​Halfway between mountain bikes and road bikes, hybrid bikes are incredibly common. Watch people riding to work or pootling around riding spots away from traffic and you’ll see lots of hybrid bikes. But just what qualifies a flat-bar bike as a hybrid, and what makes them Britain’s best-selling bike type?

While hybrid bikes have never offered suspension in the past, newer models are including the feature. This has led to many bicyclists wondering if they need it on a women’s or men’s hybrid bicycle. ​There are pros and cons to adding suspension to your bike and only a thorough understanding of each can help you make the right choice.