hybrid bikes explained image
Daughter N
What are some qualities I should look for in buying one? A friend of mine told me to avoid steel frames because they are heavy, but what else?
Answer
This is going to be a long answer.
I'm sure that your friend is helping you out the best they can, but his assumption that a steel frame is heavy is wrong. I hope you can explain this to him:
It is a fact that steel as a material weighs almost exactly double what aluminum does. It is also true that aluminum as a material is 1/3 the STRENGTH of steel. Soooo, in general terms you need 3 times the VOLUME of aluminum to get the strength of steel. In rough numbers, that means an aluminum frame weighs 50% MORE than a steel frame if they are both equally strong.
Lighter frames are a result from careful design, putting material where it is needed and getting rid of it where it isn't.
There are 2 forms of hybrid bikes. One is the colloquial expression. In this case, hybrids are based on the typical road bike but with different features like a more "heads-up" posture and a lower center of gravity for more stability at lower speeds. The other is the "comfort" bike. The comfort models are based on mountain bikes and generally have the same design features as a hybrid with added plushness as well as smaller diameter, wider tires. Comfort bikes also tend to be heavier.
If you plan on rides exceeding 15 miles or so, the hybrid would be the way to go as it generally offers higher performance and a better "feel" overall. If your expectation is to take your time and "smell the roses" then a comfort bike may be best... but the comfort promised becomes a liability on rides exceeding 15 miles or so.
So, as far as features to look for on HYBRID models, you'll want to have a bike that fits you. This is most important. Once you have a bike that fits you there are just a few key things that are important...
The quality of drivetrain will provide long life and trouble-free service for a long time. Look specifically for bikes offering Shimano Acera or Alivio components. This is easy to determine just by looking. Try to avoid (Shimano) Tourney or Altus. In a bout of genius, some Shimano stuff just says SIS or has the moniker "TY" or "TX". These are actually lower grade than Tourney or Altus. If the bike is equipped with SRAM parts- once again avoid the stuff that just has SRAM plastered on it. X3, SX4, X5 are all good stuff.
Other things to insist upon are quick release wheels (much stronger than bolt-on wheels for this application), a minimum of 24 gears (due to the supporting components which are much stronger than lower geared stuff), and mostly alloy components.
There are a wide variety of bikes and price ranges within the hybrid genre- anywhere from about $300 to way over $1000. Do not shop by brand- most bikes regardless of brand are built in a handful of factories in Asia. Trek, Specialized, and Cannondale tend to have one step lower components at the same price as bikes from Raleigh, Diamondback (bike shop quality) Mongoose, KHS, and (bike shop quality) Schwinn. GT does a good job offering bang for the buck as well.
Do not go to a department store for a bike. They tend to have poor warranties, no after-the-sale service, and poor assembly. Some stores even specifically exclude bicycles as returnable items so once you buy it, it is yours.
This is going to be a long answer.
I'm sure that your friend is helping you out the best they can, but his assumption that a steel frame is heavy is wrong. I hope you can explain this to him:
It is a fact that steel as a material weighs almost exactly double what aluminum does. It is also true that aluminum as a material is 1/3 the STRENGTH of steel. Soooo, in general terms you need 3 times the VOLUME of aluminum to get the strength of steel. In rough numbers, that means an aluminum frame weighs 50% MORE than a steel frame if they are both equally strong.
Lighter frames are a result from careful design, putting material where it is needed and getting rid of it where it isn't.
There are 2 forms of hybrid bikes. One is the colloquial expression. In this case, hybrids are based on the typical road bike but with different features like a more "heads-up" posture and a lower center of gravity for more stability at lower speeds. The other is the "comfort" bike. The comfort models are based on mountain bikes and generally have the same design features as a hybrid with added plushness as well as smaller diameter, wider tires. Comfort bikes also tend to be heavier.
If you plan on rides exceeding 15 miles or so, the hybrid would be the way to go as it generally offers higher performance and a better "feel" overall. If your expectation is to take your time and "smell the roses" then a comfort bike may be best... but the comfort promised becomes a liability on rides exceeding 15 miles or so.
So, as far as features to look for on HYBRID models, you'll want to have a bike that fits you. This is most important. Once you have a bike that fits you there are just a few key things that are important...
The quality of drivetrain will provide long life and trouble-free service for a long time. Look specifically for bikes offering Shimano Acera or Alivio components. This is easy to determine just by looking. Try to avoid (Shimano) Tourney or Altus. In a bout of genius, some Shimano stuff just says SIS or has the moniker "TY" or "TX". These are actually lower grade than Tourney or Altus. If the bike is equipped with SRAM parts- once again avoid the stuff that just has SRAM plastered on it. X3, SX4, X5 are all good stuff.
Other things to insist upon are quick release wheels (much stronger than bolt-on wheels for this application), a minimum of 24 gears (due to the supporting components which are much stronger than lower geared stuff), and mostly alloy components.
There are a wide variety of bikes and price ranges within the hybrid genre- anywhere from about $300 to way over $1000. Do not shop by brand- most bikes regardless of brand are built in a handful of factories in Asia. Trek, Specialized, and Cannondale tend to have one step lower components at the same price as bikes from Raleigh, Diamondback (bike shop quality) Mongoose, KHS, and (bike shop quality) Schwinn. GT does a good job offering bang for the buck as well.
Do not go to a department store for a bike. They tend to have poor warranties, no after-the-sale service, and poor assembly. Some stores even specifically exclude bicycles as returnable items so once you buy it, it is yours.
What is a good sit up road bike?
ctolley197
What are the main differences between cruisers, hybrids, road bikes etc... I really don't know. I am currently riding a mountain bike on the street. I would like a decent sit up bike that I can sit up and ride on not lean crouched over but I do not know the differences between bikes. My local bike shop just seemed interested in selling me a road bike after running my credit and then trying to convince me to get the most expensive thing that my credit would stand. Help please.
Answer
There is a very good reason cyclists "lean crouched over". Much of your limited horsepower is wasted pushing air. Sitting straight up versus in the drops can cost you several mph for the same level of effort (and is much harder on your butt!).
You would have figured this out if you rode any significant mileage.....
Try another bike shop. Any good salesman knows that listening to the customer's needs is the best way to make a sale. You, in turn, ought to let them explain the different kinds of bike. That's a bigger job than I'm willing to do here, and you haven't given us much information to work with. Alternately, pick up a couple magazines, like Bicycling, and spend some time doing research.
Truthfully, for just putzing around town, your current steed is probably fine.
There is a very good reason cyclists "lean crouched over". Much of your limited horsepower is wasted pushing air. Sitting straight up versus in the drops can cost you several mph for the same level of effort (and is much harder on your butt!).
You would have figured this out if you rode any significant mileage.....
Try another bike shop. Any good salesman knows that listening to the customer's needs is the best way to make a sale. You, in turn, ought to let them explain the different kinds of bike. That's a bigger job than I'm willing to do here, and you haven't given us much information to work with. Alternately, pick up a couple magazines, like Bicycling, and spend some time doing research.
Truthfully, for just putzing around town, your current steed is probably fine.
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