A buyer's guide to hybrid bikes

What types of hybrid bikes are available?

• Fitness bikes.

If you do fitness riding .....

Features like rigid forks and narrower tires allow you to get on the sidewalk faster and easier. Fly fast and enjoy the ride, and can easily be paired with fitness and commuting essentials. The rear rack and fenders can be installed as well.

• Adventure bikes

If you want to ride anywhere...

Knobbier tires provide better traction and maximum comfort for longer distances. Adventure bikes are perfect for getting out of the house and onto remote wilderness trails. These bikes also offer room to add gear as needed.

• City and Commuter Bikes

If all you want is a quick ride...

Built for the best part of the day - looking awesome with your bike. City and commuter bikes are designed for city life. Equipped with flat handlebars for more control. Wider tires easily absorb bumps and powerful brake discs for instant sudden stops. The perfect partner for urban adventures.

Our recommended hybrid bikes

MARIN FAIRFAX 1

The Fairfax 1 has been the most affordable option in the range since Wirecutter named it 'Best Hybrid' years ago. It features a lightweight Series 1 aluminum frame and sturdy CrMo fork with a 3x7-speed Shimano drivetrain, Clark mechanical disc brakes, and plenty of reliable Marin components. Despite the widening gap between price and similarly equipped bikes from other companies, we still believe the Fairfax 1 (priced at $500, the same as in years past) is the way to go, despite some possible downsides to the redesign.

Jamis Coda S2

If you're looking for the comfort of a steel frame (steel does a much better job than aluminum at dampening vibrations caused by rough surfaces) without the weight loss that usually comes with a lower-priced steel frame, then the Jamis Coda S2 is a great option to impose. This means that it's easy to carry this bike upstairs and lift it onto a bus or car - with a bike rack installed. The Coda S2 is equipped with the acclaimed Vittoria Randonneur tires (i.e., tires from the "real" tire company, which you can buy at the bike store, now in wider and more comfortable sizes) and steel-clad resin pedals. (The bike also comes in a women's version, which essentially means a smaller size and a women 's-only saddle.) For 2018, the Coda Sport (as it was previously known) retails for $530; now, the Coda S2 has very similar components and retails for $770.

Priority Continuum Onyx

For commuters, a belt drive system is very practical. Belts wear slower than chains and don't require lubrication, so you'll have less bike grease in your life and on your clothes. In addition, the internally geared rear hub allows you to shift gears while waiting at a stop. The downside, of course, is the price: reliable internally geared rear hubs are expensive, which makes belt-driven bikes more expensive than other options. However, the aluminum Priority Continuum Onyx is a bargain in this category, especially considering it comes with hydraulic disc brakes, the respected Gates Carbon Drive belt, and an Enviolo continuously-geared rear hub, as well as upgrades like internal gear cable routing and generator-charged headlight and taillight. (There is, however, no progressive version of this bike.)

Now that the global supply chain has largely recovered from the problems associated with the outbreak, the challenge for many bike companies is now one of excess inventory rather than shortage. However, despite the excess inventory, bike prices have typically not dropped, at least not permanently. We've seen discount sales on bikes this spring, so we recommend that you compare prices more than once before making a decision.

If you're considering buying a used bike, we can give you some advice on how to buy used gear (including bikes) online without getting ripped off. You can buy used bikes on sites like BicycleBlueBook and The Pro's Closet. Both of these sites require the seller to provide the serial number of the bike. (The Pro's Closet specializes in high-end bikes - those that sell for at least $1,500 new - and inspects and adjusts the bikes before they are sold.)

Remember: no matter where you end up buying a used bike, ask the seller for the bike's serial number so you can see if the bike has been reported stolen. (The Bicycle Index is a national nonprofit registry that maintains a list of stolen bicycles.) Don't help bike thieves profit from their misdeeds.