bike

bike - Hybrid bicycle

Photograph by DCTWINKIE5500on Flickr.

For motorized-pedal hybrids, see motorized bicycle A hybrid bicycle is a bicycle designed for general-purpose utility and commuting on a wide bike Hybrid bicycle variety of surfaces, including paved and unpaved roads, paths and trails. As a category defined more by what it is bike not than by what it is, the lines between the variations are ambiguous, but they can be classified by the design goals.

A well-equipped commuter bike typically features front and rear lights for use in the early morning bike Cycle polo or late evening hours encountered at the start or end of a business day. Similar to the commuter bike, the city bike is optimized for the rough-and-tumble of urban commuting. Another subclass of the hybrid category is the comfort bike. Comfort bikes are essentially modern versions of the old roadster and sports roadster bicycle, though modern comfort bikes are often equipped with derailleur rather than hub gearing.

There are hybrid bicycles optimized for commuting, for use in urban environments, or for use on a variety of paved and unpaved road surfaces. Comfort bikes typically incorporate such features as front suspension forks, seat post suspension with wide plush saddles, and drop-center, angled North Road style handlebars designed for easy reach while riding in an upright position.

From the road bicycle they often take the 700C (larger) wheel diameter for higher speeds, but use a wider rim and tire for increased strength. Different variations of the hybrid bicycle exist. It typically features derailleur gearing, 700C wheels with fairly light 1.125-inch (28 mm) tires, a carrier rack, full fenders, and a frame with suitable mounting points for attachment of various load-carrying baskets or panniers.

It sometimes, though not always has an enclosed chainguard to allow a rider to pedal the bike in long pants without entangling them in the chain. It combines features from the road bike and the mountain bike, and includes variants such as the City bike, Cross bike and Commuter. In general, hybrids use the mountain bike s triple crank, its handlebars, giving a more upright posture than road bicycles, and its brakes such as linear pull or disc.

Some comfort bikes have hub gears instead of derailleur gears. . For some bicycle manufacturers, differences in hybrid type or nomenclature have more to do with marketing focus rather than design and specification, though specific features of certain hybrid bikes may suit one need better than another. The so-called cross bike utilizes a road bicycle frame similar to a racing or sport/touring bicycle, and is normally equipped with nearly flat handlebars to provide a more upright riding position than a racing or sport/touring bike. The commuter bike is a hybrid designed specifically for commuting over short or long distances.

They typically have a modified mountain bike frame with a tall head tube to provide an upright riding position, 26-inch wheels, and 1.75 or 1.95-inch (45 - 50 mm) smooth or semi-slick tires.