The hybrid is a relatively recent development in bicycles. Also referred to as “trekking”, they are usually ideal for most leisure riders and commuters.

Hybrids feature the best elements from 3 styles of bike, they originated at a time when most people buying a bike were buying mountain bikes, but sometimes riders found a mountain bike was simply too cumbersome, heavy and even slow for the average leisure rider. Designers took the very best elements from mountain bikes, tourers and racing bikes and built a bike, which met the new requirements.

The emphasis of the hybrid is comfort, visibility and protection from the elements. Most hybrids are fi tted with 700c wheels (the same diameter as fi tted to racing bikes) but with wider tyres and rims (on average 35mm). These tyres are generally multi condition, in that they have a smooth centre line for effi ciency on tarmac, but often have a more knobbly outer tread, to give good traction if the bike is ridden on a non tarmac surface. They are fi tted with the similar gear systems to mountain bikes, ranging from 21 to 27 gears. The riding position is much more upright to give good visibility.

These bikes are often “fully equipped”, ie they come factory fi tted with mudguards, and carrying racks, and some even offer suspension seat pillars and adjustable rise stems for added comfort. All in all, the hybrid is the best all round bike there is, it suits the majority of riding that you might wish to do. It is perfect for tarmac riding, even longer journeys, and yet it is more than capable of being taken onto canal footpaths and forestry tracks.