Hybrid bikes are becoming a popular choice for many cyclists out there, but what exactly is making them so popular?

Whether you are thinking to upgrade your current bicycle or looking for your first bike and are considering a hybrid cycle, you might be having a hard time deciding whether the hybrid bicycle is the right choice for you.

To help you decide we’ve put together this article, where we explain what hybrid bikes are and discuss the main pros and cons of having a hybrid bicycle, so read on to find out more!

What are Hybrid Bikes?

As you might have guessed from the name, hybrid bikes are a mixture of different kinds of bikes. Hybrid bicycles combine some of the best parts of the various bikes, usually a mountain bike and a road bike, to create an ultimate allrounder. Hybrid bikes are multi-purpose and allow a cyclist to invest just in one bicycle rather than having a garage full of them, making them very popular among beginner cyclists.

Pros of Hybrid Bikes

  • Versatility

One of the biggest advantages of a hybrid bike is versatility. These bikes will allow you to cover all types of terrain with ease. Whether you are looking for a bike to commute to work, to go for weekend rides in a countryside, or both, hybrid cycles are a great option.

  • Comfortable

Hybrid bikes are designed for optimum comfort and enable a relaxed upright riding position. These bikes also generally come with a suspension fork on the front wheel and suspensions seats, which gives the cyclist a lot of comfort by absorbing the shock.

  • Lightweight

Hybrid bikes are generally quite lightweight which makes them a perfect option for commuters and beginners.

  • Affordable

Hybrid bicycles tend to not cost as much as other single-purpose bikes, such as mountain bikes or road bikes. In addition, with a hybrid bike, you will only need to buy one bicycle, instead of investing in a separate one for each kind of different terrain.

Cons of having a hybrid bike

  • Jack of all, master of none

When people hear the word “hybrid” they oftentimes assume that these bikes are 50/50 split between a road and a mountain bike. That is not the case. While hybrid bikes are extremely versatile and certainly do have their place, they are not a perfect cross between a road bike and a mountain bike.  Hybrid bicycle will not go as fast as a dedicated road bike and will not perform as well as a mountain bike on a technical mountain descent or extremely rough terrain.

  • Tire size limitations

While hybrid bikes allow for some mountain biking, their frames can’t fit tires large enough for serious mountain biking.

  • Limited hand position

Hybrid bicycles have flat handlebars. While some cyclists find them comfortable, others find that these limit the amount of place for you to hold on to, especially when compared to curved handlebars that most road bikes come with. This limitation may become especially noticeable if you’re planning to use the bike for longer rides.

Find the best hybrid bikes at Primera Sports

We hope that this article has given you some insight into the hybrid bikes and will help you while making the decision whether this kind of bike is right for you.

At the end of the day, there are pros and cons to any kind of bicycle, so the most important thing you need to consider is what bike suits your needs the best. What kind of terrain are you planning to be riding on? How much money you are willing to spend? How important the speed is to you?

If you would like to see some hybrid cycles in person, then why not visit one of our bike shops in  Bournemouth or Poole. We have a great range of some of the best hybrid bikes to choose from including women’s hybrid bikes and men’s hybrid bikes.

To find out more or to check for availability get in touch with our team of specialists on 01202 775588 and we are sure to help you find the best hybrid bike for you!