Talk:Hybrid bicycle

Definition

The article is unclear on exactly what a hybrid bicycle is. I can define this, and provide some examples.

A hybrid is any type of bicycle with mountain bike features (except the mountain bike itself).

Before the 1980s there were 3 prominent types of biycle - the city or utility bike, the road bike, and the touring bike. All of these were well-suited to smooth, tarmac surfaces, but not well adapted for off-road conditions.

In the 1980s the mountain bike (also known as an MTB) was invented. This made it possible for bikes to confidently be ridden off-road. It had - - advanced suspension (forks or a full pivot) for jumps and bumps, - 26" wheels and wide chunky tyres for maximum grip on grass and mud, - a wide range of gears suitable for steep hills, - wide straight handlebars for maximum control over tricky terrain.

Soon after came various hybrids - in which one of the old tarmac-based types was given some of the features of a mountain bike, and making it possible to ride these bikes over moderate off-road terrain. For example...

- Road hybrid known as an ATB ('All-Terrain Bike').

- Touring hybrid known as an Expedition Bike

- City Hybrid, like mine - photo here - http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/bardsandwarriors/bike/2005may02_argo.jpg

There are probably others. I don't count myself as an expert, and this should be taken as the outline for a re-write of this article, rather than a finished text.

Steve Bardsandwarriors 08:47, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

you're entititled to your opinion, but if the article as it stands sounds a little vague, its because inumerable bicycle manufacturers and sellers are using the term without any central body providing a definition. --Dhodges 16:01, 6 December 2005 (UTC)

Agreed. The article itself makes the point that hybrids are difficult to pin down. It really is a catch-all definition for anything that is neither road nor mountain. --Icd 23:34, 6 December 2005 (UTC)

true, this article seems to have a narrow view of what a hybrid is. perhaps an article on flat handle bar road bikes would help cover some of the gaps of this article Mathmo 12:12, 26 November 2006 (UTC)

Fair enough. If anyone wants to use my photo or text (above), you are welcome. I'll leave it in the hands of wikiproject to use or delete this discussion :) Steve Bardsandwarriors 08:47, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

The name ATB or all-terrain bike is a now-outmoded term (ATB (disambiguation)) for a mountain bike. It is found in many older books and media, and could well be confusing as a hybrid subvariant classification. The Expedition Touring bike isn't really a hybrid at all, but rather a specialized subvariant of the long-distance touring bicycle - much like a downhill bike is a subvariant of the mountain bike.

Hybrid bikes have for a few years now been type classified into at least three subvariants: the Cross Bike (a lean, lightweight 'cross' between the mountain and road bike), the muscular City Bike aka Urban Bike, and the Commuter hybrid. The 'comfort' bike or recreational bike is sometimes added. These classifications have been used in both the U.K. and the USA, and were referenced by none other than the noted British/American bicycle author, Richard Ballantine, in several of his books. While manufacturers may disagree on nomenclature, these designations do reflect the emergent specialties of each hybrid subvariant. don01 12.72.119.23 (talk) 16:13, 7 November 2008 (UTC)

Units of measurement

I reverted the edits that made the measurements of tire width consistent inches (mm). Although it is inconsistent, it matches how they are actually specified in reality. 700C being originally a French size are specified in mm, whereas 26" mountain bike tires are more US centric and tend to be specified in inches. You can even see this inconsistency on manufacturer web pages, Giant for example. Icd 11:01, 8 May 2006 (UTC)

Lede

The introductory paragraph is needlessly contentious points:

• more robust than road bikes - a decent road bike will handle bouncing along country roads just fine,thanks.
• more generally capable than touring bikes - well, a touring bike is slightly less maneuverable due to the longer wheelbase.and faster than mountain bikes.
• faster - rather depends on the pair of legs attached to the pedals

-Dhodges (talk) 19:51, 24 November 2012 (UTC)

Faster depends on alot of variables, equipment group, bike build, tires, etc --Degen Earthfast (talk) 23:18, 24 November 2012 (UTC)

"Ridership"

The strikes me as unnecessary jargon. - 194.150.177.249 (talk)‎ 23:15, 25 July 2013

Feel free to replace it with some necessary jargon. -AndrewDressel (talk) 12:52, 26 July 2013 (UTC)

Origin

The implication is that hybrids came into existence by a mixing of previously existing types. Is this really true? To me they all look like modern roadsters. - 194.150.177.249 (talk)‎ 23:15, 25 July 2013

That's what the experts say. -AndrewDressel (talk) 12:56, 26 July 2013 (UTC)

Hybrid bicycles, also known as "cross" or "fitness" bicycles, are a cross between a mountain bike and a touring bike. The best
of them have the handlebars and control levers of a mountain bike, with the frame, gears, wheels and brakes of a touring bike. - Sheldon Brown (bicycle mechanic)

The late Mike Burrows said of them “They’re what we used to call 'a bicycle'”. Mr Larrington (talk) 19:04, 28 June 2023 (UTC)

Upright riding position

This is a small detail, but might as well get it right, eh? The article currently states

• "Hybrids typically borrow the flat, straight handlebars and upright seating posture of a mountain bike"
• "are normally equipped with nearly flat handlebars to provide a more upright riding position than a racing or sport/touring bike.[2]"

and also, later in the article

• "They typically have a modified mountain bike frame with a tall head tube to provide an upright riding position,"
• "and drop-center, angled North Road-style handlebars designed for easy reach while riding in an upright position."

which seem to contradict each other. I'm inclined to believe the latter more than the former. There is nothing inherently upright in "flat, straight handlebars" or mountain bikes. Instead "a modified mountain bike frame with a tall head tube" and "drop-center, angled North Road-style handlebars" are specifically "designed for easy reach while riding in an upright position." Does anyone have a copy of the frequently cited "Richard's 21st Century Bicycle Book" to explain what it actually says? -AndrewDressel (talk)