It’s incredibly reliable and very clean, says Andrew Lumpkin, CEO of Spot Bikes. Belt Drives and Internally Geared HubsĪ belt drive (which takes the place of a chain) with an internally geared hub (where all the gearing is packaged inside the rear hub’s shell and sealed from the elements) requires less maintenance than a traditional chain-and-derailleur drivetrain. A single-ring option simplifies shifting and cuts down on maintenance but may not have the range you need for climbing. Bikes with three front chainrings typically cost less, but the third ring can make shifting less precise. Having more gears in the back allows you to fine-tune your shifting so you can keep a steady cadence, no matter the terrain. Most fitness bikes come with two chainrings in the front and between nine and 11 cogs in the rear. Some lower-cost bikes may come with cable-actuated disc brakes, a cheaper alternative that’s not quite as powerful or as low maintenance as a fully hydraulic disc-brake system but that delivers similar all-weather performance and reliability. These are just a few of the reasons why new cyclists and commuters are often drawn to this type of bike.ĭisc brakes offer better control in a wider range of conditions than rim brakes. This provides a wide hand stance for better control, easy brake-lever access, and a more upright position that’s comfortable and conducive to looking over a shoulder in traffic. But while a road bike typically comes outfitted with a drop bar, a hybrid bike’s signature feature is a flat handlebar. Drop BarĪ hybrid bike starts with a traditional road bike platform: fast-rolling 700c wheels and a lightweight, efficient frame. What to Consider When Buying a Hybrid Bike Flat Bar vs. Just note that these are the types of bikes in the highest demand now, so in some cases we’ve substituted different-but also great-models of the same bike for those no longer in stock.
All together they have more than 60 years of experience in the bike industry and lots of insight into what makes a great commuter or hybrid bike. To choose these bikes, I relied on my own test experience, and also the expertise of Bicycling’s gear team, which includes Deputy Editor Tara Seplavy, Senior Test Editor Matt Phillips, and Test Editor Dan Chabonov. These are also the kinds of bikes I’m most often asked to recommend to friends and family new to cycling-and I’ll admit I take this role as a bike-buying advisor far too seriously.
Show more The Expert: In my 10 years as a bike tester for Bicycling-and more than two decades as an everyday commuter cyclist-I’ve had the chance to ride nearly a hundred different bikes designed for fitness, recreation, and commuting on varied terrain.
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