Purchase of New Hybrid - Advice needed

[Sol_]

Hi everyone!

I have finally decided to start commuting with a bike.
I am almost a beginner but not quite. I did the RTA ride last Sunday (50km) in Sydney and did rather well on my old rusty MTB.

I have decided on a Hybrid bike and the budget has to stay under AUS$1000.
So it will have to be close to entry level bikes.
From what I have seen in Sydney, it pretty much comes down to the Giant Cypress, Farago or Innova or the Avanti Discovery, Explorer or Pioneer or maybe a Shogun?

Any suggestion as to which are the most reliable/convertable/value-for-money...
An old review on choice magazine went for the Giant and said the Avanti were not very reliable.

Any feedback would be great as I enter the wonderful and mysterious world of bike shops a virgin.

 

[alex_mac]

Hi everyone!

I have finally decided to start commuting with a bike.
I am almost a beginner but not quite. I did the RTA ride last Sunday (50km) in Sydney and did rather well on my old rusty MTB.

I have decided on a Hybrid bike and the budget has to stay under AUS$1000.
So it will have to be close to entry level bikes.
From what I have seen in Sydney, it pretty much comes down to the Giant Cypress, Farago or Innova or the Avanti Discovery, Explorer or Pioneer or maybe a Shogun?

Any suggestion as to which are the most reliable/convertable/value-for-money...
An old review on choice magazine went for the Giant and said the Avanti were not very reliable.

Any feedback would be great as I enter the wonderful and mysterious world of bike shops a virgin.

I've had an Avanti Blade Comp for about 6 weeks, commuting 3-4 times a week and have enjoyed every minute of it, except for getting used to the cleats ;-)

Nice parts, good frame..

The seat takes a little getting used to, but apart from that its been great

Have a look at http://www.avanti.co.nz/bikes_detail.asp?id=172&t=4 for more details

it might be over budget, I had the same amount in mind as you, but I thought it was worth it.

 

[AzzaC]

Specialized do a very nice range of commuting bikes. Their Sirrus range. May be a bit more expensive than others, but they look the goods.

I would go for a Giant over an Avanti too.

 

[Sol_]

Thanks for that guys. I will take it into account.
I am dreading the cleats too, but one has to start using them eventually!
Cheers.

 

[Sol_]

Hi!

I had a look at the Trek hybrids and the Gary Fisher. I must say I was quite impressed.

Would any of these 2 be better buys than Avanti or Giant?

Thanks for your help.

 

[gclark8]

A similar topic, further down the page: http://www.cyclingforums.com/t182651-flatbar-purchase-decisions.html

See bikes like Giant CRX 1/2/3, Felt SR 71/81/91/101, Avanti Blade Sport/Comp/Pro, Specialised Sirrus.

You can add aero bars, bar ends or Road ends to vary the hand position. Choose tyres around 23-25mm wide, over 100psi. Suspension seat posts help the comfort level.

Don't worry about cleats, train with "Power Grips" first.

I prefer road based hybrid rather than MTB. The running gear is lighter and faster. I went through all this 6 months back, I choose the Felt.

 

[Sol_]

A similar topic, further down the page: http://www.cyclingforums.com/t182651-flatbar-purchase-decisions.html

See bikes like Giant CRX 1/2/3, Felt SR 71/81/91/101, Avanti Blade Sport/Comp/Pro, Specialised Sirrus.

Don't worry about cleats, train with "Power Grips" first.

Thanks for all that George.
However, the bikes you mentionned are way over my price range.

What are the "power grip" pedals?

Cheers.

 

[gclark8]

Many are below $1000, Apollo Allegro is one I forgot, very cheap, SR101 Felt is real cheap from DeanWoods. http://www.deanwoods.com.au/store/category130_1.htm

Power Grips will teach you about uncleating. http://www.ekosport.com/pg_benefits.shtml

 

[Sol_]

Thanks George. I shall now hit the shops well prepared.
Cheers,

 

[B4IGO]

The Power Grips look like a reasonable product, but once you go to a clipless system you'll never look back, especially when you've got any sort of hills to climb!

Plus most entry level bikes come with plastic pedals, so you may not be able to attach the Power Grips anyway. I'd rather put the money towards a reasonable set of clipless pedals and shoes.

 

[gclark8]

Normally I would agree with clipless all the way, however, with the summer heat I can't ride for more than 25 minutes without having to take the Shimano shoes off and cool my feet. Riding in running shoes has some advantages if you use toe clips (strapless) and the Power grips seem to give a better compromise.

I will be on the bike for 2-3 hours today with the runners/power grips so will post my impressions this afternoon.

 

[B4IGO]

Ahh ok, fair enough I've never had that problem myself (4+ hour rides), but I can imagine its not very comfortable!

 

[gclark8]

Pedal, Power Grips, discussion continued here: http://www.cyclingforums.com/t172310-fs-mks-toe-clippable-pedals.html