A hybrid bicycle is a good choice for a beginner on two wheels. A hybrid costs considerably less than a good road bike. It’s more stable than a road bike, too, and the riding posture is more relaxed; that is, erect. A hybrid doesn’t have the downward-curved handlebars of a road bike. You aren’t leaning forward to ride “in the drops“. In my opinion, it’s wise not to try riding in the drops right away. If you don’t have drop handlebars, of course you won’t be tempted!

A hybrid also has relatively wide tires, which I’m sure helps with stability. It can be fitted with an over-the-rear-wheel rack for a trunk and panniers.

I wish, though, that I’d had more advice on how to start when I first got my hybrid. That bicycle felt most uncontrollable at first; and the ends of the fender stays gave my legs more than one nasty scratch. They had rubber tips; but the sharp metal ends of the stays cut through them.

But f you live in a wet climate (as I do) ; and your hybrid comes without fenders (as mine did); it’s a good idea to add them. In fact, I had them installed before I even wheeled my brand-new hybrid out of the shop!  Your bike will stay cleaner when it rains; and so will you.

Once I began to feel confident on the hybrid, the tricycle began to seem very slow and heavy. I caught myself wondering how I ever managed to do a century on that rig. I was getting spoiled!