Wider tires mean more control over all types of terrain.īiking should be fun, not painful, and some hybrids come with suspension in the front forks, to absorb the bumps in the road while protecting your body. Comfort while riding is all-important on a hybrid, so a relaxed riding position, wide soft tires, and a plush seat are all part of the package. Hybrids are almost always made from lightweight but strong aluminum – these bikes are made to last. Now, let’s take a look at a few features common to all these bikes. They’ve taken the best bits of mountain and road bikes and put them all in one place. A hybrid bike is one that’s just as at home on city streets as on the beach boardwalk, on the school run or to the weekend picnic. The bike that has evolved as the true do-it-all bike is nowadays called the hybrid.Īs for a hybrid bikes meaning, it’s a pretty broad definition that leaves a fair bit of scope for variation, but if there’s one true feature that unites them all it’s their versatility. A bike soon emerged with the flat bars and user-friendly controls of a mountain bike and the lighter frame and quicker wheels of a road bike. Fat tires and sturdy build were ideal for off-road riding, but more and more in the last few decades, people have looked to the bike as an alternative form of everyday transportation. In the late 80s and early 90s, the mountain bike took over from “touring bikes” as the prevalent bike of the era. In a sensible world, a bike would be just that – a bike’s a bike, right? Kind of, but the popularity of different bikes follow trends. What about here? A lot of them look pretty alike, in that there are a lot of flat handlebar bikes with wide cushioned tires and maybe the odd fender thrown in, possibly even a basket or rack for carrying stuff. What type of bike are most people riding? Now head out to the beach, or to the woodland trails, or to the park. Take a look around next time you’re in the city.