Specialized globe hybrid or alternatives?

[Mr_Sukebe]

I have a real hankering to start riding again and am hoping that someone can give me some thoughts.

My wife and I are elligible for "ride to work", meaning a good 40% discount on the price of new bikes, so will probably take that route.

I can't see either of us doing any serious off road work, so don't really want a MTB. I did sit on a Spec Sirrus, which seemed very nice, but I was a bit concerned about the potential fragility of the thin wheels. Something like a Specialized globe seemed a little more substantial for the kind of road work we'll probably do.
Then I found this ad:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products...ancisco-2-2009-road-bike-ec016927?query=globe

Looks like a pretty good deal to me as we'd be looking at a pair of bikes and the appropriate kit (can spend upto £1k).

Is the above a good choice, any other recommendations?

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Have you thought about a cyclocross bike like:

Kona Major Jake
Specialized Tricross
Focus Mares

Some of them will take full guards and panniers if required. They are generally used for light off road, but can also take proper road tyres if required.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Thanks for the suggestion, just had a scan at the Tricross. Somewhat above my budget and I'd like flat handlebars for comfort.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Standard Tricross is about £699, but there are multiple versions. Only the top end one is over your budget.

Comfort depends upon the distance you are covering. Flat bar bikes have limited hand position options (and the standard one is generall unnatural with your thumbs pointing at each other instead of pointing up) and also the tend to make you sit more upright which can cause lower back discomfort.

Drop bars do have a flat section you can use, it just means your hands are closer together.

 

[daven1986]

Tbh for comfort I'd go with drop handlebars. I converted my globe sport disc to drops because the flat bars were really uncomfortable. In general it was an uncomfortable bike - now with some modifications it is ok though.

IMHO from experience with neglecting to consider drops I'd buy a cyclocross bike and get a bike shop to add a cross lever (or do it yourself) so you can brake from the flat bit of the bars.

 

[Dinomania]

I have a Specialized Vita Sport - much like the Sirrus Sport but supposedly more woman-shaped.

Anyway with the 28mm 700C wheels it's pretty sturdy, not fragile at all (it's been over lots of very rough paths and potholed roads, all you have to mind for is small pieces of glass worming their way into the tyre, as with all tyres) It's somewhat nippier than the average fairly-heavy hybrid like I've had before. I've also added nice little bar-ends for hand-position comfort on longer rides...

 

[oddjob62]

Have you thought about a cyclocross bike like:

Kona Major Jake
Specialized Tricross
Focus Mares

Some of them will take full guards and panniers if required. They are generally used for light off road, but can also take proper road tyres if required.

Agree!... if i wanted a slightly offroady bike i'd be looking at those.