Hybrid Bike

A hybrid bike is a mix between road and mountain bikes. It has some mountain bike's characteristics and some features from the road bike.

From far, you would think it is a road bike, but it isn't. People often call it cross bike, commuter bike, city (urban) bike or comfort bike. Actually, these are all variations of the hybrid bike.

Benefits of Riding Hybrids

The design of a hybrid bike allows you to cycle on the road and dirt trails. It is an overall bike for almost all cycling purposes.

You could skip buying 2 bikes; mountain and road bikes. Just buy one hybrid bicycle. This way, you save more money and still ride on the trails and road. Why not get the best of both worlds by using hybrid bicycles?

Confused about which type of bikes to buy? Just get a hybrid. If you have never cycled a bike before, it is a great learning point too. You could then master both arts of mountain and road biking. Once you turn pro, then you could specialize in one discipline (e.g. road biking) and buy the appropriate bike for it.

Overall, it is the best bike choice when you want both comfort and speed. When you pedal a hybrid, you will feel comfortable indefinitely.

Features of Hybrid Bikes

The frame is lighter than a mountain bike's but heavier than a road bike's. Common frame material is aluminium (or aluminum). You can also install mudguards (fenders) and bigger tires with larger widths because of the higher clearance.

Handlebars are higher than saddle and shaped like a BMX bike's handlebar. It is a straight handlebar with slight curve. If you don't like the straight handlebar, then you could always change it into a drop down handlebar (like a road bike's). Riding on the drop down handlebars allow you, the rider to have several hand positions; on the hood, on the straight bar and on the drop downs. It also allows your body to go lower, creating a flat back for better aerodynamics.

The tires are bigger than a road bike's, but is narrower than a mountain bike's. Usually it measures 38 mm in width. It is slightly knobby with some treads. Because of the tire's texture flexibility, you can ride it on road or off road (trails).

For wheels, there are 2 types;

1. 26-inch (made for off road, more sturdy, tires are thicker)
2. 700 c (made for road, thinner tires)

The seats are usually wider and has lots of cushion or padding. This is for maximizing comfort when you ride a hybrid bike.

The seat tube angle is also less steep. Therefore, you will be in an upright riding position all the time. The angle of the top tube is roughly 20 - 30 degrees (angle measurement taking the flat ground as a horizontal plane). Compared to a road bike, this top tube angle is almost 0 degrees or parallel to the ground.

When you talk about suspensions for the hybrid bicycles, they usually come with only the front suspension. It is also common to see bikes which have suspension seats in which the seat can travel downwards. The front suspension is there for the comfort to help you absorb shock from the ground. But some amount of speed is lost when you use the front suspension. For this reason, some riders simply use a fork instead of a front suspension.

Lastly, the gear system for the hybrid bike is the same as a road bike's. This means you will get a 21 or 24 speeds.

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