Entries Tagged 'commuting-bikes' ↓

Best Hybrid Bikes

January 10th, 2012 — commuting-bikes

Hybrid bikes seek to offer the best combination of the mountain bike and a road bike at an affordable price. Hybrid bikes are great for:

  • Commuting relatively short distances and getting round town.
  • Light touring e.g. for the non serious cycle tourer, but who wants to enjoy cycling for a small amount
  • Cycling on canal paths

The main attraction of a hybrid bike is that they offer good comfort and all round performance for a low price. They tend to have thinner wheels than mountain bikes, meaning that they are quicker on roads – where hybrid bikes are mainly used. Hybrid bikes usually come with upto 27 gears offering a wide range of choice. In practise most people wouldn’t use such a wide range of gears, you would probably be fine with less. However, hybrid bikes try to offer the best compromise between fast road bikes and the greater comfort and stability of a MTB. The best hybrid bike depends on your specific purpose.

  1. Some off Road use – consider GT Transeo with suspension and Mountain bike style tyres
  2. Enjoyable Ride -  Consider Dawes Diploma or Pashley Sovereign. Slow and heavy but great fun and stately to ride. Bit more expensive but more class and distinction.
  3. Simplicity – consider a single speed such as Charge Plug / Charge Sink
  4. Best value all Round – hard to beat the big brand names like Trek FX hybrids.

 Best Hybrid Bikes

 

Viva Bellissimo 7

viva-bellissimo

stylish hybrid

The Viva Bellissimo 7 is more geared towards the chic end of the hybrid market. It comes with a 7 speed hub gear. This is a little heavier than standard dereailleur and sprockets. However, it looks really classy and the classic steel frame is great fun to ride. If you prefer you can also get the Viva Bellissimo in single speed.

Viva Urban

The Viva Urban is a classy 7 speed hub geared bike. This will suit someone looking for a stylish bike which is aesthetically pleasing. It is also low maintenance and easy to ride. You pay more for the style factor. But, it is a good combination of style and practicality. If you’re willing to save up for your dream hybrid, this could be a good choice.

GT Transeo

GT Transeo is geared more towards the MTB spectrum of hybrid bikes. It comes with chunky 700*40c tyres and tough reinforced aluminium frame. All models have 24 gears and ability to switch suspension mech on and off. There are many different varieties of GT Transeo. At the top of the range a GT Transeo 1.0 costs £800 and comes with disc brakes. For half the price, you can get a GT Transeo 4.0 for £400 which comes with V Brakes and Shimano Acera. This is a great hybrid if you are looking for greater flexibility in going off road.

 Giant Roam 4

giant

The Giant Roam 4 is a classic good value hybrid bike. Giant have a very good reputation and have produced a hybrid bike at £349. This feels like a ‘middle of the road’ hybrid bike. With 40mm tyres it is very stable and comfortable to ride. It’s not the quickest hybrid bike, but it gives a real feeling of solidity. £349 is a good price for a hybrid bike. With lower end Shimano gears, it’s fine for offering any gear choice you may need. Will last longer than some cheap hybrids.

  • Frame: ALUXX aluminium. Fork: Suntour SR NEX 4110
  • Shimano EF51 21 speed
  • Tyres: Kenda Kwick 700x40mm
  • Giant Roam 4 at Wiggle

Pashley Sovereign

sovereign

This is not the cheapest hybrid, also it is not the fastest hybrid. However, it is a wonderful bike. I would recommend for those looking for the real bike experience. It is a little on the heavy side, and you won’t be racing away from the traffic lights. But, it will last for years and it looks like a work of art.

Specialised Sirius

Specialized Sirrus

£349. The specialised Sirius offers quite a lot for less than £350. The ride is good. I like the straight steel forks which give a more comfortable ride over bumpy/pothole roads. At 12Kg, it’s not the lightest machine on the road, but at this price you can’t expect everything. There are some good features such as the Specialised all condition tyres (excellent for commuting and puncture protection) The triple chainring on the front gives a wide range of 21 gears. This is a bike that will be able to do most things from simple commute to steady weekend ride. The straight handlebars give a comfortable ride. If you were wanting to race away, you might miss the drop handlebars but it is still reasonably fast for a commuting bike. It is not the most exciting looking bike. Basically black with upwardly sloping top tube. But, it’s also not so flash you have to worry about spending £100 on locks when you leave it in town.

Trek  FX Hybrid Bike

Trek offer quite a wide range of hybrid bikes with a close range of models. The Trek 7.0 retails at just over £300. It includes the combination of FX Alpha white Aluminium frame and a straight steel fork.  This is an excellent all rounder offering good value for money and gives everything most commuters would be looking for in a relatively short commute or a bit of leisure riding. Comes with upright riding position and 700cc wheels, so is quite speedy for a hybrid bike. Comes in a stylish metallic black finish. However, it does end up looking like the Specialised Sirius and many other Hybrid bikes on the market.

There are several upgrades available, for example, the Trek 7.1 at an extra £100 Trek 7.3 Disc retails at just over £500

For every version, there is a also a women’s version of bikes. The economies of scale Trek have enable them to offer one of most comprehensive range of hybrid bikes, and this makes it attractive. Remember it is much cheaper to get the best components on a bike when buying rather than upgrading at a later stage.

 

Dawes Diploma

dawes

Dawes Diploma

Similar price to the Dawes Harlem but more stylish evoking a classic appeal. In both men and female models. Dawes Diploma

The Dawes Diploma is a hybrid bike more towards the classic ‘retro’ style. This is a beautiful and stylish bike to ride around town. It is a built for a comfortable relaxed ride. The higher handlebars make it easy to handle.  It feels considerably heavier than a lighter hybrid bike. It weighs at over 17kg. However, it comes with more extras such as mudguard and chain guard.

Note: the Dawes Diploma comes in either men or female version. The women’s version (featured above) has step through top tube for ease of using skirt. The men’s version has flat top tube. Dawes Diploma at Evans Cycles

 

Bootleg Hoy Hoy Rats

- Over £500. Based on Columbus tubing and Shimano bar sifters groupset. This is a more sporty hybrid bike, built for a quick commute. Bootleg Hoy Hoy Rats

Best Value Hybrid Bikes under £400

Giant Escape N7

The Giant Escape N7 is around £330. The Giant is a solid Aluminium frame, with 7 gears mounted on the handlebars. It’s tyres are chosen for the road, but handlebars are straight like a mountain bike. Giant Escape N7 -

Focus Marakas

- Under £250. The Focus Marakas is built around a 6061 Aluminium frame with front suspension forks for more comfortable ride. Only £220 at Wiggle This is very good value for a decent aluminium frame bike. At this price, there is really no excuse for not getting a bike. A few weeks and you will have saved petrol and parking money. It is interesting how they can get the bike so cheap given the quality of a 6061 aluminium frme.

Best Hybrid Bikes Under £200

For under £200, you will struggle to get much choice. Your best bet may be to look at the second hand market. Also, if you visit a discount cycle shop like Cycle King, you will find a couple of Ammaco bikes for under £150. They are reasonable, but as you can imagine the components are cheap. You are more likely to puncture and spend more time on maintenance, especially the brakes. They are big sellers, and I see many around Oxford. But, you get what you pay for.

See Review of Ammaco Dresden (around £150 from Cycle King)

 

Hybrid Bikes

Conclusion

Hybrid Bikes are the most popular form of bikes. They are adaptable and easy to ride. Their popularity also means they are relatively cheaper because firms can benefit from economies of scale. For example, if you went for a single speed bike, you would end up paying more for less. (though single speeds will suit some types of cyclists)

But, within Hybrid Bikes there are quite a few ranges. You will want to choose which is more important looks v comfort v speed. For example, the most utilitarian hybrid bike would be the Specialised Sirius or Trek FX series – these are closer to standard road bikes.

A Dawes Diploma, Viva Bellissimo and Pashley offer a more stylish and elegant bike that is slower to cycle.

Also your local bike shop will have its own selection of hybrid bikes, it is worth visiting and testing out the bikes in person. You will save a little buying on internet, and the bikes arrive very quickly from Evans. However, buying locally gives advantage of personal contact and a reference point to return bike for quick check-up.

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Viva Bellissimo

April 5th, 2011 — commuting-bikes

Viva Bellissimo bikes are a combination of European classic design with practical features to make an eye catching commuting bike. They are produced by a Danish firm who have 20+ years experience in creating beautiful bikes for discerning bike riders. I was inspired to write a review of Viva Bellissimo because they are genuinely eye catching and elegant.

viva Bellissimo

Perhaps it is just the blue colour which particularly appeals. However, no matter how pleasing the design, there is much more to a bike. The set up is fairly solid. The frame is Cro-Mo Steel. This gives a forgiving and comfortable ride. Nice touches are the integrated mudguards and chain guard; there is a careful attention to detail. Very useful are the Schwalbe 28 inch tyres with extra puncture protection.

Viva Bellisimo 7 – Womens

The women’s version has a step through frame for ease of use.

For those who want gears, the Viva Bellissimo 7 offers 7 speed through a convenient hub gear system (think of it as an advanced form of Sturmey Archer)

Notes on the Hub System

  • The hub system is heavier than standard derailluer system.This makes bike a little slower.
  • The hub system is easier to maintain and looks cleaner.
  • It is easier to change. For example, if you are stuck at lights, you can change gears and it changes straight away – you don’t need to worry about pedalling to put chain in new sprocket.

7 Speeds gives much greater range of flexibility. For hilly cities the one speed could be a bit cumbersome when you try to pedal the 12 Kg bike up a steep hill. The Viva is designed to be ridden with joy, 7 speed makes this easier to achieve. Also the 7 speed hub system avoids the need for dérailleurs and cassette rings, enabling the bike to retain the look of a single speed.

At prices starting from £600 upwards, Viva is not competing on price. But you do get the kind of bike you can become really attached to. It is enjoyable and easy to ride and has great aesthetics to boot. I’m sure this bike would be quite popular on cycle chic photo blogs. Also, Evans sometimes have sales, and if you buy at right time you may get for under £500. I think this is pretty good value for the chic end of the hybrid market.

The Viva Bellissimo comes in a variety of options. The first is the Single Speed Bellissimo. The one I tried was this 7 speed Viva Bellissimo. This was good fun to ride. Not quick, and a little heavier than what I’m used to. However, the Viva Bellissimo exudes class. It is well built and catches almost perfect aesthetics. If you’re looking for a classy commuting bike to really appreciate, you will be happy with the Viva Bellissimo either 1 spd or 7 spd. Just don’t expect it to be quickest off from lights…

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Charge Plug Bike

December 20th, 2010 — commuting-bikes

charge plug
Only established in 2006, Charge Bikes have carved a niche in the growing market of ‘cool’ single speed. With sleek minimalistic designs, they have proved quite popular, especially in London. For those expecting minimalistic single speed to be cheaper, charge will disappoint as they target the £400 to £500 price range. But, this is still less than some other brands of single speed.

Charge Plug

The most popular Charge bike, the plug is on sale for less than £500. Despite being single speed it isn’t the lightest bike (around 22lbs, which is quite heavy given price tag), but, the solid steel frame is durable and reliable. The Steel frame also helps absorb a bumpier ride.

There is a choice of dropouts for example, the Charge Plug Griffin comes with horizontal dropouts. The New Charge Plug comes with bullhorn bars, these are a little more aerodynamic and help enable a stronger push when pedalling the single speed off from a standing start. They also help the bike stand out from the pack.

If you prefer horizontal bars, try the Charge Sink. A very similar bike, see: review Charge Sink

The frame and fork is a cro-molo (mainly steel) Tange Plain Gauge. The gearing is by default a 42 tooth chainring by 16 rear cog. Should be enough to get up all but the steepest hills. Tektro caliper brakes are good quality, though like many bikes off the peg, it is worth upgrading the tyres. Many have felt the Kenda tyres offer poor performance. Upgrading to any of a  wide range of better commuting tyres, will help offer better puncture protection and also a better quality ride. Personally, I like to put something like Armadillos tyres on commuting bikes. They are very strong, resistant and great at resisting punctures.

A quick test ride of the charge plug was enjoyable. It’s very different riding a single speed to a normal road commuting bike. Of course, lower end road bikes are cheaper than these single speed. But, at £500, the Charge road bikes offer a good value single speed, which is both good looking and solid components.

Given that one of the main attractions of these single speed bikes is the aesthetics, it would be worth charge considering offering custom paint colours. There is a reasonable choice between different versions. But, clearly choice of handlebars and colour are two big factors for people choosing between single speeds.

When buying a single speed like the charge plug, you have to bear in mind, there are no mudguard, pannier eyes. It is good for sleek looks, but, not so practical if you want to be carrying more than in a messengers bag.

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Giant Escape City Bike Review

March 25th, 2008 — bikes, commuting-bikes

If you are looking for a good value commuting bike under £400, the Giant Bikes offers a good options. Made by Giant, it offers a good combination of accessories, value for money and production values geared towards the commuter.

Made with lightweight aluminium frame it keeps weight relatively low. There are more than enough gear choices for the average commuter with Shimano Deore 27 speed. Shimano Deore are to the lower end of the range for Shimano, but it is adequate for the non racing commuter. The bike offers a good riding position with comfort and visibility at the forefront. It comes with 26″ tyres which are designed for the road rather than a country track. however, 26″ wheels are fine for a canal path or non tarmacked surface.

Overall Review

Good versatility and value for money. The reputation of Giant to produce good value bikes is well justified in this model. Don’t be misled by the name ‘Escape’. It is not to be used for escaping into the mountains, rather escaping the congestion of an inner city commute

* Frame: ALUXX Aluminium, Fluid Formed
* Fork: CroMo rigid
* Brakes: Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc, 160mm rotors
* Wheels: Alex ACE 18 rims Shimano 475 hubs
* Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 27 speed shifters and mechs
* Cranks: Truvativ ISO Flow 3.0 26/36/48

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