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AASQ #24: If I’m already on a hybrid, what bike will be faster but still upright?

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We know, there’s no such thing as a stupid question. But there are definitely some questions too embarrassing to ask your local shop or riding buddies. Ask A Stupid Question is our weekly series where we get to the bottom of your questions – serious or otherwise. Hit the link at the bottom of the post to submit your own question!

This week it’s all about hybrids… er, bikes that at one point were called hybrids?

Bruno wrote in with the following question, “I’m 71 and I just bought my first bike (a hybrid) and I really enjoy riding. I can see that in a year or so I’ll want something a bit faster. I want to be able to ride 30+ miles on pavement but I also want to sit upright due to some neck issues. I can’t figure out the type of bike I should look for. The terminology varies so much that I can’t tell if I should get a urban, endurance, fitness, or other type of bike. Can you shed some light on this?”

First off, congratulations on your first bike! Just goes to show that no matter what age, it’s a good time to pick up cycling!

Giant’s Cypress DX is a good example of what would generally be called a hybrid – 700c wheels, suspension fork, high flat bars.

That is a great question, and one that could certainly be confusing. Originally, the term ‘hybrid’ was used to describe a bike that borrowed attributes from both road or touring bikes and mountain bikes. At the time, Hybrids were pretty straight forward – a mountain bike like frame with 700c wheels and narrower yet often still knobby tires, and a flat handlebar .

However, it didn’t take long for the category to splinter off into multiple sub-categories which still went by the name ‘hybrid’. Now you can often find similar bikes labeled as ‘hybrid’, ‘comfort’, ‘urban’, ‘Sport’, ‘fitness’, or even ‘commuter’. In fact, if you go to one of the biggest brand’s website and click on hybrid, it brings up more than 60 bikes with everything from flat bars to drop bars, 26, 27.5, and 700c/29″ wheels, suspension equipped, and fully rigid.

Likewise, it’s difficult to offer advice without knowing exactly what you’re currently riding, but there are some basic guidelines. More than likely, if you think you’re on a hybrid, you’re on a bike with a suspension fork, wider tires, and flat bars and shifters.

Since you mention neck issues and the desire for an upright ride, I’d suggest sticking to the flat bar family meaning the handlebar is flat and it uses mountain bike style trigger or grip shifting. You’ll generally find more upright bikes in this category, many with the option of adjusting the handlebar position to make it more upright if needed.

Starting with the wheels and tires, generally the bigger the wheels are, the easier it will be to maintain speed on the road or trail. So if you’re riding 26″ wheels, going to 700c/29″ (they’re the same wheel size so used interchangeably) will feel faster. Similarly, narrower tires to a point will feel faster. You don’t want to go to extremes since a wider tire will provide more comfort, but if you’re currently riding a mountain bike or knobby hybrid tire, going to a smoother, narrower, and lighter tire will again make a big difference.

Also, if your bike has suspension, a bike built without it will generally up the speeds again. They’re lighter and usually more energy efficient without the often heavy fork up front.

Trek’s FX line was always a popular option for Fitness Hybrids back in my shop days. Here is the new Trek FX 3 Disc which sells for $749.

Most likely, if you go into any bike shop and say you’re interested in something like a “fitness hybrid” or “fitness bike” the staff should usually steer you in the right direction. From what you’ve described, it sounds like this could be the right answer and will generally be much lighter and more efficient than the run of the mill comfort hybrid.

Enjoy the ride!

Got a question of your own?  Click here to use the AASQ form, or find the link under the Contact menu header up top anytime a question pops into your mind!

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Isaac
6 years ago

I would also recommend getting a bike fit, even on a hybrid. A good fit can make you faster and get you in a comfortable, supportive position for your neck issues.

craigmedred
6 years ago

get an e-bike. way faster.

Jimmy
Jimmy
6 years ago

Great comment Isaac !
No matter how bicycle categories splinter into sub-categories and wheel sizes fluctuate we need to focus on basics first.

Matt
Matt
6 years ago

BikeRumour, please could you have an article on this issue with an interview with an osteopath or similar expert?

Specifically, from what I have read, predictions are that a lot of people in later life are going to have neck and back issues from spending so much time hunched over both computers and, particularly, cell phones.

With that in mind, I do wonder whether cycling with bars slightly on the low side might, to some degree, be an antidote as you would be tipping your head back in almost the exact opposite way to being hunched. I would love to see what the experts say.

Jimmy
Jimmy
6 years ago
Reply to  Matt

I love reading these comments!
Matt, you have me rethinking the future. What is old is new again…. over and over. Basically if your theory proves correct, using basic road bike positioning from the 70’s and 80’s would benefit modern neck and back problems. Interesting!

Mr Pink
Mr Pink
6 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Hard to find an Osteopath or any doctor with enough knowledge of bikes plus enough time in research in his or her given field to make it worthwhile. Unless you get someone from Mayo or Boulder Sports Science it’s kinda pointless. Most docs are nothing more than highly paid perscription writers anymore.

Reek Hovac
Reek Hovac
6 years ago

I’m 71 also and have been riding a used Trek touring bike that I bought about six years ago. It’s a model 620 that was made in 1983 and I now have over 6500 miles on it. The old touring bike geometry apparently had something going for it.

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