Talk:Hybrid bicycle

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The article is unclear on exactly what a hybrid bicycle is. I can define this, and provide some examples.

A hybrid is any type of bicycle with mountain bike features (except the mountain bike itself).

Before the 1980s there were 3 prominent types of biycle - the city or utility bike, the road bike, and the touring bike. All of these were well-suited to smooth, tarmac surfaces, but not well adapted for off-road conditions.

In the 1980s the mountain bike (also known as an MTB) was invented. This made it possible for bikes to confidently be ridden off-road. It had - - advanced suspension (forks or a full pivot) for jumps and bumps, - 26" wheels and wide chunky tyres for maximum grip on grass and mud, - a wide range of gears suitable for steep hills, - wide straight handlebars for maximum control over tricky terrain.

Soon after came various hybrids - in which one of the old tarmac-based types was given some of the features of a mountain bike, and making it possible to ride these bikes over moderate off-road terrain. For example...

- Road hybrid known as an ATB ('All-Terrain Bike').

- Touring hybrid known as an Expedition Bike

- City Hybrid, like mine - photo here - http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/bardsandwarriors/bike/2005may02_argo.jpg

There are probably others. I don't count myself as an expert, and this should be taken as the outline for a re-write of this article, rather than a finished text.

Steve Bardsandwarriors 08:47, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

you're entititled to your opinion, but if the article as it stands sounds a little vague, its because inumerable bicycle manufacturers and sellers are using the term without any central body providing a definition. --Dhodges 16:01, 6 December 2005 (UTC)

Agreed. The article itself makes the point that hybrids are difficult to pin down. It really is a catch-all definition for anything that is neither road nor mountain. --Icd 23:34, 6 December 2005 (UTC)

true, this article seems to have a narrow view of what a hybrid is. perhaps an article on flat handle bar road bikes would help cover some of the gaps of this article Mathmo 12:12, 26 November 2006 (UTC)

Fair enough. If anyone wants to use my photo or text (above), you are welcome. I'll leave it in the hands of wikiproject to use or delete this discussion :) Steve Bardsandwarriors 08:47, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Units of measurement

I reverted the edits that made the measurements of tire width consistent inches (mm). Although it is inconsistent, it matches how they are actually specified in reality. 700C being originally a French size are specified in mm, whereas 26" mountain bike tires are more US centric and tend to be specified in inches. You can even see this inconsistency on manufacturer web pages, Giant for example. Icd 11:01, 8 May 2006 (UTC)