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Cycling Forum: How about some love for hybrid bikes?

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- CommentAuthor smess
- CommentTimeAug 28th 2008
I find in most cycling publications, websites, and forums that hybrids unfortunately get second-class treatment. I know that most "serious" bikers choose road bikes or mountain bikes, but I consider myself a pretty serious fitness biker (since I got back into it this March, I've biked 3-5 times a week), and I really think a hybrid is best for me, especially for now when I only have space for one bike.

I like the versatility, extra stability and comfort. I don't go mountain biking, but I am not crazy about drop bars. Plus, I think you can often get better value out of a hybrid versus a road bike. Currently I have a Fuji Absolute 3.0 and paid $350 for it -- it's a wonderful bike.

I think one problem is that the term "hybrid" can cover a wide range of bike types -- some are basically road bikes (thin tires, no shocks, light frame) just with flat handlebars, while some are basically mountain bikes with no back shocks and slightly thinner tires. This means it's harder to drum up enthusiasm for hybrids since not everyone means the same thing.

I figured I'd start this thread to invite others to weigh in -- do you agree? Do you love your hybrid and wish they got more respect? Do you know of good websites or publications that review hybrid bikes? Do you have any recommendations for the best hybrids out there? Thanks!
- CommentAuthor derek1970
- CommentTimeSep 2nd 2009
The hybrid is not considered mainstream, so it is understandable that it is not usually the topic of discussion. As you mentioned there are many degrees of "Hybrid" out there. At the top end of the spectrum are the "fitness" hybrids. I have a ’09 Trek FX. On the Trek website it is also listed as a road...so yes, a road with a straight bar. I do like my hybrid, but I also plan to get a road for more serious cycling. For general fitness however, I think the “fitness” hybrid is the way to go.
- CommentAuthor labman
- CommentTimeSep 2nd 2009
I also have a "fitness" bike aka flat bar road bike and I ride it 20 miles a day, 3 days a week. I thoroughly enjoy riding this bike after being out of cycling for several years. I do get looks from other cyclists but I have also gotten several positive comments from others. I bought mine because I plan on doing some longer rides and I can set it up for touring with just a few changes.
- CommentAuthor cookicymro
- CommentTimeSep 2nd 2009
Agree with all of above i have a specialized \Sirrus\Expert.done approx 5000miles on it and its still sound as a pound.bar end help climbing tri bars get me down low.the perfect combo! Just considering moving to a 100 %road bike but struggling to justify the cost when the sirrus is so comfortable
- CommentAuthor Jodaddy:^)
- CommentTimeSep 2nd 2009
I went with the Kona Dew which is basically a road bike with straight handlebars. I love it. I stayed away from the drop handle bars on purpose because I thought they would keep me looking up which would be hard on my neck (got a bad one). No thoughts of changing to a road bike. My next bike will likely be another Kona hybrid.
- CommentAuthor turtlegir1
- CommentTimeSep 3rd 2009
Is a "hybrid" bike the same as a commuter bike by everyone's definition on here? I bought my bike for fitness and use it to bike to work every day. It's a little chunkier than a road bike, no shocks or bumpy tires like a mountain bike, and has a cargo rack and fenders on the wheels. The tires are a bit thicker than road-bike tires and not as wide or textured like a mountain bike. For me it gets the job done and I love it (Marin Commuter series)
- CommentAuthor derek1970
- CommentTimeSep 4th 2009
This may be correct. I am no expert on bikes, but here is my two cents. My understanding is hybrid is generic for something that is not listed as a Road/Triathlon, Mountain, or Cruiser. It is a class of bicycles that uses a similar crank, breaks, and handlebars as mountain bicycles, but the wheels are closer related to the road bike, with perhaps a slightly wider rim. I believe there are several sub-classes of “hybrid” however. A commuter bike usually has the added features of a rack, fenders, or even a chain guard, where a “city bike” may resemble more of a mountain bike with the added fenders and such. I think there are also comfort bikes which utilize suspension, with a much more upright riding position, wider wheels and saddle. I work in Chicago and see all kinds of bikes all over the place so in my opinion a commuter is whatever bike you feel comfortable riding to and from work.
- CommentAuthor BlueAndGold57
- CommentTimeSep 6th 2009
The best bike anyone can have is one that they will ride. You could go out, spend $10,000 on a Project One Madone, but if you don't ride it because it bothers your back, or you just can not get comfortable on it, you have a very expensive piece of artwork.

My wife picked me up a mountain bike at a garage sale 3 years ago after my heart attack, for some cardio rehab. I put over a thousand miles on that bike in that first Summer, and another 500 the second Summer. Only then did I decide to move up to a full blown road bike, because that was the riding that I was doing.

My bike is a Giant Defy: aluminum frame, with a triple crank. Most of the 'experts' would frown on this bike since it's an aluminum frame instead of carbon, and the triple crank is 'unsophisticated.' The only person's opinion that matters to me, as it relates to my bike, is mine. As far as I'm concerned, everybody else can pound sand. When they want to drop the cash on that Project One for me, I'll listen to their opinions.
- CommentAuthor VtDavey
- CommentTimeSep 7th 2009
The problem here is using the term "Hybrid Bike" - I am not sure of the history of this new descriptor but imagine it has been tainted by many a cheap department store bike. If you ride a "hybrid bike" frequently enough or far enough it becomes a hard core "commuter" bike or a "randonnneur" bike. Drop bars, flat bars moustache bars - whatever is comfortable. Fatter tires and proper air pressure plays the biggest role. Check out what Bicycle quarterly has to say on this:

http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/images/TireDrop.pdf

Here are some sites that talk about these kind of bikes and this kind of riding:

www.rusa.org

http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/

http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/vbqindex.html

http://www.bikelist.org/

http://www.rivbike.com/

http://www.velo-orange.com/

oh and my website! www.audaxvermont.com
- CommentAuthor spridle777
- CommentTimeOct 29th 2009
I have a hybrid I ride to work as often as I can. Just about 6 miles but it handles potholes and bumps better than a road bike. I'm also not out to race or be competitive. I just enjoy the fitness riding brings and the way it envigorates me in the AM for work! That being said, I am not a fan of how road bikers with all their professional looking biking clothes and gear, look at me like i'm just a 7th grader on my hybrid. Hmph. There certainly is an 'image' (having the right dress/gear/bike type to 'tell others' how serious a biker you are) attached to cycling that I could do without! Most other sports aren't that way, I think.
- CommentAuthor chaz2316
- CommentTimeOct 29th 2009
Blue and Gold is right on the money. The best bike is the one you're going to ride. After being turned off by the clunkiness of a mountain bike for the paths and trails and roads that are most accessible to me, I discovered a Giant FCR.

I would add one more qualifier -- the bike I really want to ride is the one that brings back the fun and freedom that bicycles gave me as a kid. If you think that people are looking at you like you're a seventh grader, maybe it's because of the big smile on your face. Ride on!
- CommentAuthor flamin trek
- CommentTimeOct 31st 2009 edited
Love for a hybrid? you're kidding aren't you!

Seriously though like some other posts any bike is a good bike (maybe except some of those department store cheapo's).

Ride it, enjoy it, only you know what type of bike is right for you.

For me its MTB, it gets slicks for the weekday commute, knobblies for the weekend bush bash (not often enough) and enduro off road events. Soit is a hybrid of sorts.

If there was more garage space and endless cash I'd probably have a mtb hardtail, mtb full sus, a 'hybrid' or cruiser, a roadie....list goes on. I don't have space or cash so one bike that will take me anywhere in the scrub, and it doubles as a commuter.

Hybrids aren't for me, they aren't built to take on the rough stuff, but would be great for an on road commuter.
- CommentAuthor mkmiec
- CommentTimeNov 6th 2009
In May I purchased my first bike since the one I had in High School. Got a Trek FX 7.1 hybrid. I have a 3 mile commute to work which I use it for, as well as longer rides in the 20-50 mile range. After my first 50 miler, I swapped out the stock tires, sized 700 x 35c, for 700 x 28c's. That was a nice adjustment.

Overall, I am very happy with the bike. And I am thrilled that it reunited me with the road. I'm about $650 all in for the bike (lights/helmet/tires/lock), and think its a pretty solid deal.

Will I one day buy a road bike? To be determined, but I think its more likely than not.

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