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It’s a big old confusing world out there folks, and my aim in life is to try and help reduce some of that confusion. One topic that I’m zeroing in on today is men’s hybrid bikes.
If you imagine a spectrum of bikes, at one end you’ve got rugged mountain bikes that daring riders delight in flying down near vertical cliff faces on. At the other end you’d have road bikes, that daring riders delight in whizzing along roads at terrifying speeds on.
In the middle, you have a broad range of hybrid bikes that sensible people have fun on.
Because there are such a vast array of shapes, styles, and prices of hybrid bikes in this category it can become rather overwhelming when you start to look at the options. So, I’ve done some research and have found the best hybrid bikes for a number of different price points. Let’s go ahead and check them out.
Quick Answer: Raleigh Bicycles Cadent 2 Hybrid Bike
What is a hybrid bike?
First up, let’s clarify what we’re talking about. Hybrid bikes have a variety of different characteristics making them suitable for a wide range of different terrains. The take many features from mountain biking (such as upright riding position and grippy tires) and from road bikes (such as light frames) and therefore can give you the best of both worlds:
- Tires – most hybrids have large diameter wheels and knobbly tires to allow you to cycle smoothly across uneven urban terrain (think potholes and cracks in the road) and even on many off-road trails. At the same time, you will find that these large wheels are speedy on the open road.
- Frame – hybrid bikes will generally have a lighter frame than a mountain bike and so are easier to pedal up steep inclines.
- Saddle – they will generally have deep padded saddles that give you a comfortable seat on your journey. Particularly useful if you’re traveling over rougher trails.
- Suspension – you will often find that hybrids have suspension on the front fork. This is a feature that is borrowed from mountain biking and gives a much smoother and less jarring ride when you’re cycling on rough terrain.
- Gearing – the majority of hybrids have a good range of gears to help you get up those steeper hills (and go faster on the downhills, obviously!) These work with a thumb shifter on the handlebar and are easy to use whilst you’re pedaling along.
- Brakes – look out for hybrids that have disc brakes. These are often found on the higher-priced bikes and give you fantastic stopping power – really useful when you’re navigating your way through traffic.
For more information on the early development of hybrid bikes (developing from “Utility Roadsters in the early 20th Century), check out this article.
Take a look at this handy video if you’d like a visual reference on the differences between hybrids and mountain bikes, road bikes, etc.
Best mens hybrid bike reviews
As I mentioned we’re going to look at bikes according to different price categories as it’s a useful start point when you’re looking at any type of bike. We’ll look at five different categories and see what the best of the best hybrid bike is in each. Let’s go!
Best mens hybrid bikes under 200
This is a great entry-level hybrid bike that is close to the mountain bike end of the hybrid spectrum I mentioned earlier. It comes in two different sizes (26” and 27.5”) and two color choices (black and white). This frame is light aluminum to make it easier to get up those hills and the 21 gears make the job even easier. With knobbly tires and front suspension, this bike can handle rougher trails, as well as being perfectly at home on roads (where you’re never too far from a pothole!) It’s unashamedly a budget bike so you won’t see premium features, such as disc brakes, and the components will be heavier. On the flip side, you don’t have to pay a premium price either. If you’re looking for a hybrid bike to take you from A to B over uneven surfaces, without paying the earth for it, then this is the bike for you.
Best mens hybrid bike for under 300
The Windsor Rover is a refined hybrid bike that is in its element in the urban environment. There are 4 different size choices and 3 color options. It also has 21 gears, front suspension fork, and a comfort seat (take a look at the suspension on the seat post!) If you see the main picture you’ll notice that the handlebars are much higher than the seat. This is a great feature if you suffer from wrist/forearm pain or hand problems, as this position helps reduce strain on these areas by shifting your balance back to your core.
If you look closely at the wheels and tires you’ll see that they are a large diameter (around 27.5”) and with slim tires (around 1.5”). This combination works brilliantly to help you go faster on smooth surfaces. The tires are grippy along the outside edges, to help with cornering, but this bike is most suited to whizzing you along on paved roads and bike tracks. A great choice at this price bracket.
Best mens hybrid bike under 400
I love cruiser bikes and this one just makes me want to jump on and head down to the beach for the day. This everything a cruiser bike should: upright riding position with sweptback handlebars, wide semi-slick tires, comfort saddle, and a pre-fitted rear pannier rack. Because where else are you going to stash the drinks and snacks for your day at the beach? I love the all matt black color, but if you want something a little different and can push the budget then there are plenty of options to choose from. Two different color saddle/handlebar grips. Different gearing combinations. Plus, my favorite, electric motors so you can cruise effortlessly to the ocean.
Best mens hybrid bikes under 500
I’ve always been a fan of Raleigh bikes and this is a great choice. The frame shape is close to mountain bike styling, with semi-click tires for moving faster on smooth surfaces. At this price bracket, you also start seeing plenty of premium features added into the package. The Cadent 2 has a light aluminum frame, Shimano 24-speed gears, and powerful disc brakes. There are also 4 different size options and 2 colors to choose from. This is a great bike for commuting and also for smooth bike trails.
Best mens hybrid bike under 1000
A big jump up in budget and time for something completely different. Schwinn have been making great bikes for a long time and I love the Vantage RX2. You’ll see that this bike is much closer to the shape and styling of road bikes with a racing frame style and drop handlebars. It has 18-speed gears and powerful disc brakes, just like a good quality road bike, but it also has wider tires than a road bike so it can handle rougher tracks than a road bike with skinny tires. This is a bike that will take you from A to B, very fast, no matter what the terrain.
Best hybrid bikes for the money
My main aim is to try and reduce some of the confusion in life, particularly in the area around bikes and cycling. Hybrid bikes are such a broad category that it’s useful to narrow it down by price point and look at the best bike in each.
I hope that this has given you the answer you need and means that you can get the right hybrid bike for you and head out for some fun.
Happy cycling!
I’m a big fan of Raleigh bikes and this one is another fantastic bicycle in their range. It has a frame that is closer to the styling you get on mountain bikes, with added semi-slick tires for fast speeds on smoother surfaces. Moving to this price point you start to see lots of premium features being added into the overall package. The Cadent 2 has a strong lightweight aluminum frame, great Shimano 24-speed gears for easy hillwork, and powerful disc brakes to bring you to a stop quickly. There’s a choice of 4 different size options and 2 colors (I love the grey). This is a fantastic bicycle for speedy commuting and also for weekend adventures on smooth bike trails.
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