Spec a bike, hybrid I think

[juno_first]

Hi folks, I'm getting back into biking & need to update this old Raleigh which was an ex demo at Halfords in 2009 for only £120.
I've improved my diet with intermittent fasting & intend on getting fitter & enjoying the outside, I'm only 2lb overweight but want get rid of a little spare tyre.
Back in 1990 at 18 I actually did a lot of cycling on the road with a cobbled together large road frame & straight handlebars but with an amazing Solida 52/48 crankset with long cranks. It was a strange bike with a fixed lock that went through the back wheel.
Over the past 9 years I've enjoyed driving the Raleigh to a gravel path, canal toe path etc. for short bursts of fast cycling then stopping to take photographs of the countryside.
I do 70% light gravel, 20% road, 10% grassy/rough paths etc. mainly out of necessity as I don't like proper mountain biking. I work 11miles away along unsafe country roads & would never commute on the bike.
Likes about Raleigh below: handlebars, seat, 26x2.10 tyres, front suspension.
Dislikes about Raleigh below: 42t crankset too small as very often peddling too fast & use 42t 90% of time, 170mm crank arms too short as never feel I'm getting the full motion of my legs, rear cogs too limiting as spend more than half the time on the small 14t cog, its also heavy & cumbersome with only an inch clearance from the top bar (20" frame), the Tourney gears rarely struggle but not good in the rough.

2009 day 1

2018 need wider range of gears from 11 teeth

2018 this crank set has always been too small, need more teeth & longer arm than 170mm

My measurements are 6ft tall 6ft 3" arms span width, 32.5" inside leg.
I'm confused on the sizing of hybrid bikes & suspect I need a large or 19"?
I'm going my local bike shop Swinnertons next week so maybe if I sit on a bike I'll know if its the right size?

After doing a lot of online research as I'm really a noob when it comes to the tech terminology I've whittled the choice down to a Giant Roam 1 or Trek DS3. The Giant seems to have a better groupset so I'm wondering what the advantage of the Trek is, apart from tubeless tyres?
My main concern about a hybrid is the width of the tyres on rough ground. Can tyres wider than x38 be used?

Giant Roam 1

Trek DS3

Any advice would be much appreciated though not a drop bar, thanks

 

[juno_first]

Actually yeah its only very rarely front suspension is needed if at all, hmm.
Mudguards yes, I thought as an afterthought though perhaps full mudguards maybe too rattily or not the feel I want.

 

[juno_first]

Boardman Hybrid Bike Pro looks interesting. I like the idea of a single crankset up front but could it tackle a steep grassy path?
Actually considered the Boardman mtx 8.8 too.
Great, 2" tyres not much difference to current 2.10 I presume.

 

[juno_first]

Just bought my first ever cycle helmet
Looked at the Boardmans in Halfords & they looked a bit flimsy.
Checked out some on display at Swinnertons & the Roam 2 felt a bit short but strong with a razer like seat. A £650.88 DS3 felt better but it was a 22.5" frame which gave a more comfortable aggressive riding position but only an inch space over the top bar so not too big? The shop would fit the bike for you though, it was gloss black, prefer matt though its ok. May go back next weekend after a think

 

[juno_first]

Gone off the ds3 now. Thinking back it was suspicious the shop steered me away from the giant roam 2 medium saying the giant geometry is more suited to ppl with long legs as the dusty 22.5" ds3 fit better.
A try of other bikes elsewhere has shown I need a large size so settling on a roam 1 large but most places have sold out.
Although next to where I work theres a 2018 roam 0 large on display & can be made good to go in 30min. They want £790 which is only £90 over I roam 1 I'd have to wait a month for or drive 50miles to collect. Is a roam 0 woryh the extra?

 

[juno_first]

Just got a Giant Roam 2. Had to travel 33miles to find one in stock. Best bike I've ever had & a huge step up from the clunky Raleigh above.
After a grueling ride yesterday the 9 gears are plenty & it shifts very well.
I'm struggling when removing the front wheel atm for putting in my small car, using a spacer for the pads but have to screw both sides get it slot in/out the forks.
Thinking about a bike computer now, something simple that just shows speed & can link to a phone.
The guy at Sanders Cycles Burntwood said he'd been in the business 30 years but when I asked if I need remove the sticky new oil from the chain & re-oil he looked confused & said no. Now the chain is covered in lots of grit so am pondering whether clean it off & re-oil.
Still needs some tweaking, like the shifters are too close to the hand grips & the Giant D-lock rattles a lot.

 

[juno_first]

Oh thanks, didn't know could use new chain oil.
A mate suggested wax chain lube.
Normally do light trail/road. Actually treated my old mtb real bad & never cleaned it in over 10years, just put car oil on it every few years lol. Going treat this amazing machine a lot better.

Ah I already have mapmyride, a shame it don't sync with pebble 2 but googlfit does.

 

[juno_first]

Probably go dry chain route as not commuting or looking for mud. Got a rear mudguard just in case.
Well impressed with the Roam 2, brakes are awesome. 9 speed is plenty for me.
Great tips here thanks everyone.