Hybrid Bikes
Whether you are a cyclist who is a fan of leisurely rides around the city, or you like getting out on dirt roads in the country or travelling down paved or crushed gravel bike paths, a hybrid—the most versatile of all bikes—can be your best option. Here are a few tips on finding the right model for you.
Buying a hybrid bike
A good hybrid should combine two important features: light weight and sturdiness. The lighter and sturdier a bike is, the better quality it will be—but it will cost you more. Sometimes a cyclist will have to sacrifice a bit on one or the other of those features, depending upon which, in his or her view, is the most important.
Therefore, someone who rides only short distances in the city does not need to be particularly concerned about a bike’s weight, but would be well advised to take a good look at its sturdiness in order to be certain that it will stand up to the not-always-smooth conditions of urban streets. In contrast, a person who expects to be peddling many hours on trips out to the country should make sure a bike is light.
In either case, it is the bike’s frame that makes all the difference. Although hybrid bikes generally have a triangular frame, the mixed (or swan-neck) frames that are also available can be more suitable for smaller cyclists, for those who are older and have a harder time getting up on a bike, or for women who regularly wear dresses or skirts when cycling.
Whether mixed or triangular, the frame should be the right size for the cyclist. This can be checked by making sure that the height of the frame (that is, the height of the back vertical bar) corresponds to two thirds of the length between the crotch and the ground when the cyclist is standing in bare feet.
Choosing a triangular-framed bike is simpler: when holding the bike up between the legs, to be safe there should be a distance of about 5 cm between the horizontal bar and the cyclist’s crotch. If a compromise must be made, it is better to choose a smaller frame and then adjust the height of the saddle accordingly.
Besides top-of-the-line, somewhat higher-priced titanium or carbon frames that combine stiffness with light weight, the majority of hybrid bike frames are made of steel or aluminum. Although steel is the heaviest, it is also one of the most durable materials to be used for bike frames, and it is certainly the easiest to repair. Moreover, it is relatively flexible—which makes for a more comfortable ride—and the wide variety of steel-framed bikes ensures models to fit every kind of budget.
For their part, increasingly common aluminum frames are lighter, but very stiff. Because of this, an aluminum frame will efficiently transfer the power produced by pedalling to the back wheel, but there will be a loss in comfort: the cyclist will clearly feel the vibrations between the legs and in the arms and back caused by the least little bump in the road. Aluminum is generally less sturdy than steel, and also less easy to repair. That said, however, it has become the benchmark in hybrid bike manufacturing.
Other components
Selecting a good saddle is one of the first things a cyclist should consider in order to maximize riding comfort. If he or she usually only rides short distances, a wide saddle is preferable, ideally with spring suspension. Unlike mountain or touring bikes, a hybrid bike forces a cyclist to sit up on it with a straight back, this will inevitably lead to a tired spine after a long ride. On the other hand, the cyclist will have a wider field of vision, since it is easy to turn one’s head. The more a cyclist tends to ride long distances, the more he or she should choose a narrower saddle in order to facilitate good blood circulation in the legs and prevent numbness.
Brake levers and gear shifters should be within good reach and easily controlled with the push of a thumb (so-called rapid-fire shifters) or the flick of a wrist (twist shifters). Hybrid bikes increasingly come in 21- or 24-speed models, just like mountain bikes.
Pedals can be equipped with toe clips to improve thrust. Automatic pedals are the best choice for maximum performance, however, as they have a mechanism that holds the cycling shoes specially designed to be used with them firmly in place.
Bike wheels should preferably be able to be taken off without using a wrench, which will make it simpler to repair a puncture or lock up the bike in town.
Finally, when choosing a bike, the best way to come to a final decision is to try it out. Many Atmosphere outlets have a cycling specialist on hand to help, or allow potential buyers to test ride the model they’re eyeing out on the road outside the store.
Use
Before leaving the store, of course, all the needed basic adjustments to the bike’s saddle stem (the shaft that supports the handlebars) and the handle grips should be made.
To determine the correct height for the saddle, the cyclist should sit on the bike holding one leg straight, directly in line with the vertical bar of the frame, heel resting on the pedal at its lowest position.
Check tire pressure regularly to avoid nasty surprises out on the road. If tires are not adequately inflated, they will slow down the bike; if they are overly inflated the middle treads will wear away prematurely.
Even if wearing a helmet is not compulsory, it is, for obvious reasons, highly recommended for increased head protection. Today’s bike helmets are light and well ventilated, as well as hard-wearing.
Wearing gloves can also be worthwhile in order to prevent blistered hands. Some types only cover the palms, so that fingers are free, while others feature gel-filled padding for optimum comfort.
Having a tool kit that includes a minimum of a multiple-grip wrench, a tire patch kit and a pump is also recommended, especially for long trips out in isolated areas.
It is more than a good idea for cyclists who often ride at night—whether in town or in the country—to equip a bike with a headlight, tail light and reflectors. It is also advisable in such situations to wear clothing with reflective tape.
Lastly, buying a good U-lock is a must, particularly if the bike will often be used in the city.
Maintenance
- Clean and regularly lubricate the chain.
- Occasionally check that brake and gear cables are properly adjusted: the metal in them tends to become distended, which will cut down braking capacity and put gears out of order. Replace the cables if they are rusted.
- Also make sure that brake shoes are not so worn that they could put you in danger on very steep slopes.
- Tighten screws and bolts from time to time, as vibrations tend to cause them to loosen.
- Do a tune-up every spring, or at regular intervals if the bike is used year-round.
- And most important, enjoy your ride!