How would you define a hybrid?
Discussion
I've always thought of a hybrid as being essentially a road-biased bike with chunkier tyres and an upright riding position.
Increasingly, however, bike companies are starting to sell as hybrids bikes with suspension forks and hydraulic disc brakes such as the Felt or Scott shown below. What exactly makes this any different from an XC mountain bike? If you're going to be predominantly riding terrain which necessitates suspension forks, why wouldn't you just get a mountain bike?
Increasingly, however, bike companies are starting to sell as hybrids bikes with suspension forks and hydraulic disc brakes such as the Felt or Scott shown below. What exactly makes this any different from an XC mountain bike? If you're going to be predominantly riding terrain which necessitates suspension forks, why wouldn't you just get a mountain bike?
t, heavy, ineffective suspension that cost the manufacturer peanuts.Generally I would define a hybrid as having similar geometry to a road bike, with a lightweight frame and 700c wheels. Mine goes more towards the road end with only a double chainwheel, relatively narrow wheels/tyres (28mm), and lightweight alloy forks (no sus) but I can see why people opt for front sus as these types of bikes get used on trails, towpaths and cycle paths which probably haven't been resurfaced in living memory.
I favour discs because I just like the technology, but rim brakes are probably more suitable to the MO.
What bugs me is that you can't get a lightweight hybrid with a narrow wheel AND limited travel lightweight sus fork. I'd be up for that. It'd just take the sting out of some of the roads/paths.
I favour discs because I just like the technology, but rim brakes are probably more suitable to the MO.
What bugs me is that you can't get a lightweight hybrid with a narrow wheel AND limited travel lightweight sus fork. I'd be up for that. It'd just take the sting out of some of the roads/paths.
Half way from flat bar road bike to MTB with 700c wheels and front suspension.
Just enough suspension to take the pain out of our roads and gravel / tow paths without needing the solidity of an MTB. Quicker on roads and less effort than an MTB.
I have a Specialized Crosstrail ... for commuting via gravel/dirt and tow path ... and a Specialized Rockhopper for anything more adventurous
Just enough suspension to take the pain out of our roads and gravel / tow paths without needing the solidity of an MTB. Quicker on roads and less effort than an MTB.
I have a Specialized Crosstrail ... for commuting via gravel/dirt and tow path ... and a Specialized Rockhopper for anything more adventurous
MattYorke said:
"How would you define a hybrid?"
Not very good at anything?
Everything is a compromise. I can see your car-choice marks you out as someone who doesn't compromise but then you've also got an MGTF which is perplexing given the others in your stable.Not very good at anything?
Hybrids roll better than MTBs thanks to narrower 700c wheels. The flat handlebars means they're much better when you don't want to go flat-out - I wouldn't use a racing bike on the cycle paths where I live because you have to share them with other cyclists and pedestrians - many of them children. And although I could tow my daughter's trailer with an MTB, a hybrid makes much more sense because I'm not rolling off road so I don't need sus forks, fat tyres, and a triple chainset.
So I would say a hybrid can be better than anything else in some circumstances. You only have to see the number of them compared with anything else around here to realise that.
You think too much! I was just messing around - hence the smilies.
Don't know what to say about the MG. How about - er - it's the wife's car.
P.S. Have added some more "vehicles" - which should dispel any ideas about compromise. I mean, who, ever, in their right mind would buy a Yugo 45a, or a Fiat Uno (same crappy engine) even if free!!!!! Although I think I did have the Ultima by then.
Don't know what to say about the MG. How about - er - it's the wife's car.
P.S. Have added some more "vehicles" - which should dispel any ideas about compromise. I mean, who, ever, in their right mind would buy a Yugo 45a, or a Fiat Uno (same crappy engine) even if free!!!!! Although I think I did have the Ultima by then.
Mars said:
Everything is a compromise. I can see your car-choice marks you out as someone who doesn't compromise but then you've also got an MGTF which is perplexing given the others in your stable.
Edited by MattYorke on Sunday 5th June 22:17
Edited by MattYorke on Monday 6th June 09:20
I hate hybrids. XC with road tyres, fine, road bike fine... hybrid is just a stupid made up market segment for manufacturers to flog utter rubbish.
If your bike has any of the following, i'm afraid you need to be taken out and shot (or make a convincing case justifying it)
Adjustable stem
40mm suspension fork
Rigid frame yet weighs > 15kg
Dynamos
If your bike has any of the following, i'm afraid you need to be taken out and shot (or make a convincing case justifying it)
Adjustable stem
40mm suspension fork
Rigid frame yet weighs > 15kg
Dynamos
yellowjack said:
You've gone and stuck your head above the parapet now, shouldb. With comments like that, prepare to be accused of either:
a) pomposity
or
b) arrogance
(For the record, I'm with you all the way)
Ha! I'll bite - I used a Scott Sub as my commute bike for the last 2 years, and it was bloody good.a) pomposity
or
b) arrogance
(For the record, I'm with you all the way)
Plus points:
1. Frame geometry that enables you to be a bit higher than a roadie, but still fairly streamlined if you want to gun it.
2. 26x1.2 for the wheels, excellent for nipping around in the london traffic.
3. Very light frame.
4. Mountain bike groupset (deore LX) which took an extreme amount of abuse without complaining, didn't mind being full of grit and soaking wet when it rained etc etc.
To be fair, I went for one which wasn't loaded with crap
Cost me 400 quid in a sale, did nearly 10,000 miles on it over that time period, embarrassing many roadies in the process.
Nowdays I'm on a road bike, because my commute is 23 miles each way with half of it on wide, decent and uncongested roads. I do miss the smaller wheels and riding position for the bit in london...
If I'm honest, I suspect a hybrid is the right bike for the majority of cyclists. Historically, look at the majority (volume wise) of MTB's - I bet largely ridden on the road. So a hybrid gives you the road tyres, potentially a lighter frame too (comments above noted re. weight), but with a more relaxed riding style than a full on road bike. Perfect for your average cruising around! 
MattYorke said:
If I'm honest, I suspect a hybrid is the right bike for the majority of cyclists. Historically, look at the majority (volume wise) of MTB's - I bet largely ridden on the road. So a hybrid gives you the road tyres, potentially a lighter frame too (comments above noted re. weight), but with a more relaxed riding style than a full on road bike. Perfect for your average cruising around!
I would tend to agree.I picked up my hybrid a few years back for the work commute, and since then its turned out to just be a damn good, reliable, enjoyable ride.
Relatively lightweight frame, more upright than a normal road bike.
And once I get the 10k run out of the way on Wednesday night, I'm going to be starting to ramp up the miles, currently only doing 10-15 miles a day on it.
mattviatura said:
What are the differences in bike types? My main bike is a hard tail Scott Aspect, to me a mountain bike is a high tech full suspension weird looking thing - what is my bike?
As far as I'm concerned, that's a mountain bike.Mountain bikes can be hard tail or full suspension.
I thought the Hybrid was the combination of a Road & Town bike, into a more efficient commuter, not a road & MTB, I'd also propose that if you think you want discs & suspension on a hybrid you need to improve your riding skills, or if it's an absolute must, just get a hardtail and chuck some slicks at it, at least then you'll have the advantage of a MTB to ride proper off road with the knobblies it came with.
I'd say your average Ridgeback with adjustable stem and so on was more of a town bike.
To me a hybrid is...
700cc wheels
Rigid
Lighter than your average MTB
MTB V-brakes and gears, but probably 48-38-28 toothed chain rings up front
Flat bars
I'd pick one over a road bike for commuting through traffic.
ETA - I can sort of see the point of disc brakes on a hybrid used for commuting. Commuting typically involves daily use in all weathers with minimal maintenance and cleaning. Disc brakes probably have a greater longevity than rim brakes and rims covered in muck and grime.
To me a hybrid is...
700cc wheels
Rigid
Lighter than your average MTB
MTB V-brakes and gears, but probably 48-38-28 toothed chain rings up front
Flat bars
I'd pick one over a road bike for commuting through traffic.
ETA - I can sort of see the point of disc brakes on a hybrid used for commuting. Commuting typically involves daily use in all weathers with minimal maintenance and cleaning. Disc brakes probably have a greater longevity than rim brakes and rims covered in muck and grime.
Edited by Accelebrate on Monday 6th June 10:19
I'm picking one of these up on Saturday so I hope I've made a good choice. I'll be mainly using it on the small lanes local to my area. http://www.cube.eu/en/road/x-race/x-race-pro/
Accelebrate said:
ETA - I can sort of see the point of disc brakes on a hybrid used for commuting. Commuting typically involves daily use in all weathers with minimal maintenance and cleaning. Disc brakes probably have a greater longevity than rim brakes and rims covered in muck and grime.
That was one of the reasons I chose mine years back, the discs brakes were excellent in all conditions.Edited by Accelebrate on Monday 6th June 10:19
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