Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

What is a hybrid a hybrid of?

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

What is a hybrid a hybrid of?

Old 11-30-22, 02:01 PM
  #126  
Rolla
Guest
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,888
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 3,269 Times in 1,439 Posts
Originally Posted by rje58_too
EXACTLY! Because only YOU and the other club riders or whatever clique YOU belong to ride REAL bicycles!

Nothing quite like validating stereotypes and cliches', is there?

You can ban me now, because my primary rides are a 2019 Trek FX2 and a 2011 Fuji Absolute. My 10,000 miles on them mean NOTHING, because I'm obviously NOT a REAL cyclist! I'm sure some of you "real cyclists" ride that far in much less time than it took me.

When you're done putting words in my mouth, try to understand that the overwhelming majority of people who purchase hybrids are more casual riders. There's nothing wrong with that, and it's nothing to get angry and defensive about. All I meant was that I've sold a lot of bikes over the years, and I know who their target market is.
Rolla is offline  
Likes For Rolla:
Old 11-30-22, 02:01 PM
  #127  
Eric F 
Habitual User
 
Eric F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,785

Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4828 Post(s)
Liked 7,819 Times in 3,704 Posts
Originally Posted by livedarklions
I rode about 10,000 miles on a FX3 over three years (increasingly using other bikes by the end of the 3 years), and that's definitely the way I used it. It was a surprisingly fast bike, I regularly frustrated the hell out of some Cat 6 drop bar types. It was pretty fast on the level, but like I said above, it climbed better than any road bike I've ever had.
I put together a "townie" bike from an older road frame for my daughter to take to college (thankfully, she left it at home). I was impressed with how zippy it is. The BMC I posted earlier in this thread is probably an absolute rocket. In contrast, the hybrid my sister bought in the mid-90's was kind of a slug. It was a low-mid level Trek with "go anywhere" tires. If it got a total of 1,000 miles on it before she gave it away, I would be surprised - a mediocre bike for a mediocre rider.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Eric F is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 02:12 PM
  #128  
badger1
Senior Member
 
badger1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 5,088
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1562 Post(s)
Liked 1,148 Times in 587 Posts
Originally Posted by Eric F
I'm genuinely curious...What makes a "fitness" bike different from other hybrids? Looking at the upper end of the Trek FX series - which they market as "fitness" bikes - the theme seems to be "road bike speed, but more comfortable". Basically, a flat bar road bike, rather than the multi-surface capabilities often associated with other hybrid varieties. Is this fairly accurate?
I think that is about right; I also think "flat bar road bike" is a more accurate -- or at least useful -- descriptor than 'fitness bike': a bicycle designed for people -- like me -- who like road cycling* and 'road bikes' but who prefer their bicycle** to have flat rather than drop bars.

*I don't ride in order to attain/maintain/improve 'fitness'. The 'fitness' thing is a nice by-product of the activity, but I ride because I love cycling -- have done since I was a kid.
** Current bike shown in post #24 this thread.

Last edited by badger1; 11-30-22 at 02:17 PM.
badger1 is offline  
Likes For badger1:
Old 11-30-22, 03:15 PM
  #129  
rje58_too
Full Member
 
rje58_too's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 302

Bikes: 2019 Trek FX2; 2011 Fuji Absolute 3.0; 1997 Trek 830 (converted to hybrid); 1992 Trek 800 Antelope

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Liked 859 Times in 273 Posts
Originally Posted by Rolla
When you're done putting words in my mouth, try to understand that the overwhelming majority of people who purchase hybrids are more casual riders. There's nothing wrong with that, and it's nothing to get angry and defensive about. All I meant was that I've sold a lot of bikes over the years, and I know who their target market is.
I am neither angry nor defensive, although I used to get annoyed when people would find out I was a cyclist and they'd either a. start treating me differently or b. ask "you're not one of those... club riders... or whatever they call them... are you?" I just chuckle to myself now... I'm used to it. And while I don't appreciate such behavior, there are times when it seems to get validated to one degree or another. Most stereotypes and cliches', fair or not, don't just get dreamed up or created out of thin air. That doesn't mean it's right, or fair.

Seems that many people have this stereotype of cyclists being some kind of arrogant, clique-ish, "yes as a matter of fact, I am better than you" types? Not fair, is it?
rje58_too is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 03:35 PM
  #130  
Rolla
Guest
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,888
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 3,269 Times in 1,439 Posts
Originally Posted by rje58_too
I am neither angry nor defensive
The acerbic sarcasm of your earlier post suggests otherwise, but sorry if I misinterpreted.

Originally Posted by rje58_too
Seems that many people have this stereotype of cyclists being some kind of arrogant, clique-ish, "yes as a matter of fact, I am better than you" types? Not fair, is it?
Maybe it comes with my age, but I don't much concern myself with stuff that's out of my control. I'm certainly not going to embark on a crusade to rectify unfair stereotypes. You do you, of course.
Rolla is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 03:45 PM
  #131  
Kapusta
Advanced Slacker
 
Kapusta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,187

Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2749 Post(s)
Liked 2,516 Times in 1,422 Posts
Most things we call hybrids are not really hybrids of anything. They are just normal bikes. The fact that they fall between MTBs and paved road racing bikes in a few metrics does not make them a “hybrid” any more than an average height person is a hybrid of a tall and short person.
Kapusta is offline  
Likes For Kapusta:
Old 11-30-22, 03:46 PM
  #132  
rje58_too
Full Member
 
rje58_too's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 302

Bikes: 2019 Trek FX2; 2011 Fuji Absolute 3.0; 1997 Trek 830 (converted to hybrid); 1992 Trek 800 Antelope

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Liked 859 Times in 273 Posts
Originally Posted by Rolla
The acerbic sarcasm of your earlier post suggests otherwise, but sorry if I misinterpreted.
Maybe it comes with my age, but I don't much concern myself with stuff that's out of my control. I'm certainly not going to embark on a crusade to rectify unfair stereotypes. You do you, of course.
We agree more than we disagree, I think. I am not tilting at windmills or going on some useless crusade. But as a cyclist, or hiker, or male or any other group that I am a member of, I actually appreciate it when someone points out to me if I am doing or saying things that tend to validate some negative stereotypes about - say for example - men. I don't want to be "that guy".

As for age, surely you can't be older than me!
rje58_too is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 04:35 PM
  #133  
wolfchild
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times in 1,286 Posts
Originally Posted by Eric F
Sure. A majority of bike users around the world probably do it out of necessity, rather than "sport".
Majority of bike users around the world do it as a hobby, they ride for fitness and recreation, commuting and for fun. The ones who ride for sport or performance and the ones who ride out of necessity are both in a minority
wolfchild is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 04:45 PM
  #134  
wolfchild
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times in 1,286 Posts
Originally Posted by livedarklions

Commuting is serious biking in my mind
Agreed, especially winter commuting which takes cycling to a much higher level of seriousness.
wolfchild is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 04:49 PM
  #135  
wolfchild
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times in 1,286 Posts
Originally Posted by Rolla
What constitutes a "serious" rider is entirely subjective, and has almost nothing to do with the bike they ride.
Agreed.
wolfchild is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 05:04 PM
  #136  
Eric F 
Habitual User
 
Eric F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,785

Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4828 Post(s)
Liked 7,819 Times in 3,704 Posts
Originally Posted by wolfchild
Majority of bike users around the world do it as a hobby, they ride for fitness and recreation, commuting and for fun. The ones who ride for sport or performance and the ones who ride out of necessity are both in a minority
You state that with a lot of certainty. Do you have any data?

Does riding for performance/sport exclude having fun? That's not how I remember it.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Eric F is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 05:20 PM
  #137  
wolfchild
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times in 1,286 Posts
Originally Posted by Eric F

Does riding for performance/sport exclude having fun?
Not at all....Some people get fun from competing and chasing numbers, some people get fun from commuting, some people get fun from off road bikepacking or loaded touring, some people get fun from riding singletrack on their mountain bike others get fun from going on a casual ride on an MUP. To each his own.
wolfchild is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 05:23 PM
  #138  
wolfchild
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times in 1,286 Posts
Originally Posted by Eric F
You state that with a lot of certainty. Do you have any data?
You were the one who said that majority of cyclists in this world ride out of necessity. Do you have any data to support it ?
wolfchild is offline  
Likes For wolfchild:
Old 11-30-22, 05:26 PM
  #139  
Eric F 
Habitual User
 
Eric F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,785

Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4828 Post(s)
Liked 7,819 Times in 3,704 Posts
Originally Posted by wolfchild
Not at all....Some people get fun from competing and chasing numbers, some people get fun from commuting, some people get fun from off road bikepacking or loaded touring, some people get fun from riding singletrack on their mountain bike others get fun from going on a casual ride on an MUP. To each his own.
I'm unclear on why you separated out performance/sport riding from other kinds of non-necessity riding. My intent with the use of "sport" before was encompassing of all non-necessity bike use - casual, fitness, commuting (by choice), competition, etc.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Eric F is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 05:28 PM
  #140  
indyfabz
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,045
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18318 Post(s)
Liked 15,261 Times in 7,219 Posts
Some of you must be new around here.

Never imagined the “serious” comment would have such legs.
indyfabz is offline  
Likes For indyfabz:
Old 11-30-22, 05:34 PM
  #141  
Eric F 
Habitual User
 
Eric F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,785

Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4828 Post(s)
Liked 7,819 Times in 3,704 Posts
Originally Posted by wolfchild
You were the one who said that majority of cyclists in this world ride out of necessity. Do you have any data to support it ?
I also said "probably", because it was an estimate based on my current mediocre understanding of bike use in areas that are significantly different that the one I live in. The small amount of information I have seems to indicate that there are many highly-populated areas (primarily in Asia) where travel by bicycle is a primary mode of transportation for a whole lot of people (necessity, not recreation). I'm not saying you're wrong. Your statement just came across as very sure, and a direct contradiction to my current thoughts. I'm just wondering if you have some factual data on the subject so that I might expand/improve my knowledge.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Eric F is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 05:54 PM
  #142  
t2p
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 2,974

Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1355 Post(s)
Liked 1,802 Times in 1,037 Posts
Can't we all just get along ... lol
t2p is offline  
Likes For t2p:
Old 11-30-22, 06:51 PM
  #143  
70sSanO
Senior Member
 
70sSanO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,768

Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1935 Post(s)
Liked 2,148 Times in 1,312 Posts
Originally Posted by indyfabz
Some of you must be new around here.

Never imagined the “serious” comment would have such legs.
I think a serious cyclist is more of a hybrid. Not worthy of being considered a professional but more than just a hobbyist.

John
70sSanO is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 06:59 PM
  #144  
Lombard
Sock Puppet
 
Lombard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 1,701

Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon, 2017 Jamis Renegade Exploit and too many others to mention.

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1031 Post(s)
Liked 863 Times in 573 Posts
Originally Posted by t2p
Can't we all just get along ... lol
I think this thread answers that question pretty well.
Lombard is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 07:34 PM
  #145  
sjanzeir
BF's Resident Dumbass
 
sjanzeir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Posts: 1,566

Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer (size 21"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 15"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 17.5"); 2019 Dahon Mu D9; 2020 Dahon Hemingway D9

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 792 Post(s)
Liked 1,493 Times in 496 Posts
Originally Posted by livedarklions
Right. And it's not just a "sport"!

When you get down to it, there's how many billion cyclists in the world? Most likely, our personal knowledge about how other people ride on what equipment is barely going to scratch the surface. There's a lot of people in the world who ride on extremely cheap bicycles as a matter of making a living, what the hell is more serious than that?
There's this Asian expat worker dude who delivers orders on his decrepit BMX wannabe bicycle out of a neighborhood supermarket near where we live, and he asked me a couple of times if I had an old bike that I was willing to let go that he could use for his job (sadly, I did not.) I'd rather go out riding with him on his day off than with Chris Froome (but he probably wouldn't want to be out riding on his day off.)
sjanzeir is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 07:35 PM
  #146  
wolfchild
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times in 1,286 Posts
Originally Posted by Eric F
I'm unclear on why you separated out performance/sport riding from other kinds of non-necessity riding. My intent with the use of "sport" before was encompassing of all non-necessity bike use - casual, fitness, commuting (by choice), competition, etc.
The way I see it, riding for sport or performance means racing and competing against other riders or training to achieve some competitive goal. All other non-competitive forms of cycling are just recreational cycling, casual cycling or commuting.
wolfchild is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 07:40 PM
  #147  
sjanzeir
BF's Resident Dumbass
 
sjanzeir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Posts: 1,566

Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer (size 21"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 15"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 17.5"); 2019 Dahon Mu D9; 2020 Dahon Hemingway D9

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 792 Post(s)
Liked 1,493 Times in 496 Posts
Originally Posted by Herzlos
I suspect that if you asked a random person to draw or describe a bike, they'd produce something like a hybrid.

But yeah, to the "serious" cyclist a hybrid is the worst of all options, but to the average person who doesn't have a garage full of different bike options, it's just a bike and gets them about.
It sounds to me like you're saying that hybrids and serious riding are mutually exclusive. And yet your remark about hybrid bikes being the worst choice of bike would imply that you've been spending a lot of time riding a lot of hybrids. You must take your cycling very seriously, then.
sjanzeir is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 07:45 PM
  #148  
sjanzeir
BF's Resident Dumbass
 
sjanzeir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Posts: 1,566

Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer (size 21"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 15"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 17.5"); 2019 Dahon Mu D9; 2020 Dahon Hemingway D9

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 792 Post(s)
Liked 1,493 Times in 496 Posts
Originally Posted by prj71
The occasional riders I know that may put 100-200 miles a year on a bike are occasional and not very serious about biking at all.
You put it as though those people have a deficiency of some kind and you'd rather be seen with the "serious" ones instead.
sjanzeir is offline  
Old 11-30-22, 07:55 PM
  #149  
sjanzeir
BF's Resident Dumbass
 
sjanzeir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Posts: 1,566

Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer (size 21"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 15"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 17.5"); 2019 Dahon Mu D9; 2020 Dahon Hemingway D9

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 792 Post(s)
Liked 1,493 Times in 496 Posts
Originally Posted by rje58_too
EXACTLY! Because only YOU and the other club riders or whatever clique YOU belong to ride REAL bicycles!

Nothing quite like validating stereotypes and cliches', is there?

You can ban me now, because my primary rides are a 2019 Trek FX2 and a 2011 Fuji Absolute. My 10,000 miles on them mean NOTHING, because I'm obviously NOT a REAL cyclist! I'm sure some of you "real cyclists" ride that far in much less time than it took me.
It's a mathematical fact that I'm six times as serious a cyclist as you. Here's mathematical proof: You have your FX2, while I own (and ride - occasionally, that is) not one, but two Trek 7.6 FXs. So

Either of my 7.6s ÷ your FX2=3

Since I have two 7.6s...

3x2=6!
sjanzeir is offline  
Likes For sjanzeir:
Old 11-30-22, 08:06 PM
  #150  
sjanzeir
BF's Resident Dumbass
 
sjanzeir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Posts: 1,566

Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer (size 21"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 15"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 17.5"); 2019 Dahon Mu D9; 2020 Dahon Hemingway D9

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 792 Post(s)
Liked 1,493 Times in 496 Posts
Originally Posted by Eric F
I'm genuinely curious...What makes a "fitness" bike different from other hybrids? Looking at the upper end of the Trek FX series - which they market as "fitness" bikes - the theme seems to be "road bike speed, but more comfortable". Basically, a flat bar road bike, rather than the multi-surface capabilities often associated with other hybrid varieties. Is this fairly accurate?
Despite what the detractors might have you believe, fitness bikes are not flat-bar road bikes. Far from it, actually. Since you brought up the FX, Trek had an actual flat-bar road bike range in their lineup - the short-lived Zektor, as it was called - back when the general thinking in the industry was that the flat-bar road bike was going to be the next bike thing (turned out it was so-called "gravel" bikes that were the next big thing.) Despite the fact that the both feature flat handlebars, the Zektor and the FX were very different bikes.
sjanzeir is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.