New bike

Doughnut007 · 26 Dec 2016 at 18:31

Hello all

I am looking to get a new bike for commuting to work and some light weekend cycling. Up untill now I have always had free hand me downs but im now looking to buy my own.

Budget is around £350 and I'm looking for a hard tail hybrid.
Currently considering the Verenti Addition from wiggle.

What would you suggest I consider?

hornetstinger · 26 Dec 2016 at 18:35

How about Carrera Axle, Carrera Subway 1 or 2? 27.5" with fairly wide road tyres, more like a classic MTB. Start from £170 to about £300

Don't get suspension if you don't need it.

hornetstinger · 26 Dec 2016 at 19:33

Or what about Voodoo Marasa?

Also any preference for flat or drop bars? There's the Voodo Limba also.

Doughnut007 · 26 Dec 2016 at 22:06

Prefer flat bars. Is the general consensus that in this price range the suspension isn't worth it?

hornetstinger · 27 Dec 2016 at 05:30

Nothing to do with price, if you don't need suspension don't get it. Adds weight, complexity, cost, and means you lose power.

Generally you only need suspension when going off road, like on a MTB. Not for regular roads.

If you have 700x38-40 tyres you don't need suspension as the tyres absorb enough (even then I use 700x23 and those don't have suspension and don't need it either)

You could look into a "flat bar road bike" such like Giant FCR, Boardman hybrid comp etc. That sort of style.

If you're doing 10 miles or less then flat bars are ok. Over that and I recommend drop bars.

For your budget I'd recommend the Voodoo Marasa, it's the best flat bar hybrid in that store. Rigid fork, 700x35 ish tyres, hydraulic disc brakes.

Doughnut007 · 27 Dec 2016 at 20:06

Cheers guys. I have gone for the Voodoo Marasa. Reduced down to £280

nelviss · 27 Dec 2016 at 21:52

good choice, its what im getting, after a half year of looking at hybirds, got a mate that works in halfrods so extra discount.

UTmaniac · 28 Dec 2016 at 17:24

Very good choice on the Marasa, it's a great bike for £280!

I've read that the supplied tyres are weighty and a bit dead to ride, so I would suggest buying a tyre upgrade in the sales, according to your needs.

Any idea how wide a tyre the Marasa can take? Are ~2.3" 29ers out of the question?

hornetstinger · 28 Dec 2016 at 17:27

Depends on the internal widtch of the rim, and width the frame will allow. You can't fit hugely wide tyres even if the frame has lots of clearance.

Sheldown brown has a rim size calculator.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html