A hybrid bike is a bike that features a blend of characteristics suitable for various terrain types. It has both the features of a mountain bike, which is used on unpaved roads and a road bike, which is used on paved roads.
A hybrid bike has the necessary features to give you a mountain biking and road biking experience.
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How to Buy the Best Hybrid Bike
Buying A Hybrid Bike
Buying a hybrid bicycle may be an exciting but tricky decision to make. This is because of the wide array of hybrid bike products to choose from. Also as a result of one product’s special feature competing against another product’s special feature. What makes it more challenging is when you have a limited budget, but you want to choose the best hybrid bike that suits your daily and special needs, and is just worth every penny.
There may be a lot of reasons to be cautious on what hybrid bicycle to buy. However, there’s no need to worry, for we will provide you step-by-step guidelines on how to buy a hybrid bike. This guide will also help on how to select the best hybrid bike with the value of $1000 below.
A hybrid bike is something you can bring both on rocky and smooth roads. Since every hybrid bike product has different features and specifications, the most important things to consider are:
- Your Needs
- Your Budget
What Makes a Good Hybrid Bike?
1. Tires
Most hybrid bicycles have a 700CC wheelbase and tires. These tires are designed for a smooth pass across road bumps, road cracks, and pavements. In addition, these tires enable you to accelerate and travel easily on uphill roads.
Friendly tip: Do not buy a hybrid bike that has large tires on it.
2. Frame
The bike’s frame is considered to be the skeleton of the bike which connects the rest of the bike parts to each other for good holistic function. Most of the frames in the market today are made from aluminum, the slightly heavier one, or carbon, the lighter one. It would be expensive to choose a carbon frame. So if you are on a tight budget, you can choose an aluminum frame.
Friendly tip: It doesn’t mean that if it’s aluminum, it’s not good. Both carbon and aluminum frames do great; the former is just lighter than the latter. Nonetheless, both are made strong and rust-resistant.
3. Size
When choosing a hybrid bike, make sure to put into consideration your size as well as the bike’s size; you should feel comfortable while biking and be able to quickly touch the ground when stopping. In addition, make sure the bike saddle or seat is raised and the pedals are within reach accessible, and comfortably.
Friendly tip: When choosing the right bike size for you, the rule of thumb is you can stand over the frame’s middle part with both your feet flat on the bike sides.
4. Seats
Most hybrid bicycles have padded saddles or bike seats for you to feel comfortable when passing through unpaved roads.
Friendly tip: Always take the bike to a test ride for you to completely know if the bike is the perfect one for you. Also, if you have to raise the seat to its maximum, this means the bike is too small for you and not right for your size. I recommend you do not purchase a bike that has this tendency.
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5. Suspension
A front suspension fork aids you to have a comfortable ride, especially when passing through rocky and bumpy roads. The suspension fork works by absorbing shock brought by bumps and compressing the shock for a smoother ride.
Friendly tip: Most of the hybrid bikes have front suspension forks. When buying a hybrid bike, know what fork is used and research about the performance as well as reviews regarding that fork. If according to your research the fork does great, then that would be a good deal for you.
6. Gearing
Selecting the gearings of your hybrid bike is really important since not all gears are created equal and do the same function as other gears. If you plan to take your bike downhill roads, you will need a reliable set of gearing. On the other hand, if you plan to take your bike on uphill roads, you will need a different set of reliable gearing. If you are going to use the bike mostly on bumpy roads, you need another set of reliable gearing. If you are planning to take your bike to long distances, you will need another great set of gearing.
Friendly tip: You must know where you will take your bike the most. If you are just using your bike mostly for work purposes, you don’t need a very special set of gearing.
7. Brakes
Most hybrid bikes have a linear braking system. This would be fine when you are not biking most of the time.
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Friendly tip: it is better to get disc brakes when you can. This kind of braking system fits right at the wheel’s Centre part and enables you to control the bike more when braking. Disc brakes are more reliable too when you pass through muddy roads.
Hybrid Bikes to Consider
When choosing a hybrid bike, I recommend you check out these products: Carrera Crossfire 2 ($429.99), Eastway FB4.0 ($599.00), and Raleigh Strada 6 ($650.00)
1. Carrera Crossfire 2
This bike offers a comfortable ride at a great value. It has good main components, mudguard and panning mounts which are great to take both in road biking and mountain biking. Though its disc brakes can tend to go squeaky and it does not really look stylish compared to other hybrid bikes, this can be a great buy if you are going to mostly take this to work or road biking.
2. Eastway FB4
This can be your reliable buddy mostly in road biking. It has a stylish look and good components which are functional both in road biking and mountain biking. Though riding it on bumpy roads and potholes may cause a harsh ride, it makes up with its sporty geometry and smooth ride when you take it on paved roads.
3. Raleigh Strada 6
This is considered a great buy amongst other hybrid bikes. Though it may be a little bit expensive compared to other hybrid bikes, you can rely on it on most of your cycling journey. It has excellent brakes and offers a comfortable ride especially when you are commuting. Though it may be harder to take this bike on uphill roads and long distances, this bike is a good deal of its kind.
Final Verdict
When choosing a hybrid bicycle, it is important that you know for what purpose you will mostly use it for. This will help you to also know what you need best in a hybrid bike. You have to take note of the main components like the brakes, gear, frame, suspension, size, and seats. You have to make sure you get a bike that is most comfortable for you to take. Choosing a hybrid bike is challenging, but with our recommended products, you are sure to make the right choice.
Watch this video from Cycling Weekly for a guide on buying a hybrid bike:
With these guidelines in mind, you will be likely to choose the best bike that suits your needs. Just make sure that before you make your choice of a hybrid bicycle, you do adequate research about its features and specifications, and that it serves its great purpose on your commuting and riding needs.
Ready to get your own hybrid bike? Let us know if you’ve got tips you have in getting a hybrid bike in the comments section below.
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