How to choose a hybrid bike that’s right for you: Your buying guide

Cycling to work is a great way to start and end your working day. It’s often faster and more enjoyable than sitting in traffic jams or overcrowded carriages. 

And sure, you can jump on any old bike to get to work. But Canyon hybrid bikes are thoughtfully curated to make your daily commute feel like second nature.  

There’s a lot of different information out there. This article helps narrow it down and guide you to the right bike that’s based on your riding style and preferences.

Hybrid bikes are built mostly for rolling around the city, with mounts for bike bags and enough versatility to go out into nature with it on the weekend. Some bikes prioritise speed and weight, while others are feature-rich enough to replace a car. 

There are also e-bikes for added pedal power for longer or hilly commutes. These prevent you arriving at work clammy and exhausted.

They normally fall within two subcategories: city bikes and touring bikes. 

If you’re after a bike for your daily commute, a dedicated city bike is your best bet. If you want a bike to explore with on the weekend on top of using it for your daily commute, then a touring bike is the one for you. 

City bikes normally have mounts for mudguards and luggage racks. You can just drop your laptop and groceries in the bike bags and get from A to B without being spattered in mud on rainy days. 

A touring bike has got all the above plus a few more features that help it handle rough-and-tumble in nature. We’ll go into those below. 

City bikes are built to weave the urban streets. They’ve got narrow tyres, lightweight frames, mounting points for racks, mudguards, and bottle cages. Designed for daily transport, they use durable components that last for years in stop-start city traffic. 

Touring bikes combine the features of both road and mountain bikes. They’re designed for comfort and versatility when you're switching from asphalt to earth. And they're great for long-distance rides. 

Essentially, you could call a touring bike the jack-of-all-trade bike. 

The best hybrid bike will look different for everyone. At Canyon, we’re positive we’ve got your future hybrid bike. So, let’s split them into the city or touring bike subcategories and have a look at what’s available. 

Our lightest city bike, the Roadlite is nimble, speedy, and dynamic. The ergonomic flat handlebars give you full control of your ride. A lightweight aluminium or carbon frame paired with lightweight components gives you a bike that’s easy to carry up the stairs to your apartment. There are options for every budget, including ebikes, so a Roadlite is a good investment if you want to get started on something great.  

Does what it says on the tin. The Commuter's sleek design and carbon belt drive make every commute lighthearted and comfortable. And pre-fitted luggage racks take the weight off your shoulders.  

Start with a stripped-back city bike that can be ridden as is, or go all the way up to the award-winning Commuter 9 with its pedal-powered integrated handlebar light. And if you’re on the market for an ebike, check out the Commuter:ON 7.

Touring bikes are designed to handle multiple types of terrain, including city streets, gravel paths and backroads. With grippy tyres and front suspension, the Pathlite:ON is designed for multiple types of terrain. It’s Bosch motor and 750 Wh battery will run from dawn to dusk.  

Most models of the Pathlite:ON come pre-equipped with all the accessories that you’ll need for everyday use or for weekend adventures. Think mudguards, racks and built in lights. For those looking to explore more technical terrain, you’ll find that some models also come with a dropper post, so that you can get your saddle out of the way on steep and more technically challenging descents.

Now it’s time to pick which exact model you need. At Canyon, we’ve got a naming system that makes things a bit easier. 

If you’ve browsed through a couple of our touring and city bikes, you’ll have seen that a typical Canyon bike name might read something like ‘Pathlite:ON 4 SUV midstep’ or ‘Commuter 9 LTD’. 

This is what it all means. 

In short, the higher the number in the name, the more premium the components are. 

By this we mean: premium components are significantly lighter, and feel more premium and more comfortable, which makes a major difference the more time you spend in the saddle. 

But even on our most affordable bikes, the standard of modern bike components is very high in terms of reliability and durability. 

The most common abbreviations you’ll see on our bike model names are AL and CF. These are the materials the frame is built with: AL means aluminum, and CF stands for carbon fibre. 

There are plenty more abbreviations used to indicate a particular characteristic.  

Sometimes, you’ll see a bike name with an extra word or phrase added like ‘LTD’. 

These words typically describe a standout feature or characteristic of the bike that makes it stand out. ‘LTD’ means Limited Edition, offering exclusive designs or special specs.

There are several key factors to consider when choosing a hybrid bike, like frame material, gearing, tyres, and accessories.

Most hybrid bikes are made from either aluminum or carbon. 

• Aluminum is durable, affordable, and comes with multiple mounts for racks, mudguards, and more 
• Carbon is lighter and better suited for riders prioritising speed and longer rides, such as weekend excursions.

Look for a wide gear range to handle both fast city riding and steep climbs.

• Many bikes offer this without a front derailleur, simplifying maintenance 
• For low-maintenance riding, consider internally geared hubs with belt drives, which have fewer exposed parts and stay cleaner longer. 

• 700c or 29-inch wheels are common for hybrid bikes—fast, durable, and suitable for daily use 
• City bikes typically have slick tyres for speed on pavement 
• Touring bikes use tyres with tread for better grip on mixed terrain.

Hybrid bikes usually include mounts for racks, mudguards, baskets, and bottle cages, making it easy to carry gear without a backpack. 

It’s a common worry we hear all the time: when buying their bike online, some riders are concerned they might choose the wrong size, ending up with a bike that fits poorly.  

However, we can confidently say that nothing could be further from the truth.  

To make sizing quick, easy and intuitive, we've developed our own bike sizing tool called the Perfect Positioning System (PPS). All you need to do is take two basic measurements – your height and your inner leg length – and dial them into the PPS tool.  

The whole process takes about 5 minutes, and when you’re done, we’ll give you a tailored size recommendation for any Canyon bike you're interested in.  

The tool uses over 15,000 data points to determine your perfect frame size, and it also recommends a seat height range. And it checks to make sure the bike you're browsing can accommodate your seat height. We've found that 98% of people, when inputting correct data, will receive their ideal frame size using our tool.  

Once you've entered your measurements, you'll see your recommended frame size on each bike's page. And if the worst happens, and your bike doesn't fit, you can return it us within 30 days for a full refund. 

No. Most Canyon bikes today are unisex, with components designed to suit all riders. Some people may feel more comfortable with a step-through frame for ease of getting on and off. 

But basically, Canyon bikes are built around achieving the perfect fit and riding position for every individual, supported by the Perfect Positioning System, rather than offering gender-specific models. 

Now that you know what to look for in a hybrid bike, it’s time to get out there and find your bike! If you’re spoiled for choice, use our comparison tool to break down the differences between options. 

And for more hacks, flick through our comprehensive guide to commuting by bike.