Which Hybrid Bike To Buy
For example, flat handlebars are usually seen as a defining feature of a hybrid or fitness bike. This is not only because the wide stance makes for manageable steering and an upright riding position, but also because hybrids typically see a longer reach than a traditional road bike.
which hybrid bike to buy
The wheels are typically 700c in size - the same as road bikes - with slick or semi-slick tyres that are somewhere between the two when it comes to the width. The handlebars are more akin to a mountain bike style, being flat in shape, as opposed to the drop bar shape found on a road bike. The geometry sits in the middle of the two, putting you in a fast position, but still one that's upright enough to remain comfortable and safe in traffic.
There is no question; disc brakes provide better performance than rim brakes. They offer superior power and modulation, and performance is much less affected by wet weather. Depending on the price, hybrid bikes will either come with hydraulic or cable-actuated discs. While they cost a bit more, hydraulic discs require less maintenance and less force at the lever to achieve more braking power, because more leverage can be engineered into the system.
The three main drivetrain choices for hybrid bikes come down to belt drive/internally geared, 1x (one by) or 2x (two-by). Belt drive and internally geared drivetrains package all of the gears inside the rear hub, meaning they require very little maintenance, and all the shifting is done with a single lever. The downside is they are anything but light and the total gear range is usually less broad than a derailleur-geared system.
A 1x drivetrain can offer the same, or even a wider gear range than a 2x system, and will feature a clutched rear derailleur and a narrow-wide chainring which will prevent your chain from falling off. Shifting is operated with a single lever. The downside is they are a bit more expensive, and sometimes the jumps between the gears can be pretty big.
Some bikes even offer a 3x system, but these are few and far between nowadays as the need for the smallest inner chainring was replaced by larger cassettes (the sprocket at the back) offering the same low gears.
Lots of hybrid bikes come with suspension forks and we believe that these should largely be avoided. Not only are they heavier and more expensive than a rigid fork, but they are often very cheap and don't provide much in the way of efficient shock absorption. Low-end forks like this usually ride like a bouncy mess, and over time are likely to seize anyway. If you are worried about riding comfort, prioritise a bike with lots of tyre clearance, and possibly 650b wheels and tyres.
Hybrid bikes also make for some of the best commuter bikes, as they often offer plenty of mounting points for mudguards and racks, so you can carry luggage and shield yourself a little from wet roads and poor weather. The upright ride position means that you've got good visibility to spot what's happening around you and makes for easy starts and stops, while the trigger gear shifters, easy-to-reach brakes and wide, flat handlebars make for confident control.
Mildred joined as Reviews Writer for Cyclingnews and BikePerfect in December 2020. She loves all forms of cycling from long-distance audax to daily errand-running by bike, and does almost everything on two wheels, including moving house, and started out her cycling career working in a bike shop. For the past five years she's volunteered at The Bristol Bike Project as a mechanic and session coordinator, and now sits on its board of directors.\nSince then she's gone on to write for a multitude of cycling publications, including Bikeradar, Cycling Plus, Singletrack, Red Bull, Cycling UK and Total Women's Cycling. She's dedicated to providing more coverage of women's specific cycling tech, elevating under-represented voices in the sport, and making cycling more accessible overall. \nHeight: 156cm (5'2\")\nWeight: 75kg\nRides: Stayer Groadinger UG, Triban RC520 Women's Disc, Genesis Flyer, Marin Larkspur, Cotic BFe 26, Clandestine custom bike"}; var triggerHydrate = function() window.sliceComponents.authorBio.hydrate(data, componentContainer); var triggerScriptLoadThenHydrate = function() if (window.sliceComponents.authorBio === undefined) var script = document.createElement('script'); script.src = ' -9-3/authorBio.js'; script.async = true; script.id = 'vanilla-slice-authorBio-component-script'; script.onload = () => window.sliceComponents.authorBio = authorBio; triggerHydrate(); ; document.head.append(script); else triggerHydrate(); if (window.lazyObserveElement) window.lazyObserveElement(componentContainer, triggerScriptLoadThenHydrate, 1500); else console.log('Could not lazy load slice JS for authorBio') } }).catch(err => console.log('Hydration Script has failed for authorBio Slice', err)); }).catch(err => console.log('Externals script failed to load', err));Mildred LockeSocial Links NavigationMildred joined as Reviews Writer for Cyclingnews and BikePerfect in December 2020. She loves all forms of cycling from long-distance audax to daily errand-running by bike, and does almost everything on two wheels, including moving house, and started out her cycling career working in a bike shop. For the past five years she's volunteered at The Bristol Bike Project as a mechanic and session coordinator, and now sits on its board of directors.
While the best comfort bikes are ideal for gentler-paced leisure riding and best fitness bikes are designed more for workout goals, the best hybrid bikes take their influences from the road and mountain bike genres.
\nEach of the best hybrid bikes will have its own unique design. The road and off road capability is blended differently depending on model, with some having a stronger speedy road/urban bias, while others will have a greater preference for gravelly lanes and uneven off-road terrain. If you're unsure what bike is best for your riding then read our article explaining the difference between mountain bikes and hybrid bikes.
Yes and no! The most important thing about getting the best hybrid bike for you is fit. Many brands will offer women's hybrid bikes which will come in smaller sizes, including narrower handlebars and women's-specific saddles. Check out the full range of the best women's hybrid bikes on our dedicated page to help you decide.
The best hybrid bike for someone else might not be the best hybrid bike for you. Think about the sort of riding you're going to be doing. Would you 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 are thinking of riding your bike to work check out our top tips for commuting to work by bike page for all you need to know and in the UK consider the Cycle to Work Scheme to reduce the net cost of your purchase.
If you're doing most of your riding on roads and cycle paths, then the best option is to go for a more road-orientated hybrid. Quite often, these 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.
The least used of the three is steel, which although it is able to give a comfortable ride, generally makes a heavy bike. Think: tough to haul over the hills. Often, though, steel finds itself on the more stylish bikes. It can be a good choice if you're looking for a bike to pootle down to the shops on summer days. 041b061a72