Hybrid Bike - Characteristics and How To Choose

Hybrid Mountain Bike - Biking became so popular such that many types of biking and bikes have evolved such as road, mounting, dirt, hybrid bikes, and more. In a former article I tried to give a short introduction to Mountain bikes. As implied by its name, a hybrid type is to some extent a combination of two types of bikes, specifically mountain and road bikes.

The hybrid type combines in its design some characteristics of mountain bike, which is designed for hard topography unpaved treks, and the road one, which is designed for best performance on paved roads and streets. All bicycles used to fall under 2 common categories - mountain bike and road bike. The mountain bicycle is meant for rough terrain riding, while the road bike is meant for smoother roads.

For example, the hybrid type uses narrower tires compared to the Hybrid Mountain Bike. This enables better riding in city road, however little bit less convenient for pure hard mountain biking. Also, the handles bar of a hybrid bike can be positioned flexibly in any convenient position, while the mountain bike handle is fixed in a flat position. Hybrid bikes are lighter than mountain bikes, as they are slimmer.

So, the hybrid bicycle enables the rider to perform quite well in various types of roads. From my perspective, as a beginner rider, choosing a hybrid bike s a good compromise that combines characteristics so that beginners can feel and experience, and then go on and choosing a more appropriate bike for them.

 

Characteristics of a Hybrid Bike

So bike manufacturers come up with the idea of hybrids - a cross between a mountain and road bike. Here some characteristics of a hybrid bike:

• Flat handlebars with more than 1 hand position. A traditional mountain bike has flat handlebars. On occasion, a hybrid rider can change hand positions due to the improvements made on the handlebars.
• Thinner tires for less rolling resistance. Hybrid bikes have thinner tires compared to mountain bikes. But these wheels are still thicker than those on road bikes. It's safe enough to ride (even in wet conditions) and it provides less rolling resistance compared to traditional mountain bike wheels.
• Middle weight frames for a balance of stability and speed. There are many types of bike frames in the market, and the frame on a hybrid can vary greatly. However, most hybrids are targeted at the "leisure riding" group. Due to the rider friendly designs of hybrids, even beginners find it easy to ride one.

Why is it that hybrid bikes appeal to so many?

In essence a hybrid is an amalgamation of the best attributes of a mountain bike and a road bike. Those who do the majority of their cycling on the road find the wide knobby tires and small frame of a true mountain bike hard toil.  Semi-slick tires, with a thickness somewhere between road and mountain bike tires. The wheels are customarily road size, 700mm, instead of the 26" rims fitted to mountain bikes. Top-of-the-range bikes are often of carbon fibre. For you, a road-bike influenced design would in all probability be the best option.