| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? 21:01 - Mar 15 with 10750 views | HCMC |
Any of you cyclists have any advice on a starter level Hybrid bike?
Just to keep a little fit and to get out more and nothing serious .
I have been looking at the Giant Escape 2 it has some good reviews.
All advice very much appreciated. |  | | |  |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 21:05 - Mar 15 with 5936 views | Jackfath |
You wont go wrong with that bike.
Enjoy! |  |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 21:17 - Mar 15 with 5906 views | Private_Partz |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 21:05 - Mar 15 by Jackfath |
You wont go wrong with that bike.
Enjoy! |
Agreed. Looks a decent bike. I see the 2017 bike is some 150 quid cheaper than this year's model in Rutland Cycles. Maybe worth checking out? |  |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 21:19 - Mar 15 with 5898 views | sherpajacob |
I have a giant escape - Great Bike, good on trails and cycle paths, not too shabby on the road either.
I've done the full taff trail Brecon - Cardiff a few times on it, never let me down
I would avoid boardmans / halfords |  |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 21:22 - Mar 15 with 5888 views | max936 |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 21:19 - Mar 15 by sherpajacob |
I have a giant escape - Great Bike, good on trails and cycle paths, not too shabby on the road either.
I've done the full taff trail Brecon - Cardiff a few times on it, never let me down
I would avoid boardmans / halfords |
Why avoid Boardmans? I have the Mountain Bike Pro its a great bike. |  |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 21:23 - Mar 15 with 5885 views | HCMC |
I see the specs for the boardman max put up and the giant escape 2 are very similar.
The majority of the miles I will be doing will be between the marina and Mumbles on the cycle path and also up Clyne Valley cycle path. [Post edited 15 Mar 2018 21:26]
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 21:27 - Mar 15 with 5865 views | max936 |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 21:23 - Mar 15 by HCMC |
I see the specs for the boardman max put up and the giant escape 2 are very similar.
The majority of the miles I will be doing will be between the marina and Mumbles on the cycle path and also up Clyne Valley cycle path. [Post edited 15 Mar 2018 21:26]
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Boardman is cheaper, perhaps Pacemaker will join the Thread he's got the Pro as well and he uses his much much more than me and he can't fault it.
I will say I know nothing of the Giant bikes though. | |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 21:47 - Mar 15 with 5829 views | csf |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 21:27 - Mar 15 by max936 |
Boardman is cheaper, perhaps Pacemaker will join the Thread he's got the Pro as well and he uses his much much more than me and he can't fault it.
I will say I know nothing of the Giant bikes though. |
Had my Boardman comp since 2010. Been a gem. Spent March to September last year doing g around 20 miles 5 days a week. Great bike will do the route you descr8bed with ease. |  | | |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 22:01 - Mar 15 with 5806 views | max936 |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 21:47 - Mar 15 by csf |
Had my Boardman comp since 2010. Been a gem. Spent March to September last year doing g around 20 miles 5 days a week. Great bike will do the route you descr8bed with ease. |
I'm tempted to buy the Comp myself at 400quid, bought Mrs a bike for Christmas as she wants ride it on the flatish tracks that are about Marina to Mumbles Llanelli to Burry Port etc, I've an old Specialist Hard tail here that I've bought hybrid type tyres for so I'll use that, but I'm tempted to get the Comp.
You're got the 28cm tyres on yours I guess? | |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 22:09 - Mar 15 with 5794 views | sherpajacob |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 21:23 - Mar 15 by HCMC |
I see the specs for the boardman max put up and the giant escape 2 are very similar.
The majority of the miles I will be doing will be between the marina and Mumbles on the cycle path and also up Clyne Valley cycle path. [Post edited 15 Mar 2018 21:26]
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Road bike is fine for those routes. | |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 22:25 - Mar 15 with 5772 views | Pacemaker |
Bought a couple of Boardman bikes all very good value and well specd. I have bought my wife a specialized hybrid because it was what she wanted however in my opinion not a patch on the Boardman. A couple of my mates have Boardman Hybrids and are delighted with them and commute regularly on them.
I have also bought Planet X which are excellent value for money with a high spec and my newest bike is a Canyon which is online only but very well made in Germany and quite possibly the best bike I have ridden. Their fitness range is the hybrid equivalent and are excellent.
Most bikes these days are going to be of similar quality and finish. Maintenance is easily doable by most people but if that is not your thing find a good local bike shop or a mate who is happy to do it. Not been very impressed with Halfords service but there are some good guys in there, Tredz are a bit hit and miss.
My local guy is Anthony at Welsh Coast Cycles in Port Talbot who is excellent. |  |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 22:28 - Mar 15 with 5763 views | Andy1300 |
Go with Giant, great value and build quality
Boardman are a Halfords brand |  |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 22:30 - Mar 15 with 5756 views | trampie |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 22:25 - Mar 15 by Pacemaker |
Bought a couple of Boardman bikes all very good value and well specd. I have bought my wife a specialized hybrid because it was what she wanted however in my opinion not a patch on the Boardman. A couple of my mates have Boardman Hybrids and are delighted with them and commute regularly on them.
I have also bought Planet X which are excellent value for money with a high spec and my newest bike is a Canyon which is online only but very well made in Germany and quite possibly the best bike I have ridden. Their fitness range is the hybrid equivalent and are excellent.
Most bikes these days are going to be of similar quality and finish. Maintenance is easily doable by most people but if that is not your thing find a good local bike shop or a mate who is happy to do it. Not been very impressed with Halfords service but there are some good guys in there, Tredz are a bit hit and miss.
My local guy is Anthony at Welsh Coast Cycles in Port Talbot who is excellent. |
What about an Eddy Merckx or a Bianchi ?
PS I'm talking road bikes. [Post edited 15 Mar 2018 22:31]
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 22:57 - Mar 15 with 5722 views | Pacemaker |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 22:28 - Mar 15 by Andy1300 |
Go with Giant, great value and build quality
Boardman are a Halfords brand |
Compare the quality of frame and components before just posting Giant over other brands.
The Giant is a triple set over the Boardman compact so therefore far lighter and less maintenance on the Boardman than the Giant. The Boardman wheels and brakes are also superior.
I would always suggest riding a number of bikes before making any decision and at this price range and type of bike snobbery should not be a reason to choose one brand over another. Read the reviews online at Bike Radar, Cycling Weekly etc to see what they say. | |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 23:00 - Mar 15 with 5711 views | Pacemaker |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 22:30 - Mar 15 by trampie |
What about an Eddy Merckx or a Bianchi ?
PS I'm talking road bikes. [Post edited 15 Mar 2018 22:31]
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To be honest never ridden one, none of my mates own one either so I have no direct experience. What do you want to do on your road bike how far do you want to ride? Is it just for fitness or leisure do you intend racing?
Both those manufacturers have huge ranges of totally different specs and for totally different types of riding. [Post edited 15 Mar 2018 23:02]
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 08:43 - Mar 16 with 5579 views | csf |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 22:01 - Mar 15 by max936 |
I'm tempted to buy the Comp myself at 400quid, bought Mrs a bike for Christmas as she wants ride it on the flatish tracks that are about Marina to Mumbles Llanelli to Burry Port etc, I've an old Specialist Hard tail here that I've bought hybrid type tyres for so I'll use that, but I'm tempted to get the Comp.
You're got the 28cm tyres on yours I guess? |
Nope, think I'm on 25's now. But that's mainly because the two guys I ride with are both on road bikes and I only ever cycle with them so smaller tyres was the way to go, I struggle to keep up with them on times and I think part of that is the bike. Bought a new for me, road bike this week so will see how much of it is the style of bike and how much is me! | | | |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 09:01 - Mar 16 with 5567 views | trampie |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 23:00 - Mar 15 by Pacemaker |
To be honest never ridden one, none of my mates own one either so I have no direct experience. What do you want to do on your road bike how far do you want to ride? Is it just for fitness or leisure do you intend racing?
Both those manufacturers have huge ranges of totally different specs and for totally different types of riding. [Post edited 15 Mar 2018 23:02]
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Charity bike rides, looking to be competitive in age grade categories [assuming they do that].
Couple of questions is the peloton on vitamins at that low amateur level ?
Do you know anybody that has been to the continent to pick a bike up ? | |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 09:50 - Mar 16 with 5536 views | DDCH |
Big fan of Hybrid cycling, and I have a Giant Escape and it is fantastic.
Would highly recommend having a look in Schmoos at the bottom of constitution hill. Local small bike shop, and the owner is really good and will give some good advice, and save you some money. Has some nice Hybrids there as well. |  |
| The poster formally known as DannyDyersChocolateHomunculus
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 12:49 - Mar 16 with 5459 views | jack_lord |
I have a Carrera from Halfords. I would say a very decent bike if you get one when the offers are on. My "biker" brother, who spends thousands on his bikes was quite impressed with the spec on the bike, considering the price. |  |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 13:32 - Mar 16 with 5427 views | csf |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 12:49 - Mar 16 by jack_lord |
I have a Carrera from Halfords. I would say a very decent bike if you get one when the offers are on. My "biker" brother, who spends thousands on his bikes was quite impressed with the spec on the bike, considering the price. |
One of the guys that I ride with rides a carrera TDF and loves it. So much so, that when I said if I ever came into money I would buy him a new decent more expensive on ehe told me he loves his bike and he'd be offended.
I've seen him stick pace with a Cervelo S3 down the A465 no problems. | | | |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 13:55 - Mar 16 with 5414 views | nicky |
just my 2 cents as a former racing cyclist:
get the best frame you can, anything else can be upgraded as you progress or get more keen, probably starting with the wheels.
but don't economise on the bike's contact points: saddle, handlebars and to a lesser extent pedals (and shoes).
you can spend whatever you like on a nice bike, but if you're not happy with the saddle and bars and therefore uncomfortable you just won't ride it.
also look at a bike fitting site on the web to make sure you've got your saddle height, set back, reach to the bars and handlebar width at the optimum for you. I used to use this method:
http://www.strawberrybicycle.com/Hinault-Genzling.php
but that was years ago so may be superseded by now???
anyway, last time I looked at bikes the best balance of value and quality seemed to be by Cube |  | | |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 16:59 - Mar 16 with 5349 views | Pacemaker |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 09:01 - Mar 16 by trampie |
Charity bike rides, looking to be competitive in age grade categories [assuming they do that].
Couple of questions is the peloton on vitamins at that low amateur level ?
Do you know anybody that has been to the continent to pick a bike up ? |
Sportives generally have age group categories these are not a race as such more of a social thing usually linked to a charity but not always. Tour of Pembrokeshire is one of the toughest and does age group winners etc.
I am not aware of anyone on substances they shouldn't be but I am probably going to be the last to know. Most of my mates are very good amateur riders and definitely dont take anything. I keep a gel or two for emergencies but generally try to eat/ drink natural products on my rides.
The who,e point of this is to better your performance it's not a results thing for most people. Can I do better than I did last time.
Obviously if you do a load of weight training on your legs they will become stronger you could take vitamins but it could increase your weight and have a negative effect. Bottom line get out there and enjoy our wonderful countryside you do need to get out there and get the miles in.
Did 50 miles this morning it was wonderful for body and mind.
People used to go to Europe to collect bikes or get them delivered when the exchange rate was favourable but not recently. I bought my current bike from Germany it's a Canyon their website and delivery is excellent. I know that Rose and other European manufacturers have good reputation.
Be careful though because the brake levers in Europe are opposite to ours as standard. | |
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| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 17:03 - Mar 16 with 5338 views | N_T_J |
Giant over any of Halfords rubbish. |  | | |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 17:21 - Mar 16 with 5326 views | LeonWasGod |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 13:55 - Mar 16 by nicky |
just my 2 cents as a former racing cyclist:
get the best frame you can, anything else can be upgraded as you progress or get more keen, probably starting with the wheels.
but don't economise on the bike's contact points: saddle, handlebars and to a lesser extent pedals (and shoes).
you can spend whatever you like on a nice bike, but if you're not happy with the saddle and bars and therefore uncomfortable you just won't ride it.
also look at a bike fitting site on the web to make sure you've got your saddle height, set back, reach to the bars and handlebar width at the optimum for you. I used to use this method:
http://www.strawberrybicycle.com/Hinault-Genzling.php
but that was years ago so may be superseded by now???
anyway, last time I looked at bikes the best balance of value and quality seemed to be by Cube |
"you can spend whatever you like on a nice bike, but if you're not happy with the saddle and bars and therefore uncomfortable you just won't ride it." This, x100. If you're not comfortable and it's too harsh or too aggressive and kills you after 45 minutes then it's not going to get used for long.
Hybrids or the really popular sportive types of road bikes are suitable for beginners. Most brands cater for the casual and sport cyclist so plenty of choice. All makes being talked about here are fine - frames can sometimes be main in the same factories, and components are nearly always shared. Giant, Specialized, Cube, Cannondale, all good. Boardman may still be good (see below*). THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS COMFORT.
Personally, I like Cannondale. Ive a hardtail mountainbike I've had since 98 which I absolutely love. I't's been through countless sets of components, but the fit is spot on for me. I've a Cannondale roadbike that's ok, bit a bit to aggressive and probably overkill. And a Specialized gravel-type bike that I'll turn to before the road bike. The quality on all is good. And I've bough direct from Canyon - better value for money and I found their online measurement/fitting system worked really well.
In short, my advice would be to go somewhere were you can test ride and focus on comfort.
*Also see there are different opinions of Boardman bikes on this thread. Boardman used to be a separate company and just happened to distribute to Halfords. That changed about 3-4 years ago when Halfords bought them out. Some reviews have mentioned that the quality then dropped. I can't confirm this, but might explain why people who have had Boardmans for a while think they are quality bikes (they were very good). |  | | |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 17:24 - Mar 16 with 5320 views | Pacemaker |
| Cycling - starter hybrid bike ? on 17:03 - Mar 16 by N_T_J |
Giant over any of Halfords rubbish. |
Giant do some good bikes but not all of them are a better buy than their competitors. Big retailers like Halfords and Decathalon can buy huge numbers of frames and components at lower prices than some manufacturers. You can't compare the service at Halfords to a local bike shop but the bikes should not be written off because of that.
You will equally have many bike snobs say I would never ride anything from Taiwan the home of Giant and the majority of good frames.
The Brownlee bros have won a number of world championships on Boardman bikes just as Giant have won major tours and races.
Just compare bikes and then make a decision rather than everything from Halfords is shit lazy comments. I have beaten many guys in races on much better bikes than my old Boardman 105, the frame and components were better than anything out there for my budget at that time. | |
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