trek 2 hybrid bike

Trek Dual Sport 2 Review: Is DS2 Worth It?

• By Daniel Shakibaie
• Hybrid Bike , Trek Bikes

Welcome to my Trek Dual Sport 2 Review.

I’ve used a lot of bikes over the years and Trek Dual Sport 2 is my favorite commuter/hybrid bike on the market.

Feel free to try other bikes if you are searching for an all-purpose bike, but if I were you, I’d go with one that’s proven to be high quality, easy to drive, and heavy-duty bike.

This affordable entry-level model features some great adaptations that make it an effective and desirable option for a commuter bike. The frame of the Trek Dual Sport 2 bike is lightweight and well-balanced, especially when paired with all-terrain tires like the ones that are installed when you buy the bike. 

This model is relatively accessory light, with most of the manufacturing budget having gone to get better components on a good frame. 

While this might be a good commuter bike for the road, we were also pleased to see some mountain bike adaptations, like a suspension fork and hydraulic disc brakes, adding to the effectiveness of this design. 

Things to Consider Before Buying a Commuter or Hybrid Bike 

Commuter bikes are often the more all-purpose style of bike. They aren’t really meant for racing, which means that they’re generally a little heavier. They also use wider tires with a grippier tread that gives you more stability but potentially slow the bike down a little. 

These bikes also often have mounting holes drilled, but don’t always come with the accessories you may want to make them a more commuter-friendly model. 

That said, it’s often cheaper to buy the accessories you want and add them than it is to buy a hybrid bike that comes with accessories pre-assembled. 

Overall, commuter bikes are good as an option for people who want to commute, and for leisure riders who aren’t looking to take on big races or challenging trails. 

Features & Benefits

The frame is made from high-quality Alpha Gold Aluminum. It’s designed to give you a streamlined and well-balanced system. The frame doesn’t come with the added accessories, but it is rack and fender ready, so you can add them whenever you like. 

For more accessories, you may need to take this frame to a shop to get the necessary modifications. Fortunately, for most commuter bikes, you shouldn’t need much more than just a rack. 

However, where a lot of commuter bikes allow for a slightly heavier frame design than good mountain bikes and racing bikes, this model is a little lighter than average. It’s less than a pound of difference, 

More: Best Bike for Overweight Rider

Suspension System

Unlike a lot of commuter bikes, this model does come with a pretty good front suspension. The suspension is all in the fork, and the Trek Dual Sport 2 features an SR Suntour NEX, coil spring, preload hydraulic assisted suspension. 

There’s only about 63mm of travel in that fork, but that’s still a lot more than you can expect from most road bikes. It’s more than enough to absorb the occasional bump in the road or a small pothole or two. 

It also features a hydraulic lockout system that makes it easy to avoid wear and tear on your suspension by locking it in place. That can also be a good option anytime you’re riding somewhere you really want to feel the terrain through your bike. 

Fortunately, locking and unlocking the suspension is relatively simple, so you don’t need to worry about going through a complicated process every time. You should be able to reach the lockout mechanism easily, seated on the bike, or standing next to it. 

More: Trek X Caliber 7 Review

The wheels on are designed to fit 700x40c tires, a common and adaptable size for commuter and road bikes. 

The rims have a double-walled system for added durability. They’re made from aluminum alloy, which, while not quite as lightweight as carbon fiber wheel rims, does tend to cut down on the noise from those wheels. 

That’s less of an issue since Trek Dual Sport 2 is designed with disc brakes, but it’s still worth considering in case you upgrade to a combination system down the line. 

The drivetrain on this hybrid bike is all Shimano parts, from the Altus line. They’re affordable, but also highly effective, with minimal pressure needed to switch gears. 

The Trek Dual Sport 2 also comes with a particularly wide range of gears, perfect for navigating urban hills and dealing with heavy stop and go traffic. 

You’ll get one 8 gear system, and the other shifter is a 3 gear. That gives you a total of 24 distinct settings to move through. As you get more accustomed to the system, you’ll discover that the wide range of gears on this bike makes it much simpler to make the most out of your pedaling power. 

More: the Best Hybrid Bike Under $500

Next to the frame, the brake system is probably the second most important part of your bike. It’s one of the most important safety features on your bike. 

Fortunately, since Trek Dual Sport 2 comes with a hydraulic disc brake from Tektro, you’re in good hands when it comes to stopping power. 

Disc brakes don’t put pressure on the rim like more standard V-brakes. Instead, they apply pressure directly to the wheel rotor, in a more efficient use of friction that stops your bike faster than rim braking. 

Disc brakes are also usually better protected than rim brakes, which means that they’ll need slightly less maintenance in the long run. You’ll still need to plan on regular maintenance when you can, but otherwise, these brakes should need little adjustment or care. 

Is the Trek Roscoe 8 a Better Option Than the Trek Dual Sport 2?

When comparing the Trek Roscoe 8 and the Trek Dual Sport 2, a trek roscoe 8 mountain bike review reveals that it offers more advanced features and capabilities. With its sturdy build and powerful suspension, the Roscoe 8 is better equipped for rugged terrains and off-road adventures. However, the Dual Sport 2 excels in versatility due to its ability to handle both off-road trails and city streets. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preferences and the intended usage of the bike.

Customer Reviews

Users of Trek Dual Sport 2 bike consistently comment that the weight is low enough that you can’t really notice it while you’re riding. They’re reasonably speedy, very responsive, and the Trek DS 2 works well on a variety of terrain from pavement to loose gravel. 

Overall, riders tend to love this hybrid bike and appreciate its lower price point. However, several riders do note that this bike is good but louder than some of it’s more expensive competitors. 

If you’re looking for a perfectly quiet ride, this bike might not be for you. But, in all other performance categories, the Trek DS 2 performs as well or better than its competition in the same price range. 

Alternatives

Last, we want to take a look at how this bike holds up against some of the similar Trek models. After all, each bike is designed with a specific purpose in mind, and knowing what the strengths of similar models are can help you narrow down which option is the right one for you. 

Trek Dual Sport 2 vs 3

The Trek Dual Sport 2 and the Dual Sport 3 are, at first glance, very similar models. Both are hybrid bikes that are beefy enough they would have been considered mountain bikes only a few years ago. Both use a lightweight aluminum frame, and both have front suspension and hydraulic disc brakes. 

However, for the additional $200 to upgrade to the Dual Sport 3, you also get tubeless-ready rims, an upgrade Shimano Acera drivetrain, and a matching Shimano hydraulic brake set. 

Those changes lead to a better-optimized bike, but aren’t necessarily worth the additional cost, depending on how you want to ride the bike.

If you’re looking for a true commuter bike, the Dual Sport 2 is plenty for what you’ll need, and can even handle some light trail riding. 

If you’re looking for a commuter bike, you can also take to the mountains regularly, it might be worth getting the component improvements included in the Dual Sport 3. 

Trek Dual Sport 2 vs FX 2

The FX is a lighter, slimmer design than the Trek Dual Sport 2, but since both bikes are in the same price range, it’s difficult not to compare them. The FX 2 is a more recent model than the Dual Sport 2, but that doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily using nicer components. 

The Trek Dual Sport 2 also uses a Tektro hydraulic disc brake system, and also uses Altus line Shimano gears in the drivetrain. 

However, at approximately 26 lbs, the FX 2 is three pounds lighter than the Trek Dual Sport 2 . It also uses slimmer tires with less of a significant tread. 

Where the Dual Sport 2 is almost a mountain or rugged trail bike, the FX 2 is much closer to a road bike. Both are great bikes for their price range and for entry-level users, but where the Dual Sport 2 is more rugged and stable, the FX 2 is going to be significantly speedier and is more designed for the road. 

More: Check our review of Trek FX1 Here

Trek Dual Sport 2 vs Giant Roam 2

The Trek Dual Sport 2 and the Giant Roam 2 are about as similar as two different bike models possibly could be. They have a similar frame, similar weight, and the same weight capacity. 

Both models use a hydraulic disc brake system. The Dual Sport 2 uses a Tektro model, while the Roam 2 uses a Shimano, but they are in roughly the same price point and have similar performance ratings. 

Both of these bikes also have a mild front suspension system in the fork. In fact, both bikes use the same fork. 

With bikes this similar (both even use a Shimano drivetrain), the next question needs to be if there is a significant difference in price. Here too, these two models are very similar. They are usually within $50 of each other, and so a good sale on either model might make it more affordable. 

However, which prices this similar, it’s less about which is cheaper at the time, and more about which brake system and configuration you prefer. If you’re truly not sure which bike is a better fit for you, see if there are any local bike stores around that will let you give both models a quick test. 

The Trek Dual Sport 2 might once have been considered suitable for mountains, and with its front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and durable design, it can still be used as one on at least some mountain trails. 

Now considered more of a hybrid, this bike is a good option for commuters who are looking for a slightly sportier model, or who want the added flexibility of an all-terrain bike. 

About The Author

Daniel Shakibaie

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The Best Hybrid Bike

By Christine Ryan

Christine Ryan is an editor overseeing coverage of travel and outdoors gear, which has entailed testing down-filled vests in Iceland in June.

If you’re seeking a bike for your daily commute and your weekend exercise, a fitness hybrid—that is, a road bike with flat handlebars—may be the right choice.

Over the past seven years, we’ve spent 60 hours sifting through nearly 75 options, test-ridden more than a dozen bikes, and concluded that the Marin Fairfax 1 is the best hybrid for most people.

It provides a stable, comfortable ride on city streets, and it’s a better value now than when we first tested it.

Everything we recommend

Marin Fairfax 1

Our favorite hybrid bike.

This fun-to-ride and capable commuter bike is equally comfortable on longer weekend outings—and it offers far better value than its competitors.

Buying Options

Jamis Coda S2

Still the smooth one.

This steel-framed bike provides a vibration-dampening ride and some nice extras—brand-name tires and sturdy pedals. But the trade-offs are less maneuverability and a steepish uptick in price.

Upgrade pick

Priority Continuum Onyx

For the neatnik diyer.

A belt-drive bike with an easy-to-use internally geared rear hub means less maintenance and no grease on your work clothes. However, you have to assemble it yourself (or pay someone else to).

We looked for...

That means a frame designed to be comfortable on a long(ish) ride: If it forces you to sit upright, you’ll be fighting the wind.

If you’re planning to schlep any cargo, you’ll be able to use panniers instead of a backpack. (Better balance, no sweaty back.)

Fixies may seem cool, but they’re no fun on hills or when you’re riding into the wind. You’ll want gears to help you out.

Some entry-level hybrids come with front shocks, but they’re pretty crummy. Big tires will give you all the cushion you need.

Our top pick, the Marin Fairfax 1 , ticks most of the boxes on our hybrid-bike checklist: durable-enough components, a chrome-moly steel fork that’s forgiving on potholes and rough city streets (and of higher quality than the high-tensile steel forks used on many other, pricier bikes), rack and fender mounts, and hill-friendly gearing (including a rear cassette, rather than a cheaper and outdated freewheel cogset).

In our testing, this bike stood out for its well-designed aluminum frame, which provided more-agile handling and zippier acceleration than the competition while remaining stable. We wish it still came with the above-average-in-quality tires that we originally liked. However, given the growing price difference between the Fairfax 1 ($500, the same as it’s been for the past few years) and similarly equipped bikes from other companies, we believe it’s still the best option. (The Fairfax 1 is available in a step-through option at the same price.)

The Jamis Coda S2 is a very good option if you’re looking for the comfort of a steel frame (steel does a much better job than aluminum at dampening the vibrations caused by rough pavement) without the weight penalty that lower-priced steel frames often impose. (Such frames are often made with heavier high-tensile steel, rather than the chrome-moly that the Coda S2 has in both its frame and fork.) That means an easy time carrying this bike up stairs and lifting it onto bus- or car-mounted bike racks.

The Coda S2 comes with well-rated Vittoria Randonneur tires—that is, tires from a “real” tire company that you can buy in a bike shop, and now in a wider and cushier size—and steel-wrapped resin pedals. (This bike is also available in a women's version , which essentially means smaller sizing and a women’s-specific saddle.) The main drawbacks with this model are maneuverability—it’s not quite as nimble as the other bikes we tested, which could be a function of its geometry (more on that in How we picked and tested )—and price. In 2018, its predecessor cost $530; now, the Coda S2, which has very similar components, is $630 (on sale).

For commuters, belt-drive systems make a lot of sense. The belts don’t wear out as quickly as chains, and they don’t need to be oiled, so there’s less bike grease in your life and on your clothes. And the internally geared rear hubs let you change gears when you’re standing still (like at a traffic light). The downside is the cost: Reliable internally geared hubs are expensive, and that makes bikes with belt drives pricier than our other picks.

But the aluminum Priority Continuum Onyx is a bargain for this category, especially considering that it comes with hydraulic disc brakes, the well-respected Gates Carbon Drive belt, and an Enviolo continuous gearing rear hub, plus upgrades, such as internal gear cable routing and dynamo-charged front and rear lights. This bike does not, however, come in a step-through version, and it’s not available in bike shops, which means dealing with assembly yourself.

The research

Why you should trust me, who this is for, how we picked and tested, our pick: marin fairfax 1, also great: jamis coda s2, upgrade pick: priority continuum onyx, the competition.

I’ve overseen Wirecutter’s cycling-gear coverage for seven years. In a previous life, I commuted on an eight-speed hybrid from San Francisco’s Bernal Heights to my downtown office, and I later used the sturdy little bike as my townie bike.

• For the original 2017 version of this review, I interviewed mechanics and proprietors at shops specializing in commuter bikes all over the country—Boston, New Orleans, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Washington, DC—who repair bikes ridden in all kinds of conditions.
• I talked to bike manufacturers and component suppliers, spent multiple days surveying every booth at bike trade shows over the past seven years, and interviewed everyday riders, including members of San Francisco’s local bike coalition.
• I’ve continued to test new iterations of our picks, to make sure they’ve retained the features we liked, and I’ve researched new models from other manufacturers, testing those that seemed promising.

If you’d like to start regularly riding to work or school, and your ride will last half an hour or more, you’ll probably want what’s often called a fitness hybrid bike, or a performance hybrid. That term gets you what is basically a road bike with flat, mountain-bike-style handlebars.

A bike like this will be agile enough to maneuver around the potholes you see, tough enough to weather the ones you don’t, and speedy enough that you can roll it out on the weekend to get some exercise with the family, or even join a charity ride. But it’s not as twitchy, in terms of handling, as a drop-bar road bike would be.

And should you get to the point where you are snagging all the local KOMs or QOMs (translation: you’ve bought a fancy road bike) or shredding the singletrack gnar (translation: you’ve bought a fancy mountain bike), you can still use your trusty hybrid as your townie bike—the one you can load down with groceries (hurray, rack mounts!) or lock up outside without too much fear of theft (hurray, lower price!).

Performance hybrid bikes don’t attract the kind of enthusiasts who keep endless threads going on road-bike or mountain-bike forums, debating the merits and flaws of different brands and models. Still, we dug up what reviews we could find, looking for praise and dings.

The sweet spot for a starter bike like this used to be $500. Drop much lower, and you’re stuck with outmoded or truly poorly made parts that might be hard to replace once they wear out; spend more, and you can get a nicer bike, with lighter components, but that defeats the purpose of a starter bike. However, many of the $500 bikes we looked at a few years back have gone up in price, some by as much as 35%.

After seeing what’s available now and consulting commuters, bike-shop owners, and mechanics, we settled on what we’d like to see now in the ideal basic hybrid-fitness bike.

Fitness-appropriate geometry: When bike people talk about “geometry,” they’re talking about the angles at which the tubes that make up the bike’s frame meet. Change the degrees of the angles, and you change the way the bike handles on corners and going up and down hills. If the bike is too responsive, it could feel squirrelly and unstable. For efficiency’s sake, the design of your hybrid’s frame should be closer to that of a road bike than to that of a beach cruiser. You don’t want to sit straight up, especially on a longer weekend ride, because you’ll have to fight the wind more.

Flat handlebars: These are more user-friendly than the drop bars you see on a road bike, and since you will be more upright, your field of vision will be broader—a plus in city traffic.

Safe, strong brakes: Mechanical (or cable-actuated) disc brakes have just about replaced traditional V brakes on even low-priced hybrids. This isn’t necessarily a good thing: As Loren Copsey , co-owner of The Daily Rider in Washington, DC, said, “On these bikes you’re going to get entry-level disc brakes, which are hard to set up and hard to keep adjusted, and lower-quality pads—and they’re not necessarily even more powerful than rim brakes.” Also, bikes with disc brakes are almost always heavier than comparable bikes with rim brakes. However, it’s now unusual to find a hybrid equipped with V brakes that doesn’t have serious flaws elsewhere.

Fender and rack mounts: Using panniers attached to a rear rack, instead of a backpack, to carry your gear lowers your center of gravity, which is a good thing. Also, no sweaty back. Fenders will keep you (and your riding companions) somewhat drier when you’re riding in the rain—or on wet roads, after the rain has ended.

Gearing appropriate for your terrain: By this we mean, for the most part, that the bike should have gears and not be a single-speed. Single speeds do have their place. In flat parts of the country that have vicious winters—hello, Minnesota!—the fewer moving parts in a drivetrain, the better. But for most of us, gears will come in handy. Most fitness hybrids come with three chainrings in front and seven or eight cogs in the back, for a total of 21 or 24 gears, which would give you enough options for pretty much anywhere you’ll be riding. Something we’ve seen more of lately are hybrids with just a single chainring up front. Having one fewer shifter to deal with is appealing, but to get the equivalent range of gears, you need a big—and expensive and heavy—cassette in the rear. So we eliminated such hybrids.

A sturdy yet reasonably lightweight frame: You do want to be able to carry your bike up steps or down into the subway, or be able to lift it onto a bus or a bike rack. But you also want it to withstand being knocked around a little. So you’ll probably be looking at an aluminum frame. Aluminum’s a third of the weight of steel, and it doesn’t cost nearly as much as carbon; the ride can be a bit jarring, though. Steel provides a cushier ride, but a good-quality, lightweight steel frame will not be cheap. Almost all of the bikes we looked at, though, do have steel-bladed forks; the slight increase in weight that they add is worth the vibration dampening they provide. (Of these forks, we preferred those made from chrome-moly , a type of steel that’s stronger than high-tensile steel , which you tend to see in very cheap bikes.)

Decent-quality components: Here, it’s a matter of finding the right balance of price, quality, and durability. One thing we would avoid, though, are bikes that come with old-fashioned freewheel cogsets on the rear wheel, instead of the more modern cassettes. A common complaint on the few hybrid user threads we’d found was being stuck with a wheel whose hub was compatible only with freewheel cogs, which are becoming hard to find, especially high-level ones. What you really don’t want to buy is a bike with a freewheel and disc brakes—and we’re seeing more and more of them. If that rear wheel gets stolen or destroyed, good luck replacing it, said Copsey: “You just can’t find those two things on an off-the-shelf wheel.”

Wide rims: The wider the rims on the wheels, the wider the tire you can use, and the lower the air pressure you need, which gives you a more comfortable ride. “A big fat tire is the poor man’s suspension,” said Michael Ferrand, owner of Bicycle Michael’s , in New Orleans. The norm for these bikes’ rims is 32 mm—you’ll want at least that. (One welcome trend is the increasing number of hybrids being sold with wider tires: Instead of the usual 35s, they’re coming with 38 mm tires and even 40 mm.) Speaking of suspension, none of our experts would recommend getting a $500 bike with front suspension, no matter how bad your roads are. As Emily Thibodeau, owner of Hub Bicycle (now closed), in Cambridge, Massachusetts, put it, “The shocks you’d get are really heavy and can’t be adjusted—it’s like having a glorified pogo stick on the front of your bike.”

When we first compiled this guide, in 2017, we started with a master list of 45 bikes and filtered it down to 16 to test. In subsequent years, we dove deep into the latest specs for all the bikes we’d ever looked at, as well as those of our picks, and of any new bikes on the scene. When necessary, we called in models that had undergone any substantial changes.

Next came the test-riding stage. The highlight was what I like to call the Supermarket Slalom: riding up and down a steep driveway leading to my local Safeway, while weaving through a line of soft-hit poles, to test the bikes’ handling. San Francisco even obliged with a few rainstorms, which made the abundant broken glass in the parking lot even more appealing to tires and the pedestrian walkway’s plastic surface even more slippery.

Here are two things to remember when you’re shopping. First, you should try to test-ride any bike you’re considering buying—how a bike feels to you and how your body feels while riding it are intensely personal.

The second thing is that bikes don’t often change that much—or at all—from one model year to the next. If the bike you like isn’t available anymore but the dealer says that next year’s model is arriving soon, ask if it’s a “carry-forward” model. If it is, nothing will be changing.

After a redesign for 2022, the Marin Fairfax 1 remains at the top of our list. For those riders who prefer a step-through or low-rise frame, Marin makes a version of the Fairfax 1 called the Fairfax 1 ST ; it’s identical to the Fairfax, apart from having a lower top tube.

It’s designed to be agile yet stable. When I got on the 2022 model and pedaled off down the street, the bike felt quick—not in a nervous, edgy way, but in a sprightly way. (We tested a step-through version, which is the bike shown in the photos above and below.) Accelerating felt easy. When I looked at the bike’s chainstays (the parts of the frame that connect the rear wheel to the bottom bracket), I saw that they’re flattened (a design meant to increase stiffness; that is, more of your pedaling power makes it to the rear wheel), and the seat stays (the parts of the frame that connect the rear wheel to the seat tube) join the seat tube at a relatively low point, tightening the rear triangle, which also increases the bike’s responsiveness.

It’s an excellent value. At a time when prices for similarly equipped hybrids from the big companies (Cannondale, Fuji, Giant, Specialized, Trek) hover around $600, the 2024 Fairfax still costs only $500. Even so, it uses the same frame and the same components as last year’s model.

Its gearing is good for hills.  The cassette on the pre-2019 Fairfax had eight gears ranging from 11 to 32 teeth; the cassette on the current one has seven gears ranging from 11 to 34 teeth. This means that although you have fewer gear choices, the gearing range actually increased. That’d be a good thing—especially if you’re facing a steep hill and will be needing that extra-easy big gear in the back—except that the bigger jumps between fewer gears might make the shifting feel rough. This isn’t something we noticed with the Fairfax, however. As for the front gearing, it’s the same as all the bikes we tested, apart from the belt-drive ones: a Shimano Tourney triple set of chainrings with 48, 38, and 28 teeth.

Its components are upgraded where it counts. Having only seven gears in back is common among the other hybrids we saw in the Fairfax’s price range; what makes the Fairfax stand out is that Marin is using a true seven-speed cassette, not a freewheel cogset (see our criteria in the How we picked and tested section). None of the other 21-speed bikes we considered come with a cassette. In fact, we’ve seen bikes costing as much as $650—such as the 2022 Giant Escape 3 Disc —fitted with a freewheel cogset. The Fairfax also has a shock-dampening chrome-moly steel fork instead of the cheaper, stiffer hi-tensile steel forks that many of its competitors use. The remaining components—mechanical disc brakes, derailleurs, shifters, handlebars, wheels, rack and fender mounts—are par for what you’d see on entry-level hybrids: no better, but no worse. (This goes for the saddle, pedals, and handlebar grips, too.)

The most recent redesign added a couple of nice extras. First, the shifter cables are routed internally, as they once were, and now the brake cables are as well—an unexpectedly high-end touch in an entry-level bike. Running the shifter or brake cables inside the frame tubes protects the cables from damage in much the same way that cable housing does, only better. (Grit can work its way in between the cable and the housing and make your bike’s shifting slow or ragged.) Second, the frame now has clearance for bigger tires, which means that if you so choose, you can replace the 35 mm tires that come stock on the bike with cushier 38s or even 40s (I checked and they’ll fit).

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• When we first tested this bike, in 2017, it came with Schwalbe Road Cruisers—made by one of the most respected tire makers in the business, they have a protective layer of Kevlar fiber. In 2019, Marin substituted a private-label tire with no claim of flat protection. The 2024 Fairfax 1 still comes with the private-label tire.

If your daily routine takes you on rough pavement or potholed city streets, we recommend the Jamis Coda S2 . (Jamis does make a “women’s” version of the Coda S2 ; it comes in one smaller size, different colors, and with a slightly wider saddle.)

Its steel frame provides a smooth ride. The current version of the Coda S2 is very similar to the 2017 version we tested (though back then it was called the Coda Sport). This model has the same Shimano Tourney front derailleur and triple crankset (with 48, 38, and 28 teeth), Acera rear derailleur and eight-cog, 11-32-tooth cassette, and Tektro V brakes, as well as steel-wrapped resin pedals. The heart of the Coda S2, though, remains the relatively lightweight (27 pounds for the 19-inch size) chrome-moly steel frame and fork, which quiets the road chatter you might otherwise feel while riding on rough pavement.

Steel is also easily repaired. Another advantage steel offers is that if it bends, it can be bent back. So if the hanger that attaches the rear derailleur to the frame gets bent—as can happen if the bike is in a crash or even, say, jostled roughly on a train—it can be straightened again without risk that it will snap. With aluminum, sometimes such an operation is successful and sometimes … not. (Most aluminum frames—such as our top pick’s—do use replaceable hangers, but they come in a wide array of sizes, and not all bike shops carry all of them.)

It comes with name-brand—and cushier—tires. After a brief downgrade, three years back, the Coda S2 once again sports Vittoria Randonneur tires, from a venerable manufacturer. And now those Randonneurs are 40mm wide—they used to be 32s—which will undoubtedly make your ride even smoother.

• In the years since we first tested this bike, its specs haven’t changed in any substantive way, but the price has steadily marched upward, from $520 in 2017 to $530 to $580 to $700 in 2021 to $770. It is currently discounted to $630, but even so, that’s quite a trajectory.
• We found this bike not quite as maneuverable as our top pick in terms of acceleration and handling.
• The Coda’s V brakes worked fine in our testing. But if you plan on commuting during foul weather or spend a lot of time riding on dirt roads, you might want to consider a bike with disc brakes, which maintain their stopping power in the rain (they also don’t get clogged up with mud or slush the way V brakes can).

People who commute in nice clothes, who find numbered gears confounding, or who simply don’t want to deal with much bike maintenance might want to consider the Priority Continuum Onyx .

Instead of a chain, a carbon-fiber belt drives the bike’s gears and wheels. Because carbon belts don’t need lubrication, unlike chains, they don’t pick up dirt the way chain lube does. (No bike grease on your pant leg. And no need to remember to lube your chain.) However, belt-drive hybrids cost a lot more than traditional hybrids, because they require an internally geared rear hub, which can run anywhere from about $100 to $1,500. (Compare this with $45 for the Shimano eight-speed cassette and hubs that are on most of the bikes we looked at.)

Changing gears is extremely simple. The Continuum Onyx comes with an Enviolo continuous internally geared rear hub drive (instead of the cassette-and-derailleur system on our other picks). Rather than changing gears one by one—with an audible click—you twist the grip shifter of the Continuum Onyx smoothly in one direction to make the pedals easier to turn (and the bike easier to ride up hills), and you twist it in the other direction to make the pedals harder to turn (which will make the bike go faster on flat ground). The workings of ordinary internally geared hubs are difficult enough to grasp—picture something like the inside of an old, expensive watch —and when you add in the concept of continuous gearing, it seems like magic. The hub does have upper and lower limits in terms of ease and difficulty: According to Enviolo, the range of “gears” is broader than that of another popular internally geared hub, the Shimano Nexus eight-speed hub.

It’s a good price for what you get. Although the aluminum-framed Continuum Onyx retails (at the time of publication) for $1,300—a little over two and a half times the cost of the Marin Fairfax 1 —it’s inexpensive for a belt-drive hybrid. The Continuum comes with hydraulic disc brakes, an aluminum fork, and a Gates Carbon Drive belt (Gates being the most well-made option from a high-quality manufacturer).

You don’t have to charge its lights. The Continuum Onyx we tested came with a headlight that’s powered by the front wheel’s dynamo hub, so you don’t need to plug it in to recharge it, and a removable, rechargeable (by USB) rear light; the Onyxes now shipping, however, are equipped with a rear light that’s wired to the front hub’s dynamo as well. The headlight on our test bike was strong enough for city use—I’d supplement it with our commuter headlight pick if I were taking it on dark suburban bike paths—but it had a strobe-y effect that I found distracting.

• The bike doesn’t come in a step-through version, which makes it hard to use with a child’s seat on a rear rack.
• The bike is available only through the Priority website, not in bike shops. This means you can’t test-ride the bike ahead of time to make sure you like it and that it fits you.
• Once the bike arrives, you have to finish putting it together. This was the case when we tested this Continuum Onyx, as well as its predecessor, the first Continuum. Though you don’t have to fiddle with derailleurs, you do still need to make sure your brakes are set up correctly and your bike is bolted together properly.Since our testing, Priority has created a workaround: Priority ships your bike to a bike shop near you, and the shop assembles it for a fee of $130.
• If you do choose to have the bike shipped directly to you (this costs $30), we recommend that you have a bike shop assemble your bike for you or at least check your work. You should expect to pay the shop its standard service rate and maybe even a “corkage” fee—a small fee for bringing in a bike you bought online instead of purchasing one at the shop. (If there is a fee, pay it, and don’t be a jerk about it. As Michael Ferrard points out, bringing in a bike you’ve bought online for them to put together is like “driving your meat to McDonald’s and asking them to fry it up and put some porcini and portobello mushrooms on it.”)

The Trek FX 2 Disc  and the Trek FX 2 Disc Stagger step-through , which both come with hydraulic brakes, now list at a cool $800 each, a $70 increase from 2021 and a $260 increase over 2019. Trek’s entry-level FX, the FX 1 , is available for $700 (currently, it’s discounted on Trek’s site to $600). The FX 1 now comes with a cassette, not the freewheel cogset that we initially dismissed it for. However, even on sale, it’s still pricier than our top pick

Giant’s Escape 3 series of bikes come with high-tensile steel forks, which we like less than chrome-moly forks, and in rim-brake and mechanical-disc versions; the rim-brake one uses a freewheel cogset—a dealbreaker, as we said above . The 2024 version of the disc Escape 3 Disc now has a cassette, instead of 2022’s freewheel. But beware: The Giant website still lists the 2022 freewheel incarnation as well, and both cost $650—$150 more than our top pick.

In a laudable commitment to women’s cycling, Giant has an entire women-specific brand, Liv. The Liv equivalent to the Escape line is called Alight; the Alight 3 comes in rim-brake and mechanical-disc models, also with (dealbreaking) freewheel cogsets.

The Specialized Sirrus 1.0 has a double chainring in front, in place of the triple it once had. This reduced the number of gearing options to 14, as the rear cassette remains a seven-speed, and those gears span a narrower range (12 to 32) than the Marin Fairfax’s 11 to 34. (The bike also has rim brakes and a high-tensile steel fork.) As of spring 2024, the price is $550 (discounted from $650).

Cannondale’s Quick range of fitness hybrids now starts with the Quick 6, which has V brakes, triple chainrings, and a seven-speed cassette. The price was $660 for the men’s and the women’s versions; they are identical apart from the range of sizes and colors available, and the fact that the women’s version has a step-through frame. Currently, last year’s stock is discounted on Cannondale’s site to $530—if you prefer V brakes, you might consider this bike, if you can find it in your size.

Fuji’s Absolute line is available again, after a period of corporate turmoil. However, the Absolute 2.1 , which is the closest in price and features to our top pick, comes with a freewheel rather than a cassette.

We dismissed Batch Bicycles’ Fitness Bicycle because it uses a freewheel cogset rather than a cassette. We had been planning to test the steel Roebling , from Brooklyn Bicycle Co., but it now comes with a single chainring up front instead of the original triple chainring, which we still consider a dealbreaker.

M. Loren Copsey, co-owner of The Daily Rider, Washington, DC , phone interview , September 29, 2016

Kevin Womac, owner of Boulevard Bikes, Chicago , phone interview , September 29, 2016

Michael Ferrand, owner of Bicycle Michael’s, New Orleans , phone interview , September 29, 2016

Emily Thibodeau, former owner of Hub Bicycle, Cambridge, Massachusetts , phone interview , September 29, 2016

Gene Oberpriller, owner of One on One Bicycle Studio, Minneapolis , phone interview , September 29, 2016

S.B. Phillips, then mechanic, The New Wheel, San Francisco , interview , October 1, 2016

Meet your guide

Christine Ryan

Christine Ryan is a senior editor at Wirecutter overseeing the teams that cover travel, outdoors gear, beds and linens, home decor, and more. (She also edits and writes about cycling equipment, which gives her an excuse to sneak away from her desk and go for a ride.) Previously, she was an editor at European Travel & Life, Gourmet, and Sunset.

Further reading

The Best Bike Storage Ideas

by Christine Ryan

After 30-plus hours of research and testing, we think the Delta Cycle Michelangelo Gravity Stand  is the best bike rack for storing bikes in limited-space homes.

The Best Bike Helmet for Commuters

by Lindsay Warner

In our ninth year of testing bike helmets, we now recommend the Met Downtown Mips for most commuters. We also have other picks for other needs.

The Best Bike Pump

by Eve O'Neill, Matthew Edwards, and Dave Yasuda

After six years of tests, we believe the Lezyne Classic Drive 3.5 is the best floor pump for most commuters, and the Lezyne Pressure Drive is the best handheld.

Gear for Foul-Weather Bike Commuting

by Wirecutter Staff

Hard-core bike commuters share seven items—from storm-worthy gloves to rugged tires—that keep them (and their stuff) safe and dry in the winter.

The 7 Best Hybrid Bikes For Exercise, Commuting and Casual Fun

Hybrid or ‘exercise’ bikes make for a great introduction to cycling.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

They’re also great for casual riders and commuters, since they’re fairly stable and designed with an upright riding position. Throw in some feature 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.

The Best Hybrid Bikes

• Best Overall: Cannondale Quick 3
• Best Value: Co-Op CTY
• Best All-Arounder: State 4130 All-Road Flat-Bar
• Best Step-Through: Liv Alight Disc
• Best Commuter: Trek District 4 Equipped Stagger
• Most-Stylish: Cannondale Bad Boy 1
• Best Hybrid Electric: Velotric T1

What to Consider in a Hybrid Bike

Why trust us, how we selected the best hybrid bikes, our hybrid bike reviews, q+a with our experts, flat bar vs. drop bar.

A hybrid bike starts with a traditional road bike platform: fast-rolling 700c wheels and a lightweight, efficient frame. But while a road bike typically comes outfitted with a drop bar, a hybrid bike’s signature feature is a flat handlebar. 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 your shoulder in traffic. These are just a few of the reasons why new cyclists and commuters are often drawn to this type of bike.

But a proper fitness bike is more than just a road bike with a flat bar: It’s a bike that’s been specifically designed to be ridden with one. Chad Price, core research and development director at Specialized, says that a fitness bike typically has a longer reach than a road bike, resulting in better handling from a flat bar and shorter stem.

Disc Brakes

One of the best technologies to come to fitness bikes is disc brakes . Although they cost a little more than rim-style brakes, discs offer more control and precision, particularly in wet conditions . They also don’t require as much hand strength to operate, making them a reliable choice for rides with long, winding descents.

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.

The Right Gearing

Most fitness bikes come with two chainrings in the front and between nine and 11 cogs in the rear. Having more gears in the back allows you to fine-tune your shifting so you can keep a steady cadence, no matter the terrain. Bikes with three front chainrings typically cost less, but the third ring can make shifting less precise. A single-ring option simplifies shifting and cuts down on maintenance but may not have the range you need for climbing.

Belt Drives and Internally Geared Hubs

A 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. It’s reliable and clean, says Andrew Lumpkin, CEO of Spot Bikes.

A belt drive is also easy to use (one shifter controls everything) and, perhaps best of all, lets you change gears while sitting still at a stoplight. It’s a great, low-maintenance option if you can afford it, though it adds a small amount of weight.

Bicycling recommends bikes based on the extensive work of its test team, which currently includes Deputy Editor Tara Seplavy, Senior Test Editor Matt Phillips, Test Editor Dan Chabonov, and Maintenance Editor Gabe Ortiz. Together, they have more than 60 years of ride-testing experience and bring that insight to every recommendation they touch.

For our guide to hybrid bikes, Tara Seplavy recommended many of these selections based on the team’s collective testing experience, as well as her extensive knowledge of the category.

Vanessa Nirode has been writing about bikes, adventure travel, and cycling gear for 15 years for a variety of outlets including Bicycling , Time , Adventure Cycling , Fodors , BBC Travel , Next Avenue , and many others. With 20 years of riding experience, she’s owned and pedaled everything from a heavy commuter bike to a carbon racing road bike on her daily commutes and errands.

In addition to ride-testing many of our selections, she surveyed bike commuters and messengers at two of her favorite New York bike shops– Bicycle Roots in Brooklyn and Specialized Long Island City in Queens: They’re great places for cyclists to hang out and hear from riders about their favorite bikes, and learn what works (or doesn’t) work.

Caitlin Giddings tested bikes for Bicycling for over a decade, and has ridden bikes for more than two decades as an everyday commuter cyclist. She’s had the chance to ride nearly a hundred different bikes designed for fitness, recreation, and commuting on varied terrain.

We’ve been asked to recommend a lot of bikes over the years. Anticipating these queries, we’ve made a big effort to test as many hybrids and city bikes as we can—not only because they’re great for commuting, fitness, and fun, but also because they’re the bikes our friends who aren’t bike nerds are most interested in buying.

Our selections were recommended by the Bicycling test team, which has extensive experience testing all kinds of bikes, including hybrids. We’ve performed extensive ride-testing of many hybrid bikes on bike tours, city commutes, long bike path cruises, and bike shop test rides. Lastly, we considered a diverse range of external notes from bike messengers and commuters, as well as customer reviews.

Cannondale Quick 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 2x9-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 1x9 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.

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 3x8-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.

State Bicycle 4130 All-Road Flat-Bar

State Bicycle’s All-road flat-bar stands out for its versatility, strong steel frame, and plethora of customizable options that allows you to set it up exactly like you want. Steel bikes have their own dedicated following : Fans love their springy feel. They’re also durable and reliable, which is an important quality in a bike you use to get around every day.

We love how much room there is to tinker with this bike. State offers two extra wheel sets–a 700c with slick 38mm road tires and a 650b with knobby 2.1 inch (53mm) off road tires. These sets, which cost an additional $390 apiece, come with tires, tubes, brake rotors and cassettes for easy switching. You may also want to upgrade to a SRAM drivetrain for an additional $1,000, and hydraulic brakes for another $100 for added reliability, power and smoothness (especially when it comes to changing gears).

The State 4130 is a bike you’ll be able to ride for years. We might even go so far as to say for the foreseeable future. You’ll need to replace the components as the years go by–time comes for us all, even our bike parts–but that steel frame will persist.

Liv Alight Disc 3

Whenever Vanessa leaves her regular bike overnight at her local shop, her mechanic gives her this bike as a loaner. The flat handlebars and upright riding position make it 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.

Trek District 4 Equipped Stagger

The Trek District 4 Equipped Stagger is built for any kind of weather. It features a front dynamo hub that provides power to your rear and front lights, and an internally geared rear hub with a Gates CDX belt, rather than a chain. The dynamo hub powers your lights, so you’ll never have to worry about remembering to charge them. The geared hub and belt cuts down on chain and derailleur maintenance, so you don’t need to make adjustments after riding through bad weather.

Belts tend to be quieter than chains, so while this adds a level of stealth, make sure to add a bell and alert others when you pass them, which you’ll need to use often as the Stagger doesn’t cramp your speed. Or style.

The powerful hydraulic disc brakes provide great stopping power, and the 700x40mm Bontrager wire bead tires with reflective strips keep you moving no matter what obstacles get thrown in your way. The Stagger includes a kickstand, fenders and rack for a quick and easy commute, or getting a workout in while you get things done.

Cannondale Bad Boy 1

The Cannondale Bad Boy represents some of the latest innovations in bike design, making it a very capable way to get around, no matter where you decide to take it. It’s also just plain fun to ride, dodging and cornering more sharply than other bikes allow when a wayward obstacle ends up in your path.

This is because of perhaps the most significant flourish of its design and legendary urban style; the LightPipe Lefty fork. Unlike most every other fork on the market, the Lefty features a single pipe on–you guessed it–the left side that connects to the front wheel hub. The entire suspension is squeezed into a package that’s effectively half the size (and half the weight) of the standard component. The Lefty (also referred to as an “upside-down fork”) is thicker and stiffer at the headtube where you need the leverage, so it performs exceptionally well when braking and cornering.

The Bad Boy 1 also has a bevy of cool quality-of-life features, including an integrated LED light strip on the fork, an integrated tail light on the seat post, internal geared hub and belt drive for minimal maintenance, and top tube bumpers that protect your frame from scratches and nicks when leaning and locking.

Velotric T1

Powered by Velotric’s new, smart drive system motor, stealthy internal wiring and an integrated battery, the T1 is an electric bike that doesn’t look or feel like an electric bike. Weighing just 36 pounds, you can easily hoist it onto your shoulders and carry it up or down stairs when needed, which is not something you can do with most other e-bikes.

A Class 1 e-bike, the T1 features 5 levels of pedal-assist power. On pedal-assist bikes, the power only kicks in when you’re pedaling. This also means you can take your T1 out on most trails and multi-use paths where Class 2 e-bikes are prohibited.

“With its mix of styling, power, and passive security features, Velotric’s T1 is great for city and around town use, notes Bicycling Test Editor Tara Seplavy. “It has a fingerprint lock to keep someone from turning on the bike when you’re not around and a ‘Find My Bike’ feature in the Velotric app in case you forget where you locked it up. A torque sensor helps provide a smooth ride feel and the motor has plenty of zip, especially in the higher power settings.”

Speaking of power, Velotric designed some of the smallest and lightest electronic components we’ve encountered on an e-bike and housed them all inside the frame, which is part of what gives the T1 its stylish, sleek look. And, the integrated headlight comes on when the sun goes down - just like the street lights do, so you never have to worry if you remembered to charge your lights or not.

As required by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and local laws in some cities , the Discover 1 is UL certified for safety within the Standards for Electrical Systems, so it has been tested and engineered to eliminate accidental battery fires.

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Hybrid bikes are great for riding long distances and casual rides where speed isn’t a top priority. The flat, wide bars provide a better vantage point when you need to quickly look behind you and side-to-side. 

They also offer a more upright riding position that many people find more comfortable when navigating city streets compared with the experience you get with a road bike and their drop handlebars.

A hybrid bike can be a great fit for commuters, running errands, and a solid all-arounder for anyone who likes to get out on their bike and ride for awhile.

What are the benefits of a hybrid bike?

Hybrid bikes are, above all, comfortable and casual. Sitting upright is often a more comfortable riding position, and makes it easy to keep track of your surroundings. They often feature mounts for racks,  fenders  and  lights , so you can add some  accessories  that you may need if you plan to work it into your day-to-day life. Last but not least, hybrid bikes often cost less than a road bike or full-featured mountain bike.

Are there any disadvantages to riding a hybrid bike?

As you’d expect, hybrid bikes occupy a middle ground that’s useful for new and casual riders, but may hold more advanced cyclists back as they take on tougher routes or pursue more competitive challenges. 

They aren’t as capable as mountain bikes in rough off-road conditions. Conversely, most hybrids aren’t as aerodynamic as a great road bike, and will move slower when you pedal at top speed.

Vanessa Nirode is a freelance writer who covers wellness, culture, outdoor adventure and travel for Hearst , HuffPost , PopSci , BBC Travel , and Threads , among others. She’s also a pattern maker and tailor for film and television but most of the time, she’d rather just be riding her bicycle.

As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.  

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Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?

Best Hybrid Bike for Beginners

Specialized sirrus 2.0 hybrid bike.

Best Premium Hybrid Bike

Trek fx sport 6.

Best Hybrid Bike for Commuters

Priority bicycles continuum onyx.

Best Folding Hybrid Bike

Tern verge d9 folding bike.

Most Versatile Hybrid Bike

Giant bicycles toughroad slr 2.

Best Hybrid eBike

Ribble hybrid al e electric bike.

Best Step-Through Hybrid Bike

Co-op cycles cty 2.1 step-through bike.

Best Value Hybrid Bike

Schwinn gtx 2.0 comfort hybrid bike.

For most fitness riders, hybrid bikes—also called “fitness bikes”—are the solution. They’re designed to offer the lightweight design of many road-racing bikes, but with a more comfortable, confident upright riding stance. Most come with wider tires, too, which makes cruising rough, potholed city streets a whole lot more bearable. Plus, the best models are built with premium components like hydraulic disc brakes, battery-free lights, and low- to zero-maintenance drivetrains. These definitely aren’t the kid-friendly Huffy bikes you grew up with.

All of which is to say that bikes, even hybrid bikes , are deceptively complex. Whether you’re just getting started in your cycling journey or are looking to upgrade your current two-wheeler, there’s a perfect model out there for you. But where to start? We’ve done the legwork for you to research and personally test many of the top-rated bikes on the market. Here are our picks for the best hybrid bikes worth riding in 2023

Best Bikes for Men | Best Folding Electric Bikes | Best Electric Bikes | Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes | Best Cycling Shorts

Versatile, comfortable, and affordable—everything that makes Specialized’s wildly popular Sirrus 2.0 a solid buy for just about anyone. The lightweight design couples an aluminum alloy frame with a steel fork that altogether weighs roughly 27 pounds. Its ProMax F1 hydraulic disc brakes provide serious and reliable stopping power on any terrain. The result? The perfect balance of durability with easy, comfortable handling for riders of any skill level. That includes everyone from first-time adult riders to daily commuters.

It’s not the most budget-friendly bike in Specalized’s lineup, nor the most premium. At around $800 (closer to $600 on sale), it’s an incredibly affordable model for anyone looking to step up from an entry-level hybrid but who isn’t quite ready to drop $2,000 or more on a high-end two-wheeler. Of course, when you’re ready to upgrade your upgrade, Specialized’s lineup runs all the way up to the Sirrus 6.0.

What do buyers say? “This is the first Specialized bike. I've had many before but from the other brands. Very impressed. Light enough, smooth gears and stiff. Very well-made bicycle,” said one Specialized.com reviewer.

The all-new FX Sport 6 is the flagship in Trek’s FX lineup with a fitness-focused geometry that’s light, fast, and easy to ride. "Tipping the scales" at just over 20 pounds, the carbon frame is remarkably lightweight. It offers all the same features of a premium road bike—a 400 Series OCLV Carbon frame, carbon wheels, and a Shimano drivetrain—but with a flat handlebar design. It all combines in a hybrid bike that’s damn near-perfect for riders of all stripes, including commuters, newbies, and advanced fitness cyclists. Plus, the slick, blacked-out design looks pretty handsome too.

We’ve been fans of Trek for years and the FX Sport 6 is a standout among the company’s stellar lineup. It’s no surprise, given the nearly $3,000 price tag, which makes it the most expensive in this year’s round-up. But with solid buyer reviews and premium components throughout, we think it’s worth it. Plus, Trek’s 30-day unconditional guarantee means you can return it for any reason (even if it’s just because you changed your mind) for a full refund.

What do buyers say? “My previous Trek 2.6 was all the rage until I purchased this. The FX6 ia so much faster, better handling even with the fatter tires and lower pressure. They are great for the road,” said one TrekBikes.com reviewer.

If you’re looking for an upgrade to your entry-level two-wheeler but aren’t ready or willing to splash out on $3,000 high-end model, we like Priority’s Continuum Onyx. The brand is well-known for some of the best commuter bikes, and this hybrid model is no exception. It features premium components throughout, including a rust-free Gates Carbon belt drive, dynamo-powered (read battery-free) lights, and beefy 700x32mm WTB tires that are extremely flat-resistant. Enviolo CTV shifters guarantee smooth, responsive shifting and high-end Tektro hydraulic disc brakes deliver plenty of stopping power in tight city conditions.

At roughly $1,300, this certainly isn’t a cheap hybrid bike. But it’s built with premium parts from tip to tail, making that midrange price tag seem entirely reasonable. Everything that makes it a near-perfect commuter bike also ensures it’s a good fit for newbies and even more advanced riders.

What do buyers say? “It was very easy to assemble. I love the look and love the feel. Very quiet and solid,” said one PriorityBicycles.com reviewer.

Folding bikes used to be something of a novelty. They were rarely anything you’d actually want to ride (or be seen riding). Not so with Tern’s Verge D9. It’s our go-to pick for this year’s best folding hybrid bike. Proprietary T-Tuned geometry coupled with beefier 37mm tires makes this a more stable and comfortable model than most folders. Shimano hydraulic disc brakes provide solid stopping power on both wet and dry pavement. The saddle seat is also purpose-designed for shoulder-mounted carrying. Plus, we love that the entire bike folds or unfolds in just 10 seconds and is small enough to fit under a desk.

This is no doubt a specialty bike that’s designed with commuters and city dwellers in mind—hence the roughly $1,150 price tag. It’s at least 50% more than a comparably priced standard (non-folding) hybrid bike. But, if you’re looking for one of the most compact, street-friendly hybrid solutions on the market, you’ve found it. What’s more, Tern designed it with easy upgrading in mind.

What do buyers say? “Great choice. So versatile and easy to ride. Smooth ride for my 1.5 miles one way commute,” said one REI reviewer.

True to its name, Giant’s ToughRoad SLR 2 is a hybrid bike that’s built for less-than-ideal riding conditions. That includes smooth city streets, loose gravel bike paths, and everything in between. It’s made possible via a proprietary ALUXX SLR aluminum frame with a lightweight, durable carbon fork—both of which are ultra-durable yet absorb harsh front-end vibrations. Giant’s D-fuse seatpost and extra-grippy tires add an extra degree of comfort and confidence to your ride. Like other hybrid bikes in our roundup, this model features a standard flat-bar design with a more upright position that’s great for a wide variety of terrain and ride lengths.

Like most Giant two-wheelers, this hybrid bike is priced right at just over $1,000. That’s squarely at the midrange of our roundup, making it the perfect upgrade from most entry-level cycles. While it’s not a true mountain bike, it’s the closest hybrid model in our roundup that we’re comfortable taking on light off-road rides.

What do buyers say? “A higher ride position is enjoyable, shifting is smooth and quick, ride is very comfortable on rail bed trail locally,” said one Giant-Bicycles.com reviewer.

Of course, we can’t roundup the best hybrid bikes without throwing in a hybrid electric bike. Ribble’s Hybrid AL E Electric Bike is our favorite hybrid-style eBike of the year. The general framework is purpose-built with speed and efficiency in mind, making it one of the company’s best options for commuters and other city riders. But the geometry is incredibly versatile, allowing for complete customization of almost every component. If you want to add a rear storage rack, mudguards, and fatter tires, for example, all you have to do is ask. That also means you get the exact paint job you’re looking for, from blacked-out to cool blue to eye-popping red.

Under the “hood,” the Hybrid AL E is powered by a 250Wh battery which delivers roughly 60 miles on a single charge. It fast-charges in roughly three hours, too, so you can take it to work and top it up for your ride home. Ribble’s ebikemotion system weighs less than eight pounds and is so compact and perfectly built into the bike’s frame that it’s practically invisible. That only streamlines the look and the aerodynamics, but also makes it less of a target for thieves.

What do buyers say? “If you want to look stylish around town and arrive where you’re going sweat-free, it’s definitely one to consider,” said one RibbleCycles.co.uk reviewer.

For riders who like the convenience of a step-through model, Co-op Cycles’ CTY 2.1 is our favorite hybrid option. The low standover height allows for easy mounting and dismounting, while also ensuring it’s easy to stand with both feet square on the ground. The Shimano Altus 2x8 drivetrain serves up 16 available gear combinations. Coupled with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, it’s a satisfying ride around town, even over hilly, potholed terrain. The 40-mm-wide tires and shock-absorbing fork also ensure a smooth, bump-free ride.

What we especially love, though, is the price. At roughly $800, it’s on the low-end of our favorite midrange models. Given its excellent reviews and better-than-average components, we think it’s worth the premium for anyone looking to step up from a more entry-level hybrid. Because REI Co-op Cycles are only available to members, be sure to account for the (totally reasonable) $30 lifetime membership fee if you don’t already have one.

What do buyers say? “Great commuter & path bike! Perfect bike for riding around the neighborhood to stay in shape. It handles the gravel and overgrown paths with ease and is just as great on the road/sidewalk,” said one REI.com reviewer.

If $500+ is too rich for your wallet, there are other options. Schwinn’s lineup of entry-level hybrid adult bikes includes the Schwinn GTX Comfort. While it lacks the better components of our favorite premium models, this is a solid alternative for budget-conscious bicyclists. The design relies on an aluminum dual-sport frame and suspension fork that tackles city streets and light trails with aplomb. Like the best hybrid bikes of this year, it features a flat-bar design and a more upright riding position that combine for a comfortable, confident ride.

Schwinn is most synonymous with entry-level bikes that “hardcore” riders might scoff at. But, if you’re looking for a durable, reliable two-wheeler that’s ready to tackle most urban and suburban terrain, this is a solid option. We especially love that it’s available starting at less than $300 (depending on the exact model), which feels like a steal.

What do buyers say? “Great bike for the money. So far this bike has been great, and makes the daily commute to work a lot more fun,” said one Amazon reviewer.

How to Shop for the Best Hybrid Bike (for You)

Like most fitness gear, bikes are entirely personal. The best bike for your neighbor might not be right for you. It’s all a matter of aesthetics, price, weight, gearing, features, and how and where you most often ride. But there are a few key things to consider when shopping for the best hybrid bike for you. Here’s the low-down:

Drop Bar or Flat Bar

Hybrid bikes are similar to traditional road bikes in that they typically boast a lightweight frame that rolls on fast 700c wheels. What sets them apart, however, is that hybrid bikes are almost always built with a flat handlebar, while road bikes use a drop bar. The former uses a wider design for a wider hand stance that makes riding easier to control with better break access and an upright seating position. The result is a more comfortable ride that’s perfect for casual (read non-racing) cyclists and commuters, too. Hybrid bikes can feature a drop bar, too, but they’re specifically designed for a flat handlebar.

It’s All in the Gearing

In general, hybrid/fitness bikes feature two chainrings up front and usually 9-11 cogs at the rear. The latter helps to better dial in your shifts for a smoother, more predictable ride on everything from bike paths to hilly city streets. Budget hybrids sometimes include three front chainrings. It’s a setup that trades performance for price, however.

Modern disc brakes seriously changed the game for cyclists. They’re more expensive than traditional rim-style brakes, but better in every way, offering more precise control in both dry and wet conditions. Beginners and cyclists who love long rides love them, too, because they require less hand strength to operate. More budget-friendly hybrid bikes may be built with cable-actuated disc brakes. These offer similar performance but aren’t as powerful and require a bit more maintenance.

Hybrid bikes, like many of the best bikes, vary widely in price. Decent budget models start around $400, while mid-range models run north of $1,000. For the best hybrid bikes, however, expect to pay as much as a used car (upwards of $4,000 or more). Just know that you don’t have to spend a small fortune to land a decent two-wheeler.

How We Selected the Best Hybrid Bikes of 2023

Over the past year, our fitness-loving writers and editors here at Men’s Health researched and personally tested dozens of top-selling bikes. We compared every spec and feature, from brake technology and frame style to overall aesthetic and price. For this roundup, we’ve also included a few hybrid bikes with overwhelmingly positive reviews on the retailer sites we trust most. The final list above represents our honest picks for the best hybrid bikes worth buying in 2023.

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Best Hybrid Bikes in 2024: Top Models for Leisure, Commuting and Fitness

Hybrid bikes are known as the champions of versatility, making them a great choice for anyone who loves cycling on different types of terrain.

They blend the best parts of road and mountain bikes, which helps them perform equally well on smooth roads, busy city streets, and on country trails.

The best hybrid bikes are designed to promote a relaxed upright riding position that balances comfort and handling with speed and acceleration. 

Hybrid bikes are super versatile and ideal for a wide range of riders and uses.

Our buying guide below is your ticket to discovering the 13 best hybrid bike models of the year, whether you’re riding to work or going on a weekend adventure.

If you’re on a tight budget, we recommend also reading our buying guide on the best hybrid bikes under $1,000 . We’ve also written guides on the best hybrid bikes for women and the best electric hybrid bikes  if you want to explore even more options.

Key Factors in Choosing the Best Hybrid Bike

Choosing the best hybrid bike for your needs requires understanding the main aspects that impact performance, comfort, and practicality.

Here are some key factors to keep in mind, but consider reading our full guide to hybrid bikes as well to learn more.

Gearing Options and Belt Drives

Hybrid bikes are available with diverse gearing options, from single-speed to multi-gear drivetrains that cater to different needs and riding conditions. 

Many models also come with internal gear hubs that feature a sealed low-maintenance mechanism, ideal for daily exploitation in various weather.

Higher-end models might feature belt drive systems, an alternative to traditional chains, that provide a clean, quiet, and low-maintenance ride. Though the technology is slowly trickling down and belt drive bikes are becoming more affordable over time. 

Each of these setups can be right for you, depending on your needs. When choosing, consider the typical terrain you’ll ride on and the amount of maintenance you’re comfortable with.

Bike Fit and Comfort

Hybrid bikes are typically designed to prioritize comfort over performance, so it’s crucial to get a model that fits you well. 

Make sure to study the geometry and size chart well and choose a frame size that fits your body dimensions such as height and inseam length. 

You should also keep in mind that some hybrid bikes have a relaxed, upright riding position, whereas others favor a more aggressive, forward-leaning position. 

Therefore, choosing the right frame type for your style of riding is critical to ensure you feel comfortable and the bike meets your needs perfectly.

Recommended reading:

• Bike Size Charts: How to Choose the Right Bicycle Size
• Easy DIY Bike Fit: Tips for a More Comfortable Ride

Disc Brakes

Disc brakes used to be available on mountain bikes only until a few years ago—now the best hybrid bikes have them as well. 

They are a superior choice compared to traditional rim brakes as they offer more braking power and perform consistently no matter the weather conditions. They especially shine on rainy days and on muddy rides.

Disc brakes are available in two types—mechanical and hydraulic. The former are cheaper but require manual adjusting, whereas the latter are slightly more expensive but brake better and require less frequent adjustment. 

Whenever possible, we recommend choosing hydraulic disc brakes. But, if your budget doesn’t allow it, mechanical discs and rim brakes can also be a good choice, especially if you typically ride in dry conditions.

The weight of a hybrid bike is not as important as the weight of a road bike, but it does affect a few important daily aspects, such as handling and portability. 

Hybrids are generally not considered to be lightweight, especially if they come with features like an internal gear hub, hydraulic disc brakes, multiple add-ons, and wide tires. 

However, choosing a lighter model can be beneficial, especially if you need to lift the bike often, carry it up and down the stairs, or take it on public transportation. 

If you want to ensure you get a lightweight hybrid bike, look for a model with a carbon frameset or a high-grade aluminum frame and carbon fork. They may cost more, but they’ll be easier to handle and a joy to ride.

If this doesn’t fit your budget, don’t obsess over it—generally speaking, weight is of secondary importance when riding a hybrid.

Accessories and Customization Options

The best hybrid bikes we’ve chosen below may or may not come with preinstalled accessories, such as fenders and racks. However, most hybrid bikes offer mounts for customization options, so you can include these add-ons on your own.

Unless you’re planning to use your hybrid bike for performance-focused fitness riding, accessories like racks and panniers can be handy for carrying goods, whereas fenders will allow you to ride in wet conditions. 

We also recommend investing in getting a set of bright lights and reflectors for visibility, as well as mounts for water bottles. A kickstand can also be handy if you make a lot of frequent stops, as it will prevent you from chipping the frame paint by having to lean your bike on posts and walls. 

Best Hybrid Bikes in 2024

• Specialized Sirrus 6.0
• Co-op Cycles CTY 2.1
• Priority Bicycles Continuum Onyx
• Trek Dual Sport+ 2
• Cannondale Quick Disc 4
• Tommaso La Forma
• Giant FastRoad AR Advanced 1
• Diamondback Division 2
• Public Bikes V9 Aluminum
• Cannondale Bad Boy 1
• LIV Alight 2 Disc
• Marin DSX 2
• Rondo Booz ST

1. Specialized Sirrus 6.0

High-End Hybrid Performance

• MSRP: $3,000
• Frame: FACT 9r carbon w/ Compliance Junction
• Suspension : Future Shock 1.5
• Gears: SRAM GX Eagle Lunar 1×12
• Brakes: SRAM Level TLM hydraulic

Reasons to buy:

• Compliance Junction carbon frame technology
• Headtube-hidden Future Shock 1.5 suspension
• High-end SRAM components
• Rack and Fenders compatible
• Tubeless-ready tires

Reasons to avoid:

A single glance is enough to see that the Specialized Sirrus 6.0 is a unique bike that aims to redefine hybrid cycling, blending high speed, comfort, and technology. Its lightweight carbon frame is a standout feature, boasting the Compliance Junction that provides flexibility in the frame for a smooth ride without losing efficiency.

The carbon frame is paired with the Future Shock 1.5 suspension in the headtube to reduce road vibrations and enhance comfort on various terrains. Therefore, the Sirrus 6.0 is an outstanding choice for city streets, as well as for gravel and dirt roads.

The Specialized Sirrus 6.0 is pricey, there’s no doubt about that, but the attention to detail is evident in its high-quality build and components. It comes with a reliable SRAM GX Eagle Lunar 1×12 drivetrain and powerful SRAM Level TLM hydraulic disc brakes, ensuring easy pedaling and reliable braking no matter the conditions.

But where the Sirrus’ versatility truly shines is its ability to accommodate up to 42c wide tires and its compatibility with racks and fenders, which is not often seen with carbon frames.

So whether you need a hybrid bike for fitness, commuting, or exploring, the Specialized Sirrus 6.0 can adapt seamlessly to your needs on a day-to-day basis.

Buy from Specialized.com

2. Co-op Cycles CTY 2.1

Affordable Commuter Choice

• Frame: Aluminum
• Suspension : SR Suntour Nex DS, 63 mm
• Gears: Shimano Altus 2×8
• Brakes: Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc brakes
• Lightweight and efficient 2x drivetrain
• Top tube bag mount
• Reflective tire sidewalls improve visibility
• Powerful hydraulic brakes
• 300 lb weight limit
• A bit heavy at 32 lb

The Co-op Cycles CTY 2.1 is a budget hybrid bike that’s comfortable, reasonably fast, and perfect for commuting thanks to its upright riding position.

With 63mm of travel in the front and 700c x 40mm tires, the CTY 2.1 is capable of navigating city streets and hardpacked gravel roads equally well. 

Related:  Co-op Cycles CTY Series Review

This bike also features a Shimano Altus 2×8-speed drivetrain and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. The previous version of this model had a 3x drivetrain, which is overly complex and heavy, so the 2x is an improvement. It’s paired up with a wide-range 11-34T cassette, which is good news if you live somewhere hilly. 

With a step-through frame, the CTY 2.1 is incredibly practical and easy to get on a off. The frame does not come with any accessories, but there are multiple mounts to retrofit them if you decide that you need any. 

To sum up, the Co-op Cycles CTY 2.1 is one of the best hybrid bikes for recreational riders and those shopping on a tight budget.

Buy on REI.com

3. Priority Bicycles Continuum Onyx

Low-Maintenance Commuting Star

• MSRP: $1,299
• Frame: 6061 T6 Aluminum
• Suspension :  None, rigid aluminum fork
• Gears: Enviolo CVT hub, 380%
• Brakes: Tektro hydraulic disc brakes
• Sealed Enviolo CVT rear hub
• Gates belt drive
• Dynamo-powered lights
• Maintenance-free hydraulic brakes
• Excellent accessories
• Weighs 31 lb

The Priority Continuum Onyx is the best low-maintenance hybrid bike on this list and possibly one of the best ones on the market. If you’re looking for a bike that requires minimal adjustment and easy upkeep, you should stop your search here. 

The Continuum Onyx comes with an Enviolo CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) hub with no predefined gears and a 380% gear range. You simply turn the twist shifter to the ideal resistance point and enjoy riding. Plus, all parts are sealed in, so you won’t need to do any maintenance or adjustments. 

In addition to that, the Onyx also comes with a belt drive that requires no lubrication or cleaning and lasts multiple times more than a traditional chain. The low-maintenance build is rounded up with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes that also need minimal upkeep. 

Priority Bicycles also equipped this hybrid bike with a front-wheel dynamo that powers the lights, front and rear fenders, a kickstand, and puncture-resistant 700c x 32mm tires. In other words, they pretty much thought about everything so that you don’t need to.

Check out the rest of the Priority Bicycles’ range as well, as their bikes start from as low as $599.

Buy from PriorityBicycles.com

4. Trek Dual Sport+ 2

Best Electric Hybrid Bike

• MSRP: $2,400
• Frame: Alpha Gold Aluminum
• Suspension : None, rigid alloy fork
• Gears:  Shimano Altus, 9-speed
• Brakes: Shimano MT200 hydraulic discs
• Powerful motor and battery kit
• Bright front and rear lights
• Low weight despite the electronics
• Versatile 650 x 50mm tires
• Hydraulic disc brakes
• No fenders or rear rack

The Dual Sport+ 2 is Trek’s most affordable electric hybrid bike and one of the best choices on this list. This is a fast and nimble hybrid e-bike with a sleek integrated motor and battery that will make your commute faster and easier than before.

The Hyena G2 rear hub motor has 40 Nm of torque and provides assistance for up to 20 mph, whereas the 250 Wh battery is integrated into the down tube and provides a 35-mile range.

That’s a decent setup for everyday riding and climbing, especially when you consider the 9-speed Shimano Altus rear derailleur and Shimano’s MT200 hydraulic disc brakes. Even though these are entry-level components, they are reliable and durable and get the job done. 

Finally, the Dual Sport+ 2 also comes with bright front and rear lights, so you can ride it day and night, but sadly doesn’t feature fenders or a rear rack. Though you can easily retrofit these accessories, as Trek has included all the necessary mounting points.

We recommend getting it if you want a minimalistic hybrid electric bike that will allow you to ride further and faster than before.

Buy from Trek Bikes

5. Cannondale Quick Disc 4

Fitness and Commute Ready

• Frame: SmartForm C3 alloy
• Suspension : None, rigid chromoly fork
• Gears:  microSHIFT Advent, 9-speed
• Brakes: Tektro hydro disc
• Lightweight at 25 lb
• Cannondale’s integrated wheel sensor
• SP Connect–compatible smartphone case mount
• 360° reflective details
• Mounts to add accessories
• Chromoly fork

The Cannondale Quick Disc 4 is part of Cannondale’s Quick Series , which includes several fitness bikes with rigid forks and balanced geometries, ideal for speedy city commutes and workouts.

The Quick Disc 4 build offers excellent value and a decent set of components to satisfy the needs of a recreational cyclist or urban commuter. It’s equipped with a microShift Advent 9-speed rear derailleur and decent Tektro hydraulic disc brakes.

As a fitness hybrid bike, the Quick Disc 4 does not come with any accessories, but you can add racks or fenders to the bike to make it even more versatile. It doesn’t even come with a kickstand, but you can install one easily. 

This bike also comes with Cannondale’s integrated wheel sensor that helps track your activities, a mount on the stem that holds any SP Connect–compatible smartphone case, and 360° reflective details that increase visibility at all times.

All in all, the Cannondale Quick Disc 4 hybrid bike is definitely a model that should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a fast and simple workhorse.

6. Tommaso La Forma

Best Urban Speedster

• Frame: 6061 Alloy aluminum frame
• Suspension : None, rigid carbon fork
• Gears: Shimano Acera, 3×9-speed
• Brakes: Rim brakes
• Lightweight carbon fork
• Fast 700x32c tires
• Attractive design
• Wide gear range for steep climbs
• Comfortable compact frame
• No internal cable routing

Tommaso La Forma is a budget-friendly urban bike equipped to tackle city roads as a commuting companion or a swift fitness bike.

The La Forma has a high-quality Aluminum frame combined with a lightweight carbon fork, which is a nice surprise in this price range.

This bike is designed for fast workouts and speedy commutes, which is reflected in its 700x32C tires which help you zip around the city. The 3×9 Shimano Acera drivetrain is a bit heavy, but you get 27 gears to tackle any gradient you encounter.

The only disadvantage is the fact La Forma comes with rim brakes instead of disc brakes, but this is understandable as Tommaso’s goal was to create a flat bar hybrid bike that’s as close to a road bike as possible. 

Finally, this bike also comes with mounts for fenders and a pannier rack which will allow you to turn it into the perfect commuter bike.

Buy from TommasoCycling.com

7. Giant FastRoad AR Advanced 1 

Performance Oriented Versatility

• MSRP: $2,100
• Frame: Carbon fiber frame
• Gears: Shimano 105, 2×11
• Brakes: Tektro HD-R280, 160mm rotors
• Lightweight carbon frameset
• Versatile 700x40c tubeless tires
• Road-specific Shimano 105 drivetrain
• Stiff bottom bracket for power transfer
• Fork mounts
• D-shaped seat post limits upgrade options

The Giant FastRoad is the best hybrid bike for someone who needs a two-wheeler that can do it all. It may seem costly, but it’s the only bike you need, and here’s why.

The FastRoad AR Advanced 1 is built around a super stiff and lightweight carbon frameset that you can see on Giant’s road bikes. That makes it fast, agile, and responsive, which is ideal for fast commutes and fitness rides. 

Moreover, it boasts a road-specific Shimano 105 2×11 drivetrain that can be seen on many best road bikes , combined with Tektro’s powerful hydraulic disc brakes. 

The Giant Gavia Fondo AR 700x40c tubeless tires are perfect for tackling bumpy backroads with speed, comfort and control, but are also great for city streets and smooth tarmac. If you prefer gravel riding, there’s clearance for up to 42mm wide tires. 

In conclusion, the Giant FastRoad AR Advanced 1 is a versatile, high-performance hybrid bike that excellently balances speed, agility, and comfort, making it an outstanding choice for both urban commuting and adventurous backroad cycling.

Buy on Mikesbikes.com

8. Diamondback Division 2

All-Around Recreational Hybrid

• Frame: 6061 Heat-Treated Aluminum
• Suspension :  None, rigid alloy fork
• Gears: Shimano Alivio/Acera 9-speed
• Brakes: Tektro HD-T275 Hydraulic
• Attractive tan-wall tires
• Excellent components for the price
• Four sizes fit 5’7″ to 6’4″
• Comfortable grips and saddle
• Versatile 650b x 47 mm tires
• Cables not fully internal
• One water bottle cage mount

The Division 2 is Diamondback’s vision of a one-bike-to-rule-them-all that’s built on an attractive aluminum frame that features relaxed geometry perfect for urban rides.

It’s equipped with above-average components for the price, which is generally the case with all Diamondback bikes—they offer good bang for the buck. Plus, the Division 2 rolls on versatile 650b x 47mm tires that are suitable for different uses, such as fitness riding, commuting, and light gravel adventures.

The drivetrain is comprised of a Shimano Alivio rear derailleur and a Shimano Acera shifter and gives you nine versatile speeds for easy-going recreational rides. Another positive surprise is the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, which are always a positive sight on hybrid bikes under $1,000.

The only drawback is the fact that the cables are not fully internally routed and that there are mounts for only one water bottle. But, other than that, the Diamondback Division 2 is a well-thought-out package.

All in all, this is one of the best hybrid bikes you can use to travel to work, enjoy a fun afternoon spin with friends, or explore gravel trails!

Buy from Diamondback.com

9. Public Bikes V9 Aluminum

Simple and Efficient Commuter

• MSRP: $650 ( Public Bikes / Mike’s Bikes )
• Frame:  PUBLIC premium aluminum tubing
• Suspension :  None, rigid steel fork
• Gears:  Shimano Altus 9-speed
• Brakes: Alloy dual-pivot calipers
• Retro aluminum frame and steel fork
• Mounts for fenders and racks
• Vegan leather grips
• Fast and comfortable
• No disc brakes

The Public V9 Aluminum is a retro-styled hybrid commuter that keeps things simple to get the job done with minimal fuss. Need a bike to get from point A to point B without overthinking it too much? The V9 Aluminum is the right choice for you.

This hybrid bike is built around a classic diamond-shaped premium aluminum frame with a high-tensile steel fork for maximum comfort. It includes mounts for fenders and racks, so you can personalize it to your liking. 

The V9 is called this way because it sports a Shimano Altus 9-speed rear derailleur, which is a wide range of gears for recreational riders and commuters. To keep things light and simple, this bike has dual-caliper rim brakes instead of disc brakes, which is the same type you see on many road bikes, so they will provide enough stopping power. 

The Public V9 Aluminum weighs just 25 lb, which is 20% lighter than Public’s similar steel frame bikes. These weight savings will make a huge difference whenever you’re lifting or carrying the bike up and down stairs. 

Buy from PublicBikes.com     Buy from MikesBikes.com

10. Cannondale Bad Boy 1

Stylish Urban Explorer

• MSRP: $2,325
• Frame: SmartForm C1 alloy
• Suspension : Lefty LightPipe rigid
• Gears:  Shimano Alfine Rapidfire, 8-speed
• Brakes: Shimano MT400 hydraulic
• Sealed low-maintenance gearbox
• Durable gates carbon belt drive
• Integrated LED lights
• Integrated Urban Armor bumper
• Multi-surface 650b x 40mm tires

The Cannondale Bad Boy 1 is a hybrid bike with the look of a hardtail but the versatility of a city bike. 

At first glance, the feature that stands out the most is the Lefty rigid fork that reduces overall weight without sacrificing strength. Cannondale built this bike around its premium SmartForm C1 aluminum frame, which is a high-performance alloy with excellent ride characteristics and a low weight.

The frame has in-built top tube protection for leaning and locking the bike when out and about, as well as integrated LED lights in the Lefty LightPipe fork and seat post that will make you more visible on night rides.

The Bad Boy 1 also boasts an 8-speed internal Shimano Alfine gearbox with a belt drive to minimize maintenance and simplify shifting. The build also includes premium Shimano MT400 hydraulic disc brakes and multifunctional WTB Byway, 650b x 40mm tires. 

Therefore, this combination gives the Bad Boy 1 mixed-terrain capability and plenty of traction in wet urban conditions. 

In our opinion, you should not miss out on the Cannondale Bad Boy 1 if you want an affordable, versatile, and stylish city bike with the reliability of a big-name brand. 

11. Liv Alight 2 Disc

Best Women’s Beginner-Friendly Hybrid

• Frame: ALUXX-Grade aluminum
• Gears: Shimano Tourney/Altus 2×8
• Brakes: Tektro HD-R280 hydraulic
• Women-specific design
• Versatile puncture-resistant tires
• Mounts for multiple accessories
• Internal cable routing
• Ergonomic touchpoints
• Low-tier drivetrain components

The Liv Alight 2 Disc is a stylish women’s hybrid bike with plenty of versatility for mixed-terrain riding. As an entry-level model, it comes with several low-tier components, which makes it a good choice for beginners and recreational riders. 

Namely, the Alight 2 Disc is equipped with Shimano Tourney and Altus 2×8 derailleurs, which are the cheapest options you can get from this brand. They work well, but they’re not great for aggressive use. 

What we particularly like is the addition of Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, despite the low $750 price tag, which is a nice surprise and a highlight of this build. You also get 700 x 38c tires that balance speed, grip, and versatility well. 

The Liv Alight 2 Disc also has all the accessory mounts you need, so you can retrofit it with front and rear fenders and racks, a kickstand, and two water bottle cages. 

So if you want one of the best women’s hybrid bikes that costs little and comes with a well-balanced build, the Liv Alight 2 Disc won’t disappoint you.

12. Marin DSX 2

Gravel-Ready Adventurer

• MSRP: $1,349
• Frame: Series 3 6061 Aluminum
• Gears:  Shimano Deore 12-Speed
• Brakes: Shimano MT201 hydraulic
• High-quality Shimano components
• Gravel-ready tires
• Stable, slack geometry
• Great for light-duty touring
• Wheels and tires not tubeless-ready
• Reinforced seat tube results in a harsher ride

The Marin DSX 2 is a highly versatile and capable rigid hybrid slash gravel bike. If you can afford only one bike but your riding style requires multiple different types, the Marin DSX 2 should meet most of your needs.

The DSX 2 comes with an aluminum frame with a long wheelbase and slack geometry, which makes it stable at higher speeds and on rough surfaces. It also boasts a stiff carbon fork that improves comfort and lowers the total weight of this gravel hybrid bike.

The Marin DSX 2 features the latest Shimano Deore 12-speed rear derailleur, along with the MT201 hydraulic disc brakes, so it is definitely suitable for proper weekend adventures when the weekday commutes are over. 

The bike rolls on WTB Riddler 700 x 45mm, which is the widest you can go and the main reason why this bike is classified as a flat-bar gravel hybrid. 

If you love bikepacking, the DSX 2 can do that as well, you just need to add fenders and racks, or fit frame bags on it. 

Overall, this is the best hybrid bike for cyclists who love riding gravel or have a mixed-terrain commuting route to tackle each morning.

Buy on JensonUSA.com

Other Types of Urban Bikes to Consider

If you haven’t found exactly what you were looking for on this page, we recommend checking out our other urban-bike-related buying guides for more options!

• Best Commuter bikes : Excellent, fully-equipped bikes for everyday use. Designed to get around in urban areas.
• City bikes : Basic bikes for grocery runs, or for school/work commutes.
• Fitness bikes : Fast and sporty hybrid bicycles designed for fast commutes and workouts.
• Used Hybrid Bikes from The Pro’s Closet : A selection of used and new hybrid bikes for all types of riders.

Additional Things to Consider When Buying a Hybrid Bike

Types of hybrid bikes.

Hybrid bikes blend characteristics of road and mountain bikes, but they come in several different types, each of which caters to different needs. 

• City hybrid bikes are intended for urban commuting, boasting accessories like fenders and racks and a comfortable upright riding position. 
• Cross hybrids typically come with a suspension fork and wider tires and are able to handle gravel roads and off-road paths, in addition to paved roads.
• Comfort hybrids are similar to comfort and cruiser bikes, with a more relaxed geometry, wide saddles, and slightly swept-back handlebars. They are commonly used for leisure rides and shorter commutes. 
• Fitness hybrids are essentially sportive road bikes with flat bars and narrow tires that can be used for workouts, urban commutes, or recreational cycling. 

The choice between these four main types depends on your intended use, such as fitness, commuting, lesiure, or a combination of these activities.

Hybrid Bike Wheel and Tire Sizes

Traditional hybrid bikes usually come with a 700c wheel size, which is commonly associated with road bikes and city bikes. They often have tires that are between 28mm and 40mm wide, with 35-38mm being the sweet spot. 

However, more and more modern hybrid bikes are available with smaller 650b wheels and slightly wider tires (40mm+) that are similar to the best gravel bike tires . This makes them more versatile and suitable for tackling paved and unpaved roads. 

Related:  A Complete Guide to Bike Wheel Sizes

If you’re looking for the best hybrid bike for speed and efficiency, choose one with narrower tires (28-32mm). But if you want a multi-functional model that provides enough grip on different types of terrains, choose a model with 35mm tires and above.

Suspension Fork: Yes or No?

As you can see from our selection of the best hybrid bikes above, a suspension fork can be an important feature of this type of bike. 

However, whether it’s going to be a game-changer or an unnecessary addition for you, depends on what kinds of terrains you intend to ride. 

For smooth roads and city streets, a suspension fork may be overkill, adding unnecessary weight and complicating maintenance. But, if your routes include gravel roads, bumpy trails, or rough broken asphalt, front suspension can be a godsend, improving comfort and handling. 

Cost and Budget

Hybrid bikes are suitable for all types of riders because their cost varies widely.

Entry-level models start from around $500 or slightly under and are suitable for casual riding and shorter commutes. However, they may not be as durable or reliable as more expensive models. 

Mid-range hybrid bikes cost between $700 and $1,200 and offer higher quality components, better materials, and lower weight. They are suitable for more frequent riding and longer commutes, as well as light workouts. 

Finally, high-end hybrids cost anywhere between $1,500 and $3,000 and often come with a lightweight carbon frame, high-quality brakes and drivetrain, and features like a belt drive, dynamo lights, or internal gearing.

In our opinion, your budget should reflect how often you plan to ride and the features you prioritize, balancing cost with the quality and longevity of the bike.

Do you ride a hybrid bike? Is there another model you’d like us to review and include on our list? Let us know in the comments below!

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About the Author

Sam Millers

10 thoughts on “ best hybrid bikes in 2024: top models for leisure, commuting and fitness ”.

Best bike for exercise and riding around the neighborhood? I have a trek fx 7.6 (model 2016) for females however it’s not the most comfortable. Also I have neck and back problems.

Look for comfort bikes that have a more comfortable entry & upright riding position.

They have no large or xlarge co-op in stock at Columbus Ohio stores, kinda hard to test ride one before you buy

Why there is no mentioning of the Trek verve and the Dual Sport?

The link to Verve-series review can be found after the last model.

Hola! I’ve been reading your blog for a long time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Dallas Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the good job!

Who are these reviews for? REI? Surely not the public. So I’m guessing you are an affiliate with these companies.

We are indeed partnered up with REI and many other stores. This is also clearly stated at the top menu . The reason why we have chosen so many bikes from REI is that they have a great selection of bikes on offer, and a trustworthy feedback & rating platform as well.

Feel free to add a bike store in the comments which has a better selection of great value hybrid bikes that can also be ordered online :).

WHAT ARE YOUR COMMENTS ON COMFORTABLE SADDLES

We might release an article about saddles soon.

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Trek FX 2 Review: Ultimate Guide To The Fitness Hybrid Gravel Grinder

• by Riding With Ryan (Official)

My first bike from a legitimate bike shop was a Trek FX 2 Disc. There have been several changes over the years, almost all making this bike even better. If you are just getting into cycling and are interested in this Trek FX 2 review, be very careful. This bike will draw you into cycling, and soon you will start obsessing about saving grams, LYCRA, and Strava KOMs. Also, be sure to check out this 2022 Trek FX 3 review .

No need to worry about high prices with this bike. In other words, the Trek FX 2 is an awesome bike with a low price point, below $1,000. So what kind of bike is it, and who is it good for? These are both questions we will answer, and more, in this Trek FX 2 review. After that, you will want to call your bike shop to setup a test ride.

What Kind Of Bike Is The Trek FX 2?

The Trek FX 2 is a fitness hybrid bike. A hybrid bike is simply any bike that doesn’t fall into a specific category like road bike, mountain bike or cruiser. Fitness hybrids are bikes with similar geometry to an endurance road bike, but it will have flat handlebars instead of traditional road bike drop bars.

Fitness hybrid bikes can be ridden in the road, on light gravel, or a combination of the two. They make great bikes for commuting, as well as making an awesome gravel bike with flat bars. It really is a do-it all bike that’s good at everything, great at nothing.

For a long time I ran two different sets of wheels on my Trek FX 2. I had a set of wheels with 40mm gravel tires, and I replaced the stock 35mm tires for some slightly more aggressive 32mm road tires for the factory wheelset. Eventually tire upgrades were not enough and I started buying upgraded bikes. However, I love my Trek FX 2 so much I still own it today.

Who Is The Trek FX 2 Good For?

The Trek FX 2 is made for anyone looking for a high quality ride without sacrificing comfort. This bike is incredibly fast to anyone not already riding a road bike. With beefier tires its a capable endurance bike.

The Trek FX 2 has multiple rack and fender mounts for commuters, and plenty of storage add-ons available for tourers.

It’s not often a single bike fills the holes of so many different riding disciplines. This Trek FX 2 review may be the first bike review I’ve done that covers road biking, fitness, gravel, and recreational riding. All of which are extremely fun and comfortable on the FX 2. The only riding discipline the FX 2 isn’t good for is mountain biking.

Trek FX 2 Gravel Upgrades

One of the most popular questions in the bike shop these days is about gravel bikes. Its an awesome riding discipline that has exploded in popularity for good reason. An easy and affordable way to ride gravel is with the Trek FX 2.

The maximum tire size recommended by Trek for the FX 2 Disc model is a 38mm tire. I have first hand experience fitting 40mm tires on my Trek FX 2 without a single issue. Above all, you don’t want to risk your warranty. It’s best to stay within the specifications Trek recommends. Adding fenders restricts that maximum tire size to 35mm.

After the new tires the FX 2 is ready to shred your next gravel trail. Modifying grips and saddles, as well as adding clipless pedals are all recommendations I would make. Getting those accessories specifically for gravel riding will only enhance your riding experience.

Gravel Purists, or Gravel Snobs, will not appreciate your flat bar gravel bike. Gravel bikes have drop handlebars. Some forged bar ends hanging down should be the final touch to keep everyone happy. They will also give you some additional hand positions on longer rides.

Is the Trek FX 2 Worth It?

Yes, the 2022 Trek FX 2 Disc is certainly worth it’s $779.99 price tag. Save the extra $150 to afford the Trek FX 3 Disc. It comes with an upgraded group set and a carbon fork to eat up additional vibrations from the road. In other words, you can’t go wrong with any Trek FX model.

The 2022 Trek FX 2 Disc bikes come in two color options. Firstly, is Trek’s traditional Satin Lithium Gray that has been a color option every year on the FX model. The second color option is absolute fire. It is Satin Viper Red and it looks amazing.

I love the Viper Red for two reasons. Firstly, it makes the bike look great and look fast. Secondly, is the way the color stands out. Someone driving by is going to see this Viper Red bike. If they see you they are less likely to run you over. Which is, you know, a great thing!

If you are looking for a great way to transport your bikes read: Kuat NV 2.0 Review .

Trek FX 2 Disc vs Rim Brakes

Trek offers the FX 1 and 2 models in rim brake and disc brake versions. The FX 3 is disc brakes only. What exactly is the difference, and are disc brakes worth the upgrade? Lets dive into those details.

First, the difference between disc and rim brakes can be dramatic. Disc brakes provide better stopping power in all conditions. The Tour De France was won on rim brakes for over 100 years, but you can’t argue against disc brake stopping ability.

The only reason someone should consider rim brakes over disc brakes is if their budget requires it. Riding a rim brake bike is better than riding no bike at all. Also, many dry climates won’t notice much difference between disc and rim brakes. The differences are more noticeable in wet riding conditions.

In conclusion, if you aren’t sure which model of FX is best for you I’d recommend browsing through the details on Trek’s website. Also, you can read this 2022 Trek FX 3 review .

1 thought on “Trek FX 2 Review: Ultimate Guide To The Fitness Hybrid Gravel Grinder”

I just bought a Trek FX 2 Disc at Scheels Grand Forks, North Dakota on July 22nd, 2023. They installed cheap brake: RUSH bake system and Cheap tire 700x32c with no name on it into my bike. These components were not as specifications on sale list at Scheels Grand Forks, North Dakota. The bake system should be Tektro HD-R280 and the tires should be Bontrager H2 Comp, 700x35c. First, they said that they will replace the brake and the tire as the specifications on the sale list. Then they call me to come back to the store and told me they only change the tires to the Bontrager H2 Comp, and if I want to change the brake I have to pay for the labor. I really disappointed about this. To my experience, you should check out the component of the Trek bike before you buy it. If you don’t, maybe your Trek bike get a cheap component installed on it.

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