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**The Monk** · 10-14-2014, 10:49 AM

Re: Please help me choose - Hybrid or MTB

It is best to mix it up. Cycle and run both.

From your intended usage and budget, the RR5.3 seems to be the best bet. Of course a steel framed dedicated tourer would be perfect for your needs, but those bikes are expensive. The Surly frame itself costs around 30k. By the time you build it up, the price would vary between 70k to 1lakh plus, so out of your budget!!!

My suggestion get an MTB and buy a set of hybrid tyres/tubes for tarmac. When you riding on tarmac daily, then you can use those tyres and when you want to do trails and Spiti then switch to the MTB tyres.

Also check out MTBs from Merida and KHS. Both VFM brands. Though you will find it difficult to source in Roorkee.

**tripster** · 10-14-2014, 12:18 PM

Re: Please help me choose - Hybrid or MTB

I agree with the monk. Mtb tires require more effort obviously because of more contact area and are fun to ride off road only.
So buy a mtb with extra set of hybrid tires. Make sure about the sizes of rims. Nowadays 27.5 inch or 700mm is becoming a more preferable size than the 26 inch for hybrids. You can save on tubes if you buy close sized hybrid tires to that of your mtb tires. Research a bit find a sweet spot and ride like hell. You already have the guns for it.

Ps. My favorite is trek 3500.
.................................................. ............
we r all gonna die so let's get high \m/

**avhad sitaram** · 10-14-2014, 12:48 PM

Re: Please help me choose - Hybrid or MTB

Originally posted by The Monk View Post

It is best to mix it up. Cycle and run both.

From your intended usage and budget, the RR5.3 seems to be the best bet. Of course a steel framed dedicated tourer would be perfect for your needs, but those bikes are expensive. The Surly frame itself costs around 30k. By the time you build it up, the price would vary between 70k to 1lakh plus, so out of your budget!!!

My suggestion get an MTB and buy a set of hybrid tyres/tubes for tarmac. When you riding on tarmac daily, then you can use those tyres and when you want to do trails and Spiti then switch to the MTB tyres.

Also check out MTBs from Merida and KHS. Both VFM brands. Though you will find it difficult to source in Roorkee.

[MENTION=38752]monk[/MENTION] what are the main difference in shimano entry to mid gear series to that of sram.

I wish to know the diff in quality , cost , availability of spares .
As i am also thinking of rr5.3 .

Is it wise decision to go for sram over shimano.

**The Monk** · 10-14-2014, 02:19 PM

Re: Please help me choose - Hybrid or MTB

Originally posted by avhad sitaram View Post

@monk what are the main difference in shimano entry to mid gear series to that of sram.

I wish to know the diff in quality , cost , availability of spares .
As i am also thinking of rr5.3 .

Is it wise decision to go for sram over shimano.

That is a good point you have brought up. Sram is not as easily available in the Indian market as Shimano, but at the same time these components last a long time, except in the case of a crash. In such a situation you will have to hunt in India for it and in a worst case scenario order from cycling stores abroad.

The same level of groupset will have similar quality as each other. I have heard and read such a mixed response that i feel there is little or no difference.

In the list provided above the Trek 3500 has trashy Shimano Tourney the entry level gears which are a pain to use, the 5.3 on the other hand has better x5. Of course there are a host of other differences as well.

**avhad sitaram** · 10-14-2014, 04:12 PM

@monk thanx mate for the info.

Mtb looks sturdy , real eyecandy , durable but after using it on plane tarmac one can easily exhausted in short span of time. Gear ranges also not suitable for tarmac use.

I have read somewhere that buying a mtb is not a good decision for a commuter .
How about this merida hybrid.?

@monk one of our member owns it and the pic belongs to him.

**The Monk** · 10-14-2014, 04:22 PM

Re: Please help me choose - Hybrid or MTB

Originally posted by avhad sitaram View Post

@monk thanx mate for the info.

@monk one of our member owns it and the pic belongs to him.

Am sorry but i have forgotten what your requirements were. Your query was on another thread right.

My suggestion for an MTB was for Ravinder who is planning to ride to places like Spiti, Leh, Joshimath and more.

Gear ratios on an MTB are generally suitable for an MTB even on tarmac.

Like you said this bike is owned by an xBhpian, so it is best if you ask him for his ownership review of the bike. He will be the best guy to help you out.

**avhad sitaram** · 10-14-2014, 04:31 PM

Re: Please help me choose - Hybrid or MTB

Originally posted by The Monk View Post

Am sorry but i have forgotten what your requirements were. Your query was on another thread right.

My suggestion for an MTB was for Ravinder who is planning to ride to places like Spiti, Leh, Joshimath and more.

Gear ratios on an MTB are generally suitable for an MTB even on tarmac.

Like you said this bike is owned by an xBhpian, so it is best if you ask him for his ownership review of the bike. He will be the best guy to help you out.

I know buddy my query is in different thread but you are active on this thread and thread starter has similar requirements just like mine . hence the query thats it .
I hope i am not diverting or hijacking this thread.

Lets pedaling...cheers

**The Monk** · 10-15-2014, 10:22 AM

Re: Please help me choose - Hybrid or MTB

Originally posted by avhad sitaram View Post

I know buddy my query is in different thread but you are active on this thread and thread starter has similar requirements just like mine . hence the query thats it .
I hope i am not diverting or hijacking this thread.

Lets pedaling...cheers

I am The Monk, am omnipresent on xBhp

It is just easier if i can see the previous posts of a query so that i don't keep asking the same things again and again. Also, it is nicer if we first help out the TS with his query before we move on to another, so the TS gets all the help he requires.

If you have done any research about buying your bike, then you should also help the TS giving your advice.

**ravinderahl** · 10-16-2014, 04:11 AM

Re: Please help me choose - Hybrid or MTB

Originally posted by The Monk View Post

It is best to mix it up. Cycle and run both.

From your intended usage and budget, the RR5.3 seems to be the best bet. Of course a steel framed dedicated tourer would be perfect for your needs, but those bikes are expensive. The Surly frame itself costs around 30k. By the time you build it up, the price would vary between 70k to 1lakh plus, so out of your budget!!!

My suggestion get an MTB and buy a set of hybrid tyres/tubes for tarmac. When you riding on tarmac daily, then you can use those tyres and when you want to do trails and Spiti then switch to the MTB tyres.

Also check out MTBs from Merida and KHS. Both VFM brands. Though you will find it difficult to source in Roorkee.

Thanks a lot for your prompt suggestion on my query. After going through your recommendation, I have also checked out few other brands. How are these as compared to RR 5.3 based on my requirement?

Merida matts 40-MD 2013 - Merida MATTS 40-MD 2013 : ChooseMyBicycle.com - Rs 30,500/-

Montra Rock 3.2 HD 2014 - Montra Rock 3.2 HD 2014 : ChooseMyBicycle.com - Rs 28,000/-

Giant Rincon Disc 2013 - Giant Rincon Disc 2013 : ChooseMyBicycle.com - Rs 32,630/-

Giant Revel 3 Disc 2013 - Giant Revel 3 Disc 2013 : ChooseMyBicycle.com - Rs 32,240/-

Ofcourse it won't be possible to buy these brands at my place, but i can always go to Delhi.

Also please tell me which frame size should i select? I am 5 ft 11 in (179 cms). Should i go for M or L. Does M correspond to 18" frame and L correspond to 19.5" frame?

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Originally posted by tripster View Post

I agree with the monk. Mtb tires require more effort obviously because of more contact area and are fun to ride off road only.
So buy a mtb with extra set of hybrid tires. Make sure about the sizes of rims. Nowadays 27.5 inch or 700mm is becoming a more preferable size than the 26 inch for hybrids. You can save on tubes if you buy close sized hybrid tires to that of your mtb tires. Research a bit find a sweet spot and ride like hell. You already have the guns for it.

Ps. My favorite is trek 3500.
.................................................. ............
we r all gonna die so let's get high \m/

Thanks a lot

**tripster** · 10-16-2014, 08:28 AM

Re: Please help me choose - Hybrid or MTB

Try also marin bikes if you are looking for other options. Some of my friends have got different models and they all are in mad love with there bikes. San rafael and pioneer trail models
.............................................. ................
we r all gonna die so let's get high \m/

**The Monk** · 10-16-2014, 01:46 PM

Re: Please help me choose - Hybrid or MTB

Originally posted by ravinderahl View Post

Thanks a lot for your prompt suggestion on my query. After going through your recommendation, I have also checked out few other brands. How are these as compared to RR 5.3 based on my requirement?

Thanks a lot

The Merida is VFM as i mentioned earlier and Giant cycles are known for their quality, also Trek bikes produced in Asia are made manufactured by Giant for Trek. So quality wise you don't need to worry. About these exact models, i cannot find the specs in the links provided by you. Why don't you make an excel sheet with all the specifications of all the bikes you shortlist, it will be easier for you to see which is better. But a general thumb rule is that bikes at a similar price point will be similar in VFM, if it has something extra in one area it will compensate by reducing another component elsewhere. Buy the most expensive bike you can afford

Also, Frame, Wheels, drivetrain, other components is the priority when selecting a bike. That is why i don't recommend Montra or Firefox, at the same price point they give better components generally, but they don't have the history of frame building just yet. Maybe in a few years, but not yet.

**The Monk** · 10-17-2014, 12:35 PM

Re: Please help me choose - Hybrid or MTB

Check this deal as well. if you have anybody in that city - https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...type=1&theater

**ravinderahl** · 10-18-2014, 02:14 AM

Re: Please help me choose - Hybrid or MTB

Originally posted by The Monk View Post

Check this deal as well. if you have anybody in that city - https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...type=1&theater

Thanks a lot buddy

**ravinderahl** · 10-29-2014, 11:55 PM

Re: Please help me choose - Hybrid or MTB

Finally purchased RR 5.3. I would like to thank everyone for their valuable suggestions and recommendations. Bought it for 32k including accessories like wireless bike computer, rear light, spare tube, tyre levers, Allen key set, helmet, gloves, lock, stand, bottle cage, pump.
my first ride was of 41 kms. Found my riding position little uncomfortable. Hopefully I will be able to counter this by using softer handle grips and also raised bar ends.

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