Hybrid Bicycles

[fustercluck]

I might get a bike soon, hopefully one that's not too crummy. My Dad has a hybrid bike and it's pretty nice, rides real smooth, comfortable, and can go on road or off road (not hardcore off road, just off road). The tired are not big and nobby like a mountain bike or super skinny like a road bike, it's in-between. So i would like to get a hybrid bike, just for riding around with my Pappy, and might need it to get to work if i ever get a job, heh.

I noticed though that Hybrid bikes are kinda hard to find. Is there any reason they're so uncommon or have they just not really caught on yet? I know little about bikes. I probably will end up not getting one anyways, but just in case i decided to try and get some knowledge in my head. If i do get one it will be under $200, maybe under $100, probably buy used. I know not to expect much for that price. I just want it to ride smooth and be comfortable. Thanks.

 

[0roo0roo]

http://gearlog.com/blogs/gearlog/archive/2006/05/24/12548.aspx

 

[Stuxnet]

Hybrid bikes are pretty popular in the U.S. I don't know where you're from (and I can't be bothered to look at your profile), but I'm surprised to hear they're difficult to find.

I'd say 95% of the people out there riding a mountain bike should actually be riding a hybrid bike. You're right, though: for $200, it's going to be difficult to find one. I dropped some pretty serious jack on my Specialized Crossroads Expert XC, but it was worth every penny. I love it.

Good luck!

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: jbourne77
Hybrid bikes are pretty popular in the U.S. I don't know where you're from (and I can't be bothered to look at your profile), but I'm surprised to hear they're difficult to find.

I'd say 95% of the people out there riding a mountain bike should actually be riding a hybrid bike. You're right, though: for $200, it's going to be difficult to find one. I dropped some pretty serious jack on my Specialized Crossroads Expert XC, but it was worth every penny. I love it.

Good luck!

powering your own transportation wasn't enough? they had to try and make it greener?:laugh:

what exactly is a hybrid bike and how are they better than a traditional bike?

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: jbourne77
Hybrid bikes are pretty popular in the U.S. I don't know where you're from (and I can't be bothered to look at your profile), but I'm surprised to hear they're difficult to find.

I'd say 95% of the people out there riding a mountain bike should actually be riding a hybrid bike. You're right, though: for $200, it's going to be difficult to find one. I dropped some pretty serious jack on my Specialized Crossroads Expert XC, but it was worth every penny. I love it.

Good luck!

powering your own transportation wasn't enough? they had to try and make it greener?:laugh:

what exactly is a hybrid bike and how are they better than a traditional bike?

It has a battery and uses regenerative braking to recharge it.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: jbourne77
Hybrid bikes are pretty popular in the U.S. I don't know where you're from (and I can't be bothered to look at your profile), but I'm surprised to hear they're difficult to find.

I'd say 95% of the people out there riding a mountain bike should actually be riding a hybrid bike. You're right, though: for $200, it's going to be difficult to find one. I dropped some pretty serious jack on my Specialized Crossroads Expert XC, but it was worth every penny. I love it.

Good luck!

powering your own transportation wasn't enough? they had to try and make it greener?:laugh:

what exactly is a hybrid bike and how are they better than a traditional bike?

Hmm... not sure what the first bit is about, but I'll help with the second:

A hybrid is exactly as the name implies: it's a hybrid of a mountain bike and a road bike, making it suitable for a broader range of riding conditions. A road bike is only suited for smooth asphalt riding and a small minority of other prime conditions. A mountain bike doesn't belong anywhere but in extreme off-road conditions. Riding either of these bikes in conditions not intended either means working a lot harder than you need to (mountain bike) or destroying your gear (road bike). A hybrid is intended to give you a lot more flexibility. You're not going to win road races with it and it's not meant for climbing a rough trail, but it hits the nail on the head for everything in between. Higher end hybrids maintain the stylish look of a mountain bike while providing a very comfortable ride and a lot of flexibility.

 

[Philippine Mango]

Originally posted by: jbourne77

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: jbourne77
Hybrid bikes are pretty popular in the U.S. I don't know where you're from (and I can't be bothered to look at your profile), but I'm surprised to hear they're difficult to find.

I'd say 95% of the people out there riding a mountain bike should actually be riding a hybrid bike. You're right, though: for $200, it's going to be difficult to find one. I dropped some pretty serious jack on my Specialized Crossroads Expert XC, but it was worth every penny. I love it.

Good luck!

powering your own transportation wasn't enough? they had to try and make it greener?:laugh:

what exactly is a hybrid bike and how are they better than a traditional bike?

Hmm... not sure what the first bit is about, but I'll help with the second:

A hybrid is exactly as the name implies: it's a hybrid of a mountain bike and a road bike, making it suitable for a broader range of riding conditions. A road bike is only suited for smooth asphalt riding and a small minority of other prime conditions. A mountain bike doesn't belong anywhere but in extreme off-road conditions. Riding either of these bikes in conditions not intended either means working a lot harder than you need to (mountain bike) or destroying your gear (road bike). A hybrid is intended to give you a lot more flexibility. You're not going to win road races with it and it's not meant for climbing a rough trail, but it hits the nail on the head for everything in between. Higher end hybrids maintain the stylish look of a mountain bike while providing a very comfortable ride and a lot of flexibility.

QFT. At first I was thinking what fenixgoon was thinking but then I was reminded of what you're saying. I first heard about hybrid bikes from an informercial back in '99. :laugh: Yea, pretty much what most people should have.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: Philippine Mango
QFT. At first I was thinking what fenixgoon was thinking but then I was reminded of what you're saying. I first heard about hybrid bikes from an informercial back in '99. :laugh: Yea, pretty much what most people should have.

I've been cycling off and on for about 15 years, and I worked for a couple years in a bike store. I can't tell you guys how many people came in the store bent on getting a mountain bike, at least until we sat them on a hybrid and let them compare the two. Nine times out of ten, they'd change their minds on the spot. You just can't beat the comfort and convenience, and most people are shocked when they see how stylish these "hybrids" can be. Most people think of "old people" bikes when they think hybrid, but they couldn't be more wrong. The average consumer couldn't tell a hybrid from a mountain bike just by looking at it, save for maybe a beefier suspension in the rear.

Also, in my two years working at the store, I might have had 3 customers who honestly needed a true mountain bike. The rest were posers better served by a hybrid.

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: jbourne77
Hybrid bikes are pretty popular in the U.S. I don't know where you're from (and I can't be bothered to look at your profile), but I'm surprised to hear they're difficult to find.

I'd say 95% of the people out there riding a mountain bike should actually be riding a hybrid bike. You're right, though: for $200, it's going to be difficult to find one. I dropped some pretty serious jack on my Specialized Crossroads Expert XC, but it was worth every penny. I love it.

Good luck!

I'm in Arizona. I don't go into bike shops (too pricey) but i notice hybrid bikes rarely show up on Cragislist and Ebay doesn't have a hybrid bike catagory. When searching on ebay for "Hybrid" in Cycling, only 96 results show up, not all of which are bikes. So i figured based on all that they weren't too popular 😛 - I don't think i'd have trouble finding one though. I will have trouble finding one in my price range, however. BTW, i remember looking into the Specialized Crossroads line, those look real nice 🙂 - Out of my range though.

Thanks for the info.

 

[MrBond]

I love my Hybrid. It's a Specialized Crossroads, about 10 years old. It's great for hard-surface riding, but it's not very good on dirt trails (better tires would definatly help). Riding in grass isn't a problem, even hard packed dirt or cinder trails, but if I get in sand or really loose gravel I lose traction pretty fast.

My only other complaint is that the ride is a little rough if I take it over a boardwalk trail. The one metropark I like to ride in has a boardwalk bridge that's very long and it's not pleasent to ride on it. I think the newer hybrids have a shock-absorber seat post, which would help a ton.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: Adaman

Originally posted by: jbourne77
Hybrid bikes are pretty popular in the U.S. I don't know where you're from (and I can't be bothered to look at your profile), but I'm surprised to hear they're difficult to find.

I'd say 95% of the people out there riding a mountain bike should actually be riding a hybrid bike. You're right, though: for $200, it's going to be difficult to find one. I dropped some pretty serious jack on my Specialized Crossroads Expert XC, but it was worth every penny. I love it.

Good luck!

I'm in Arizona. I don't go into bike shops (too pricey) but i notice hybrid bikes rarely show up on Cragislist and Ebay doesn't have a hybrid bike catagory. When searching on ebay for "Hybrid" in Cycling, only 96 results show up, not all of which are bikes. So i figured based on all that they weren't too popular 😛 - I don't think i'd have trouble finding one though. I will have trouble finding one in my price range, however. BTW, i remember looking into the Specialized Crossroads line, those look real nice 🙂 - I'm not looking for something that..."Nice" i guess is the word.

Thanks for the info.

You might want to go into a sporting goods store, if for no other reason than to try a few bikes and jot down some models/makes so you have something to search for online. But honestly, $200 is a pretty tight budget, so you're not going to have many options. Not trying to burst your bubble - just trying to be realistic.

 

[fustercluck]

Maybe I can get an older Specialized Crossroads bike. MrBond said his was 10 years old, so i might be able to find an older used one for cheap. As long as it's comfortable and rides good i'll be ok, since the bike won't get much use.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd stay away from department stores and sporting goods stores. Go to a bike shop. That's the best place to buy a bicycle by far.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: jbourne77
Hybrid bikes are pretty popular in the U.S. I don't know where you're from (and I can't be bothered to look at your profile), but I'm surprised to hear they're difficult to find.

I'd say 95% of the people out there riding a mountain bike should actually be riding a hybrid bike. You're right, though: for $200, it's going to be difficult to find one. I dropped some pretty serious jack on my Specialized Crossroads Expert XC, but it was worth every penny. I love it.

Good luck!

I spent $600 on my LeMond Wayzata as a commuter... worth every single penny!!!!!! I estimate I have saved about $300 in gas and maintenance and parking tickets, so thats not to far off of your budget, though it is still a large initial outlay.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/homebrewerdude/LeMond.jpg

 

[Brutuskend]

IMO getting a Hybrid will limit you at both ends of the spectrum. It won't work all that well for on road riding and it won't work all that well for off road ridding. If you plan to ride off road, get a MTB and put road tires on it.

And if you plan to spend $100-$200 expect to end up with a POS no matter WHAT kind of bike you end up with. (unless it's VERY used and VERY old)

Many companies are coming out with 29 inch wheel bikes now. They will be faster on road, yet still be more durable off road (if you get a GOOD one), you may want to check into them. (Haro is coming out with a few 29 inchers for 2007 that look pretty sweet) 😉

But if you MUST have a Hybrid, check out the Del Sol LXI 7.2 (Del Sol is Haro's comfort/cruiser/hybrid line of bikes)

Yeah, I'm a Haro fanboy. 😉

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: jbourne77

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: jbourne77
Hybrid bikes are pretty popular in the U.S. I don't know where you're from (and I can't be bothered to look at your profile), but I'm surprised to hear they're difficult to find.

I'd say 95% of the people out there riding a mountain bike should actually be riding a hybrid bike. You're right, though: for $200, it's going to be difficult to find one. I dropped some pretty serious jack on my Specialized Crossroads Expert XC, but it was worth every penny. I love it.

Good luck!

powering your own transportation wasn't enough? they had to try and make it greener?:laugh:

what exactly is a hybrid bike and how are they better than a traditional bike?

Hmm... not sure what the first bit is about, but I'll help with the second:

A hybrid is exactly as the name implies: it's a hybrid of a mountain bike and a road bike, making it suitable for a broader range of riding conditions. A road bike is only suited for smooth asphalt riding and a small minority of other prime conditions. A mountain bike doesn't belong anywhere but in extreme off-road conditions. Riding either of these bikes in conditions not intended either means working a lot harder than you need to (mountain bike) or destroying your gear (road bike). A hybrid is intended to give you a lot more flexibility. You're not going to win road races with it and it's not meant for climbing a rough trail, but it hits the nail on the head for everything in between. Higher end hybrids maintain the stylish look of a mountain bike while providing a very comfortable ride and a lot of flexibility.

oh ok.. hyrbrid as in road bike + mountain bike hybrid 🙂

i have a mountain bike i ride around my campus (Drexel).. might as well have it lol, some of these streets suck hardcore (and uneven brick sidewalks FTL)