Hybrid Cycle Choice

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taxboy

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I've decided that I need to get a littel fitter and as I can't stand the thought of the gym would like to give cycling a bash as it would also give me the opportunity to scout out some photo locations near home. I've settled on a hybrid as the rides will primarily be country lanes plus a few farms tracts, pathways etc so don't really neeed a mountain bike.

I've had a look at a couple of local bike shops and seen a Trek 7.2 & a Marin Fairfax so far in price range of £400 ish. When I got home from the second one I relased that they both told me to make sure that I got a bike with a good frame and the ones they showed me were. Thinking about it what makes a good frame or is this article from the internet http://thesweethome.com/reviews/best-hybrid-commuter-bike/ correct that at this price point all bikes are pretty much of a muchness ? Any advice greatly appreciated with choosing or alternative makes to consider

Also is there an alternative to carrrying a tripod other than across your back on a back on a bike
 
Another one to look at that maybe of interest is the Giant Roam!

taxboy said:
Also is there an alternative to carrrying a tripod other than across your back on a back on a bike
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I'm still trying to find the perfect camera carrying solution. At the moment I carry my 60d/rx100 in a rucksack and a joby tripod. Not ideal but better than not having anything. Saw some pretty lightweight tripods when I was looking the other day.
 
I've got a Specialized and the wife has a Boardman. If I was to choose another I would look a Boardman, well built with decent specs. Does your employer offer the Cycle to Work scheme? If so it's worth looking at.
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
I've got a Specialized and the wife has a Boardman. If I was to choose another I would look a Boardman, well built with decent specs. Does your employer offer the Cycle to Work scheme? If so it's worth looking at.
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They do but unfortunately I don't meet the criteria. Will have a look at the Boardman thanks for that
 
SaintSLR said:
Another one to look at that maybe of interest is the Giant Roam!



I'm still trying to find the perfect camera carrying solution. At the moment I carry my 60d/rx100 in a rucksack and a joby tripod. Not ideal but better than not having anything. Saw some pretty lightweight tripods when I was looking the other day.
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Thanks for that - I had a look but didn't really want a suspension fork though. I guess that cycling with a tripod gets you back into the old tripod loop. I want a sturdy, cheap and lightweight tripod ... pick 2 :D
 
taxboy said:
Thanks for that - I had a look but didn't really want a suspension fork though. I guess that cycling with a tripod gets you back into the old tripod loop. I want a sturdy, cheap and lightweight tripod ... pick 2 :D
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My issue is trying to find a bag that can easily access the camera, comfortable on the back and also have room for extra kit!! (Don't want much haha!!) - something like the lowepro photosport
 
They're both decent bikes and for around that money, you should get a good one. See which feels the best and more comfortable to you as they can be slightly different - it's also worth having it fitted to you - I know Trek you have to have and collect. I found very good and helpful advice from a local bike shop where I ended up buying from.

A lot of the hybrids allow mudguards (very useful in our weather) and allow pannier carriers, which would help with the camera gear / tripod carrying.

Hope its of some help.
 
Have got a number of Trek bikes myself, can definitely recommend Trek as a brand..
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
I've got a Specialized and the wife has a Boardman. If I was to choose another I would look a Boardman, well built with decent specs. Does your employer offer the Cycle to Work scheme? If so it's worth looking at.
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Had a look at the Boardman seems very nice does the reduced number of gears i.e only 2 chain rings (I think That's the term) make any difference in the real world. Only issue I had was with the Halfords sales guy :eek:
 
I run a boardman hardtail on road for work and out of the 3 chain rings available, i am never in the bottom one (granny gear) so 2 should be fine
 
taxboy said:
Had a look at the Boardman seems very nice does the reduced number of gears i.e only 2 chain rings (I think That's the term) make any difference in the real world. Only issue I had was with the Halfords sales guy :eek:
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It's all to do with gear ratios! A lot of road/hybrid bikes these days have what's known as a "compact" groupset, meaning two chain rings. Unless it's really hilly where you are compact (ie 2 chain rings) should be fine!
 
Thanks for that - I'm in that well know mountainous county of ..................................................... Norfolk ;) Being a newbie to the world of cycling I just wondered why all the other bikes I'd seen had 24 or 27 gears but this ONLY had 18
 
taxboy said:
Thanks for that - I'm in that well know mountainous county of ..................................................... Norfolk ;) Being a newbie to the world of cycling I just wondered why all the other bikes I'd seen had 24 or 27 gears but this ONLY had 18
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Haha, someone was telling me today bout cycling in Norfolk!

Be warned you might get hooked on the cycling bug! It's relentless and doesn't let you go!

More gears isn't necessarily better! It's making sure the gearing that you have is suited to the type of riding you do. You'll find mountain bikes have lower gears, easier because of the terrain they have to cover, road bikes are geared for speed, and a hybrid is kinda cross between the two!! (Wider range of gears to cover all sorts of riding!!)
 
taxboy said:
Thanks for that - I had a look but didn't really want a suspension fork though. I guess that cycling with a tripod gets you back into the old tripod loop. I want a sturdy, cheap and lightweight tripod ... pick 2 :D
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If you plan on cycling along farm tracks and the like, some of which can be pretty rough and uneven, I'd seriously rethink this bit if I were you. It boils down to this ... how much do I want my bum to hurt?
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
My brother is really into bikes and his bikes only have 1 gear :)
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My racer only has one cog; specifically geared for a 4 mile tarmac road around a local reservoir. It means I have to put some effort in on the uphill inclines.
 
taxboy said:
Had a look at the Boardman seems very nice does the reduced number of gears i.e only 2 chain rings (I think That's the term) make any difference in the real world. Only issue I had was with the Halfords sales guy :eek:
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Compact set (2 front rings) will be fine for the vast majority of time. You'll probably find you're in the lower ring quite a lot as you start off, but once you've built up your stamina etc, you'll probably be in the higher ring more.

Enjoy it, as has been said it can be addictive. :)
 
SaintSLR said:
Looks a good little tripod although am a bit confused by the specs.

"Max Height: 109cm
Minimum Height: 150cm"

Is it me or does that not make sense?
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Must be a typo I would imagine, it may have meant 15cm.

The tripod did seem very sturdy and small, I was surprised at the low price for the quality and just how compact it was when folded (I have no connection with LCE or Slik btw!).
 
Cartus said:
Must be a typo I would imagine, it may have meant 15cm.

The tripod did seem very sturdy and small, I was surprised at the low price for the quality and just how compact it was when folded (I have no connection with LCE or Slik btw!).
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I've got a couple of LCE in Southampton so might pop in and take a look. Was looking for a small tripod that'll fit in a rucksack!
 
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