CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Stuff

Best ladies hybrid for pot holes?

(12 posts)

  1. KarenJS
    Member

    After having my bike stolen last week, I have decided I will get one I like even more! That would preferably be one that I could ride at a decent speed over potholes without worrying about being thrown off, and ride over cobbles without getting a headache.

    I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for a fairly decent ladies hybrid (budget 300-400)? More on the sporty side but with thick enough tyres to cope with pot holes and cobbles, and gears to cope with hills. Used for commuting and weekend rides.

    I've had a test ride on a couple but can't seem to find anything I really like yet. Thoughts are maybe the giant escape, dawes discovery or specialized crossroads.

    Any opinions/help on what to choose would be great :-)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Well, as a long-time devotee of the hybrid style, I'd have to say that I would also struggle to pick a new bike to replace mine. Thing is that the front suspension hybrid that's ideal for Edinburgh riding has gone out of fashion. When the front forks on my bike died a few years ago it was very difficult to get a 700c replacement unit.

    With my bike having now done fifteen winters I'll be looking for a new one soon. I'm considering a 29 inch Trek mountain bike. They, seemingly uniquely, are eyeleted for racks and mudgaurds. I'd fit road tyres most of the time, retaining the option to put the knobbly tyres back on when needed for trail riding.

    I'm also thinking of fitting a suspension front fork to a hub-geared kevlar drive belt bike.

    I'm not helping much, am I?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Regardless of whether or not you have a suspension fork, I'd ride around the potholes, rather than through them - you never know what's lurking in it.

    I assume you mean looking for a bike for rougher surfaces, cobbled streets etc.

    A bike that can take big diameter (~45mm) Marathon Plus or similar tyres would be a suggestion.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Actually Whyte make a nice range of suspension 'all terrain' hybrids;

    http://whyte.bike/2014/section.php?xSec=44&xPage=1&jssCart=dea0a63aa998d93f0abbdd804d1992c6

    Malvern women's maybe? £650, but they always look nicely made when you see them in the shops.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. Baldcyclist
    Member

    Bits have started falling off my 2 year old Whyte CX frame, not sure I would recommend one now.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  6. Instography
    Member

    Last year, my OH got a Kona Dew for £500, which came with hydraulic disc brakes and is generally very nice (so nice I also bought one). A bit like this but without the front rack. I like the look of this one though with its rack and mudguards.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  7. Snowy
    Member

    @Baldcyclist I would think the frame will still be under Whyte warranty, depending of course which bits are causing the trouble, and the cause.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. Baldcyclist
    Member

    @Snowy Whyte offer a 2 year warranty on frame and forks. The wee pannier lug thingmy fell out of the frame at 25 months. (as discussed here)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  9. le_soigneur
    Member

    My SWMBO go a Ridgeback Meteor from Sandy Wallace Cycles in Inverkeithing with 700x37 tyres and mudguards+rack. At £350 it was the only hybrid that had a cassette rather than freewheel so it has stood up to potholes well in the last 4 years.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  10. KarenJS
    Member

    Thanks for the input. I wasn't sure if front suspension would be a good thing or a bad thing, as it adds weight - I have two flights of stairs to carry it up and down every day!

    Possibly should also have mentioned I'm small (5ft) so need something that will come in a small frame size.

    @kaputnik I generally don't intend to ride through potholes, but sometimes there's not much option, like the Kings theatre junction bone shaker.

    @iwereright I totally feel for you re having to replace your current bike. I replaced my 18 year old mountain bike last November and hadn't really a clue what to get.

    @instography I'm liking the look of the tyres on that!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  11. sallyhinch
    Member

    A steel frame might give you a bit of give without the weight of front suspension (but with the weight of steel of course). There's lots of steel hybrid / mountain bike frames from the 80s/90s kicking around which a bike recycling place might stock. Add in a sprung Brooks saddle and you might be able to ride over the odd emergency pothole without suffering too much

    Posted 10 years ago #

  12. KarenJS
    Member

    Have to say I'm quite liking the old steel pink and green Raleigh mountain bike I've borrowed. The thicker wheels are great over the pot holes and the weight makes it much sturdier in the wind. Not doing my neck and back much good though lifting it up and down two flights of stairs.

    Posted 10 years ago #

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