would be complete guess work.

Been watching some GCN videos and the guys are riding what looks like cyclocross bikes over far worse terrain than I would be doing and they seem to cope ok so might investigate cyclocross as an option.

BTW they were down to £299 in store if anyone's interested.
 
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Think I've found the "one" it's a Specialized Diverge which is classed as a Adventure / Gravel bike and it seems like a proper do it all bike, could even replace my road bike!

Any thoughts on this?
 
Yeah found the basic one for £600 but was drawn to the tiagra equipped elite version for £800 2015 model

I have 105's on my Canyon, is it much of a downgrade? Also thinking I could sell the Canyon if the diverge is really that good on the road.
 
Here's a pic of my Road bike it's the 2013 model

2013-06-03134901_zps67517fef.jpg


I like that 2nd pinnacle, accept for the colour but it is a good spec. Still leaning towards the diverge but why no hydraulic disk brakes? Seems strange to be using mechanical on a £800+ bike.
 
I'm sure I heard Carlton Kirby on one of this year's earlier tours say that a lower team as gone with Discs but had to go all disc because they didn't have the budget for both.
 
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Still going round in circles!

I was convinced the diverge was the right bike but then I read about any bike bar a MTB will shake your eyeballs out going over some of the terrain I pan to do!!!

I'm now also looking at a Voodoo Bazingo which gets rave reviews, I'm thinking I could put some 35mm Marathon Plus on its 29" wheels and bar ends to give me different riding positions and even lockout the forks for road sections. I would also have the option to head in to the peaks on some decent trails

Thoughts?
 
PermaBanned said:
Do you have any pictures or examples of the type of terrain you're talking about? Because a lot of people seem to vastly overstate the need for suspension.
Click to expand...

Sorry not got photos but there's a 1km section that has a lot of loose road stone followed by some rough rooty terrain that I feel is quite testing!!!

Lat night I joined British cycling and ordered the Bazango for collection next Thursday, from what I understand I should get 10% off at the till making it £540, will this work with my membership number as I won't have the card for a couple of weeks?

Bought some bits like 700c x 35 Marathon plus from CRC with 10% off :)
 
Picked up the Bizango today, I also had them fit some A530 single sided SPD's

Everything seemed to be setup OK, once I got home I did notice the deraliur cable was a little frayed at the end but everything else seems fine.

I'm 5ft 8" and went for a 18" frame, the bike itself felt a lot better to ride than my old hard rock and I didn't feel cramped, over all I'm very happy with it. I did ask the guy at Halfords about buying 700c tubes for it because I'm changing the tyres and he informed me that there's an inch difference between the MTB 29" and a Road Bike 700c. I said as far as I know there the same size but didn't argue with him, however when I got home I took the tape measure out and measure both my MTB and RB wheels and they're the same size!

Just waiting for my goodies - tyres, Bar Ends, Protective Stickers and Cage. Not going to use it till its all fitted :)

Couple of questions..

When I fit the Bar Ends should I take the opportunity to fit new grips/bar tape or just keep the standard ones?

What's everyone using to lube and clean their bike?

Thanks chaps :)
 
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