8 best hybrid bikes for city commutes and keeping fit

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

• Number of gears: 18
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc
• Weight: 11.2 kg

Boardman have been major players in the hybrid market for years, producing quality bikes for reasonable prices. A wide range of gears and relatively light overall weight mean this one won’t hold you back on the hills or on leisure rides at the weekend. While additions like mounts for mudguards and a rack, plus fast-rolling 35mm Schwalbe tyres make it a practical choice for commuters too. Braking performance is excellent thanks to the powerful Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. We think this is the best looking bike on test as well as being great value.

Best: For fun 

Rating: 9/10

• Number of gears: 9
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc
• Weight: 12kg (approximately)

Here’s a lovely-looking machine from a Spanish company famous for creating great road-racing bikes. You can see something of its sporting heritage in the minimalist lines. As well as being a great urban explorer it will suit anyone who wants a fast fitness machine but doesn’t want to go down the drop handlebar route. There are a number of models available, each with a different level of equipment. All have a great alloy frame and fork, disc brakes and full-sized 700c wheels. You can add mudguards and a luggage rack if you need them.

Best: For hauling luggage 

Rating: 9/10

• Number of gears: 11
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc
• Weight: 11.4kg

Ribble are one of the main players in the UK bike industry and judging by the performance of this hybrid bike, we can see why. The simple single chainring SRAM setup is straightforward to use and will require minimal maintenance. A 11-42 cassette offers a good selection of gears to suit most gradients you’re likely to ride, and the wide 47mm tyres offer excellent grip and comfort. If you’re after a commuting hybrid we would look at the “fully loaded” edition which comes with lights, mudguards and a pannier rack. If you’re after a simpler set up at a lower price there’s a standard edition too.

Best: For smaller riders 

Rating: 9/10   

• Number of gears: 7
• Brakes: Rim
• Weight: 10.3kg

Islabikes are best known for their quality kids’ bikes – but did you know they also make some great adult models too? This one is a scaled-up version of their best-selling children’s hybrid. The designers have stuck to their brief of keeping things simple, so have opted for a seven-speed grip-shift transmission and easy-to-maintain V-brakes.

It’s not really one for very tall riders – the biggest model is only suitable for those up to 5ft 9in, and components such as the cranks and brake levers have been scaled down to match. There’s a range of accessories available including luggage racks and mudguards, so you can spec it to meet your needs. At just over 10kg it’s very light for the price and you’ll have a lot of fun on it, whether around town or on all-day adventures.

Best: For riding in a skirt

Rating: 8/10

• Number of gears: 16
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc
• Weight: 12kg

Raleigh have been building bikes since the 19th century and all those years of expertise have gone into this model. Fitted with mudguards and hydraulic disc brakes, it’s perfect for commuters who need dependable performance in all weathers.

We were impressed by the relatively light 12kg weight too, it’s not going to hinder you on hills and the wide ranging 16 gears means you can tackle both flat and lumpy terrain. The wide, 47mm tyres have tan sidewalls, look really smart and offer lots of grip, while the open frame is much easier to mount than traditional crossbar style ones. There’s also a version with a traditional cross bar if you prefer it.

Best: For simplicity under £500

Rating: 7/10

• Number of gears: 3
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc
• Weight: 13kg

With large, 29in wheels this robust ride is perfect for commuting over pothole-ridden roads. It’s got powerful hydraulic disc brakes which give extra confidence when riding in traffic, and there are mounts for a rack and mudguards to keep you dry and let you carry loads with ease. Add in low maintenance three-speed hub gears and wide, 47mm Schwalbe tyres and you have a hard-wearing hybrid for practical commuting.

 Best: Hybrid bike under £300

Rating: 7/10

• Number of gears: 14
• Brakes: Rim
• Weight: 13.5kg

You won’t win any races on this one – it’s a bit on the beefy side – but it’s a solid bike that should serve you well for years. You get a decent drivetrain from further down the Shimano range and easy to maintain V-brakes rather than discs. When the stock brake blocks wear down, swap them out for some better quality ones and you should see a notable improvement in stopping power. At under £300, it’s great value and you won’t lose too much sleep worrying about leaving it in the shed or chained up at work.

Best: For comfort under £500

Rating: 8/10

• Number of gears: 24
• Brakes: Disc
• Weight: 13kg (approximately)

Big fat 40mm tyres and disc brakes make this bike great fun to chuck around on the commute or on a weekend blast down the bridleways. It’s got a light alloy frame and fork to keep the weight down, while the good spread of gears means you should be able to tackle any hill.

We’d be tempted to spend a few pounds upgrading the pedals and saddle for sturdier and comfier alternatives, but it’s got a nice upright riding position that offers a great view of the road ahead, helping to keep you safe on city streets. There are loads of mounts, so you can fit a full spread of mudguards, luggage racks and bottle cages if you plan to head out into the country lanes on an adventure.