Hybrid Bikes
· You'll hear hybrids referred to as "city bikes", "cruisers" or "comfort bikes". They're really all the same simple, easy-to-ride bikes where rider comfort is the absolute first priority. These are simpler bikes that typically have no suspension, sit the rider upright and typically have only a few number of gears. Some models have gone to include a suspension seatpost (the post that holds your seat up has some suspension to it). Most of them use the riser handlebars (swoops up) but some of the more aggressive styles have straight handlebars.
· If you are just going to ride in the parks or your neighborhood and speed is not one thing you even associate with a bike and you're the type of rider that when you approach a curb, you stop and lift your bike onto it, then you might consider a hybrid bike. They are far cheaper and you won't get the full use out of a mountain bike. But you might enjoy the comfort of suspension. I've heard of an older person who purchased a full suspension mountain bike but just rides the parks. He enjoys the soft comfort of suspension. I think that's great! It's diverse world.
· Even if you haven't touched a bike in 30 years, you'll sink into a hybrid like it's a baracalounger. Hybrids come standard with oversized gel saddles, gel grips, shock-absorbing suspension seatposts, and in some cases suspension forks. You'll have riser handlebars and a steeply-angled stem that will put your body in an upright position. The frame of the bike itself comes with a low standover height in order to make it easier to get on and off the bike. Relaxed frame angles and a long wheelbase make for a stable, smooth ride.
· The main variation you'll find between different hybrids is in their wheel sizes. Hybrid wheels come in one of two sizes: 26" and 700c (basically a 27"). Why would you choose one over the other? It all depends on where you'll be riding the bike. 26" wheel hybrids typically come with fatter, higher-volume tires. If you think you might occasionally venture onto dirt trails and gravel roads, you'll feel more stable and have more traction with a 26" wheel hybrid such as a Raleigh SC40. If your riding will exclusively be on paved roads, a 700c wheel hybrid like a Raleigh C40 is probably a better bet since the narrower, higher-pressure tire will roll faster with less effort. Basically understand that the most popular mountain bike tire is the 26" and the most popular road bike tire is the 700c.
