A true two-in-one hybrid, the All-Road gives you the option of ordering the bike with tubeless-compatible 700c wheels with 38mm tires, 650b with 2.1-inch tires-or even both for an extra $399, if you want to easily swap between the two for commuting and longer gravel rides and bikepacking tours (the 650b will allow you to run wider tires at a lower pressure for more off-road comfort). The brand’s 4130 All-Road Flat-Bar costs about twice that amount but still continues State’s mission of affordability by being an ultra-capable and versatile gravel bike at the rare sub-$1,000 price point. State Bicycle is best known for making stripped-down fixed gears at prices far below most bikes from other major manufacturers-a range of bikes known as its $400-$450 Core Line. Vittoria Barzo 650b x 2.1″ or Vittorio Terreno 700C x 38mm tires State-branded drivetrain and mechanical disc brakes Thanks to its comfortable but not sluggish frame geometry, people who haven’t ridden a bike in a while might be surprised at how fast the 2.0 can feel-but more dedicated cyclists who are looking for a racier bike with similar features should check out the Sirrus 4.0.įOR ALL ADVENTURES State Bicycle 4130 All-Road Flat-Bar But the bike is also ready for daily commuting, with plenty of potential to become the ultimate commuter bike thanks to enough mounts for fenders and a rack, as well as burly 700x32c tires (and clearance for up to 42s). It’s a great little rig for zipping along multi-use paths for exercise and fun. The bike has a fairly lightweight-feeling alloy frame with MicroSHIFT components, including a 2x8 drivetrain, and ProMax F1 hydraulic disc brakes for powerful stopping. But the 2.0 is noteworthy in the lineup due to its comfort and accessibility for newer riders-all within a reasonable price range. No matter which Sirrus you choose to test-ride or buy, it’s hard to go wrong. We love all the bikes in Specialized’s fitness-oriented Sirrus lineup-from the entry-level 1.0 to the more performance-oriented, high-end 6.0-for their ability to combine a fun, fast-feeling ride with more utilitarian features. MicroSHIFT, ProMax F1 hydraulic disc brakes MOST VERSATILE FOR BEGINNERS Specialized Sirrus 2.0 Because some of our top picks are no longer in stock, we also included a few that we didn’t test but still recommend based on our experience with similar bikes in the same range. I used my own experiences to inform these selections, as well as the work of Bicycling’s team of expert bike testers, who spent weeks on many of these models-commuting on them, taking them out on long bike path cruises, and using them to join fun group rides-to suss out the best (and least desirable) qualities. Anticipating these queries, I’ve made a big effort to test as many hybrids and city bikes as I can-not only because they’re great for commuting, fitness, and fun, but also because these are the kinds of bikes that my non-bike-geeky friends and family are most interested in buying. Courtesy of Spot and Raleigh How We Evaluated These Hybrid BikesĪs a former bike messenger, bike tour leader, and writer for bike publications, I’ve been asked to recommend a lot of bikes over the years. Left: A belt drive with an internally geared hub. These are just a few of the reasons why new cyclists and commuters are often drawn to this type of bike. 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 a shoulder in traffic. But while a road bike typically comes outfitted with a drop bar, a hybrid bike’s signature feature is a flat handlebar. Drop BarĪ hybrid bike starts with a traditional road bike platform: fast-rolling 700c wheels and a lightweight, efficient frame. Just note that these are the types of bikes in the highest demand now, so in some cases we’ve substituted different-but also great-models of the same bike for those no longer in stock. All together they have more than 60 years of experience in the bike industry and lots of insight into what makes a great commuter or hybrid bike. To choose these bikes, I relied on my own test experience, and also the expertise of Bicycling’s gear team, which includes Deputy Editor Tara Seplavy, Senior Test Editor Matt Phillips, and Test Editor Dan Chabonov. These are also the kinds of bikes I’m most often asked to recommend to friends and family new to cycling-and I’ll admit I take this role as a bike-buying advisor far too seriously. Show more The Expert: In my 10 years as a bike tester for Bicycling-and more than two decades as an everyday commuter cyclist-I’ve had the chance to ride nearly a hundred different bikes designed for fitness, recreation, and commuting on varied terrain.
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