Cycling UK Forum

I wish someone would come up with a better name for these bikes, Hybrid covers everything from slicked up MTB to flat bar road bikes and the term has been damaged by some real rubbish carrying it. I like them, I started out on one, and a couple of decades later the custom bike I do most of my riding on isn't that different.
Started looking at the OPs links and browsed further on the Evans site, what a choice, I don't remember there being that many models a few years ago. But I can't find anything I like around £500. there's a few in the £300 - £400 range that I'd have a look at, then nothing till you get to £600+. They all seem to have taken the lower price and added disk brakes and suspension, rather than what I think most cycling enthusiasts would do and upgrade wheels and contact points.
Anyway, based on half an hours pleasant browsing, this is what I'd have on the short list if it was in my size
https://www.evanscycles.com/ridgeback-v ... e-EV223342

Bike weight - Don't worry about it, seriously it isn't important enough to be so high on your list of priorities.

I think the Ridgeback's fine value, but remember the OP's going to spend the preponderance of his time off road, hence perhaps steering him towards something from that end of what I agree has become a very broad and ill-defined spectrum!

Hi all,

Just a quick update, I was in Evans today and they have ordered in a Pinnacle Lithium 4 2016 for me which I will take for a spin next week. All being well I'll be out and about next weekend!

Thank you once again to everyone who has contributed and helped me to a decision.

Alex.

I suspected as much! I hope that you enjoy the test ride as I think it is a very good choice for the purpose you have outlined. Put knobblies on and it would make a very acceptable mountain bike - as long as you can put up with the looks of a generation who don't believe you can ride rigid forks!