Does a bike have to have 700C wheels to be a "hybrid?

[noneed429r]

I was wondering if most people here consider that for a bike to be a "hybrid" does it have to have 700C wheels ?

I am building up a new bike for myself which I consider a 26" wheel hybrid or a "Mountain Lite" bike

It is going to have light alum hardtail frame (Performance Bikes Access XCL butted alum frame), flat handlebars with bar-ends, 48,38,26 crankset with 12-28 rear cluster,
light XC type wheelset shod with 1.9 or 1.95 kevlar bead semi-slick on/off road tires. and a Rock Shox Dart 3 80mm fork.

Being that it will have a lighter duty fork, somewhat narrower and more "dual purpose" tires, flat vs. riser bars, and a bit higher gearing than what a typical XC mountain bike is nowadays, it will be my idea of a burly hybrid.

I plan on using it for fireroads, city streets, path and occasional smoother singletrack.

So in your minds would this qualify as a hybrid?

Thanks

[IanHighfield]

I like the mountain lite handle. For me once you stick a spring fork on it's a mountain bike of some sort.

[Doohickie]

Wheel size does not make bike style. I would call it a hybrid.

[HandsomeRyan]

Generally, within this segment of bikes 26" wheeled bikes are known as "comfort bikes" and 700c wheeled bikes are "hybrids" but this is not always true and if it is your bike you should call it whatever you want.

[Skidmark]

Sounds like a great bike what ever you call it bro.

[Mootsguy]

Originally Posted by noneed429r

So in your minds would this qualify as a hybrid?
Thanks

In the end they're all just bikes.

[wild]

That pertty much describes my Explorer 2.0 made by Jamis

[noneed429r]

Thanks for all the replies. I got the frame from Performance in the mail and I am quite pleased, lots of nicely formed frame tubes and very light 3.9 lbs in the 18" frame size. Instead of the dart 3 fork, I went a bit nicer and got a Tora SL. The Tora has still got V-brake capability which is what i was looking for. I really don't think discs are THAT much better for regular riding short of big Downhilling or Freeriding. I have never had stopping issues even back when everyone was using cantilevers. So V-bakes it is. They will save me some weight over discs too.
Got a nicer Dimension Adjustable stem instead of a fixed angle one so I can change my positioning a bit if needed. I see alot of adjustable stems on factory hybrid bike models so I guess I will call that a "Hybrid" part. I'm going to use an older Answer Taperlite flat handlebar; not the most current but nice and light and has a good feeling 7 degree sweep.

Well now Ive got to find a set of wheels and get a seatpost for the next installment of parts.

Building up a bike is so much fun but you really don't save any money over buying a complete bike. You do get to hand pick all the parts somewhat conform the bike to your own riding style though.

[KC-Steve]

Originally Posted by wild

That pertty much describes my Explorer 2.0 made by Jamis

Nice bike Wild.

The question about a hybrid has been bothering me too since I picked up an old Raleigh Tangent MTB free from Craigslist this week. I would like to convert it to a hybrid so I researched the definition of a hybrid. Wikipedia doesn't offer a lot of help. They tell of variations of hybrids such as "cross bike, commuter, city, and comfort bikes." The seat alone tells whether it is intended more for off-road, comfort or speed. The handlebar is usually the flat style for upright riding position. Gearing also determines whether it is built more for off-road or street. And when it comes to tires, it looks like air pressure and foot-print pattern are more important as to its primary use. I think a 26" tire is very common on hybrids.

After looking around at Trek, Cannondale, and Giant, it looks more like a hybrid is simply a combination of uses, and where you intend to use it most often determines the "sub-catagory" of the hybrid.

Hope that helps,
Steve

[noneed429r]

I must agree with you KC-Steve, There seems to be a lot of grey area in categorizing bicycle types from the major manufacturers currently. I see bikes that have the 700c wheels, flat bars, mid-width tires and triple crankset; but they may be called "Urban Bikes", "Flat bar Road Bikes", "Comfort Bikes", "Path Bikes", "Cross Terrain Bikes", "Commuter Bikes", or simply "Hybrids".....Sheesh!

I think here is where the Europeans got a better handle on this as they call most bikes in this in between category "Trekking Bikes".

Add to that the confusing categories of Mountain Bikes where you have: Hardtail XC bikes, Hardtail Dirt- Jump bikes, Clydesdale Hardtail bikes, Full Suspension XC bikes, Full Suspension All-Mountain bikes, Full Suspension Enduro Bikes, and a myriad of Full Suspension Downhill bikes.

Just when did cycling get so complicated anyway?

Kind of makes me want to go back to 1974 when I was riding around on my red Banana Seat bike, you know the kind with the short sissy bar in back, Slick rear tire and ape-hanger handlebars. Back then there was only two words I used when categorizing my bicycle.......Fun and Freedom !!