I'm looking to buy a new bike and I've got to admit I have no idea where to start, I'm told I need a hybrid as most use will be roads, local cycle ways and good forest tracks etc whilst accompanying the kids.
I don't want to spend a fortune as it will be only for occasional use maybe once or twice a week but I don't want to waste my money on crap!
Only real constraints are I'd like some front suspension and it needs to be available in a large frame as I'm 6'3.
Any pointers/pics/links will be most useful

here you go, whats your budget?

i have used wiggle in the past and had v.good service


bikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Edited on 2/4/10 by 55ant]

Perhaps go the second hand route! I found a rusty bike, which I refurbished and serviced myself. I use this on bad days, and my Scott one on better days. With bikes, I can see the difference in quality quite easily, and I agree it is better to buy a better one than the cheapest. There seems to be good deals on the Wiggle site!

Ask what old stock a firm has.

I picked up a 3 yr old ex display model.
A few marks but had never been on the road.

RRP £600+ I haggled him down to £200

I am 6'3" I think mines a 19" frame. The fasion is to have lots of space between your nuts and the crossbar

I got a specialised globe hybrid a couple of years ago, it's been very good and ive done some pretty long jaunts on it.

It doesnt have front suspension tho, just a susp seatpost. If i was buying again i think i would definitly have the suspension forks as most roads are shocking at the min.

I have a Giant hybrid with suspension forks and seat stem, 700C wheels for better progress on road.

Try Evans Cycles
http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/spring-clearance/clearance-hybrid-bikes?sort=popularity&price_from=&price_to=&brand=&per_page=20
They've got a sale on at the moment.

I'd avoid suspension for the use you describe. It just adds weight and saps energy and the quality is pretty poor unless you're spending big bucks.

adrian

quote:

---

Originally posted by grassracer
I'm looking to buy a new bike and I've got to admit I have no idea where to start, I'm told I need a hybrid as most use will be roads, local cycle ways and good forest tracks etc whilst accompanying the kids.
I don't want to spend a fortune as it will be only for occasional use maybe once or twice a week but I don't want to waste my money on crap!
Only real constraints are I'd like some front suspension and it needs to be available in a large frame as I'm 6'3.
Any pointers/pics/links will be most useful

---

I've just bought a Giant Trance X4 using the government's Cycle to Work scheme.

£995 list, I pay £414 (plus a fair market vlaue at end of hire period, so that'll be another fiver)

ATB

Simon

Hmmm.... for a dual purpose and affordable bike (even if viewed as a tad vibey and underpowered by some), I'd go for a Tenere XT660Z.

I was in Decathlon on Thursday and they had a really nice single speed [ali frame I think] hybrid bike for £69.

At that price you don't even need to buy a lock!

Stu

Probably worth borrowing a couple first - your fundamental choice is hardtail or full suspension. A lightweight Ali framed mountain bike is very light these days (carbon if you want to spend more for the bling - although they are very flexible). Disc brakes are good and are better for your wheels. I rode full suspension for quite a few years but I now have a Kona hardtail with some trick forks and full hydraulic brakes
Oh and I rode my full susser as a commuter bike as well as an off road/downhill toy for 18 months - it made the potholes easier to bear

have fun

Steve

[Edited on 2/4/10 by gottabedone]

Personal preferances here..
Just get any reasonably good ali frame MTB, front suspension if you want but I'd probably get one with lockout on it so you can harden the front up easily. Then just fit some mtb semi slicks. Discs are nice too.. my old commuter mtb had a 180mm hydraulic front disc, would stop easily enough with only one finger.