Foldable Bikes Party: Best hybrid bikes: a buyer's guide to find what you need

Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Best hybrid bikes: a buyer's guide to find what you need

http://ift.tt/1sf055M

Hybrid bikes offer some of the most versatile and most accessibly priced options on the market. Designed primarily for the commuter, leisure and urban cycling markets, they combine flat bars and an upright riding position on bikes that are ideal for attaching panniers, keeping a good view while zipping traffic or riding through parks and lanes.

Cycling is one of life's greatest pleasures – in fact, we've thought of 30 reasons to take up cycling, and we're sure there are plenty more reasons out there. Many people start out riding a hybrid because of the versatility and price, and whether you stick with a hybrid or move on to road or mountain bikes, there's no arguing with the fact that they are a durable and popular choice.

If you're looking for a bike to commute on and aren't sure whether a hybrid is the right type of bike for you our quick commuter bike quiz can help you work out the best option, and our guide to different bike types will give you the lowdown briefly on which is which and the pros and cons of each.

What is a hybrid bike?

The clue is in the name here: hybrids have elements of both road and mountain bikes, and are designed to work over a variety of terrain. They typically have flat handlebars, an upright riding position, V-brakes (though some have disc brakes), larger volume tyres than road bikes for comfort over uneven ground, and lugs that allow you to attach things like mud guards, pannier racks and child seats.

Hybrid bikes exist on a spectrum. Some are more like mountain bikes with fatter tyres and some front suspension, and these are ideal for rough terrain such as uneven roads, towpaths and bridleways. On the downside, they can be on the heavy side. At the other end are hybrids that are more like road bikes: they still have the flat handlebars and upright body positions, but have lightweight frames and narrow tyres.