Hybrid bicycles blends the features of more specialized bikes like road bikes, touring bikes, mountain bikes, and cruiser bikes to produce a user-friendly bicycle that fills general purposes such as riding around town. They are proving to be one of the most popular types of bikes around as they are comfortable, secure, and are suited for novices and casual riders. These hybrid bikes are designed for both daily use to the office and back as well as for fitness and exercise.
A hybrid bike will enable you to ride on tarred streets to work, the shops and back home as well as enable you to ride along trails and country roads. If you are looking to buy a bike that you can use on different road surfaces then a hybrid bike is one that you should seriously consider buying, as they are cheaper than the hard core bikes out there.
Schwinn Men’s Network 3.0 700C Wheel Men’s Hybrid Bike
These hybrid bikes are extremely well built. They are bound to give you many years of riding pleasure. The bikes are attractive, and have many extra features not usually found on bikes in this price range (this is why this hybrid bike is our chosen top pick), as will be discussed in detail a bit later on. Unpacking and setup will take you less than 20 minutes for this bike, with the exception of adjusting the brakes and inflating the tires.
Our step-up pick comes with linear pull brakes and a sturdy chain guard. It features an exceptional 21 speed gear box and is a stylish black color with a lightweight aluminium frame. The crossbar is lower than most road bikes which means less possibility for injury. The tires and 21 speed gearing make it a better option than a mountain or off-road bike. This is an excellent hybrid bike for someone looking to enjoy country road bike paths or other hard surface trips. This is the hybrid bike to go for if you are able to afford it.
Our budget pick, the Pacific Bryson Men’s 700c 18 Hybrid Bike features 18-Speed twist shifters and rear derailleur. This bike is not as lightweight as other hybrid bikes on the market, as it has a steel multi-sport frame, instead of an aluminium one. Bear in mind that this is our budget pick for purchasing a hybrid bike. It does however have a 3 piece crank, with front and rear V-brakes and alloy wheels. It also has a stylish silver steel frame which makes this a very good looking bike!
Why should I get a hybrid bike? Here are the benefits.
Hybrid bikes are increasingly becoming more and more popular with consumers. Some of the advantages of owning a hybrid bike are that they handle much better on the paths and streets than other types of bikes. They are much lighter in weight than other varieties of bikes as well. Many hybrid bikes now also do come with braze-ons for connecting racks either in the front and/ or the rear of the bike for conveniently carrying your things. Another pro for getting a hybrid bike is that it allows the user to ride in an upright position which is a more comfortable and ergonomic riding position. For novice riders, hybrid bikes are more comfortable when compared to standard bikes where riders need to be in the bent-over position of other road-bikes. Hybrid bikes are also cheaper to purchase than other types of bikes. They have thinner tires and are therefore fast, but they can also ride on terrain away from the city streets. The gears of the bike is also able to go to lower ratios than other road bikes, which will allow you to more easily tackle hills and other such terrain.
How did we pick the hybrid bikes for this review?
The hybrid bikes that were selected for comparison for this review had to meet the following criteria: not too expensive, affordable and accessible to the general public. They had to have gear shifts and an upright seating position and must be capable of handling terrain that could be roads in built up areas or roads outside of built up areas.
Top Pick: Schwinn Men’s Network 3.0 700C Hybrid Bicycle
Schwinn Men’s Network 3.0 700C Wheel Men’s Hybrid Bike
Our top pick has a Schwinn aluminium hybrid frame together with a Schwinn suspension fork which provides a comfortable riding experience. This bike also has a Shimano 21 speed rear derailleur with Shimano EZ-Fire shifters for quick gear shifting. The alloy wheels are high profile and has a quick release front wheel. This bike for comfort has an 18 inch frame, 700c tires, a wide style saddle and a suspension seat post. Braking is excellent with linear pull brakes. The bike is pleasing to the eye with a frame that is Semi-Flat White (not Glossy) with Semi-Flat Black Graphics. There are lots of black decals and graphics on the white bike. The tire specifications are as follows, the tires made by Innova and are 700c x 48c / 40-628 (50-75 psi). They are approximately 28 inches and the aluminium rims are black spoke high profile with silver hubs.
The bike is light-weight at around 35 lbs, due to its aluminium frame. The seat of the bike is spring loaded making it a comfortable ride. Assembly is simple out of the box. The bike has mounts for a water bottle and rear rack. The Pedals are made of plastic. It comes with Quality Kickstand with rubber tip.
The Network 3.0 bike is a good quality bike and is value for money, with good brakes and 21 speeds and a fast, comfortable ride.
A few flaws (but not deal breakers) of our Top Pick to consider:
It is important to understand that these bikes are not meant for professional riders, they are meant for everyday use. For the most part they are made from good quality materials with good finishes, but the pedals of this bike are made of plastic. There have been some assembly line quality issues noted regarding the tire components, as reported by a few customers but not the majority of purchasers.
Step-up Pick: Schwinn Discover Men’s Hybrid Bike
Schwinn Discover Men’s Hybrid Bike (700C Wheels)
Our step-up pick, the Schwinn Discover Men’s Hybrid Bike, has an aluminium city frame which keeps it light and manageable. For comfort, it has a branded Schwinn suspension fork to absorb shock, as well as a padded saddle with a suspension seat post. This bike is ideal for everyday use around town or through the park. This bike has 21-speed SRAM grip shifters for butter-like gear changing, a Shimano TX-31 rear derailleur, an Schwinn alloy crank, Promax alloy linear pull brakes, and a swept-back upright handlebar with an adjustable stem, fenders, and a rear gear carrier. For comfort, this bike has a padded saddle with suspension seat and a swept-back upright handlebar with adjustable stem. This bike has stylish fenders that complement the black and white frame and decals and graphics. It also has a handy rear carrier for convenience. The bike is light weight at around 40.5 lb. Its dimensions are approximately 70 inches in length, 43 inches in height and a wheel size of 700c.
The twenty one speeds are managed with a left hand twist handle grip with three speeds for the front derailer, and a right hand twist handle grip for the rear derailer with 7 speeds. This bike also has in addition, quick release on the front wheel. A handy safety feature is that the bike has reflectors in each wheel and one on the back and one on the front.
The only reason that this unit was not our top pick is price. It is much more expensive than any of the other worthwhile units on the market.
Budget Pick
Pacific Bryson Men’s 700c 18 Hybrid Bike
This could be regarded as your typical hybrid bike. It features 18 speeds, 3 piece crank and an upright riding style. It is a comfortable ride for the price. The assembly process is claimed to be very easy and quick and should take you approximately 30 minutes to assemble. It is a good value for money every day bike. It is an aesthetically pleasing bike, being silver in color, and having different stylish decals and graphics on strategic places of the bike. One drawback of the bike that has to be mentioned is the inferior tires that come standard with the bike. These tires do affect the ride quality in terms of comfort and should if possible, be changed to better quality ones. The bike has a steel hybrid frame design for comfort and ease of use. It has 18 speed twist shifters, 3 piece crank which provides a wide gear range and rear derailleur which will provide easy gear changes. The bike also has front and rear V brakes to allow you to stop safely. And lastly for durability, the bike comes standard with alloy wheels.
A specialized pick that is worth a mention:
Sixthreezero EVRYjourney Men’s 26-Inch 7-Speed Sport Hybrid Cruiser Bicycle, Matte Black
Sixthreezero EVRYjourney Men’s 26-Inch 7-Speed Sport Hybrid Cruiser Bicycle
This is a standard hybrid cruiser style EVRYjourney 7-speed bicycle with matching full fenders and 26-inch wheels. It is a well-known bicycle brand called sixthreezero and it is perfect for every day use to the shops or to the office. It has a Shimano 7 Speed Internal Hub, which uniquely makes the bike able to be used on street, trail, long distance and uphill riding as well. They claim that their engineering allows for the forward pedalling design on the bike to be able to give you a low center of gravity that allows for the rider’s back to remain upright with proper leg extension while riding. When at a full stop the rider can also stand over the seat and easily mount and dismount on and off of the bike. The bike is distinctive in appearance, with the frame color of the bike complementing the brown seat and hand grips. It is an aesthetically well designed bike. An added safety feature is the front and rear handbrakes which make stopping safe and secure. It is key to note that this hybrid bike is different to the rest reviewed here as it is designed to be used, in addition to town riding, to riding trails and up hills and to cover long journeys.
The competition
Hybrid bikes are fairly new to the world of bicycling. But they are proven to be extremely popular with consumers. We will now review the competitors to the hybrid bikes that we have mentioned earlier.
Diamondback Bicycles 2016 Edgewood Complete Hybrid Bike
Diamondback Bicycles 2016 Edgewood Complete Hybrid Bike
It is a 6061-T6 design and features a lightweight aluminium frame with Sport Hybrid Geometry for more upright pedalling position. It is a very durable bike and is built to happily accept many years of riding. It has a suspension fork and seat post for added comfort and ease of use. It also has a Shimano 21-speed drivetrain which can, when needed, provide gears for any terrain. The 700c road wheels are perfect for this size of bike and together with the suspension system, provides a comfortable ride. The handlebar of this bike is adjustable and the seat is cushioned and comfortable compared to other bike seats on the market today. It is also a good foresight that the frame is pre-drilled for a rear rack, which is convenient. A big drawcard here is that this bike has Shimano parts, the front and rear derailleurs, the rear gear-set and the ez-fire shifters are all Shimano parts, which implies quality.
Kent Men’s Avondale Hybrid Bicycle with Sure Stop Brakes
Kent Men’s Avondale Hybrid Bicycle with Sure Stop Brakes
The Kent Avondale hybrid bicycle has a unique braking system, which is the technically advanced sure stop braking system. This braking system provides one lever braking that virtually eliminates over the handle bar accidents that could be as a result of sudden braking. The Avondale hybrid is equipped with a light weight, hand crafted aluminium frame, Shimano 21 speed Shifters and Derailleurs, and aluminium rims with bolt on hubs for theft deterrence. It is ideal for around town use or for leisure. The brakes are linear pull aluminium, which is also known as V brakes and as mentioned above, it has its unique braking system that is the Sure Stop One lever Anti-lock Braking System. Key features of this bike are the rear derailleur: Shimano Tourney (7speed) RD-TX35 and the Shifters: Shimano RevoShift SL-RS25.
Giordano RS700 Hybrid Bike
Giordano RS700 Hybrid Bike
This hybrid bike gives you the upright riding position of your standard hybrid bikes, but also gives you the edge and advantage of a flat handlebar as opposed to the standard run of the mill road handlebar. The Giordano RS700 is pleasing to the eye and features a hand crafted aluminium frame, which makes this bike very lightweight. It also has 21 speed Shimano Shifters and derailleurs for exceptional confidence in its functioning. This bike is definitely value for money as it also comes standard with aluminium 700c rims that is not common in these bikes and is a big bonus. This bike comes in two sizes and will effortlessly get you around town or in shape or both for that matter!
Northwoods Mens Springdale 21 Speed Hybrid Bicycle
Northwoods Mens Springdale 21 Speed Hybrid Bike
Northwoods Crosstown 21 speed Hybrid Bicycle is ideal for those looking for a reliable bicycle for running around town or for physical fitness. It also has a hand crafted lightweight aluminium frame, 700c alloy rims, Shimano components and even a rear rack for convenience. It looks stunning in black. This bike too has quality Shimano equipped components including a Shimano Tourney rear derailleur, the Northwoods Springdale offers 21 speeds for easy use up and down hills and has linear pull brakes for secure stopping performance. Additional features included as standard on the bike is the alloy rims, an alloy quick release seat clamp, a rear rack, and uber-cool fenders.
Critical Cycles Dutch Style Step-Thru 7-Speed Shimano Hybrid Urban Commuter Road Bicycle
Critical Cycles Dutch Style Step-Thru 7-Speed Shimano Hybrid Urban Commuter Road Bicycle
CriticalCycles City bicycles are hand built for exceptional use around town from the store to the office to home. It has a lightweight steel frame and an advanced component set that is meant for the roads. It features a strategically designed Step-Thru frame that is designed for comfortable and safe riding experiences. The steel tubing and progressive frame geometry are designed for an upright riding position enabling a more comfortable ride when compared to other bikes in this class. The Shimano 7-Speed Drivetrain is ideal for longer distance riding as well as for easier riding on hills and valleys. It is key to note also that the Shimano Revo shifting mechanism is controlled via a grip-twister feature on the handlebars that allows you to change gears without losing any control of the bike. This bike comes standard with Kenda Kwest tires, which allows you to safely ride in wet weather conditions, due to the clever water dispersion grooves in these tires. Many features are also included such as front and rear fenders, vintage-style bullet headlamp, a rear rack, and a sealed bottom bracket. The handlebars are upright and will keep you focused on the road while being ergonomically designed for your back.
Mongoose Men’s Banish 2.0 Hybrid Bike
Mongoose Men’s Banish 2.0 Hybrid Bike, White, 18-Inch/Medium
The Mongoose Banish 700c” hybrid bike is an excellent hybrid bike for you to ride around town to the office or to the shops. This hybrid bike is equipped with a sturdy aluminium frame, which makes this bike very lightweight. For comfort, this bike is fitted with a front shock to provide you with a smoot ride. The front & rear disc brakes together provide safe braking when you need it most. This hybrid bike has 21 speeds with a Shimano derailleur and will provide you with smooth and sure shifting. This hybrid bike is stylish and comes with black alloy wheels. It also has 3 piece cranks and beach cruiser pedals as well as both front and rear disc brakes.
Frequently asked questions:
What is a hybrid bike?
A hybrid bike is a bicycle that is an everyday bike that can also be used in other capacities such as road bikes, touring bikes, mountain bikes, and cruiser bikes. It is a bike that allows the rider to sit straight up instead of leaning forward.
How are hybrid bikes different from standard bikes?
A bike is typically considered to be a hybrid bike when it has a flat handlebar, like those of mountain bikes, and not a drop bar that are usually found on standard bikes. Speaking of mountain bikes, the shifting and braking components of hybrid bikes are quite the same as standard mountain bikes. This is what gives hybrid bikes a much more upright riding position which is more to provide more comfort rather than increasing the speed of the bike. With a more upright riding position too, the safety of the ride is increased as the rider is in a physical position to be able to see the road and other vehicles from a better angle. Hybrid bikes are also known to use larger volume tires than standard bikes, which in theory will offer more comfort than those of other varieties of bikes on the market today.
Why should I buy a hybrid bike?
Hybrid bikes are much lighter that traditional bikes, they have thinner tires which allow the bike to ride much faster and they are ergonomically more comfortable to ride than other types of bikes. With a hybrid bike, you will be able you to ride on urban surfaces around town as well as be able to ride for exercise or leisure along trails and country roads. If you are looking to buy a bike that you can use on different road surfaces then a hybrid bike is one that you should seriously consider buying, as they are cheaper than the hard core bikes out there.
Can hybrid bikes be used in the rain?
Hybrid bikes can be used in the rain. It is important to keep the chain oiled and the parts waxed or just give these parts a quick coat of oil. Screws also need to be protected as these tend to rust first. You should also wax the handlebars if they are steel. You should also put a coat of oil on the exposed part of the seat post. A number of hybrid bikes come as standard with a set of fenders, which is important if you anticipate to be riding in the rain a lot.
How do hybrid bikes compare to other types of bikes?
There are stark differences in the realm of hybrid bikes, with some hybrid bikes being closer in specs to mountain bikes than commuter bikes, and other types of hybrid bikes lean more toward commuter bikes than to mountain bikes. There are stark differences too when it comes to the braking systems of hybrid bikes, which can range from model to model, but V-brakes are quite prevalent now, as are mechanical and hydraulic disc systems.
Can I purchase accessories for a hybrid bike, e.g. accessories for riding in the rain?
Yes, some hybrids come with full mudguards for use in rainy weather conditions, and also pannier racks. If your chosen hybrid bike does not come standard with these features, there is a big market for aftermarket parts that you can purchase to fit onto your bike, such as reflectors etc.
What specifications should I be looking for when purchasing a hybrid bike?
This depends on what your needs of the bike are going to be. For example, if you live in an apartment or a house with flights of stairs that you need to carry your bike up – if so, you should be looking for an aluminium framed bike, which is more lightweight than the standard steel framed versions. If you are going to be riding your bike to the office, in your work clothes, then a completely straight framed bike is what you should look for, as this would give you a more comfortable ride. If you have a lot of things to carry around then you should look for bikes that have accommodations for attachments such as carriers, panniers and mudguards. If you are good with your hands and enjoy minor mechanics, then you should be looking for a hybrid bike that has a good aftermarket for spares such as brakes and brake blocks that you can do yourself.
Wrapping it up
After extensive research we chose as our top pick the Schwinn Men’s Network 3.0 700C Wheel Men’s Hybrid Bicycle . This is one of the best hybrid bikes on the market and you will probably not go wrong with it. This bike has an aluminium city frame which keeps it light and manageable. This is the hybrid bike to go for if you are able to afford it. Our budget pick for this review was determined to be the Pacific Bryson Men’s 700c 18 Hybrid Bike. This could be regarded as your typical hybrid bike. It features 18 speeds, 3 piece crank and an upright riding style. If price is your top priority, then this is the hybrid bike that you should get.
We hope that this review was helpful to you and we wish you all the best with the best hybrid bike you decide to purchase!