Hybrid - Recreational

Hybrid Bicycles Explained
There is a lot of misinformation running around about what exactly constitutes a hybrid bicycle. We find that kind of ironic here at Bicycle South because that is the bicycle we sell the most of. The reason why? Well, hybrids are easy to ride, very affordable, really comfortable and pretty much perfect for most of the riding around our area.

Hybrids are simply an upright, pavement orientated, bicycle, usually at least 21 speeds. Before you let the number of gears scare you - let us explain why that is so great, at least for intown Atlanta.

Intown Atlanta is especially hilly. Lots of short, steep, creek-at-the-bottom hills, that you ride down and have to pedal back up. A bicycle with a wide range (easy gears to higher gears) makes sense for that kind of terrain. When you have a 21 or a 24 or a 27 speed bicycle in hybrid form, there are tiny increments between the gears so you can always be pedaling efficiently, no matter if that's up a steep hill, or flying down the other side. You also want all the mechanical advantage you can get, which a hybrid's higher tire pressure and large size wheels (starting about 85 psi) can give you. Higher pressure means easier pedaling due to less rolling resistance. Larger wheels provide more mechanical advantage then smaller wheels.

Two Kinds!
Just to confuse issues even more, there are two general types of hybrids, at least according to Consumer Reports magazine. Consumer's distinction between the types of hybrids makes sense, so we will use it here.

There are comfort orientated recreational hybrids and fitness or performance orientated hybrids.

What they all have in common is a flat handlebar with the controls conveniently located where your hands go. All the hybrids we sell all have 700c wheels as well.

Where they differ is in comfort features, riding position as well as differences in gearing, tire width and pressure and overall weight of the bicycle. The more performance orientated hybrids tend to be more costly as well.

Comfort orientated hybrids tend to be very upright, with shock absorbers built into the front wheel fork and the seat post. Most comfort orientated, recreational hybrids have wider tires, comfy saddles, easy, twist shifters and a lot of adjustability built in. These bikes also come in both a unisex and U type frame, which can be especially nice for someone who might have some flexibility issues getting on and off a bike. Also, if you get on a hard pack dirt road in a campsite or at the beach, a comfort orientated hybrid with it's wider tires is going to be very stable. It's not a mountain bike, so no roots, rocks or drop offs - but you do have the flexibility to get off the pavement and not have to walk your bike.

Fitness orientated hybrids have a very close cousin in the drop bar road bike. Often they have similar weights to road bikes (very light 20 lbs and less) thin tires, slightly bent over riding positions, high end drive train parts and higher gearing. Often the only difference between a fitness orientated road bike and an actual road bike is the hybrid has flat handlebars!
Which one, you wonder…?

Well what are you going to do with it? If you are riding with kids and spend more time keeping an eye on them then trying to keep up, are in no hurry, are new to cycling, have some back problems and need to be very upright, on a limited budget and plan to keep your rides in the 20 miles or less category, a recreational, comfort orientated hybrid is for you.

If you think that 20 miles is just a start, want a road bike but have a hybrid budget, are looking for some fitness specific cycling activity, are thinking of commuting more than a few miles, with some sort of baggage and want to be more upright than on a road bike, well a fitness performance orientated hybrid will probably fit the bill.

And if you're not sure?

Remember, we do have a 30-day money back guarantee. While that kind of offer is not intended as a bicycle rental plan, it can be reassuring to know if you got the wrong bike, you can bring it back for the right one.

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