Help with Bike Identifying

[EB93]

Hi All,

Slightly weird questions so apologies!

I'm a complete newbie to cycling and have been looking on eBay/Gumtree for second hand bikes. A few have been listed under the correct category (i.e MTB/Hybrid etc) however some people have just put 'bike'. My question is, what makes a hybrid bike a hybrid bike? I thought it was just MTB that had suspension, but I've seen on here that some Hybrids have suspension at the front.

Can you tell from a photo if its a hybrid bike, and what should I look out for (defining features of a hybrid).

As I said, sorry for the newbie question, but none of my friends/family are remotely interested in cycling unfortunately!

 

[Markymark]

Hybrids don't generally have any suspension. They are between mountain bikes and road bikes. Tougher than road bikes, usually flat handlebars but lighter and faster than mountain bikes.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

The term Hybrid is a bit of a minefield as it's often wrongly used to mean any bike that has flat bars but isn't a mountain bike .

They started out as an alternative to the mountain bike with a similar riding position but larger diameter 700c size wheels and touring or cyclocross tyres which roll easier and faster on the road than mountain bike ones. Then other similar looking bikes such as flat bar road bikes and trekking bikes (flat bar tourers) came along which lazy marketing men lumped into the same category and now just cause confusion.

If I was going to attempt to define a hybrid I'd say: Mountain bike styled frame, possibly with suspension forks. MTB gearing. 700C wheels with 35mm+ width road-biased tyres. No mudguards.

 

[vickster]

For me, it's a flat bar bike that has 700c wheels, may or may not have suspension. It's a bit of a crap term

What sort of bike do you want? Where will you be riding, road, off road, both? That determines what to buy, not what it's called by a manufacturer or seller really

 

[EB93]

For me, it's a flat bar bike that has 700c wheels, may or may not have suspension. It's a bit of a crap term

What sort of bike do you want? Where will you be riding, road, off road, both? That determines what to buy, not what it's called by a manufacturer or seller really

Well that's the thing, I'm not entirely sure! It will be mainly on roads, however I would like to be able to ride off road occasionally (not on like heavy dirt tracks or anything like that!) So is the 700c wheels that make the hybrids a little easier to ride on roads compared to a MTB?

 

[BrumJim]

Yes.
Off-road usability is defined by the tyre size. On a full-on road bike you will be limited to 22-25mm tyres (poss 28 at a push) by frame clearances. Riding on dirt paths on these tyres is interesting to say the least.
700 wheels are bigger than mountain bike standard (26" compared to ~29" = 700), and therefore roll better, with the loss of some maneuverability / responsiveness.
Hybrid are always fitted with flat handlebars. These give you a more upright position, preferred by some ergonomically, and others for environment and spatial awareness on urban roads.

Some will suggest a cyclo-cross bike (or gravel racer as a recent category) that has drop handlebars and frame clearances for bigger tyres. They are more useful for longer distance riding (Audax, Sportive) as the drop bars have more hand positions, allowing you to move them around when they start to hurt.

 

[vickster]

Yes and the lower weight due to no heavy suspension. Also no bouncing from the suspension (even with lock out in my experience there is some give)
Plus thinner slicker tyres

A rigid hybrid with a 28-32mm tyre can handle most surfaces. You just have to adapt your speed and riding accordingly (you'll probably encounter pedestrians too who always have right of way over a bike even in a bike path)

 

[biggs682]

@EB93 where are you based ?

only asking as it might be easier to say then a forum member might offer to help you with the search

 

[EB93]

@EB93 where are you based ?

only asking as it might be easier to say then a forum member might offer to help you with the search

I'm in Lewes, East Sussex. It would be great if someone could help me with that. Also if I get any questions like this, I can ask them direct instead of starting a thread every time I have a silly question!

 

[biggs682]

I'm in Lewes, East Sussex. It would be great if someone could help me with that. Also if I get any questions like this, I can ask them direct instead of starting a thread every time I have a silly question!

Okay not sure who is in your area but somebody might come forward after reading this.
By all means private message me and I can quite happily say whether it is hybrid or ??? .
If you lived closer you would be more than welcome to come over and try any of my road bikes so you could see how you get on

 

[vickster]

When buying a bike off eBay or gumtree claimed to be less than 5 years old, ask the seller for proof of purchase or ownership. If they are shifty or evasive, walk away. Both are very popular with sellers of stolen bikes. If a pukka seller and original owner they should be able to produce some sort of paperwork whether bought online or from a shop. Ask for the serial number too and you can check it's not hot

What's your budget for the bike?

 

[howard2107]

Well that's the thing, I'm not entirely sure! It will be mainly on roads, however I would like to be able to ride off road occasionally (not on like heavy dirt tracks or anything like that!) So is the 700c wheels that make the hybrids a little easier to ride on roads compared to a MTB?

I have a Claud Butler Voyager "Hybrid" it has front suspension that i lock out on the road. It has 700cc 35 tyres, that are reinforced in some way or other and they cope with all that i throw at them.

I do mixed road and off road about 30% / 70%, dirt tracks, stony tracks, wet and muddy through the woods and the bike takes it in its stride, it is a pleasure to ride on any surface. Its not a MTB so i wouldn't do anything extreme on it, but there have been few times when i have thought "this isn't a good idea" but the bike never lets me down. It gets down the road quick enough, but not at road bike speeds. I suppose it comes down to personal choice, but if you intend on doing what you say, then my bike or anything similar will fit the bill in my opinion. After having a MTB i find that this is a hell of a lot easier to ride.