Hello!

 I got some advice on here many moons ago regarding buying a second-hand MTB and it was very useful so I'm back for some more!

 I'm going to buy a bike for a short commute (5 miles each way) which will mainly be on road but with a bit of mud footpath.  I've always had MTBs and will likely be flinging the thing off curbs and so I'm looking for a more road going MTB which still has potential for some fairly gentle off-roading.  Qucik and robust is the order of the day.

 I will be buying through the bike to work scheme and am therefore limited to a well known retailer (not going to mention names in case that's not allowed).  My budget is about £700 but I'd spend less.  The retailer has suggested:

Mongoose Saborosa Ocho 2008 Hybrid Bike - 699.99
Scott Sportster P1 2008 Hybrid Bike - 699.99
Trek 7.6 FX 2008 Hybrid Bike - 699.99
Cannondale Bad Boy 700 2008 Hybrid Bike - 669.99

They all look good to me and I have secure storage at both ends.  I am going to go to the shop and try a few out but wondered if anyone had thoughts on which is the best deal?  Or any suggestions of other options?

Many thanks for any help!

I've cruised up and down some unpaved towpaths on a road bike with 18mm tyres and bash it through potholes and off kurbs and it managed, so anything with 700c wheels and tyres greater than about 25-30mm will easily handle what you describe.

You'll also be able to go a heck of a lot quicker on the roads than a moutainbike with slicks, although you won't be able to use it for much more than towpath/smooth path use.

If it is important to be able to do "proper" offroad then Podge's option is the one for you, if you only want to be using it on the commute described then any of those in your post are likely to be fine and it'll be the feel on the bike that is more important.

Cheers guys, I'm still tempted towards the hybrid because my off-roading will be minimal and on-road speed will be more important.  As long as there isn't a stand out bike at that price point then I guess I'll go on look and feel in the shop.

I think Scott bike are brilliant - but it comes with double fighter tyres which are draggy and get lots of punctures.

check out the Kona Dew and the Iron horse transit.

or an on one, they are available through halfords bike scheme.

yes you can mention the names.

Hello again!

I'm doing the bike scheme through Evans and at the moment I'm favouring the Scott Sportster P2 for £549.99:

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86555

Seems to me to be a good combination of road and off-road and is a bit cheaper therefore allowing a bit of extra money for bits (lights, lock, helmet).

If anyone else can recommend a better bike for £550 or less then I'd be interested to hear it!

Thanks