Cycle Heaven - York, England - independent bike shop for sales and repairs

'Trekking' Hybrids
For City Streets and leafy Lanes

AKA: Hybrids, Equipped Hybrids, Touring Hybrids, Trekking Bikes, Comfort Tourers, Town and Country bikes.

The term 'hybrid' first emerged in the late 80s to describe a cross between a traditional utility type road bike and the newer mountain style bike. Generally it applied to bikes that had larger diameter (700c) wheels with medium width tyres suitable for road riding; but that also came equipped with the massive range of gears found on mountain bikes. Such has been the proliferation of bike styles in recent years that the term now serves little purpose. Virtually all quality bikes have at least 24 gears now, and riding off road, albeit gently, is something you can do on just about anything, bar racing bikes. We prefer the terms Trekking Hybrid and Sports Hybrid to differentiate between the two most common types. The most notable difference between these is simply the level of equipment. Sports Hybrids come 'bare,' whereas Trekking Hybrids are supplied with a rack and mudguards at the very least. At Cycle Heaven you will find the best choice of this kind of cycle in addition to our unique offer of one year's free servicing.

Trekking Hybrids: The Pros
Trekking hybrids are basically a cross between traditional short distance upright town bikes and touring bikes designed for long distances. Some designs share a similar geometry to the classic touring bike, and all of them have a more upright riding position than a touring bike. Most of the models that we sell feature fully adjustable handlebar stems - both for reach and height - which makes it much easier to achieve the perfect fit. They have most of the equipment that you would require of a day to day town bike, such as mudguards, racks, and often a lot more, but with the crucial difference of derailleur gears. Derailleur gears make these bikes lighter than city bikes and effectively extend their range, making them better able to cope with the more varied gradients and terrain which you are likely to encounter on longer day rides. They can be ridden gently off road, on smoother bridleways and cyclepaths with ease. If you want a bike for transport, but also want to go on excursions into the country or for longer trips, then a Trekking hybrid is ideal.

Trekking Hybrids: The Cons
As with any derailleur-equipped bike, daily riding on a Trekking hybrids will inflict an enormous amount of wear and tear on transmission components. Modern derailleur gears are a joy to operate, but this comes at the expense of durability. These systems feature very precisely machined and thin chains and sprockets - such that your tyres will probably outlast them! For some people a Trekking hybrid might be a little too easy going and upright, in which case the more aggressive styling of a sports hybrid might appeal. A Trekking hybrid is basically a road bike, so although it is rugged enough for some gentle forays up bridleways, it won't be as agile off road as a sports hybrid.

What we of Offer
We currently feature three ranges in this category: the Ridgeback Rapide (equipped) are good value but high quality British designed bikes which are only minimally equipped (rack and mudguards). Cannondale cut thier teeth as a sports brand, but their recreational bikes are among the best around: lightweight, refined and understated. Very well equipped - like a Dutch bike, but lighter and sportier. The Street series is more upright and comfort oriented. The Trekking range are more sporty, and suitable for faster, more adventurous or longer distance riding.

Ridgeback Rapide Equipped

Ridgeback Meteor £329.99

Ridgeback Speed £269.99
21 speed model with aluminium frame. Great for pottering in and out of town. Available in men's (matt black) and women's (matt blueish grey) frame.

Ridgeback Meteor £329.99
24 speed model with aluminium frame. Better quality gearing and tyres make for a smoother and lighter ride. Available in men's (matt grey) and women's (pearl white) frame.

Pretty much the lightest and classiest bikes available in this category. All of the street range are available in standard (men's) and women's. In the women's version, the dearilleur equipped models, as featured here, come with the 'mixte' frame. This is more contemporary in appearance than the curved, lower step through version that is used for the bikes equipped with hub gears (as featured in our City bike section). Equivalent 2008 models still available across the range in various sizes at a discount - please phone for further details.

Cannondale Street 5 '08 £599.99
Aluminium frame and suspension fork with 24 speed Shimano Alivio; V brakes and hub dynamo. Fully equipped, including chainguard. Jet Black.

Cannondale Street Sport £649.99
Aluminium frame and suspension fork with lockout, 24 speed Shimano Alivio; V brakes and hub dynamo. Fully equipped, including chainguard. Charcoal Blue Gloss (men's) Silk Grey (women's).

Cannondale Street Conquest £849.99
Aluminium frame and Rock Shox I Ride suspension fork, 27 speed Shimano Deore transmission, Magura HS11 hydraulic rim brakes. Hub dynamo with Busch and Muller Lumotec Fly headlight. Fully equipped, including chainguard. Silk Blue Glossy.

Cannondale Street Light £949.99
Classic lightweight Cannondale frame with rigid Fatty fork, 27 speed Shimano LX/ Truvativ transmission; Avid Juicy Comfort hydraulic disc brakes. Hub dynamo with Spanninga Luceo LED headlight. Fully equipped, including chainguard. Brushed alloy frame finish.

Cannondale Vintage £949.99
Classic lightweight Cannondale frame with rigid Fatty, 27 speed Shimano Deore/Truvative transmission; Shimano M485 hydraulic disc brakes. Hub dynamo with Busch and Muller Lumotec Fly Senso headlight. Fully equipped, including chainguard. Brooks B17 leather saddle and grips. Jet Black Matt frame finish.

Cannondale Street Prestige £1299.99
Classic lightweight Cannondale frame with rigid forkHeadshock, 27 speed Shimano XT/Deore/ Truvativ transmission; Avid Juicy Comfort hydraulic disc brakes. Shimano Alfine hub dynamo with Cannondale Supernovs E3 headlight. Fully equipped, including chainguard. Jet Black Matt frame finish.

Cannondale Vintage Ultra £1399.99
Classic lightweight Cannondale frame with Headshock, 27 speed Shimano XT/LX/Truvative transmission; Shimano M485 hydraulic disc brakes. Shimano Alfine hub dynamo with Cannondale Supernovs E3 headlight. Fully equipped, including chainguard. Brooks B17 leather saddle and grips. Jet Black Matt frame finish.

Cannondale Trekking bikes are great looking, purposeful machines. Great for commuting, day rides or touring. All are available in men's and women's versions. Equivalent and cheaper 2008 models still available in various sizes, often at a discount - please phone for further details. From £549.99.

Cannondale Trekking Conquest £799.99
Cannondale alloy frame with suspension fork with lockout, 27 speed Shimano Deore transmission. Hub dynamo with Busch and Muller Fly Senso headlight. Silk Glossy Blue finish.

Cannondale Trekking Ultra £949.99
Classic lightweight Cannondale frame with Headshock, 27 speed Shimano LX/Deore transmission, Magura Hydraulic rim brakes. Hub dynamo with Busch and Muller Fly Senso headlight. Jet Black Matt finish.

Cannondale Trekking Light £1,199.99
Classic lightweight Cannondale frame Fatty fork, 27 speed SRAM X7/Shimano transmission; Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic disc brakes. Mavic Speedcity wheelset. Busch and Muller battery lights. Brushed alloy frame finish.