The best hybrid bikes find that sweet spot between comfort and performance. Hybrid bikes offer a relaxed, upright position without sacrificing handling or everyday practicality for commuting or leisurely rides.
Inevitably, hybrid bikes make some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best commuter bikes too. Their upright position helps you to see and be seen as you ride and makes it easy to stop as well as mount and dismount. If you have a longer commute that requires public transport, we'd suggest taking a look at the 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best folding bikes but we have included the Tern Eclipse X22 in this guide that offers the best of both worlds.
The hybrid category is always expanding and it can be difficult to pin down exactly what the best hybrid bike is for your individual needs as a rider. To simplify things, we've tested and selected a range of hybrid bikes to suit different riders, budgets, and use cases. We’ve focused on real-world performance, value, and versatility, looking at everything from gearing and brakes to mounting options for racks and mudguards. If you are looking for a bike with female-specific features, we have a buyers guide that covers the 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best women's hybrid bikes.
If you're in a rush to get on the road, our overall top pick is the Orbea Vector 15. We think it's a fantastic workhorse and it comes with everything you'd need in a hybrid bike. Not sure what to prioritise? Our How to Choose and Everything You Need to Know sections at the bottom of the page will walk you through key considerations like frame desi🥃gn, gearing, and tyre size.
Right off the shelf, the Orbea Vector 15 comes equipped with everything you’ll need ♈if you’re after a bike that’s practical and adventure-ready: rear pannier rack, mudguards, and dynamo lighting. It’s also comfortable too, built around a geometry that keeps you in an upright and more relaxed position.
Offering a unique spin on the traditional step-through design, the Marin Larkspur 2 2024 is a beautifully crafted bike offerin🌳g a ton of comfort. A dropper post makes it easy to remount, chunky tyres make light work of gravelly or uneven roads and the huge cassette even makes hill climbing a bit easier.
If you’re looking for your first bike as an adult, or just want somethi﷽ng reasonably priced and easy to maintain, the Ridgeback Speed is likely to be the hybrid bike for you. Like the Orbed Vector 15, it already comes with a rear rack and mudguards fitted, meaning it’ll work as a packhorse too as much as an adventure bike.
Slightly more pricey than other hybrids on this list, the Tern Eclipse X22 does a great job of balancing quick and small collapsing with riding efficiency - no easy feat to achieve. The geometry is s bit more aggressive than you’d normally get on a folding bike, but it comes with a decent spec, meaning it is a muc🦩h more efficient ride over distances.
The Ribble Hybrid AL is a super comfortable all-rounder that can be customised to suit your exact needs. Offering speed, efficiency and a versatile geometry with a lightweight frame, the Hybrid AL is more than able to tackle whatever you want out of it - it can easily adapt to commuting, adventures♔ or anything in between for a reasonable price.
The Buying Guide has been refreshed to ensure all featured hybrid bikes are current and relevant. We've rewritten the introduction for improved clarity, added a quick list for easier navigation, and included Buy it if / Don’t buy it if sections to highlight the key pros and cons of each bike. You'll also find a new Everything You Need toKnow section at the end of the guide to support your decision-making process.
Comes fitted with mudguards, a rear rack and dynamo lighting
Reasons to avoid
-
Internal cable routing makes maintenance tricky for the home mechanic
Buy it if
✅ You want a fully equipped commuter bike straight out of the box: It comes with mudguards, a rear rack, and front/rear dynamo lights. What more could you need? ✅ You need a practical all-rounder: This is a dependable workhorse for commuting, errands, or weekend rides.
Don't buy it if
❌ You prefer doing your own maintenance: Internal cable routing makes home servicing a bit more complex.
❌ You want a stripped-back or lightweight setup:ဣ The built-in accessories add 🥀weight and may be overkill if you ride minimally.
If you need a workhorse that can do pretty much everything you want, from commuting to work to carrying the shopping home, but you can't be bothered to figure out all the additional accessories you need to go with it, then you're in luck. The Orbea Vector 15 is ready to roll, complete with front and rear mudguards, a rear pannier rack and front and rear dynamo lights. All you need to do is don your helmet, grab your 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best bike lock and start riding to the office. Not only does the Vetor come with all the equ♏ipment needed for urban escapades, but the spec is solid too. Shimano's latest Cues 10-speed groupset and hydraulic brakes ensure reliable gear shifting and stopping perꦏformance in all conditions
Reasons to buy
+
Chunky tyres for off-road segments or rough surfaces
+
Dropper post for traffic stop comfort
+
Swoopy handlebars for a comfortable, upright position
+
Huge cassette for very low gearing
Reasons to avoid
-
No bottle cage on the smallest size
Buy it if
✅ You want comfort and capability on all surfaces: Wide 650b tyres, upright geometry, and a step-through frame make it ideal for rough roads, gravel paths, or urban commutes.
✅ You value accessibility and ease of use: The dropper post, low gearing, and s🐬tep-through frame are perfect for riders with mobility concerns or those navigating frequent stops.
Don't buy it if
❌ You prefer a more traditional-looking hybrid: The Larkspur’s quirky design and MTB-influenced buil𝕴d might not appeal to those after a more classic aesthetic.
Whether you're looking for something that prioritises comfort and mobility, or you just want something a bit different, take a closer look at the Marin Larkspur. This unique-looking bike takes the step-through concept and turns it into some modernised goofy fun, adding in a dropper post for easy remounting in traffic, as well as chunky 650b x 2.35in tyres.
The Larkspur is at home on paved roads and gravel paths alike, cushioning the blows from uneven surfaces and leaving you to float over potholes without care. The swooped handlebars put the rider in an upright position that makes it possible to see further ahead ♈in traffic, the step-through frame makes mounting and dismounting a breeze, and extremely lo♓w gearing will make hill-climbing light work for most. It also makes the Larkspur a solid option for anyone with mobility or joint issues.
Best Value
(Image credit: Ridgeback)
3. Ridgeback Speed
Best value
Reasons to buy
+
Comfortable and relaxed geometry
+
Comes complete with mudguards and a rear rack
+
V brakes are easy to work on
Reasons to avoid
-
V brakes lack the stopping power of hydraulic discs
Buy it if
✅ You’re looking for affordability and flexibility: Ridgeback offers a wide range of similar hybrids with gradual spec upgrades, making it easy to find the right fit for your budget.
✅ You value low-maintenance components: V-brakes are easy t𒉰o adjust at home and replacement parts are inexpensive.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want the latest tech or higher-end components: The 3x7 Shimano Tourney drivetrain and V-brakes are functional but basic.
❌ You need powerful braking in all conditions: If you ride in 👍the wet often, you might 🍒prefer disc brakes for more reliable braking
Ridgeback's hybrid bikes are an excellent and popular gateway into urban cycling for many. They're practical and comfortable, often come with a full set of mudguards and a rear rack already fitted, and can be an excellent choice for someone who just wants to get going the moment it's built.
It features a 3x7 Shimano Tourney drivetrain, and Promax V-brakes which, while they're not disc brakes, are very easy to maintain at home, replacement p🐬ads are also cheap. It comes stock with cushy 42mm tyres that will soak up many of the bumps on the road and maintain grip when the weather takes a turn.
As a brand, Ridgeback offers a huge range of hybrid bikes, starting as low as £299 and increasing in price by &poun🧔d;50 increments, with only one or two prominent changes to the build. This means that if the Speed isn't quite up to scratch for your needs, it's incredibly easy to find a Ridgℱeback hybrid bike that has what you need at a price point you're comfortable with.
Best Folding
(Image credit: Tern)
4. Tern Eclipse X22
Best folding hybrid bike
Reasons to buy
+
Clever hinge placement makes the bike surprisingly compact
+
Shimano Ultegra drivetrain
Reasons to avoid
-
Ride quality suffers compared to a non-folding hybrid
-
26inch tyre options may be scarcer in years to come
Buy it if
✅ You need a high-performance hybrid that folds: With a clever hinge design and 26in wheels, it offers solid efficiency and compact storage.
✅ You’re short on space but don’t want to compromise on speed: This is one of the most capable folding bikes on the market for urban commuting anౠd weekend rides alike.
Don't buy it if
❌ You’re concerned about tyre availability: T⛄he 26 inch tyre size can be difficult to find in some places
Not everybody has room to store a stable of bikes, but that doesn't mean that two-wheeled transport is out of reach. Tern's Eclipse X22 finds the right balance between folding capability and riding efficiency. With 26in wheels and tyres, the bike is vastly more energy efficient over long distances than its smaller wheeled folding cousins but still compactly folds down to 38 x 90 x 81cm.
The geometry is also considerably more aggressive than many folders, and it boasts a 2x11 Ultegra drivetrain and Sꦰhima🧔no SLX hydraulic disc brakes - quality components that help to justify the Tern's bigger price tag than the majority of hybrids here.
Best customisable
Ribble Hybrid AL hybrid bike
5. Ribble Hybrid AL
Best for customisable options
Reasons to buy
+
Bike builder allows personalisation
+
Great paint job
+
Thru-axles
+
Hydraulic disc brakes
Reasons to avoid
-
Lead times vary for customised options
Buy it if
✅ You want to customise your bike to suit your exact needs: Ribble’s online Bike Builder lets you tailor everything from wheel size and gearing to racks and mudguards.
✅ You value sleek design and solid performance: The frame looꦛks great, uses thru-axles for added st❀iffness, and offers excellent versatility for commuting or fitness.
Don't buy it if
❌ You prefer a simple, ready-to-go bike: While there are off-the-shelf buildꦿs, the customisation options may be more than some riders want to navigate.
Our favourite thing about Ribble Bikes is that its bike builder area of the website allows you to customise your ride to meet your exact specifications. Want 650b wheels and tyres instead of 700c? No problem. How about a parcel rack and mudguards? For sure. Do you think that the front derailleur should be put to bed once and for all? No worries, you can have a 1x drivetrain.
The Hybrid all-rounder is designed for speed and efficiency but with the ability to customise the components, Ribble has used a versatile geometry that allows it to be adapted for your intended use. With rack and✤ fender mounts, front and rear, the bike uses thru-axles and sees dropped seat stays for added levels of compliance. You don't have to customise it though, there are well-considered off-the-shelf packages available too. There's an electric version, the Ribble Hybrid AL e, that we rate among the best electric bikes for commuting.
Best ride
(Image credit: Benjamin Page)
6. Merida Speeder 200
A lightweight hybrid bike that offers a fast ride
Reasons to buy
+
Lightweight
+
Good for climbing
+
Carbon fork
+
Internal cabling gives it a more expensive look
Reasons to avoid
-
Rattly off-road
-
Lack of responsiveness
-
Would live up to its sporty tag with Tiagra drivetrain
Buy it if
✅ You like the performance of a road bike but prefer flat bars: Its sporty geometry and spec put it firmly in “fitness bike” territory without the drop bars.
✅ You want good looks with solid performance: Internal cable routing, a carbon fork, and hydraulic disc brakes give ღit a premium aesthetic and smooth ride on the tarmac.
Don't buy it if
❌ You’re expecting premium touches throughout: At this price, small features like ergonomic grips are missed, and a Tiagra drivetrain would better match its sporty intent.
❌ You plan to ride off-road or on rougher paths: The lightweight build rattles on anything less than smooth pavement, and it l💖acks the compliance of more♊ rugged hybrids.
The Merida Speeder 200 is clearly designed with speed in mind but, for us, it is the weight that is its defining feature and why it is worthy of conside🌜ration among the best budget hybrid bikes.
At our chosen price point, it will be hard to find a lighter bike. The frame for the Speeder 200 uses the same 6066 aluminium that the Taiwanese-German company uses in their top-end alu🎃minium road bikes and, ✨paired with a carbon fork, is quoted by Merida as 10.46kg (for a size S-M without pedals).
The Speeder 200 also has internal cable routing, which – combined with hydraulic disc brakes and FSA Tempo chainset – gives it a far-frꦅom-budget lo𝐆ok.
Unsurprisingly, given its weight, we found the Speeder to be most effective when climbing. It was certainly the best of the bikes in this guide o𒐪n the tarmac, although we found it a littl🌞e rattly on anything rough and much preferred the Ribble Hybrid AL Trail for off-road climbs. The Speeder also held its own when descending, with the tapered carbon fork giving reliable, responsive handling.
Merida redesigned the Speeder to give it a more sporty, fitness outlook a couple of years ago and we'd certainly place it in the 'flat-b𝓡ar road bike' category, so this would be a great choice for someone who likes the idea of a road bike but doesn't like the idea of drop bars.
It can fit tyres up to 37mm – a little less with fenders – so would make a decent commuter bike as well but, while it cru𒁃ised along once it got up to speed, we found it lacking in responsiveness 🅘at lower speeds compared to the Boardman URB 8.9 and even the much heavier Scott Sub Cross 50, so is not necessarily any better for a fun, zippy, urban town bike alternative. For a bike at the top end of our budget, we'd also like to see it come with ergonomic handlebar grips, like the Ribble Hybrid Trail AL, a small detail that can make a big difference on longer rides in particular.
✅ You want a comfortable and capable commuter: Upright geometry, dropped seat stays, and 32cc tyres (with clearance for up to 42cc) offer a smooth and stable ride.
✅ You need reliable braking in all conditions: Hydraulic disc brakes deliver consistent power and modulation rain or shine.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want a more performance-oriented hybrid: The Sirrus 2.0 leans toward comfort and practicality rather than speed and agilit🍸y.
Made from Specialized's A1 alloy, the Sirrus 2.0 features internal cable routing and plug-and-play fender and rack mounts front and rear. The dropped chainstays at the rear promote a bit of flex at the seat cluster to take the edge off of square hits which, combined with the 32C tyres, provide for a smooth ride — there is room for 42C rubber should you want a higher volume tyre.
Hydraulic disc brakes provide heaps of power and modulation regardless of the weather and should stay that way for years to come with maintenance. The 2x8 Shimano Acera/Tourney drivetrain with an 11-32 cassette and 46/30T chainrings all♚ow for plenty of range to get you thrꦛough that hilly commute without sweating through your shirt.
(Image credit: Giant)
8. Giant ToughRoad SLR 2
Best for riding off-road
Reasons to buy
+
Integrated downtube fender
+
Carbon fork
+
Room for 50mm tyres
Reasons to avoid
-
Not the fastest-rolling tyres
Buy if it
✅ You want a versatile hybrid that can handle rougher terrain: The 50mm tyres, carbon fork, and D-Fuse seatpost provide great comfort and grip across tarmac, gravel, and cobbles.
✅ You’re looking for an adventure-ready setup: With plenty of mo🍰unting points and an integrated downtube fender, it’s ready for commuting, touring, or light bi☂kepacking.
Don't buy if
❌ You want fast-rolling tyres for road-only use🐽: The🍌 50mm tyres add comfort and grip but aren’t the quickest on smooth pavement.
The ToughRoad, as the name suggests, is designed to keep you going regardless of whether you're riding on glass-smooth tarmac, rough gravel or bone-rattling cobblestones. Made from the brand's ALUXX SLR aluminium, the ToughRoad also has a carbon fork to reduce weight and absorb some of the vibrations coming through the front end. To keep your rear end sitting pretty, Giant has opted to use its D-fuse seatpost for improved compliance, 50mm Giant Sycamore tyres for grip, and plenty of damping too.
The flat-bar geometry keeps the rider in a comfortable position 😼that finds the right balance between comfort and pedalling efficiency, and the frame sees heaps of mounts, as we🐬ll as an integrated fender on the downtube. With a mix of Shimano Acera, Alivio and Altus components, the bike has a 9-speed, 11-36T cassette and 44/28T chainrings.
How to choose the best hybrid bike
What is a hybrid bike?
A hybrid bike, as per the definition of the word hybrid; iꦍs "a thing made by combining two different el🐈ements" and is a combination of road and mountain bikes.
For example, flat handlebars are usually seen as a defining feature of a mountain ܫbike or fitness bike. This is not only because the wider width makes for manageable steering and an upright riding position, but also because hybrids typically have a geometry with a longer reach than a traditional road bike.
The wheels are typically 700c in size - the same as road bikes - with slick or semi-slick tyres that are s🎃omewhere between the two when it comes to the width. The handlebars are more akin to a mountain bike style, being flat in shape, as opposed to the drop bar shape found on a road bike. The geometry sits in the middle of the two, putting you in a fast position, but still one that's upright enough to remain comfortable and safe in traffic.
Hybrid bikes generally offer more versatility and comfort and can be a g🍎ood choice for both those starting out in their cycling journey and those wanting an all-rounder or packhorse for day-to-day riding. Their upright position, wider tyres, and flat handlebars provide more stability on uneven or variable terrain, allowing you to progress easily from urban environmenౠts to gravel tracks without having to switch to a different bike.
In short, they are often a great buy for people who live busy and active lives and who want some of the best features found in road bikes and mountain or gravel bikes. As with many of the bikes we&rsq﷽uo;ve picked in this guide, hybrid bikes regularly come with mounts for racks or mudguards, making them super practical and adaptable to any kind of rider
Are disc brakes worth it on a hybrid bike?
There is no question that disc brakes provide better performance than rim brakes. They offer superior power and modulation, and performance is much less affected by wet weather. Depending on the price, hybrid bikes will either come with hydraulic or cable-actuated discs. While they cost a bit more, hydraulic discs require less maintenance and less force at the lever to achieve more braking power, because more leverage can be engineered into the system. In general, try to look for hydraulic disc brakes if you are shopping for a new h😼ybrid bike.
What gearing do I need?
When we talk about gearing, what we're really referring to ⭕is the bike's drivetrai🤪n.
The main drivetrain c🤪hoices for hybrid bikes are belt-driven drivetrains and or internally geared ones. 1x (one-by), 2x (two-by) or a triple chainset which uses regular chains and sprockets. Belt drive systems replace a metal chain for a belt and internally geared drivetrains package all of the gears inside the rear hub, meaning they require very little maintenance. And all the shifting is done with a single lever. The downside is they are anything but light and the total gear range is usually less broad than a derailleur-geared system.
1x, 2x an❀d triple systems are the traditional chain and derailleur-operated drivetrains, with 🅺the difference being the number of chainrings at the front.
A 1x drivetrain can offer the same, or even a wider gear range than a 2x system, and will feature a clutched rear derailleur to handle chain slack and a narrow-wide chainring, which will prevent your chain from falling off the chainring. Shifting is operated with a single lever. The downside is they are a bit more expensivꦍe, and sometimes the jumps between the gears can be pretty big.
A 2x drivetrain is usually more budget-friendly, and will generally offer the widest spread of gears, but with extra components comes extra maintenance, which can also compl๊icate shifting for beginners.
Some bikes even offe꧟r a 3x system, but these are few and far between nowadays as the need for the smallest inner chai💮nring was replaced by larger cassettes (the sprocket at the back) offering the same low gears.
What other features should I look for in a hybrid bike?
Hybrid bikes are often used in all weather conditions and most frames will have mounting points for 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:mudguards, even if the bike is not fitted with them.
A rear rack can be useful for carrying stuff. Again, look out for the mounting points at t𝔉he rear, both on the dropouts where the wheel's hub fits into the frame and higher up on the seat stays.
Adding a set of the 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best bike lights is a useful ad♏dition for safety and is essential if riding at night. Aga🐼in, some hybrids will have these fitted, while you may need to budget for them as an extra if not.
Many hybrid bikes will come fitted with a bell, which can be useful when riding in town. This may be a basic number though. For something altogether more flashy, check out our guide to the 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best bike bells.
A kickstand is another option which may or𒅌 may n🔜ot be present, but can be useful, particularly for urban riders.
Do I need a suspension fork?
Lots of hybrid bikes come with suspension forks, but we believeꦗ that these should largely be avoided. Not only are they heavier and more expensive than a rigid fork, but those fitted to hybrid bikes are often very cheap and don't provide much in the way of efficient shock absorption. Low-end forks like this usually ride like a bouncy mess and, over time, are likely to seize anyway. If you are worried about riding comfort, prioritise a bike with lots of tyre clearance, wide tyres and possibly 650b wheels, which allow even wider tyres.
How we test?
For this guide, we tested eight hybrid bikes over several months and hundreds of miles across a variety of terrains and weather conditions. Each bike was assessed in real-world situations to give us a clear sense of how they stack up in comfort, handling, practicality, and overall value.
Testing is the backbone of the tech department at Cyclingnews and 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:how we test is taken seriously, so read on to find out more.
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Mildred joined as Reviews Writer for Cy🌼clingnews and BikePerfect in December 2020. She loves all forms of cycling from long-distance audax to ♌daily errand-running by bike, and does almost everything on two wheels, including moving house, and started out her cycling career working in a bike shop. For the past five years she's volunteered at The Bristol Bike Project as a mechanic and session coordinator, and now sits on its board of directors.
Since then she's gone on to write for a multitude of cycling p🌱ublications, including Bikeradar, Cycling Plus, Singletrack, Red Bull, Cycling UK and Total Women's Cycling. She's dedicated to providing more coverage of wom𒅌en's specific cycling tech, elevating under-represented voices in the sport, and making cycling more accessible overall.
