right guys thanks for all the info on the other tread, have trawled around a few bike shops and have a shortlist of 3 bikes (tried them in the shops but will be buying online as there a lot cheaper!!)

any advice on these 3 greatly appreciated...

Ridgeback Comet 2009

Scott Sportster P6 2009

Specialized Sirrus 2009

thanks!

Now thats more like it.

Of the 3 I'd go with the Specialsed. I've got one from a bit further up the range and its a far better bike than the price would surgest. Rides as well as almost anything I've had.

adrian

The Specialised looks like it has the best geometry but why not go for a bike with drops instead of flat bars?

i would go for the specialized. a lot of bike for the money.
i have a specialized allez and had no problems with it, did 60 mile on sunday without a hiccup.

speccy or scott for my money.

As far as I can tell the ridgeback has a 1" threaded headtube (rather than 1 1/8" threadless) which makes it more difficult to adjust, prone to losing adjustment, and less easy to replace.

/rant

Specialized. I have the Sirrus Elite 2009 and it is AWESOME. This one has some of the same specs. You will love it as it MUNCHES the miles

O

Specialized from me too Ray. Lovely bikes.

Yep, love my Specialized too!

just to buck the trend, I have a scott sub30 great all round bike.

Also have a spec mountain bike, best of both worlds..

Out of those I would tend toward the specialized and its looks a decent spec. I've got a Focus hybrid bought at an end of seaon sale from Wiggle. I do a 32 mile commute on mine and its held up very well. Not particularly light even though its all alluminium. If I was buying again I would always spend the money on the best frame and forks in my budget. Then wheels and finally running gear as its all quite good stuff if you stick to the better brands.

Being a Hybrid it uses 700C wheels I mostly cycle on rough roads and some paths. So I have got down to a 28mm witdth tyre on the back and a 25mm tyre on the front. Any narrower on the rear and I get pinch punctures. You do need to keep checking the pressure on the rear and kep it up near 80-90 PSI, about 60-70 PSI on the front is enough and helps to absorb bumps.

I don't include the saddle or peddals in the initial bike budget. You really need to use clip in pedals and can get good bundle deals with shoes and pedals online. I have ridgid cycling shoes for distance and trainers with cleats for casual cycling.

Depending on how much distance you do and you might get the bug and do more than you planned. The saddle can become a very personal purchase and needs careful selection to avoid long term medical issues. I have a local bike shop who have loaner saddles to try out.

would be either the scott or specialized.

of the two, I'd go scoot since spec. has "Shifters: Shimano Revo, 8-speed twist shifter"

and I hate those shifters. I had them once and they tear gloves apart.

make sure you get correct frame size.

those are hybrid frames that I have no interest in so don't know hoe the frame sizeing works.

for road bike, frame size (non sloping top tube) is 1/3 your height or your trouser leg length less 10 inches.

for mtb, subtract another 5-6 inches from the above.

thanks guys,

managed to blag a ride on both the scott and the sirrus,

chose the scott in the end for a couple of reasons

didn;t really get on with the gear shift on the sirrus, and also the larger tyres on the scott felt a bit better for me.

thanks for all your help

Ray