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Hybrid bikes are often described as versatile or adaptable. Perhaps it’s no surprise then, that hybrid bikes are the most popular bike type available today.
Fast enough for speedy road rides but also rugged enough to pop off onto some rougher surfaces, hybrid bikes are great for all manner of trips on two wheels.
Within the hybrid bike category, there are further sub-disciplines to look out for, plus key features that may or may not suit you and your rides. Read our guide to find out more.
Best Hybrid Bikes
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Best Overall
Giant Cypress
Including a suspension seatpost and adjustable stem, this hybrid bike adapts to riders of different shapes and sizes.
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LIGHTWEIGHT OPTION
Trek FX1
A solid first hybrid bike, extra parts for the FX1 (like ‘guards and lights) can be added when budget and time allows.
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BUDGET PICK
BTWIN Riverside 100
The best a hybrid bike can offer and at a great price too.
-
With suspension lockout
Giant Roam 2 Disc
Frame geometry helps the rider adopt a fast, sporty position. Can happily traverse tarmac, gravel and light off road trails.
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Best for women
Liv Rove 3 Disc
Readily versatile, with a good number of gears and disc brakes for reliable and assured stopping. Female specific geometry and parts.
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Rides fast on pavement
Specialized Sirrus X 2.0
More suited to riding on tarmac, this would make an excellent commuter bike. Just add ‘guards and rack.
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MTB inspired
Cannondale Quick CX 3
Taking cues from mountain bike design, this hybrid bike will feel comfortable and sure footed to ride.
What is a Hybrid Bike?
Terminology in cycling can be a little confusing and the term, hybrid bike, can be the cause of consternation or quizzical looks. So, what is a hybrid bike?
A hybrid bike is the love child of a road bike and a mountain bike. Combining features of both road and mountain bikes means a hybrid bike can be ridden both on and off-road.
A flat handlebar is the first distinguishing feature of a hybrid bike. Flat bars like this help control the bike easily and provide reassuring steering in all conditions.
A shorter top tube is a second notable feature of a hybrid bike. By shortening this section of the frame, bike designers make the bike simple and comfortable to ride.
One final feature of most hybrid bikes: mudguards and a pannier rack – sometimes lights and a kickstand too.
Don’t confuse hybrid bikes with electric hybrid bikes. Although the term ‘hybrid’ has been adopted by the automotive industry for a vehicle with two forms of power, a standard hybrid bike won’t have electric assistance. That is unless it is called a hybrid electric bike or hybrid e-bike.
Do Hybrid Bikes Always Have Suspension?
No. Not all hybrid bikes have suspension. That said, in our experience, the majority of hybrids available on the market do have a front suspension fork.
The best or more expensive hybrid bikes will have a suspension fork with lockout. That means the suspension can be locked out when riding on pavement.
Those models which are primarily designed for riding on roads – or those priced $300/£300/€300 or below – won’t have a suspension fork, but a rigid one, made of steel, aluminium or carbon.
Who Are Hybrid Bikes For?
Choosing what type of bike to buy can be a bit of a headache, but thanks to their versatility, hybrid bikes are for everybody and anybody.
If you’ve only space for one bike at home and you’d like to ride a bike in a variety of different circumstances, then generally speaking, a hybrid bike is a good choice.
Hybrid bikes are easy to hop on and ride, comfortable when pedalling and include extras like pannier racks and mudguards. For these reasons (and more), hybrid bikes are a good choice if you want to cycle to work.
Hybrid Bikes Pros + Cons
Here are a few considerations to run through your head before you decide to buy a hybrid bike.
Pros
- Versatile and adaptable
- Easy to ride
- Wide variety available
- Can be cheap
Cons
- Not specialist
- Could feel sluggish on the road
- Won’t perform on rough or steep off-road sections
Best Hybrid Bicycles (Top 7)
1. Giant Cypress
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$749
Prices are approximate
Weight: Not stated
Gears: 9-speed
Wheel Size: 29″
Max Load: Not stated
Suspension: Front
Lights: ❌
Fenders: Optional
Pannier Rack: Optional
The Cypress is a do-it-all hybrid bike from Giant. It has a suspension fork to absorb some rough and tumble. 45mm tyres and a suspension seatpost also do plenty to aid comfort on surfaces of all kinds.
A notable feature of the Cypress is the 1×9 gearing. It saves messing about with two different gear shifters, simply concentrate on pedalling, braking and then changing gear with one lever.
Pros
- Suspension seatpost
- Adjustable stem
- Simple 1×9 gearing
- Frame mounts
Cons
- Mid-rise handlebar won’t be comfortable for all
- No mudguards as standard
2. Trek FX1
-
$599
Prices are approximate
Weight: 12.5kg (27.7lb)
Gears: 21-speed
Wheel Size: 29″
Max Load: 136kg (300lb)
Suspension: ❌
Lights: ❌
Fenders: Optional
Pannier Rack: Optional
Trek’s FX1 is a very reasonably priced hybrid bike. It’s also nice and light too. At just under 13kg the bike is plenty light enough to shoulder up stairs, lift onto a train or into the back of an RV.
Whilst the rim brakes won’t beat the performance of disc brakes on other bikes, they’ll perform just fine for most rides.
Pros
- Quality components
- Lifetime frame warranty
- Mudguards, pannier rack can be added easily
Cons
- Rim brakes aren’t as good as disc brakes
- Suspension fork might be a miss for some riders
3. BTWIN Riverside 100
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£200 -
$350
-
€219
Prices are approximate
Weight: 15kg (xxlb)
Gears: 6-speed
Wheel Size: 29″
Max Load: Not stated
Suspension: ❌
Lights: Optional
Fenders: Optional
Pannier Rack: Optional
Decathlon is a well known place to buy budget bikes and the Riverside 100 would make a good first hybrid bike for many.
Without a suspension fork and tight 6 speed gearing, it won’t necessarily adapt to off-road rides, but it’ll be more than fine on tarmac.
Pros
- Low price
- Frame design for easy mounting
- Accessories can be added when budget/time allows
Cons
- Steel frame adds weight
- 6 speed gearing doesn’t offer much range
- Only two frame sizes
4. Giant Roam 2 Disc
-
£699
-
$919
-
€799
Prices are approximate
Weight: Not stated
Gears: 18-speed
Wheel Size: 29″
Max Load: Not stated
Suspension: Front
Lights: Optional
Fenders: Optional
Pannier Rack: Optional
Offering a sportier riding position than the Cypress, the Roam is another excellent hybrid bike from Giant. The 18-speed gearing and suspension fork make it more suited to exploring off the beaten track, than pedalling on tarmac.
That said, the Roam features a suspension fork with lockout. Flick the switch to lock the suspension and experience a smooth ride on hard-packed surfaces.
Pros
- 18-speed gearing
- Quality components
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Front suspension can be locked out
- Tires are tubeless
Cons
- Tires could offer better performance off-road
5. Liv Rove 3 Disc
-
£649
-
$750
-
€749
Prices are approximate
Weight: Not stated
Gears: 16-speed
Wheel Size: 29″
Max Load: Not stated
Suspension: Front
Lights: Optional
Fenders: Optional
Pannier Rack: Optional
Liv’s hybrid bikes are designed with the female rider in mind. The frame geometry and components of the Rove have been designed to better fit women riders.
The kink in the frame’s top tube offers a better standover height for safe stopping and mounting. Typical hybrid bike features like a flat handlebars, wide (ish) tyres and suspension fork are present and correct.
Pros
- Low standover height
- Hydraulic disc brakes
Cons
- Suspension fork doesn’t have lockout
6. Specialized Sirrus X 2.0
-
£749
-
$775
Prices are approximate
Weight: Not stated
Gears: 8-speed
Wheel Size: 29″
Max Load: Not stated
Suspension: ❌
Lights: Optional
Fenders: Optional
Pannier Rack: Optional
Without a suspension fork, the Sirrus X 2.0 is more suited to riding on pavement. 29″ (700c) wheels get up to speed and hold their pace. 8 speed gearing should be enough for most bike rides you have in mind.
With mudguards and pannier rack mounts, the Sirrus x 2.0 can be quickly and easily adapted into a bike to cycle to work or take on multi-day adventures.
Pros
- Reliable and well made
- 6 frame sizes and 3 colours to choose from
Cons
- Steel fork adds weight
- 8 speed gearing isn’t great for super steep hills or off-road riding
7. Cannondale Quick CX 3
-
£775
-
$909
-
€899
Prices are approximate
Weight: Not stated
Gears: 8-speed
Wheel Size: 29″
Max Load: Not stated
Suspension: Front
Lights: Optional
Fenders: Optional
Pannier Rack: ❌
Inspired more by mountain bikes than road bikes, the Quick CX 3 is a good choice for cyclists who ride frequently on light off-road trails.
That’s not to say the bike won’t adapt to rides across town though. The suspension fork can be locked out and multi-discipline tyres roll well on pavement. Plus with reflective graphics they’ll aid visibility at night.
Pros
- Comes in 6 sizes
- Phone can be mounted easily on the stem
- Wheel sensor included to measure speed, distance etc
- Suspension fork with lockout
Cons
- Long wheelbase might feel sluggish during tight road turns
