How to Choose Your Hybrid Bike: A Buying Guide

Hybrid Bike Specifications

Now that you have a better idea on the type of the hybrid bike that best fits your riding style, let’s talk about the various components and features we find on hybrid bikes.

Hybrid Bike Frames

The frame is the main component that determines the bike’s weight. With multiple uses in mind, hybrid bike frames are lighter than mountain bike frames. While we find aluminum frames and carbon frames in the other categories, most hybrid bike frames are made from aluminum or steel.

The simple reason for this is to keep hybrid bikes within reasonable entry-level budgets. If weight is a decisive factor for you, performance most likely is as well. In this case, a road bike may be your best bet.

Otherwise, you will want to look for bikes with an aluminum frame and a carbon fork. Carbon is known for being lighter and more expensive. It can offer better comfort when it comes to the fork, since it can absorb a small part of the shock.

Decisive Aspects:

• Carbon frame vs aluminum fame
• Carbon fork vs aluminum fork

Larger Wheels

To make the bike even more multi-functional, as well as to afford it greater comfort, hybrid bikes have relatively larger wheels compared to road bikes. The larger wheels a bike has, the better it will absorb the shocks of the road. On the other hand, larger wheels create more friction.

The hybrid bikes we sell have wheels ranging from 30mm to 47mm wide. Our specification charts usually use French sizes: 700x35C. The first number represents the exterior diameter in millimeters, and the second figure represents width in millimeters.

Decisive Aspects:

• Wheel size 700x35C
• Wheel width 700x35C

Cogsets and Speeds

Hybrid bike gears are directly inspired by conventional models. Since performance isn’t the main priority here, the groupset components come from lines such as the Shimano Tourney or Shimano Altus. It’s also important to note that these components can often be swapped out for better components.

While we usually think of weight as an important element to consider when buying a bike, if performance is something that interests you, the groupset is where you want to invest. Some would say it’s smarter to invest in a high-quality groupset for an aluminum bike rather than to invest in a brand-new carbon bike. Most hybrid bikes, once again for budget reasons, use a mixed groupset, meaning that the components come different groupsets.

Shimano Groupsets Ordered

• Shimano Tourney (entry-level hybrid bike)
• Shimano Altus (entry-level hybrid bike)
• Shimano Claris (middle-range road bike)
• Shimano Sora (middle-range road bike)
• Shimano Tiagra (high-end road bike)
• Shimano 105 (high-end road bike)
• Shimano Ultegra (competition road bike)
• Shimano Dura-Ace (competition road bike)

Disc Brakes or Rim Brakes?

Hybrid bikes use disc brakes and rim brakes. Disc brakes are more responsive and have more stopping power. They also perform better than rim brakes when wet.

In return, rim brakes are lighter, less expensive and easier to maintain. Typically, the heavier the model, the more powerful the brakes.

Handlebars and Posture

The handlebars determine the rider’s posture. The higher the handlebars, the more upright the rider’s sitting posture will be. And the lower the handlebars, the more aggressive and aerodynamic the posture will be. The shape of hybrid bikes does not create a posture like what you see on a road bike.

To give you an idea, if we create a scale of postures ranging from very aggressive to sitting with an upright posture we would have: Road bikes (very aggressive), hybrid performance bikes (slightly aggressive), hybrid urban bikes (slightly more relaxed posture) and hybrid comfort bikes (upright sitting posture).

Essential Accessories for Your Hybrid Bike

The accessories you will want depend on how you plan on using your bike. The most popular accessories for hybrid bikes include luggage racks, padlocks, child seats, lights and reflectors. It’s important to have accessories in line with how you use your bike. Do not hesitate to visit our shop for advice from our specialists.

Tips and Tricks for Maintaining Your Hybrid Bike

The maintenance for hybrid bikes is identical to that of conventional bikes. The main thing that matters is adjusting the seat height properly, depending on the user’s profile. The chain must be sufficiently lubricated. Also, it’s a good idea to give your pedals a good spin backwards before setting off: this will get rid of dust and other foreign bodies.

Brakes and tire pressure are two other things to keep in mind. For the tires: you must check your air pressure regularly. Do not exceed the maximum air pressure (PSI) indicated on the tire. You want to keep as close to this as possible. In doing so, you reduce the risk of puncturing your wheels, and you save energy as well.

For the brakes: these will need to be adjusted at the time of purchase. For the the long term: make sure you check your brake pads regularly. Finally, something to avoid: cleaning with high pressure. This can damage the paint and, even worse, the bearings. A simple spray of soapy water is enough to clean a bike, hybrid or conventional.

More About Hybrid Bikes

Your bike needs to be adapted to your profile. This applies to children (the Miele brand has an intensive children and junior range) as well as to sex. Therefore, bikes come in both male and female models. For example, the Cannondale Synapse is a bike available in a hybrid version and designed for women. These women's bikes usually have larger seats. The shape of the frame is also optimized for the female sex, whose lower halves usually weigh more than men’s. More than just bikes for women, these frames are primarily designed for small sizes.

Finally, when it comes to your budget, keep in mind that hybrid bikes start at a few hundred dollars and reach up to several thousand dollars. For this reason, they are geared toward both beginner and professional, occasional users and top athletes.

Our Hybrid Bike Brands