Biking ranks high as a recreational activity in the United States. A 2009 survey by the National Sporting Goods Association estimated that over 38 million Americans participated in bike riding at least once in 2009. Biking has evolved from a leisurely activity to serve other purposes. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 488,497 Americans biked to work, based on 2000 census data. The hybrid bike offers the bike commuter a good alternative to the traditional road bike.
What Is a Hybrid Bicycle?
A hybrid bicycle combines the best of both worlds of road biking and mountain biking. The design and lighter frame make it a good choice for riding city streets or trails made of materials such as crushed limestone. It doesn't have the speed that a road bike has, yet it does allow you to traverse a variety of terrains. You may find hybrid bikes marketed under several different names, including trekking bike or commuter bike. Several manufacturers produce hybrid bikes, including Giant and Crescent.
Features
Bikes have evolved into a highly specialized form of transportation, a far cry from the high wheel bike of 1870. Hybrid bikes are no exception. Typically, the hybrid resembles a mountain bike more than a road bike in outward appearance. The handlebar design reflects a person riding upright rather than the crouched form someone riding a racing bike may assume.
The hybrid tires, however, are a stark contrast to those of a mountain bike. Whereas mountain bikes have wide, knobby tires for gripping terrain, the hybrid bike tires are less textured, which reduces the resistance on the road for better speed. They are much wider than the thin tires of road bikes, though, to allow for riding off road.
Benefits
The hybrid bike design opens up new avenues for bike touring. Your selection of biking sites increases. You can ride the asphalt, gravel or crushed limestone trails of any of the nearly 20,000 miles of open rail to trails projects across the country. Some of these trails, especially those not made of asphalt, may be inappropriate for racing bikes. Riding would be more difficult and hazardous. Likewise, the heavy frame and knobby tires of a mountain bike may add to the labor that you need to exert to travel great distances. With a hybrid bike, you can eliminate some of these obstacles.
Uses
Hybrid bikes provide a good choice for several common uses. The heavier construction accommodates panniers for longer bike rides. You can also use panniers and other attachments for commuting to and from work. Hybrid bikes include a variety of gear combinations depending upon the number of chain rings and gears in the rear cassette. Although you don't have the power of the mountain bike, you do have the ability to switch gears to match the terrain, making the hybrid bike ideal for longer bike trips and touring. The hybrid bicycle market continues to grow, accounting for over 20 percent of all bike sales in 2009.
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