What the heck is a "Hybred"?

Question

So I'm out looking at new bikes after 15 years of not riding and I see this Hybred thing.

I've been thinking of a mountain bike (Trek 4300 because I like the rugged good looks) but now I find this Hybred (Trek 7200) interesting.

While I would ride on mostly paved streets, I forsee a light trail every now and then. Is the Hybred the answer?

Answer 1

A hybrid bike is intended for tarmac, towpaths, and bike trails. If you want to go slogging through a forest off of the beaten path, then get a mountain bike, otherwise it sounds as if a hybrid will do the job.

Hybrids have gearing closer to that of road bikes, normally semi-slick or slick tyres of 700c (so road sized) and they are thinner tyres than those found on a mountain bike (less rolling resistance).

Answer 2

The term 'Hybrid' means different things to different manufacturers. If a bike has some characteristics of both mountain and road bikes, it may lean more toward one end or the other. If the bike is more like a suspended mountain bike, it may be called a comfort bike. Comfort bikes are made for street riding, but with wider tyres and more upright ergonomics than road bikes. If a hybrid has no suspension, narrow tyres, and a semi-crouch riding postion, it may be called a flat-bar road bike. The Trek 7200 is kinda middle of the road, a bit more hard-core than a comfort bike, but a bit clunkier than a flat-bar road bike. The Trek seems quite suited for your street/trail application.

Answer 3

Hybrid's typically do nothing well. They are great sellers because they look like they can do it all to the typical Fred (non-cyclist).

If you are going to "putter" along then get the hybrid, a comfort bike, good for 5 miles or less infrequently.

If you are going to "ride" then get a cyclo cross bike. Put on slicks for the street and knobbies for the light trail. If you have the bank have two sets of wheels, one with each type of tire on it.

Answer 4

The hybrid is the largest bicycle market with the most developments and innovation.

Once considered very slow, Specialized (a bike company) pioneered the high speed hybrid with Cirrus. There have been ever so many copies since then.

One thing they all have in common is a sloping top tube to some degree or another. This means that a proper fit will show a lot more seatpost or maybe an epic length seat post.

Hybrids, and now, most modern road bikes, have great differences in top tube lengths between "sizes" with the result that the customer who chooses a larger frame for a more comfortable reach is quickly defeated in that pursuit with a slow and overlarge bike.

So, expect it to look small if you want it to be fast.
Or just ignore that part, ignore the size and say that the fastest one IS the right fit.
Same difference.

Did you notice the seatposts on the Tour-de-France? Today's road bikes have much the same ergonomics as today's hybrids.

Compare the Schwinn Super Sport and the Specialized Roubaix. Of course there's a different price, crankset, handlebars, and wheels.
Swap those 3 parts onto the Schwinn and speed is identical.


Of the varieties of hybrids, most are the fusion of a mountain bike with a road bike.

Those with 700c size wheels can be quite fast if the wheels are a narrow road bike size wheel.

One would also wish to avoid the outdated and slow "ape hanger" (the actual term) hybrid with the sky high handlebars up at shoulder level.


Some hybrids are not the fusion of two different kinds of bikes.
Schwinn Super Sport is a road tour bike.
Trek 7200 is a pro-style cyclocross.

Both of these pre-date the mountain bike.

Diamondback Winwood / Edgewood series is a European style road tour bike, resulting in showing much more seatpost and a factory standard comfortable saddle. Not overdone, just comfortable--and unique because of that.

All three of these are seen travelling with road touring clubs.

The last time I saw a Diamondback, it had passed by in a flash--too fast to see which one it was and much to the panic of my fellow "weekend warriors" onboard much more expensive road bikes. Very amusing, that was!


All three of these suffer slightly from their cyclocross origin that also provides their most-wanted feature. That is tire accomodation.

Cyclocross wheels are a bit wider and heavier than road bike wheels. This makes for a slower acceleration and a slower uphill trip than a road bike. It is only wheels.

Traditionally, the cyclocross owner will keep two sets of wheels.

(1)
The factory wheels would be equipped for gravel, city, and rough road with something like Kenda Kross Plus Yellow Label (actually has a yellow label that belongs on the drive side--inferior versions don't have the label or any price difference either). You'll notice that these wheels are meant for larger tires.

(2)
A cushy version of road racing wheelset, such as the Neuvation R28 SL2 that match the Trek or Schwinn, OR the soft riding Diamondback can use the firmer Rol SL28 Road wheelset for equal performance at a significant savings.
These would be equipped with road touring tires such as the Serfas SECA RS or a fast Michelin trainer. . .as in quick and light with flat protection (either).

For instant, clip-on, convenience, a cassette is installed to the rear wheel. This is usually a road-ish 11-32, LX/XT if Shimano and PG850/950 if SRAM. Of course, it will have the same number of cogs as the cassete onboard the factory wheelset.

As traditional for cyclocross, clip the big tire set on for the harsh terrain and the city, and then clip the road tire on for enjoyable weekends with the road club and/or for speed up hilly areas.

The hybrids (the term has now absorbed 700c cyclocross and the XC 26" mountain bikes as a general term to describe a multi-use bike) are the most generally useful type of bike.

Other tips: The 700c are fastest on road, while the 26" cousins are fastest on gravel.

Many test drives at the bike store insures future pleasure with great performance.
Do remember to test drive them in different sizes and adjust the seatpost for your legs every time. With the hybrid, fastest is fit, no matter how odd that can sometimes look.

Find the one you really like and then compare it to others. Buy the winner.

I'm recommending a test drive of the Diamondback 700c wheeled hybrids because there's no other bike I'd pick up at the store one day and then go with the un-modified bike on a 100 mile bike tour on the very next day--such as upcoming the Hotter Than Hll Hundred in Wichita Falls, TX this August 26th.

For the handsome Trek, I think it would need road wheels and tires plus a humane saddle, maybe Sportourer Eg, before it performs well on-road. This is all quite normal for any new bike.
And, it is certainly normal application for a pro-grade racing cyclocross, which it IS, despite its more masculine appearance.
Also noticable on the Trek 7200 is a superior drivetrain.

Hybrids perform, a new paradigm, and they are endearing to ride.

Answer 5

It has mountain bike styling but is to be ridden mostly on the street. It can do some limited off road stuff but I would not recommend it. So to answer your question. Yes.

Answer 6

A comfort bike

Answer 7

everything he said.

Yes, hybrid would fit the bill. Or depending on your mileage, even one of the townie cruisers would work.