Hybrid Bicycles - When and Why to buy a Hybrid. ( short video )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTpVTadGvXo

Good video. Informative. Balanced. Even-handed. So what's it doing on the Internet? :D

Seriously, I thought that was a good explanation. And good choice in setting the scene on what surely is a perfect trail for hybrid bikes.

Thanks, I tried to be fair and honest, Richard

Yes, well done. The trail looks similar to where we ride...converted rail with crushed limestone. Our hybrids work very well.

I like that vid. It's good for beginners. I think I'm going to sticky it here for a while. Thank you for sharing. :)

For me, having a hybrid bike isn't about "budget" at all.
My hybrid bike is more expensive than most mountainbikes or roadbikes anyway.
I can easily afford both a nice mountainbike AND a nice roadbike ...
BUT:
I can't carry around both at the same time, can I?
Suppose I'm out riding on the road on a roadbike ... when suddenly I encounter a nice little trail through the fields ... I wouldn't be able to ride that way, would I?
Suppose I'm out riding in the mountains on a mountainbike ... when I have to go home I'll have to use roads, won't I?
So basicly ... there is but one alternative and that is to get the best of both worlds: a hybrid.

Suppose I'm out riding on the road on a roadbike ... when suddenly I encounter a nice little trail through the fields ...

^ ^ ^ Word! Many of my rides are like that -- random mashups of road with bits of trail here and there.

I don't ride my hybrids off roads much. Never anywhere I'd be afraid to take a road bike. My hybrids have road bike tires on them. The off road capability of a hybrid is not among the reasons I've purchased hybrid bicycles. Sorry, but your definition of why to buy a hybrid is narrowly focused.

Suppose I'm out riding on the road on a roadbike ... when suddenly I encounter a nice little trail through the fields ... I wouldn't be able to ride that way, would I?
Suppose I'm out riding in the mountains on a mountainbike ... when I have to go home I'll have to use roads, won't I?
So basicly ... there is but one alternative and that is to get the best of both worlds: a hybrid.

This is exactly why I bought one. Most of my riding is on roads, but there's a couple of trails I like, and the bike handles them pretty well. I managed to ride on 5 inches of gravel, heh, barely, but I got to the other side. Do that on a road bike :p

My commute is mostly road but I have to pop a couple curbs, ride over a short stone trail, and once in a while I actually go off-road for a short cut. The hybrid is good for that. It also has good balance when I have the panniers on it for commuting.

For me, having a hybrid bike isn't about "budget" at all.
My hybrid bike is more expensive than most mountainbikes or roadbikes anyway.
I can easily afford both a nice mountainbike AND a nice roadbike ...
BUT:
I can't carry around both at the same time, can I?
Suppose I'm out riding on the road on a roadbike ... when suddenly I encounter a nice little trail through the fields ... I wouldn't be able to ride that way, would I?
Suppose I'm out riding in the mountains on a mountainbike ... when I have to go home I'll have to use roads, won't I?
So basicly ... there is but one alternative and that is to get the best of both worlds: a hybrid.

One other problem you will encounter with a roadbike converted to hybrid is that you will be completely unable to fit any pannier racks, since the road frame doesn't have the required gussets to attach them to.
Sell this bike and get a new hybrid ... it will be cheaper anyway.

My point was for new people to the sport was, if you ONLY ride on the road, or if you ONLY like off road then buy a bike for those intended purposes....I LOVE both, on and off road, like you said, I can not take both with me, that is why I ride a Hybrid..never know where I will find myself riding, but it is not going to be the best at both,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENRiwOCPN1E

My point was for new people to the sport was, if you ONLY ride on the road, or if you ONLY like off road then buy a bike for those intended purposes....I LOVE both, on and off road, like you said, I can not take both with me, that is why I ride a Hybrid..never know where I will find myself riding, but it is not going to be the best at both

Exactly.
I don't understand why people would choose specifically to ride on the road or the trails.
I do roads at average speeds of 18 m/h and I do trails through fields at almost the same speed ... gotta love cross tyres :)

I don't ride my hybrids off roads much. Never anywhere I'd be afraid to take a road bike. My hybrids have road bike tires on them. The off road capability of a hybrid is not among the reasons I've purchased hybrid bicycles. Sorry, but your definition of why to buy a hybrid is narrowly focused.

I like the up right riding position, and many other aspects of Hybrid bikes, it was a short
video for beginners, I'm probably one of the biggest fans of Hybrid bikes out there...but
they will never be the best at off or on road use, but at least they can do both well...I
have seen guys take a hard tail mountain bike, and add finders , change wheels, add racks.
lights, etc... that I would trade my car for. ( LOL )..You can only say so much in a short video.
but your point taken, please just see mine...It's a starting point for new bikers, Richard:)

I like the up right riding position, and many other aspects of Hybrid bikes, it was a short
video for beginners, I'm probably one of the biggest fans of Hybrid bikes out there...but
they will never be the best at off or on road use, but at least they can do both well...I
have seen guys take a hard tail mountain bike, and add finders , change wheels, add racks.
lights, etc... that I would trade my car for. ( LOL )..You can only say so much in a short video.
but your point taken, please just see mine...It's a starting point for new bikers, Richard:)

There are many different "hybrids".
It depends on what you use your bike for.
Your bike, for instance, I would refer to as a commuting hybrid.
My bike, on the other hand, is a multisport hybrid.
As I said before ... it all depends on what you use your bike for.
About the fenders, wheels, racks, lights, etc... I have all those too for when I go on family trips :)

Richard, sorry to split hairs. I like your videos.

I consider my Marin Mill Valley to be a hybrid, although it's marketed as a "flat bar road bike". It has road wheels and tires, lacks rack mounts, and does not provide an upright riding position.

I'm not trying to criticize, I just wanted to express a different opinion. When this hybrid forum was new, the discussion about what is and what isn't a hybrid got heated. As a result of that, I got banned from posting for a two week period. :(

Richard, sorry to split hairs. I like your videos.

I consider my Marin Mill Valley to be a hybrid, although it's marketed as a "flat bar road bike". It has road wheels and tires, lacks rack mounts, and does not provide an upright riding position.

I'm not trying to criticize, I just wanted to express a different opinion. When this hybrid forum was new, the discussion about what is and what isn't a hybrid got heated. As a result of that, I got banned from posting for a two week period. :(

No offence taken, :) I really am a big fan of what I consider a Hybrid bike is. I love the off road
capability, still maintain a decent speed on the highway, and makes a awesome commuter
bike to...Richard :thumb:

There are many different "hybrids".
It depends on what you use your bike for.
Your bike, for instance, I would refer to as a commuting hybrid.
My bike, on the other hand, is a multisport hybrid.
As I said before ... it all depends on what you use your bike for.
About the fenders, wheels, racks, lights, etc... I have all those too for when I go on family trips :)

What bike do you have? I just got a Kona not too long ago. I use it mainly to zip around and for a good workout. There's a bit of dirt that I have to cut through behind some railroad tracks and to me that's the fun part. :D.

What bike do you have? I just got a Kona not too long ago. I use it mainly to zip around and for a good workout. There's a bit of dirt that I have to cut through behind some railroad tracks and to me that's the fun part. :D.

My bike doesn't have a name, since I build it myself from parts bought seperately through online shops.
My frame is "thompson" 7005 alu triple butted, from a Belgian manufacturer a couple of miles south.
The components are a mix of mountainbikes and roadbikes:
A triple 105 road crank and R443 front derailleur with a SLX 11-28 cassette and XT rear derailleur, operated by SRAM attack gripshifts.
I got some pictures of it in the "picture-thread" on page 45 :)

When this hybrid forum was new, the discussion about what is and what isn't a hybrid got heated. As a result of that, I got banned from posting for a two week period. :(

The problem I think is that many users of this forum are Americans and (no offence) have little deeprooted bikeculture compared to Belgians or even "Hollanders" (people from the netherlands).
Again no offence intended, but many of the bikes people here call "hybrid bikes" ... most Belgians would simply call them "normal town bikes" and old ladies would use them to get to the farmacy on saturdays ;)

The bicycle was invented in the USA or maybe France, but we had 'em from jump.

100 years ago, bicycle racing was the second most popular sport in USA behind baseball.

We invented mountain bikes and dominated the sport for many years.

If by "bikeculture" you're referring to fixie riding hipsters in tight jeans, we started that too.

A Texan won the Tour de France seven times!

Is the farmacy where you can buy weed? I think we have that in California, but not in the other states, yet.

We have a different name for "normal town bikes", what is your point? No offense taken but these colors don't run.
http://www.firstblueangel.com/galleries/08_Blue_Angels_Pictures_and_Posters/Old_Glory_and_the_Blue_Angels.jpg

Belgian beer smells like dirty socks.

I did say "no offence".
You obviously did not get my meaning.
Nice flag and fighter jets, I suppose.

I said "no offense taken"

Get a sense of humor euro dude!

The bicycle was definately not invented in the USA ... I don't know where you get this info from.
Did you ever go to holland?
Have you seen the extreme amounts of bikes people have there?
Almost everyone in hollandhas one and uses it.
It looks something like this: http://smokeice.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/bikes1.jpg
When I said bikeculture I didn't mean sports, but rather the everyday use in normal people's lives.

Washington, D.C. :thumb:
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/IMG_1375.jpg

http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/IMG_1350.jpg

Oops, I think I've made a sticky thread a stinky thread. :o

Hey, you're not trying to get me banned again, are you? :D

Lallement built his first prototype in France, but he moved to America and built an improved version in Connecticut before being granted a patent for his invention in 1866, the first public record of a pedal powered two wheeler. :)

Washington, D.C. :thumb:
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/IMG_1375.jpg

http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/IMG_1350.jpg

Oops, I think I've made a sticky thread a stinky thread. :o

Hey, you're not trying to get me banned again, are you? :D

Lallement built his first prototype in France, but he moved to America and built an improved version in Connecticut before being granted a patent for his invention in 1866, the first public record of a pedal powered two wheeler. :)

What was going on ? I see the Obama pictures, so it must have been recent. Richard :thumb:

Nice pictures there!
Apparently I was mistaken about the amount of bikes in America.
If you watch the pictures closely though, you will see the difference between the American and the Hollandish bikes: The bikes from Holland are normal townbikes whereas the American bikes look much more sporty and like actual hybrids.
The overal quality of the American bikes is vastly beter than the ones from Holland too.
Another difference is in helmets: europeans hardly ever use helmets when commuting.

Thanks Richard. You might slap your forehead and say "of course!" when I tell you it was Obama's inauguration. We don't ride around with multiple American flags and Obama pennants on our bikes every day.

Adelaar, the pictures are misleading. That was the most bikes ever in DC. Sure we are not Amsterdam or Copenhagen or even Portland or Boulder. Bicycle use has increased a lot in recent years here though, which is great.

The bridges over the Potomac from Virginia were closed to cars that day for security reasons, as were many roads downtown. People were strongly advised not to try to drive in for the inauguration. That's why so many came on bikes, but I was still very impressed by the number of folks who rode in on that very cold day. I think Obama deserves some credit for that, not just NSA. :D

I posted a report with some more pictures here if you're interested. http://www.epicski.com/forum/thread/79342/d-c-1-20-09

Adelaar, your right about the bikes in your pictures, I would almost consider them commuter
bikes. Maybe we need another classification for bikes, ( LOL ) God forbid..( laugh ) they look very solid tough bikes with lights, fenders, etc...and a lot of company's here are producing
bikes like the ones you have pictured. (as commuter Bikes )...Qmsdc15, thanks for the honest
answer about the pics you posted, but in your defense, it is not uncommon to see 10 to 60
riders in the morning blasting by my kids bus stop at 6:30 am. I live in a very hilly area, must
be good training grounds. but of course these are roadies, and the thread is about Hybrids.
I still stand by my definition of a Hybrid, not going to be the best road bike, nor the best
mountain bike, and can be a great commuter with a few extras added, fenders, lights, rack,
etc...but it can do both on and off road well, and with a few added features make a good
commuter bike also....I Love my Hybrid...Richard :thumb:

Group hug, haha.

Don't forget ...with a few added features, a great hauler. Cannondale H300, DC's Chinatown arch.
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/bike/IMG_3626.jpg

I lived in Germany when I was a kid...loooooong time ago. We toured all over Europe and I know well the "bike culture" of which he speaks. It has been long standing in Europe and Asia, compared to our USA over the last 50-60 years. They had bike lanes in the countryside and in town and there were 100s of bikes out on the streets on any given day. It's not like that here on a daily basis. Just because you show photos of 100s of bikes at a political rally, that does not spell "bike culture".

Unfortunately I think the USA is a "car culture". No doubt a lot of us would love to see that change....

There are hundreds of bikes on the streets of DC every day.

Yes, our country did develop it's transportation system for motorists and ignored bikes, unlike countries such as Holland. Yes bikes were something only children and eccentrics used for many years in the USA.

I've saw a huge increase in recent years. You would have to see to believe. Many are in business attire on old beater bikes. Probably live close to work. There are more serious looking helmeted and panniered commuters who probably live further away. There are many tourists on rental bikes. Locals on Smartbikes. The number of messengers has decreased to 1/4 of the number in the eighties. They were essentially the only riders, now they are out-numbered.

I've tried to document it here. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?563549-K-street-traffic but I usually only get one rider in each shot, so you don't really get a sense of their numbers. You would have to see it. I'm often in a pack of three to five commuters in rush hour traffic, but it's no time to take pictures.

The Presidential Inauguration is not a political rally.

This is not meant to offend anyone, Or directed towards any one person. After reading a lot of post on here, I think we tend to use the term mountain biking loosely on this Hybrid forum.
Just because you leave the pavement does not mean you are now a mountain biker, there are
a lot of nice hard packed bike trails, gravel roads, logging roads, dirt roads, and the list could
go on, that are fun to ride and do not require a specialized mountain bike for. Same goes for
the rural roads and street riding, just because you enjoy taking a 20 mile ride on
one, does not make you a Roadie. And there are people out there like me, who enjoy both, I
might start out on a road ride and end up riding down a long gravel road that I could have never done on a road bike. For example I was out riding met up with another rider, A ROADIE,
we both were going to take a 3 mile long gravel road thats a short cut to a state park. He had
already logged 52 miles so far and was about 20 miles from his house. But after about 1/4
mile down the gravel road he has to turn around, just couldn't make it. I easily kept on going. There is a vast difference between trail and off road riding, verses Mountain biking.
There are a lot of great photos of Hybrids in the picture section, some prefer narrow wheels,
I like a little wider 38c due to the time I spend off road. Hybrid bikes due have there place
in the biking community..:) Richard :thumb:

This is not meant to offend anyone, Or directed towards any one person. After reading a lot of post on here, I think we tend to use the term mountain biking loosely on this Hybrid forum.
Just because you leave the pavement does not mean you are now a mountain biker, there are
a lot of nice hard packed bike trails, gravel roads, logging roads, dirt roads, and the list could
go on, that are fun to ride and do not require a specialized mountain bike for...

I wonder if the flat bar road bike is more versatile than the typical hybrid. A heavier bike might have made these sections of trail more difficult to ride. If I put 700c knobbies on my bike I could have gone faster on the downhills.

http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/bike/DSC03522.jpg


http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/bike/DSC03521.jpg

An example of erosion damage to the trail. I could have ridden up the eroded gully to the right which has washed out the trail in the foreground but that would be a breech of ethics. Always stay on established trails to prevent this sort of thing and to prevent possibly making it worse. Leave no trace. I rode the left line to stay on the established trail. Managed to get my front wheel across, but couldn't power the rear out of the ditch clean. Touched one foot down here.

http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/bike/DSC03523.jpg

Flat bar road bike or skinny tire mountain bike? :)

Definately not a flat bar roadbike on these trails.
I think a "skinny tire mountain bike" can be more simply refered to as a "crossbike" and I think it is clear to everyone that this is the perfect bike for these trails :)

I roadified my hybrid with drop bars; road saddle and tires. kind of the best of both worlds for commuting. but when I'm going for a weekend joyride - I'll grab the road bike.

I set up a MTB with BMX tires that I'm gonna use on a wicked hilly; poorly paved; sandy and serpentine trail through the dunes. ... the right tool for the job.

That said I really enjoyed my hybrid as setup stock with trail tires and straight bar when riding with the kids at the campground etc.

Definately not a flat bar roadbike on these trails.

No!? I was on a 2009 Marin Mill Valley with Cane Creek Strados wheels and 700x28 Continental Gatorskins
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/bike/DSC03519.jpg

Of course, I didn't ride this section which is closed to bicycles, but how can they disallow bikes from the American Discovery Trail which I always thought was a cross-country route for bicycles? Are we expected to walk across America!?
http://www.discoverytrail.org/


I think a "skinny tire mountain bike" can be more simply refered to as a "crossbike" and I think it is clear to everyone that this is the perfect bike for these trails :)

The best bike for those trails would be a mountain bike. My point is that mountain biking can be done on a hybrid. The hybrid rider is only limited by common sense and/or lack of imagination.:D

No!? I was on a 2009 Marin Mill Valley with Cane Creek Strados wheels and 700x28 Continental Gatorskins
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/bike/DSC03519.jpg

Of course, I didn't ride this section which is closed to bicycles, but how can they disallow bikes from the American Discovery Trail which I always thought was a cross-country route for bicycles? Are we expected to walk across America!?
http://www.discoverytrail.org/



The best bike for those trails would be a mountain bike. My point is that mountain biking can be done on a hybrid. The hybrid rider is only limited by common sense and/or lack of imagination.:D

I agree 100 percent, my Hybrid would have Loved that Trail, and me to. :) Richard

No!? I was on a 2009 Marin Mill Valley with Cane Creek Strados wheels and 700x28 Continental Gatorskins


Very nice bike, but not the perfect bike for the job.
I know I wouldn't want to be riding those foresttrails on those thin tyres without knobs and without front suspension that is oh so smooth on roots and rocks.
Why not settle for a tyre that is the perfect hybrid between a knobby mountainbiketyre and a smooth roadtyre like the michelin cyclo cross jet s, the swalbe cx comp or continental cyclo x?
With those you can do both fast roadriding and foresttrails :)

I agree 100 percent, my Hybrid would have Loved that Trail, and me to. :) Richard

What trail? I didn't ride the closed trail.

It may be hard to see the steepness, but notice how much trail you see it the first picture. The camera sees a lot of the trail because it's pitched up, not parallel to my line of sight. I was challenging your premise. This is "mountain bike riding", steep technical singletrack, not the dirt roads you describe. If you like to ride this stuff, you are a mountain biker, don't sell yourself short. :)

Very nice bike, but not the perfect bike for the job...

The best bike for these trails would be a mountain bike. Please pay attention, it's wearisome to repeat myself.

I know I wouldn't want to be riding those foresttrails on those thin tyres without knobs and without front suspension that is oh...

These were the best miles I'll ride this week. I enjoyed it immensely and I thank you for putting the idea to do it in my head. If you wouldn't like a ride like this, do a different ride. Whatever you enjoy. :)

What trail? I didn't ride the closed trail.

It may be hard to see the steepness, but notice how much trail you see it the first picture. The camera sees a lot of the trail because it's pitched up, not parallel to my line of sight. I was challenging your premise. This is "mountain bike riding", steep technical singletrack, not the dirt roads you describe. If you like to ride this stuff, you are a mountain biker, don't sell yourself short. :)

I am a Mountain Biker at heart, I have just started limiting my mountain biking to what
I safely feel the Hybrid and me can handle, getting close to 47 years old and four children,
Have to watch out for those injuries......:D Richard

http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/bike/DSC03522.jpg

This looks like some pretty tame terrain and we have similar trails here that I have covered on my mountain bike (while on the way to tougher trails) hybrid, and have even ridden my vintage touring bike on trails like this.

Looks like some nice XC riding to me.

Exactly. "Looks like nice XC riding to me." XC mountain biking, possible on a hybrid or even an old touring bike. Did I mention I rode this on a road wheelset and (not this time, but the week before) towing a load of laundry in a BOB trailer? :)

I'm glad you enjoy tame terrain, but I was actually trying to show terrain that is less tame than what was being discussed as suitable for hybrids. Richard seemed to be suggesting that real mountain biking wasn't within the scope of hybrid riding. I sort of pressed the point to ride this trail on my flat bar road bike, but most of the ride is on pavement and I like to ride that bike on the weekend because it's lighter, faster than what I use during the week. Even with a BOB trailer. :D

Looks can be deceiving, I believe the trail is more difficult than it looks. It's not extreme, only moderately difficult. It might be rated beginner/intermediate at a mountain biking park. It does require skill to ascend. You need to lift your wheels over the roots one at a time while shifting weight back and forth. I wouldn't really want to ride anything much more difficult that these trails on that bike. It really is a bit out of it's element there.

I was just trying to make a point, that mountain biking could be enjoyed without a mountain bike. :)

I literally ride through forests and fields sometimes with my hybrid ... but then I take the 700x35 tyres with me and unlock the front suspension.
Any terrain (except loose sand or soaking mud) can be done with any bike as long as the rider is skillfull enough. :)

Exactly. "Looks like nice XC riding to me." XC mountain biking, possible on a hybrid or even an old touring bike. Did I mention I rode this on a road wheelset and (not this time, but the week before) towing a load of laundry in a BOB trailer? :)

I'm glad you enjoy tame terrain, but I was actually trying to show terrain that is less tame than what was being discussed as suitable for hybrids. Richard seemed to be suggesting that real mountain biking wasn't within the scope of hybrid riding. I sort of pressed the point to ride this trail on my flat bar road bike, but most of the ride is on pavement and I like to ride that bike on the weekend because it's lighter, faster than what I use during the week. Even with a BOB trailer. :D

Looks can be deceiving, I believe the trail is more difficult than it looks. It's not extreme, only moderately difficult. It might be rated beginner/intermediate at a mountain biking park. It does require skill to ascend. You need to lift your wheels over the roots one at a time while shifting weight back and forth. I wouldn't really want to ride anything much more difficult that these trails on that bike. It really is a bit out of it's element there.

I was just trying to make a point, that mountain biking could be enjoyed without a mountain bike. :)

I was using Mountain Bike parks for these standards, beginner or intermediate, or light to
medium ( what ever you want to call it). I think they will work perfect, just have to use good judgment, and be safe, I do ride a lot of gravel roads, but never said that you still could not
enjoy the trails......:D Just a little mix up..:) and I was referring to your pictures of the trails, not Aderlaar's ......:) Richard

If you ever watched any of my videos, you will see that it's hardly a gravel road... (Laugh).. example.
Night Time Trail Ride, There were 4 to 5 creeks to cross, ruts, washouts, deep four wheeler tracks, and did
this at night. Now I have rode this same trail in the day time, so was a little familiar with the terrain.. I rode
through that very creek, (not pushing)..by the way, it is a Schwinn helmet, (MY BAD) : )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu6d3crPBO0

Another example, same trail, different day. Notice I said that they can handle more than they get credit for, the trail winds up
looking like your pictures in many places...That was just a nice place to stop.. : ) Richard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENRiwOCPN1E

I might have gotten the pictures mixed up, but trail riding verses Mountain Biking are (TO) different sports..
Sorry for the songs lyrics, I didn't write it. Hybrids just are not meant for this....Richard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bQjNSqj-4Y

I might have gotten the pictures mixed up, but trail riding verses Mountain Biking are (TO) different sports..
Sorry for the songs lyrics, I didn't write it. Hybrids just are not meant for this....Richard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bQjNSqj-4Y

I know this is a family friendly site, and my point was what Mountain Biking was.
not these horrible lyrics to the song ..:( Richard