What is it that makes hybrid bikes so fashionable? In essence, a hybrid takes the best features of road- and mountain bikes. For many, the weight and thick tyres of a full mountain bike make riding on the road tiring. At the same time, the uncompromising riding position of a road bike is pretty uncomfortable for leisure cycling and the narrow tyres make it unfeasible to explore the tracks and trails.
So how does this compromise work?
Flat handlebars. These are far more appropriate for the everyday cyclist than the drop handlebars fitted to road bikes. You can alter hand position frequently and thick padded grips smooth out vibration.
Semi slick tyres, the width being somewhere between road and MTB tyres. This gives a superb combination of grip for the grass together with reduced rolling-resistance for the road. The wheels are customarily road size, 700mm, instead of the 26" rims fitted to mountain bikes.
Either a beefed-up road frame, or an extended MTB frame, according to what the designer wants to achieve. Frames are generally aluminium, but you can go to carbon if you have the budget. Some may be equipped with suspension forks as well. There is often a choice of mens or womens models.
The gears are designed with low ratios for hillclimbing along with high ratios for covering the miles on the road.
Now, no compromise can ever be ideal. So you have a choice to make based on where and how you will be doing the bulk of your riding.
Will the bulk of your riding be done on the tarmac, only venturing onto the trails on somewhat rare occcasions? If that's the case, a bike that is designed more towards the road-bike end of the spectrum will possibly appeal. A slender frame and rather narrow tyres will help with speed on the road. To be more comfortable with off-road riding, you would probably look for the models with suspension forks and wider tyres.
So the choices are out there, whatever your style of riding. Hybrid bikes offer the best of all worlds for the cyclist who just wants to get out on the road.
Author Resource:-
Check out the Kona Dew or Scott Sportster ranges as great examples of road and trail-friendly hybrids - in-depth reviews from Tern Cycling Reviews.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.claimarticles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites