Cycling - Hybrid bikes

[moses]

I know we have a few cyclists on here so what do you think about Hybid bikes?

Need a bike for roads and the occasional off road. We are doing the North York Moors Coastal Challenge again this year and a road bike would get stuffed.

Is it better to get a cheap road bike and a cheap mountain bike or combine the money and get a hybrid?

[wilts rover]

My advice is always to go round as many local bike shops as you can and try out as many different styles/makes as you can to see what suits you - and where you would like to ride.

The main difference between a hybrid and a road bike is the seating position. If you are just going to toddle along and dont need the dropped bars, why get a bike that has them? Alternatively if you want to get a bit of speed up then maybe look at a touring bike - or a cyclocross? Get wider wheels fitted and you will be fine on tracks. You can always swap them later for pre road use. Mountain bikes just have the extra bit of suspension for a smoother ride (and to make you sweat more going uphill).

Good luck and have fun.

[ian1980]

I got a hybrid bike back end of last year as I want to ride both on the road to get some decent distance in but also use it when taking the dog out on tracks/woodland etc. I only managed a few goes on it but it seams to work just right. Now the weather is starting to pick up again I'll be looking to get back on it.

As said above though, go and have a look around and see what feels the best for what your wanting to do.

[LongbridgeMGRover]

I hadn't cycled for years but in 2013 I bought a Giant Hybrid bike for general use. I used it to pop to the shops, and cycle to work once a week which is ten miles away, with virtually the whole trip along canal towpaths (in Birmingam). It was great for that purpose. However it got nicked, but I had good insurance so could choose again. This time I bought a 27.5 inch wheeled Mountain Bike, again by Giant. This is because I now realise I hate going on roads and am clear about what I will use it for.
Any bike is a compromise, it's just about optimising around its main use.
Try a few out and don't go for the cheapest. Best of luck

[Spud]

Some great advice above.
I ride a hybrid, I do end up on more roads than I like but I love to get on the trails & find mine perfect for this.
Have a good old shop round, hybrids can vary greatly from the Boardman type which are practically road bikes with straight bars, to more off-road based bikes that are nearly mountain bikes.
Good luck.

[Al4475]

Unfortunately I got a driving ban in 2009 so bought a bike for the journey to work! I really enjoyed the cycling but realised I'd bought the wrong bike for what I needed (I bought a saracen mountain bike) and it was hard work riding the tarmac! The other year the wife and I both bought trek hybrids (on the cycle to work scheme) and the difference in performance on the roads was worlds away from the (very good) mountain bike! The hybrid is brill on the roads and on tracks but as someone said maybe needs wider wheels and tyres for off-roading but will still hold up very well! If you're not looking to be a speed merchant and want to use it for both off road and road riding I'd say go with the hybrid! Just an uneducated opinion!

[moses]

 

Unfortunately I got a driving ban in 2009 so bought a bike for the journey to work! I really enjoyed the cycling but realised I'd bought the wrong bike for what I needed (I bought a saracen mountain bike) and it was hard work riding the tarmac! The other year the wife and I both bought trek hybrids (on the cycle to work scheme) and the difference in performance on the roads was worlds away from the (very good) mountain bike! The hybrid is brill on the roads and on tracks but as someone said maybe needs wider wheels and tyres for off-roading but will still hold up very well! If you're not looking to be a speed merchant and want to use it for both off road and road riding I'd say go with the hybrid! Just an uneducated opinion!

Al if you remember back far enough to BB football days, pace was never my forte!

Thanks for the advice, thinking of going for a Viking bike after trying a few, not sure exactly which yet.
Got to make my mind up soon as every time I think I have decided I see one that's about £30 more and it looks a lot better, then I see one that's £30 more than that and the second one doesn't look half as good.
As my cyclist mate says "that's how you end up with a £600* bike and still wish you had stretched a bit further".

*if his wife reads this, it was only £200 in the sale.

[wilts rover]

Someone once asked me why I have four bikes, the answer 'because I dont have room in the shed for any more'.

The Viking's look fine, very well priced and a good range to choose from, good luck