The Best Hybrid Bikes For Exercise
Hybrid bikes straddle the line between mountain and road bikes. Traditionally, they bring together the flat, wide handle bars of a mountain bike with the skinnier tires you’d find on something made for pavement. This combo creates a quick bike that’s easy to handle and maneuver when in traffic or on a local multi-use trail. However, wide tires also feel great when bouncing over rough city roads. We love them for the softer ride and more versatility, even if they don’t feel quite as zippy as their narrower counterparts. Included in this list are a few bikes with tires that are wider than what is traditionally found on this type of bike.
Hybrids are great for casual riders and commuters, since they’re fairly stable and designed with an upright riding position. Throw in some features like mounts for fenders and racks, and you have an easy-going bike that’s perfect for getting you places and running errands, then taking the long way home.
1. Co-op Cycles CTY 1.1
Keeping in line with REI’s inclusive ideology and the simple goal of getting more people outdoors and (in this case) on bikes, Co-op Cycle’s CTY bike is a capable and affordable hybrid bike that will suit a varied range of riders, especially beginners.
The CTY has wide, flat-resistant, wire-bead 40mm tires with reflective sidewalls so you can easily roll over potholes, dirt, gravel, random road debris and the occasional curb. Its Tektro mechanical disc brakes ensure that you can slow your roll when needed. The Shimano 3×8-speed drivetrain provides 24 gears, enough to get you most anywhere you want to go.
The CTY has an upright riding position (as opposed to the more competitive bent-over posture encouraged by road bikes.) A comfortable memory foam saddle and gel handlebar grips help you complete your commute and/or errands without introducing any soreness or aches into the equation.
2. Trek FX 2 Gen 4
This bike earns high marks in the value department. Its aluminum frame and fork give it a similar look and feel to some of the more premium Trek hybrids, without the commensurate price. While it doesn’t come with racks or fenders that’s one of the trade-offs at this price point it has mounts to add them later.
Internal cable routing keeps the frame looking clean, and like its electrified counterpart, it comes equipped with a Shimano Cues 1×9 drivetrain and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. At just 26 pounds, it’s impressively light for a bike this capable.
If you’re after big tires for soaking up rough terrain, this isn’t the bike for you. It rolls on 35mm tires with a max clearance of 40mm, making it better suited for smooth roads and cinder trails. But if fast, efficient riding on lighter terrain is what you’re after, this is a great bike at a great price.
3. Liv Alight Disc 3
Flat handlebars and upright riding position make this bike a comfortable and stable bike without compromising speed. It isn’t a ‘fast’ bike by any means, but it’s far more nimble than what you’d expect by just looking at it.
Throw in the included fenders, rear rack, and kickstand, and the Alight emerges as a rather perfect errand bike. The fenders keep road muck from your person, the rack provides a place to hook on a set of panniers, and the kickstand saves you from scouring for a leaning spot when you stop for a much-needed (and deserved) pick-me-up coffee.
4. Cannondale Quick Disc 3
If you’re still holding onto the belief that hybrids are sluggish and heavy, the Cannondale Quick will disabuse you of that notion right away. This lightweight bike is a favorite for its fast feel and smooth ride, as well as a comfortable upright riding position that makes it an easy choice for recommending to new riders who may be a bit hesitant about incorporating regular cycling into their routine.
It features reflective accents to boost your visibility, mounts for racks so you can carry stuff (except on the front, as the carbon fork precludes rack mounting), and fenders to keep road spray out of your eyes and off your backside during commutes in questionable weather.
The 2×9-speed drivetrain comes courtesy of Shimano, with a decent range for tackling the hills on your commute. Tektro hydraulic disc brakes give you confident stopping power, while the 35mm Schwalbe tires barrel over urban debris.
If you’re looking to spend a little less, we also like the Quick Disc 4, which features a steel fork, microSHIFT Advent groupset, and 1×9 gearing. It rides similarly well and costs a bit less, though we ultimately prefer the Quick Disc 3 for its carbon fork and higher gearing, which bring more speed on downhills and flats.
5. Aventon Level 3 Commuter Ebike
Until now, the Aventon Level 2 was Bicycling’s Best Overall e-bike. It reigned for two-and-a-half years, and judging by the number of Levels we see on the roads, bike paths, and rail trails, many riders are fans of Aventon’s highly functional and sharply priced commuter e-bike, too.
However, a new bike now claims the Best Overall Electric Bike title Aventon’s Level 3.
Aventon’s updates to the Level focus largely on comfort, aesthetics, and usability. Some changes are quite visible while others, like the electronic wheel lock, are almost entirely hidden. The third-gen Level receives two notable rider comfort updates compared to the Level 2. One is a suspension seatpost to smooth the ride and add some cush’ for the tush. The other is an adjustable-rise stem with up to 90 degrees of angle adjustment. Aventon’s most significant update is one that many riders may gloss over when shopping for an e-bike but some users might find it quite useful. Introduced last year on the brand’s Abound SR cargo bike, the Level 3’s new ACU (Aventon Control Unit) adds several smart features to the already well-equipped platform. The wheel lock and motion sensor alarm are passive theft deterrents when you stop for a mid-ride coffee or run into the post office. A 4G chip in the ACU provides GPS tracking from Aventon’s mobile app so you can find your bike if you forget where you locked it. 4G connectivity also allows you to set geofence restrictions on your Level 3 for teens or housemates.
Even without the connectivity features, the Level 3’s frame, comfort upgrades, and improved brakes make it surpass the Level 2 with ease as our Best Overall E-bike. The tracking, custom power settings, lock, geofencing, and alarm add to the bike’s usability in daily life without added cost.
None of this, however, diminishes the quality of the Level 2. If you don’t need the connectivity features and are looking for a great deal on a solid e-bike, the Level 2 is now on sale for $300 less than the Level 3.