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Everything You Need to Know About Hybrid Bikes

With so many different riding disciplines, race types and different competitions in the bike world, the industry has developed many highly specialized bikes to meet the needs of a wide variety of riders.  If you're all about speed and performance on the pavement, you buy a road bike.  But if you're all about tearing it up off road, then you need a mountain bike's heavy-duty suspension, strong frame and bigger tyres.

The only problem with these specifically designed bikes is that if you need to do any other sort of riding, you're pretty much out of luck.  That is why over the last decade or so, the bike industry has reversed over a hundred years of making bikes more activity specific and started making rides that can accommodate a variety of riding situations.  Hybrid bikes are the outcome of this process and they combine the best of both worlds.

The hybrid bike takes the best of the mountain bike set up and the best of the road bike set up and combines them into one convenient package.

Features

If you do more than mountain or road bike exclusively, then you're going to want to check out hybrid bikes.  These relatively new bikes on the scene encompass a variety of models and variations but commonly have the following features:

Large Wheels:  Hybrid bikes have wheels that are 700c, which makes them much more efficient than smaller mountain bike wheels

Tyre Width:  Road racers typically have narrow wheels that have been maximized for sleek contact with the pavement and aerodynamics.  Unfortunately, you can't do anything but ride on the pavement with them.  Hybrid bikes address that problem by incorporating wider wheels.

Rim Strength:  Hybrid bikes take their strong rims from their mountain bike heritage so they can handle the bumps and lumps along the way.

Tyre Tread:  Hybrid bikes come with tyres that have more dirt bike like tread.  While not as knobby or aggressive as a traditional mountain bike tread, hybrid bikes have enough to get the grip you need on trails, some off road riding and anything the city can throw your way.

Strong Frame:  Road bikes are notorious for their lightweight but weaker frames.  So hybrid bikes have a more mountain bike-like frame.  Usually made from stronger materials like chromyl steel, high-grade aluminum or titanium, these frames can take the abuse of rough city riding plus some moderate off road action.

Suspension:  If you love the speed of your road bike but hate the ride, then hybrid bikes are worth looking into.  They adopt suspension forks and seat posts from mountain bikes for better shock absorption and decreased stress on your body.

Gearing:  Hybird bike usually have somewhere around 18-27 gears to accommodate the variety of terrains and riding situations you're going to come up against.

Flat Handlebars:  The drop handlebars on road bikes are great for speed and aerodynamics, but on long rides can be killer on your back and body.  The flat handlebars of hybrid bikes give you a more upright riding position and make for a much more comfortable ride.

Uses

Hybrid bikes are perfect for people who do a lot of city riding, but also need some off road capabilities.  If you commute to work on your bike during the week but also enjoy hitting the park paths and trails on the weekend, then hybrid bikes are for you.  Their mountain bike-like frame, tyres and suspension will give you the ability to do some off road riding without having to worry about wrecking your ride.  On the other hand the larger tyre diameters will give you the speed you're looking for in the paved world.  The flat handlebars and suspension make hybrid bikes perfect for riding long distances on the road and remaining comfortable.

Variations

Even in this relatively newer bike market, there are already subdivisions and new categories of bikes being created.  If you like the concept behind a hybrid bike but are looking for a set up that is a little bit more relevant to your needs and riding style, then check out these variations of the hybrid bike:

Trekking Bike:  This variation on the hybrid bike is simply a ride that has been outfitted with the accessories you need for bicycling touring or endurance rides.  These include but are not limited to mudguards, pannier racks, lights and other accessories.  Trekking bikes sacrifice speed in favor of comfortable riding over long distances.

Cross Bikes:  No to be confused with cyclocross bikes, cross bikes are the closest of these variations to a ‘classic' hybrid bike.  They are outfitted to deal with more off road riding than trekking bikes but still have good speed on the pavement, as they are less outfitted than the previous variation.

Commuter Bike:  These commuter bikes are specially designed for people who commute on their bikes daily.  They usually come equipped with derailleur gearing, bike racks for work accessories and full fenders.  Optional but common accessories and features on commuter bikes are things like front and rear lights to see and be better seen during low light hours and enclosed chain guards that allow riders to not be worried about getting their slacks caught in their chains.

City Bikes:  While very similar to commuter bikes, city bikes are designed and outfitted to handle the hazards one encounters while doing city riding a bit better than commuter bikes.  With more mountain bike like tyres, sturdier frames and stronger suspensions they can handle curb jumps, potholes and sewer grates like a champ.  These bikes are the favorite of bike messengers in big cities around the world.

Comfort Bikes:  As the name of this hybrid bike variation suggests, it is built purely for comfortable riding.  These bikes are basically updated and modern versions of cruiser bikes.  They have derailleur gearing, front suspension forks, seat post suspension, wide and plush seats and handlebars and geometry meant to create a comfortable upright riding position.

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