Road Cycling - What's a good hybrid bike?

I'm a female looking for a decent hybrid bike. Nothing too outrageous or expensive as I'm on a budget and really don't know too much about bikes? I'd use it mainly on the road and maybe light usage on a trail. Thank you!:)

I've got a Giant Innova that I've had for 10 yrs, and it's been very good to me. That was before they brought it out with suspension forks and seatpost, and aluminum frame, so it's a different bike now, but it's been very reliable with minimum adjustments or work needed. My partner has a Giant Option, and she likes it.

Hi paradox0430,

My wife and I both have the Trek 7500 hybrids. You can see those and other models on Trek's website (http://www.trekbikes.com/home.jsp). We like them a lot.

--gordon

Just got my wife a Raleigh C-200 this spring. She loves it. It's not very expensive and she uses it just like you plan to with your new bike. Raleigh seems to give you a lot of value for your hard-earned dollars. Right now, most bike shops have some left over last year's models at substantial discounts, so don't by shy about asking about those when shopping. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

As was already mentioned, Raleigh does a good job of providing value at a given price point. You may also want to check out Specialized's line-the Crossroads series. They get my vote as the better bike. www.specialized.com

decent hybrid bike
Sorry-that term is oxymoronic.

Enlighten me, Alex.

Bought my wife a Trek 7500FX for Xmas. Just now getting warm enough for her to ride it but she loves it so far. It's more oriented toward road riding with the slick tires but I think it would be ok on some light trails too. Especially with a change of tires. It wasn't exactly cheap so it may be out of your budget, but it's a pretty nice bike for the money I think. We looked at Specialized Sirrus' too but nobody around here had any in stock. After seeing the Trek she just had to have it.

I got a 20inch cannondale silkpath 700,a 2000 for $475.Less than 5000 miles.A very good bike w/front shock.

Hi,
I have a Specialized Sirrus that I am very happy with. Changed out the platform pedals for some SpeedPlay Frogs and added some Cane Creek bar ends to give me more hand positions to help with hand numbness. The bike is a joy to ride. Just got back from the Great Smoky Mountain NP where I rode the bike all over the park roads. Lots of fun.

Good Luck with your choice.

Don

The $500-type hybrids from the major manufacturers -- Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Giant, etc. -- are more similar than different. The shop you buy from, their support and service and willingness to treat you like an important customer, are likely to make a bigger difference than the bike.

So I'd suggest that you "shop for a shop," find one that you really like, and then choose from the brands they sell.

Two good ways to distinguish a good shop: their willingness to let you take extended test rides, and the amount of time they spend getting you onto a bike that truly fits you well. Good fit is always the critical factor, even with hybrids, and in my mind a shop that glosses over the issue of fit is not worth your business.

A third way to distinguish a good shop is by whether they tension and stress-relieve the spokes on every wheel of every bike they sell, even low-end hybrids with factory-built wheels.

RichC

I'm a female looking for a decent hybrid bike.


Originally posted by D*Alex
Sorry-that term is oxymoronic.

Any bike that gets someone biking is a decent bike. From there bikes only get better.

Originally posted by paradox0430
Enlighten me, Alex.

I'm not Alex, for which be grateful, but there are those who believe that hybrids are a jack-of-all-trades, master of none sort of bike, and that most riders' needs can better be served by either a road bike or some kind (there are many, not just racing bikes) or by a mountain bike of some kind.

There's merit to that, I suppose, but it's all a matter of degree. A hybrid that fits you and is comfortable and mechanically sound can be a primary bike for short-distance riding for many years, and even if you move on to a more specialized design later on the hybrid can become a terrific back-up, beater, utility, or guest bike.

Don't be afraid of drop handlebars, though. A touring or cyclocross bike can be set up with the tops of the bars at saddle height, making it quite comfortable, while still affording the variety of hand positions and aerodynamic benefits of a road bike. Worth considering if pavement is your primary riding environment; the longer your rides become the more the drawbacks of a hybrid will surface.

Mountain bikes, on the other hand, can be set up with slick, high-pressure road tires and be as roadworthy as a hybrid. But if you really might want to get into trail riding, a tire change can set you up, where as most hybrids have much less tolerance for rough stuff.

Still, good hybrids are worthy bikes and a great way for someone to enter or re-enter cycling, and to learn the ins and outs.

RichC

What is your budget ?
What kind of size are you. There are issues with smaller-sized bikes.
I would second the idea that you seek out a good shop, you will need to come back for service and support, and need help getting the fit right. Chose from the brands that the shop stocks. I would sugest that you go for bike which is lighter in weight rather than stacked with "features" such as suspension.

There are some components that you can easily change or upgrade when you buy the bike, and it is easier to negotiate the swaps at purchase time. Most budget hybrids have low-grade saddles, tyres and pedals.
A good womans saddle like the Terry Liberator can make the difference between a bike you like and one you dont.
Swapping out chunky low pressure knobbly tyres for ones which are thinner, slicker and higher pressure can make a bike much more efficient and fun. Medium sized slicks (usually 32mm width) can easily cope with trails.
Plastic pedals can easily be replaced with a good metal version. Adding toe clips is a cheap way of improving your safety and efficiency. Many people fit clipless pedal systems, but this will add to your budget and you dont need them.
Dont forget to budget for helmet, cycling gloves, and a luggage system if you want to carry stuff. If it rains, then fenders will make life easy, and if it gets dark, lights are a requirement. Some people call these accessories, but they are neccessities for me.

Some people get sniffy about budget hybrid bikes, but at the right point in the price performance curve, you get a lot of bike for your money, and a design that you can ride, commute, shop and tour on. Let us know the brands of your shop, and Im sure we can point out the better models.

Enlighten me, Alex.

Asking who makes a "good" hybrid is like asking who makes a good minivan. Some are better than others, but, regardless of which you buy, you are still stuck with something that has no panache, and does nothing well. A hybrid is suited for nothing more demanding than a 1/2 mile ride to and from the grocery store.

Originally posted by D*Alex
Asking who makes a "good" hybrid is like asking who makes a good minivan. Some are better than others, but, regardless of which you buy, you are still stuck with something that has no panache, and does nothing well. A hybrid is suited for nothing more demanding than a 1/2 mile ride to and from the grocery store.

My 2002 Mazda MPV does everything well except the things I don't need it to do at all. "Panache" is French for "costs too much, breaks too easily."

RichC

Alex, typical response. 1/2 mi ride to the store???
My wife and I both have Specialized Crossroads( along with several other bikes) We have done 6 day tours on rail trails, hills.sand, gravel, and a variety of conditions. We usually ride 50 to 60 miles a day and have done several centurys. The bikes never let us down, comfortable to ride and inexpensive to maintain.

If have a 2001 Giant Cypress DX, I love it and use it to commutte to/from work. I am a big guy, 6', 275# and it does a great job. I paid a little over $400.00 for it.