Have you been searching for a bike that can handle the greenways and trails of your town and let you take the tight turns of riding on the streets? Does the price tag on most new mountain bikes scare you away from the sport? If you are ready to tackle the streets and the boardwalk then a comfort bike is for you.

What is a comfort bike? A comfort bike is the perfect hybrid bike. It is shaped like a mountain bike and can be built to handle the terrain of light off-road biking trails. If you are going to bike on a greenway or a boardwalk, a comfort bike is for you.

Back before mountain bikes took over the bike riding scene, most casual riders rode racing or road bikes. These were the bikes referred to as 10 speeds, with gear shifts and curved handlebars. After mountain bikes were introduced most people enjoyed their thicker tires, suspension and upright handlebars. After some time, mountain bikes became more specialized and upgraded, leaving the casual biker behind. Hybrid bikes were produced to meet this need in the market.

The comfort bike, was first know as the hybrid bike, as it combined the characteristics of mountain bikes and road or racing bikes. As hybrid technologies have moved in to the mainstream, this name became confusing. Most manufacturers have moved to calling these bikes, comfort bikes. They provide more comfort than mountain and road bikes with their upright seating and spring loaded saddles. They also go much faster than the old-school comfort bike, which has come to be called the cruiser bike. Cruiser bikes typically have a basket in front and are good for very leisurely bike rides. Comfort bikes can be ridden for speed.

Bicycles can be broken up into 3 different category levels. Entry level bikes are heavier and made with steel frames. Their components will be designed for durability. These beginner bikes will be considered heavy and slow by most bikers but can work for those very new to the sport and on a super tight budget.

A mid level bike will be composed of a lighter aluminum frame and better quality components. Most comfort bikes, city bikes and commuter bikes will fall into this category of bike. These bikes are perfect for most bike riders. They will provide the durability needed to make the bike a value and the performance needed so that the bike is fun to ride. They are made to last and to provide lightweight agility.

The third category of bike is reserved for professionals and hard core enthusiasts. This is where the bike manufacturers left the general market behind. Expert bikes are expensive, a bike can end up costing more than your car. The frames are made of titanium or carbon for durability and weight. A weekend biker should admire these bikes from a distance because the cost can not often be justified.

So, is a comfort bike for you? If you are looking for a balance between value, durability, performance and price, a mid level comfort bike is exactly what you need. You will be able to conquer the streets of any town or the light trails of any state park. You can ride with the kids on Saturday and race it on Sunday. It will last a long time but still be made of parts to increase performance.