Mike Lay (News) said:My local Bike shop suggested an Orbea hybrid (aluminium frame, 21 speed
shimano gears and various other trimmings) for c300 UKP. I was wondering
whether anyone had any experience with them (it's not a brand I've
encountered before, though I know they make some fairly expensive "top
end of the range bikes"😉?
Or suggest a better bike for a 20 mile round trip with a few hills?
No experience of Orbea bikes, but their website doesn't reflect any
particular focus on hybrids; mostly they do mountain and road bikes.
Also £300 seems a bit steep for a bike with a 7-speed cassette, and
I'd recommend going for something with 8 cogs at the back for a degree
of future-proofing. Even now, for example, it's hard to find
replacement 7-speed shifters and that won't get any easier as time
goes by. Possibly the LBS is just trying to shift old stock?
Edinburgh Bicycle's own brand Courier (http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/
ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=7835) is only £250 but the spec is
probably superior to the Orbea bike. Bear in mind, though, it has
only one chainring at the front so you only get about 70% (rough
estimate) of the range of a triple chainset. If the hills are fairly
chunky or you want to bomb along at top speed then this might be an
issue, but otherwise you'll probably get on fine. (Note that EBC have
multiple branches and there may be one near you.)
If you want a triple chainset, however, the Specialized Globe Sport
comes in at £300 at EBC - you'll find it cheaper on-line I expect -
and it has a reasonably good level of equipment without the added
weight, and limited benefit, of suspension forks. Without knowing the
spec of the Orbea bike I can't be sure, but I'd expect this to be a
better option for you.
Colin
