Hybrid Bike Buyer's Guide: all you need to know

A hybrid bike is a jack-of-all-trades bike designed to be comfortable over multiple terrains and for a variety of purposes. Hybrid bikes are a blend between a road bike and a mountain bike with some better suited for urban and city journeys and others designed to get a bit more mucky on traffic-free cycle paths.

First and foremost, hybrid bikes are fun to ride and allow you to explore your surroundings well within the safety of your comfort zone. A variety of options and setups mean you can choose between a hybrid that will get to work a bit faster or a more rugged hybrid bike to enjoy the roads less travelled.

You first need to decide the style of riding you’ll be using your hybrid bike as this will help you figure out which features you’ll need on the bike. Our wide range of hybrid bikes includes budget-friendly options all the way to premium integration.

Any bike can be used for commuting within reason, but there are many benefits to having a dedicated commuter bike. A hybrid bike will always be ready to go no matter the weather and it’ll be more comfortable for the task afoot (or should that be awheel?) compared to any other bikes in your garage.

Our reliable Canyon Commuter is a no-nonsense, easy to maintain bike for getting you to and from work, the pub or the shops. Its 40 mm tyres give a bit of extra squish on the road to town and with the Gates belt drive, you needn’t worry about getting oil all over your favourite trousers midway through your ride. Most Commuter models already come with racks and mudguards making this bike an obvious choice for commuting.

The Commuter frame is made from robust and lightweight aluminium making it both comfortable and practical for the duration of your trip into the big smoke. Our range of Commuter hybrid bikes includes something for everyone: a no-fuss, ready-to-ride Commuter 5 and at the other end, the Commuter 7 or 8 with all the bells and whistles for extra comfort and visibility.

Our lightest hybrid bike, the Roadlite, is designed for improving fitness and enjoying your local scenery by bike. The ergonomic flat handlebars give you full control throughout your ride even when your heart rate is pulsing.

With options at every budget, the Roadlite is a good investment if you want to dip your toes into the world of cycling. The Roadlite will also complement indoor gym workouts by adding an outdoor element to your health and fitness routine. The Roadlite hybrid bike is also perfect for a bit of ‘me time’ on a balmy summer evening and weekend trips to discover more of your local hidden gems. Eyelets for mudguards still make it a great choice for cycling to work while narrower tyres and a wide range of gears mean you’ll be able to speed along the streets and cycle paths with ease.

You won’t have to choose a different bike for a quick afternoon spin in the park or a multi-day micro-adventure on dirt roads with the Canyon Pathlite - this bike can do it all! Unlike the Commuter and Roadlite, the Pathlite comes with front suspension to add even more comfort to your ride no matter how many potholes you have to swerve on your ride.

As it teeters more towards the mountain bike end of the hybrid bike spectrum, it also comes with a huge range of gears so that you’re guaranteed amazing views no matter how steep the climb is to get there.

Knobbly tyres give you additional licence to go off the beaten track and straight into nature, safe in the knowledge you’ll have the traction and comfort to enjoy every stretch of your ride.

The size of the bike will depend on the model you choose but our handy Perfect Positioning System (PPS) will help you decide which size hybrid bike you need to get the best fit. All you need to do is type in your height and your inner leg length measurements and we’ll do the rest.

Our women’s specific hybrid bikes offer improved comfort for women through their women’s specific geometry and frame designs. We offer the Precede:ON, Commuter and Commuter:ON in a step-through design to make mounting the bike easier for men and women depending on their preference.

As always, the most important factor when buying a bike is ensuring you get the correct size so that it is comfortable for you to ride.

By their very nature hybrid bikes are designed for multiple terrains. The wider the tyre, the more comfortable you’ll be off-road, so our range of hybrid bikes are suitable for both smooth tarmac and traffic-free trails. The Pathlite hybrid bikes are better designed for rougher roads with their added front suspension, so bear this in mind when you’re considering the best hybrid bike for you.

Feel the wind in your hair, put a smile on your face and save money by riding a hybrid bike. Trade your car for a Canyon, swap four wheels for two and reap the health benefits to be had from moving more in the great outdoors come rain or shine.

As a wise person once said, you only regret the rides you didn’t do!