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Hybrid Bike Buyer’s Guide | Cycling Weekly
A hybrid bike is an excellent option if you’re mainly using your bike for commuting to and from work, maybe with the odd bit of recreational riding at the weekend. Hybrid bikes are ideal for riders just getting in to cycling: the best hybrid bikes will be good enough to cope with all sorts of terrain without fuss, hopefully helping you to enjoy your cycling and get more involved in this great sport.
But what should you be looking for to make sure you get the best hybrid bike for your money?
What is a hybrid bike?
The clue’s in the name really. A hybrid bike is a hybrid of a standard road bike and a mountain bike, taking the best bits of both types of bike to create a machine that is comfortable over all terrains and surfaces.
Hybrid bikes do vary – some take more influence from the road genre whilst others sit closer to the mountain bike end. Where a bike sits on that scale will influence how well it copes with uneven off-road terrain or how speedy it will be on the tarmac.
The frame of a hybrid bike will generally have a fairly relaxed geometry. This means a short top tube and tall head tube to give a relaxed and upright riding position that should be nice and comfortable, not placing any strain on your neck and shoulders. Many hybrid bikes also feature a top tube that is sloped downwards from the front of the bike towards the back, which should make it a little bit easier to get on and off whatever you are wearing.
Another feature common to all of the best hybrid bikes is that they come with flat handlebars rather than the dropped bars found on normal road bikes. This will again mean a more upright riding position, and means that the bikes will normally use mountain bike-style shifting and braking, with the levers also being easier to reach for less experienced riders.
Compared to road bikes, the best hybrid bikes will come with wider tyres. The width will vary, but it will generally be something between 28mm and 42mm. Not only will this help to improve comfort, ironing out any rough surfaces, but will also add to the level of grip when the roads are wet.
Are there different types of hybrid bike?
The best hybrid bike for someone else might not be the best hybrid bike for you. Depending on what sort of riding you’re going to be doing, it is worth considering whether you’d be better suited buying a hybrid bike that is more similar to a road bike, or one that is more similar to a mountain bike.
If you’re doing most of your riding on roads and cycles paths, then the best option is to go for a more road-orientated hybrid bike. Quite often, these bikes will feature the same frame and fork as found on the manufacturer’s sportive road bike, but with a flat bar handlebar for a more upright position. The tyres will also be slick, and not super wide, allowing you to ride fast and keep up with traffic.
Read more at http://www.cyclingweekly.com/group-tests/hybrid-bikes-buyers-guide-206065#Ydr4lXEM8qfKDXpE.99
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20 Comments
I love hybrid bikes
I think I was delivered a bigger bike than I bought cos mine isn’t as comfortable…
Short and to the point – love it
I'm a beginning rider definitely leaning towards a hybrid. Disc brakes seem to be worth it in my opinion. My advice to add for those shopping is also ask about the tires that come with the bike when you are at the shop. Even though you are buying a hybrid (which tend to be more versatile), you may want to get tires that will fit your use case better instead of just trusting what's on the bike.
Your pannier straps are dangerously loose
Casual and comfort …. hmmm
Great video!! Better then that other one I just watched
Many people think hybrid bikes are uncool, but what makes them awesome is that they're good enough for so many different kinds of rides, particularly the kind that casual riders are most likely to seek out. That means that adult beginners are highly likely to have consistently positive experiences with a hybrid than they are on any other kind of bike.
Unless a beginner has a specific kind of ride they aspire to — a triathalon or mountain bike trails for example — I tend to steer them to hybrids, because I think hybrids best fit the range of uses most non-cyclists have in mind when they're looking for a bike. And while you can spend a lot of money on a super-light hybrid, even a budget hybrid is still compact and light enough to carry up and down stairs or lift onto a car rack — something you can't say for many "comfort bikes" marketed to non-cyclists.
I thought that kid was going to jump directly on those pigeons
My first bike is FX3
It’s good so far but not fast like road bike
Hybrids are the superior bike.
nice quality product
Thank you
3:08 that guy stepped in the way seemingly on purpose
Thanks
This video highlights every ambiguity about cycling and in this case, hybrid bikes. I recently sized a hybrid in a shop and had the seat position in the exact same place as in this video. I was told in the shop that the seat was higher than the handlebars and I should go for the next size up. Almost all online searches say that the seat should be level or slightly below the level of the handlebars on a hybrid to avoid back pain. Can anyone offer a definitive answer of what height the seat should be in relation to the handlebars.
Hybrid bikes are the perfect form imo
Hybrids are super for casual long rides and daily use .
where is battery?
It went together easily in less than an hour. https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.