Hybrid Bikes > Marin Hybrid Bikes

Advantages: Lightweight, sturdy, stylish and very versatile
Disadvantages: Expensive

...We decided on the Marin San Raphael at a cost of £425 from the North East dealer in Gateshead for Marin. With it being a joint purchase we had to buy a bike that was suitable for both of us. The San Raphael is classed as a hybrid touring bike and a unisex model; however, I do believe it’s more of a male bike with the high crossbar. I have always preferred the more sturdy looking bikes anyway compared to the ‘ladies’ models. The Marin name is well ...
...to customize your brakes the Marin standard brake system was perfectly adequate when I used them. To be honest I don't know why it took me so long to get back into cycling, I think had I bought a more inferior bike then the experience wouldn't have been as pleasurable and I may have given up. As it happens my car is gathering dust and I am seriously considering getting shot of it when the tax is due to cycle exclusively. At work I am constantly ... Read review

Advantages: Good quality components, well built.
Disadvantages: Rather heavy, front suspension.

Not a bad bike at all, but it's failing is that it can't make up it's mind if it's one thing or the other. It's set up to be a light use MTB / rough towpath bike with semi-knobbly tyres, front suspension and a bouncy seatpost. As a MTB, it's too frail, as a city commuter it's too heavy and bouncy. It's ideal use would be taking the kids for Sunday rides around forestry trails. Using mine for a 10 mile hilly commute, mainly on cycle paths, I felt ...
...poor Tioga tyres. I changed the tyres to semi-slicks which helped, and swapped the seat post to a solid one to which let me put the power down better. The front suspension still made the bike far heavier than it needed to be (36 lb including a rack) and the suspension saps your effort when pedalling hard. Along the flat this wan't too much of a problem, but on the hilly bits of my commute the effort involved in climbing was excessive. On the plus ... Read review

Advantages: Great workout, good fun, easy to maintain, looks cool
Disadvantages: can be hard to learn, expensive, uphill is hard work

Trikke T8 This is a totally different way of getting around and keeping fit. A cross between biking, skating and skiing, this is a unique vehicle that will appeal to anyone looking for something different. With no more maintenance required than an average bike and a very portable frame, once you find a rhythm you can reach speeds of over 15kph. Durability This is a very solid feeling vehicle which copes well with gravel and kerbs but is still ...
...car. It requires less maintenance than a bike and is easier to store. Use I used this as an alternative to inline skating as it had air filled tires which would cover more surfaces and not get stuck in potholes. Learning to ride it is straightforward and once you get the technique, it's great! Smooth, flowing and very exhausting… On the other hand, it did take me about a week to really get it going. As there are very few about in the West of Scotland, ... Read review

Advantages: LOOKS CLASS, CANT HURT YOUR **** IF YOU SLIP
Disadvantages: NOTHING TOTALLY BRILL

I have been looking for a way in which to get fit but wanted to make it fun and something that i would enjoy and have the motivation to do! I thoguht about joining a gym or going jogging but decided that buying a bike to ride to work on would be a great idea. I am into the whole retro scene and the fact that the chopper was being re issued was a twist of fate!! I decided to buy one and see how i got on, to my disgust i got home a d my dad told ...
...70's just a few years ago and that if he had known i could of had it. Anyway i settled for my 'new' chopper and went out for a ride. The brilliant thing about it is that you wont see anybody else riding around on one because i think most people would be embaressed. When i ride to work i get a mixed reaction from people laughing at me to people actually stopping me in the street and telling me about them having a chopper when they were younger!! ... Read review

Advantages: Retro Chic beyond compare!
Disadvantages: Erm...........................

...in March this year (2004) Raleigh released the new 'Mark III Chopper' realising that retro was chic and that the generel public would pay silly money to be nostalgic (looking guilty at this point!!!!) So onto the new Chopper.... Sadly, with various safety regs, we can't have a gear stick on the frame anymore.....that's now on the right handlebar (twist action!). Also, no more 'L' shaped seat (noooo I hear you thirty-somethings cry, it's ruined!!!) ...
...with no accesories, there are Raleigh Chopper Mirrors, Horn and valve nut covers to buy as added extras.......and if you search on the Raleigh Chopper Owners sites, you'll even find conversion kits to put the Mark II seat on your new Mark III. The only tiny drawback (and it's a positive drawback!!!) is that it draws so much attention, that in public, it's hard to get any peace and quiet! Taking it to the park a weekend ago lead to a small crowd ... Read review