Buying A Comfort/Hybrid Bike

Looking for a fun, comfortable way to be outdoors? Need a quick, stress-free way to escape gridlock for errands? How about a great way to exercise and chat with family and friends at the same time? The right bicycle offers all these benefits. So what’s holding you back?

If you tried cycling years ago and suffered on a 10-speed, those days are gone! Today’s bicycles are incredibly light, easy to ride, and most importantly, they take comfort and ergonomics to new heights.

The most comfortable types of bicycles are naturally called Comfort bikes. And, there are also comfortable models called Hybrid bikes. In fact Comfort and Hybrid bikes are so luxuriously plush you may have difficulty deciding which suits you best. That's exactly why we've prepared this article.

After reading these guidelines, feel free to call with any questions or visit and ride a few Comfort and Hybrid bicycles to feel the wonderful ride for yourself.

Start By Answering These Questions
Here are a few easy questions to help you in selecting the bike type and model:

• Is top quality a priority, or is price point more important?
• Do you consistently select high-tech gadgets or do you prefer practical, no-frills designs?
• How much would you like to spend? (This is an easy way to narrow the myriad selections.)

Perhaps you’re looking for a quick, street-worthy alternative to driving? And a fun, knee-friendly way to get into shape? You want comfort, yet also pedaling efficiency for quick commutes or even the occasional half-century. Here, a Hybrid bike, a nimble jack-of-all-trades, is ideal.

This sweet machine is lightweight and rolls easily to pedal efficiently on the street. Plus, it's designed for occasional off-road use, too, so you can enjoy the best of both cycling worlds, the convenience of pavement, the solitude of backwoods routes.

Frame Materials
The frame is the backbone of your new ride and it's available in a variety of materials. Here are some considerations to help in choosing:

•  

  High-Tensile Steel
  PROS: Strong, most affordable, nice ride; usually found on entry-level bikes
  CONS: Weighs more and rusts if not cared for
• Chromoly Steel
  PROS: An affordable steel alloy offering light weight and a great ride
  CONS: Rusts if not cared for; more expensive than High-Tensile Steel
• Aluminum
  PROS: Light, strong, affordable, rust/corrosion resistant, great ride
  CONS: More expensive than High-Tensile Steel
• Other (carbon-fiber, carbon/aluminum composites
  PROS: Lightest, strong and rust/corrosion resistant, great ride
  CONS: Most expensive
  

Suspension
A common feature on today's Hybrids and Comfort bikes is a suspension fork.

These (photo, right) compress to absorb impacts from bumps, cracks, ruts and obstacles. This ensures that you remain in control even over rough surfaces. And it also insulates you from jolts for a smoother and more comfortable ride.

Most forks employ coil springs or elastomers. We recommend riding different bicycles and comparing how different forks feel. If you like the handling and comfort of one over another, it's a good reason to select that model bicycle.

Suspension seatposts (photo, below) are another excellent feature found on Comfort bikes and Hybrids. These provide an excellent and lightweight way to soften bumps and add comfort right where it's needed most.

They absorb vibration and impacts that would otherwise be transmitted to your seat and lower back. You’ll love how they smooth rough terrain and pothole-covered roads.

Keep in mind that, should you find a bike you love that happens not to come with a suspension seatpost (not all Comfort bikes and Hybrids come with them), it's possible to add a suspension seatpost, too (sold separately).

Gearing
One of the greatest advances in bicycle technology is improvements in gearing, which makes it easier than ever to change gears and to cover even challenging terrain comfortably.

Today's bikes come with a variety of easy-shifting and hill-conquering gearing options, which is why we asked you earlier to be thinking about where you'll ride the bike. If where you ride is pretty flat, you can get by on a bike with fewer gears than if you plan to ride rolling or hilly terrain.

For example, you'll find bikes with 7- to 8-speed gearing (photo, above) that are great for neighborhood rides or flat bike lane excursions. If you plan to pull a trailer and hits some hills, though, you'll do better with a 24- or 27-speed drivetrain (photo, below) because it offers lower gearing, which helps greatly with the extra effort of climbing and pulling a trailer or carrying gear.

Regardless of which gearing you choose, you'll find that modern bikes shift with the flick of a wrist via motorcycle-style twist shifters, or a simple push of a button-style lever. You no longer have to "feel" for the gear when shifting, either. You just click the bike into gear and it's suddenly easier to pedal.

You'll love it and it ends all worries about shifting. In fact, many Comfort and Hybrid bikes even include a display that lets you know exactly what gear you’re in!

Brakes
These modern bicycles feature advanced braking, too. Which means you have more control over speed and the ability to stop fast with very little hand effort. If it's been a while since you've ridden, you'll be impressed with the new systems, which rival power brakes in an automobile.

Most Comfort bikes and Hybrids are equipped with either rim brakes called V-Brakes, linear- or direct-pull brakes or hub brakes, which are integral to the front and/or rear hubs.

While still rare on these types of bicycles, you may also see some featuring disc brakes, the newest brake type, which sport calipers and rotors at the center of the wheels, car-style.

In general, any given bicycle will have brakes suited to the riding use it was designed for. For example, V-Brakes (photo, right) are powerful stoppers and excellent for all-round riding, from casual neighborhood rambles to commuting every workday, even in nasty weather.

Hub brakes are usually found on bicycles designed for less rigorous riding and trade durability and low maintenance for maximum stopping power.

Though not found on many Hybrid or Comfort bikes yet, disc brakes offer excellent braking and low maintenance, however, they fall in the most expensive category.

Keep in mind that there's nothing like a test ride to feel the difference in brake types and see what you like best. We can also make recommendation based on the riding you plan to do.

We’ll Make It Fit Like A Glove
Perhaps our most important job in helping you get the right Comfort or Hybrid bicycle is ensuring that it's the right size, and then fine-tuning it to fit you properly.

While our inventory might not include Armani, Versace, or Prada, we are expert tailors when it comes to fitting bicycles. And, we'll take a careful look at you on the various bicycles you're considering to see that the one you choose fits perfectly.

And, once you pick out a bike, we'll adjust the seat, handlebars and stem to fit right.This will guarantee that it's as comfortable and as easy to ride as possible.

What's more, if you have any questions about operating the new machine, we can explain and demonstrate proper braking and shifting techniques, wheel removal and anything else you need to know to fully enjoy your new bike.