Looking at getting a bike for commuting and have ruled out going for a full drop bar road setup as i don't think i would get on with the positon.
Looking at getting a flat Bar road/hybrid/fitness bike or whatever everyone seems to call them, as they seem to have near road bike speed and the upright MTB position i'm use to.
Have looked at the Trek FX7.6, Marin Lucas Valley, Specialized Sirrus. Anyine any experience of these types of bike and can reccomedn anything in the £800 range?
I've got a Lucas Valley, and like it very much. I find it better around town than drops but not as much fun on climbs or quiet roads. It's just been relegated to winter bike duties though by the purchase of a new road bike.
How far is your commute? Granted, my road bike is better than the Marin but every time I've taken it to work I've done 15-20 extra miles on it. I never did that on the Marin.
I've done a few hundred miles on the road bike now and am starting to get used to the position. It does hurt a bit after 15 miles or so but I'm gradually tweaking it to reduce this.
At the moment it is about 12 miles but will be down to about 5 in the near future
Take look at the Boardman bikes from Halfords. Got a Pro and am very impressed.
Cotic Roadrat does all of that for me. Intended to put gears on it but no longer feel the need.
Cy was doing one built for 600 so within your range.
The 7.6 is really nice- the stem's a bit naff but the kit is good and the wheels are excellent. Not sure if it's worth spending the extra from a 7.5 to be honest unless you're doing a bike to work scheme, they're both wonderful.
Boardman Pro
Regardless of the quality of the bikes, I wouldn't buy one from Halfords.