Nearly two decades off the bike and I'm finally getting back into cycling. There's this new animal in the LBS called a "Performance Hybrid". I once raced mountain bikes and trained on a road bike. Back then, hybrids were bikes that didn't do either very well.

My old road bike sung to me when I was spinning. The only thing I could compare it to is sailing. But drop bars, an aluminum frame and tires the width of ice skate blades are no longer my idea of comfort. My mountain bike, by contrast, was a real tractor. Hardtail and hard forks because I just wouldn't spend money to acquire more weight and more complexity but if I could see over it, under it or around it, I could ride past it, fast. But fat, inefficient knobbies aren't my idea of comfort either. I need something plush, you know? But still fast!

So I live in the city now, ride a little slower and want a bike for commute, camping, urban getting around, sport and fun. I want singletrack capability but would lean more toward the smooth efficiency of the road bike side of the spectrum. I want frame bosses for panniers and fenders. I don't want it too pretty so I can stand to put up with the knicks and dings of a bike rack. I don't want suspension but I am interested in these new seat stays and forks that are supposed to absorb vibration, like Cannondale's SAVE tech. I do want flat bars as I really doubt I'd ever do the drop bar thing in the city now. Need to be up where I can see 4 wheel types wearing blinders. Not entirely sold on this disc brake thing but I'll probably get caught in the rain from time to time - so a maybe on that one. I like details like cables routed through the frame. I think I ought to get thoughtful design for a grand plus, you know? I would prefer an American manufacturer or a manufacturer with a pedigree. Not being snobby but I'm an American and I appreciate things that are built around here or at least conceived around here and I appreciate a company with a history. I'm self employed. I know a little about what it takes to stay in business. Anybody that keeps it going decade after decade gets extra respect, in my book. Seems every local bike shop is selling Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Raleigh, Giant. They all make great bikes I'm sure and I'm even considering a couple models but I'd probably gravitate toward a small time manufacturer if they can compete.

Have looked at the Cannondale Quick, Specialized Tricross and Sirrus, Trek Dual Sport and Raleigh Cadent.

I even rode the Specialized Tricross Elite earlier today. It's all tricked out and pretty but just not inspiring. My 20 year old Schwinn 564 roadie trainer still runs circles around it. I think I want something lively, something smooth. Probably being unfair as it was a 58 frame and I'm 6'3". Bigger frame and the right tires and it might have impressed but...

Anyone have a fave to recommend? Is there a standout among performance hybrids? I'm going to ride a few more and research this thing. I'm hoping to find the gateway to the kinds of adventures I once had on two wheels back when. Looking for a partner in that quest. What bike as smooth as a road bike, stable as a mountain bike and comfortable as a 75 Cadillac with air bags.

By your preference, I would look into the Trek FX series. Depending on your budget also. I would get one that has a 700 32c tires. That way it will be fast, but still comfortable. Like the Trek 7.3 FX or Trek 7.4 FX.

The OP says: "My mountain bike, by contrast, was a real tractor. Hardtail and hard forks because I just wouldn't spend money to acquire more weight and more complexity but if I could see over it, under it or around it, I could ride past it, fast. But fat, inefficient knobbies aren't my idea of comfort either. I need something plush, you know? But still fast!"

I say swap out those knobbies for some slicks.

Hey there,

For what you're describing I'd agree with ChowChow on checking out the Trek FX series. they're more geared towards road and urban commuting and are hard forked, All around good bikes. You also mentioned that you looked into the Trek Dual Sport. I picked up a DS 8.5 myself recently and have fallen in love with it. Granted, i do more riding on the trail end of the spectrum so I wanted a suspension fork in the front. If that's something you are looking to consider then take a look into the DS line as well. the 8.4 and 8.5 models in particular are quite nice with the road oriented gearing and disc brakes. the tires on the 8.3 down are a bit more slick in comparison to the slightly knobbier Bontrager LT3's on the 8.4 and 8.5, but they still roll quite smooth for me; they definitely get the job done both on single track and road

and going along with no1mad, if the tires are the only thing holding you back on a particular model, then swap them out.
Happy Hunting

TO BIKE FORUMS, SPOKESONG!

As you can already see, we are trying to answer all of your cycling questions to the best of our abilities.

I'd just like to throw several recommendations at you here:

1) The Jamis Coda Elite ~ $1050
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/12_codaelite.html

2) The Raleigh Cadent FT3 ~ $1050
www.thebikestand.com/raleigh-performance-hybrid.html

3) The Fuji Absolute 1.0 ~ $1179
www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/absolute-10-usa3

4) The Cannondale Quick SL 1 ~ $1550
www.cannondale.com/2012-quick-sl-1-20947

5) The Trek 7.6FX ~ $1320
www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_6_fx/#

Good Luck!

- Slim

This is what I ride in the city, Marin Muirwoods 29er, but mine is an older model: https://www.marinbikes.com/2012/bike_...Muirwoods_29er

It's not the fastest thing around, but it is basically a mountain bike with a rigid fork like back in the early-mid 90s. This bike is a like tank in both the good and bad way. The big 42mm tires flatten the road and but the steel frame is a bit heavier than aluminum bikes -- about 30lbs. Despite that, the bike isn't much like a lumbering truck, it's reasonably quick and handles pretty well on the street but the handlebars are around 680mm so they are sometimes awkward trying to squeeze between cars. The tires don't have knobs on them so they do roll pretty easily. More than anything, the riding position and resulting aerodynamic drag will be the limiting factor. In San Francisco, I never even use the big chainring. Rack mounts front and back for any cargo you might want to carry.

I've managed to get my Muirwoods up to just under 40MPH on steep downhill street. The bike was stable, and it was a thrilling ride, but I was way out of my league -- up until that point I'm not sure I had ever exceeded 20, maybe 25 MPH riding around town.

The bike my housemate has is a Marin Point Reyes 29er, but also an older model. This one is aluminum frame with carbon fork. It's no longer made, but if you can find one on clearance, it's quite a nice ride. I think it's a bit zippier than my Muirwoods 29er without sacrificing comfort. https://www.marinbikes.com/2011/bike_...int_Reyes_29er

Rack mounts front and rear also, but I'm not sure I really trust the mounts on the carbon fork.

Both bikes are hybrids but they are closer to mountain bikes than road bikes. The fork and frames also have enough clearance than even 50mm tires should be ok if you ever choose to go that route. Compared to a Scott SUB something I once rode, these two bikes are like riding in a Camry or Corolla because they still bounce around a bit. That Scott bike with aluminum frame and rigid aluminum fork was like riding in a sports car with super stiff suspension because it was throwing me around. That Scott SUB was unacceptable for me if I were to ride it daily in the city since roads here are quite beat up. I don't know how a 75 Cadillac rides, but if you want something like a Crown Vic taxi, I would say that's more like one of those 26" comfort bikes that are upright and slow with fat 26x2" street tires and suspension.

In regards to tires, wider tires generally have less rolling resistance according to Schwalbe tires so don't worry about big tires. The aero drag is the biggest factor which is why racing bikes have such skinny tires. https://www.schwalbetires.com/tech_in...ing_resistance

Wider tires and lower pressure, though, do add to comfort.

Hey, thanks, everyone. This is great information I can use. Need to look into those Marins. They aren't as common out here on the east coast but I do see them from time to time, especially around the college. Hadn't thought about the Fuji or Jamis lines but I'll check them out. A ride like a Crown Vic taxi would do just fine. Taxi guys say those cars go forever. Don't want a "comfort" bike though. Fighting the weight of all that comfortable frame isn't comfortable. I've been reading about these newfangled 29er bikes. Roadie guys like I was always wondered why the tri bike guys wanted smaller wheels. Might be a 29er MTB with narrow slicks could work and it would retain off road ability if the trail calls to me. And then there's the Trek FX. Never liked Trek, considered them to be the Walmart of the biking world but then again, there's a reason they're so big. I'm going to try out a Trek real soon and I'll look at the FX series in particular. I'm afraid I'm going to like it... My old cycling buddies will laugh at me... Concessions to reality...

Thanks everyone.

I ride singletrack with some dudes that are 40s and 50s who can smoke me. (I'm 36.)

I would be really, really sure that you won't catch the bug and go back to MTBing. Because if you do, a hybrid is a really poor MTB... even ones with 'good' suspension forks are more like 'barely entry level' on singletrack. And the far bigger problem is tire clearance. Very few hybrids can fit even the smallest 29er tires front and rear due to not only the width but also the increased circumference.

Why am I talking about all this? Because a suspension fork hybrid is going to be within 1-3 pounds of a suspension fork 29er MTB. And the 29er can mount hybrid, cyclocross or even road tires just like the hybrid.

I wouldn't be saying these things to someone who likes to ride MUPs (Multi Use Pathways aka "bike path") and never does more than 6 foot wide gravel paths. But you loved MTBs at one time and I think there's a chance you would do it again.

If you buy a 29er and do one singletrack trail and think "nah, that's not for me" then you still have a bike that is 95% as good as a suspension fork hybrid for use on road, MUP, light trail. Go back to the Cannondale dealer and try the Trail 29er and the Trek store has no shortage of 29ers since they absorbed Gary Fisher (who invented the dang thing! ).

Here you go... https://surlybikes.com/bikes/ogre

That bike looks wicked -- very similar to my Muirwoods but the built bike is higher end. What's going on with that curved seat tube. Disc brake in the rear triangle, very cool. Throw some narrower tires on that and I'd definitely ride that to work.

Not a fan of the horizontal wheel mount though. I prefer dropouts but I guess they made the frame suitable single/fixed/IGH.

$1500 though, a bit much.

Trek DS 8.3...great bike ...almost as fast as my road bike

Yes I tend to agree with you in relation to the price. My feeling is that because Surly has an audience of many hipsters, they can ask a little more based on their fan base. Nothing wrong with that as long as the bikes are reasonable. Surly's were very trendy here in Kyoto about 5 /6 years ago. The staff from the States have even visited here on occations, which helps boost sales. Makes the customers feel like they are valued. (terrific marketing)

For everyone holding their breath in anticipation of the outcome of my search, I did find a bike though not at all a "performance hybrid". I discovered the joys of the Jamis Bosanova. Once I narrowed it down to a steel frame semi-touring/semi-cross bike, it was either the Bosanova or the Salsa Vaya. I don't think there is anything else out there quite like them. So Durham Cycles in Durham, NC (who can sell Jamis or Salsa bikes) found out Jamis had a 2011 model in a 60 frame discounted to unload. That made it almost $600 cheaper than a comparable Salsa. Easy choice at that point.

This thing is plush. Nowhere near as fast as my old Schwinn (strange to say that when I'm the motor but the Jamis is an old Cadillac, the Schwinn is a Corvette). Love everything about it except for the disc brakes. They are clunky looking compared to the sleek Schwinn roadie. And they squeal. I've adjusted them and the LBS adjusted them but they start rubbing again within a mile at most every time. I'm going to post in the repair column to see if anyone has any ideas. It's a light rub that I can't hear when riding at speed but I can hear when going slow on a greenway and taking in the scenery - the very time I want silence and nature sounds, not mechanical sounds!

Thanks to everyone for the advice. It helped!

In the Commuting Forum there's a post entitled, "What kind of performance can I expect from Avid BB7's?" by Pkulak.

You might want to read through that thread. It's really quite enlightening.