Bike advice required

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
I've had a specialized hardrock sport disc for 7 years now, with very little needing to be spent on it. It's now feeling its age, and I need a replacement. The plan was to tart it up a little and keep it at the caravan so I have something OK to ride down there. Going by how much this cost and how long it lasted I can't really grumble, in the region of £500 total over 7 years isn't too bad in my eyes and thats including the new tyres/brakes/grips/seat I just replaced. The front derailleur needs replacing but I just stay in the mid gear so it doesn't matter.

So, I need a replacement. I don't really do off road, canal paths are probably my limit nowadays, so I'm thinking a hybrid. The logical specialized replacement is the crosstrail, I have my eye on last years model here. Its light, its agile, I'd need to spend a few quid getting it perfect (mudguards, pannier rack etc.) but it seems a rather nice bit of kit.

Then I got to thinking, what about one of those fully integrated ones. I've seen a few with dynamo hubs for integrated lights that come with everything you'd need. Decathlon do a hoprider 700 that fits the bill in all areas apart from the weight, would be 20Kg in my size! Ghost do a square trekking 2 which shaves 3Kg off that with slightly lower specs, but in particular has mechanical brakes rather than hydraulics. Somebody has now mentioned hub gears to me, and they look rather nice, but I've never used one so unsure.

So, err, rambled a bit there. Any thoughts on a solid commuter bike for £500ish?
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
I should add that since changing the tyres the current bike feels completely different! Rather like it, but by the time I've replaced all the bearings etc. I'd be halfway towards a new bike anyway, and still not have one to keep in Wales.
 

Lucy

Well-Known Forumite
Is it worth going to Henry Burton? I got a custom built road bike for about £800, but that was their mid-range, they do them cheaper, and often have some hybrids on show.
 
Top