If you’re looking for a bike suitable for your daily commute and weekend exercise, a fitness hybrid—essentially a road bike with flat handlebars—might be the perfect choice.

Over the past seven years, we’ve dedicated 60 hours to exploring nearly 75 options and test-ridden more than a dozen bikes. Our conclusion is that the Marin Fairfax 1 stands out as the best hybrid for most riders.

It delivers a stable, comfortable ride on city streets, and it offers even better value now than when we first tested it.

We looked for…

That means a frame designed to be comfortable on a long(ish) ride: If it forces you to sit upright, you’ll be fighting the wind.

If you’re planning to schlep any cargo, you’ll be able to use panniers instead of a backpack. (Better balance, no sweaty back.)

Fixies may seem cool, but they’re no fun on hills or when you’re riding into the wind. You’ll want gears to help you out.

Some entry-level hybrids come with front shocks, but they’re pretty crummy. Big tires will give you all the cushion you need.

Our top pick, the Marin Fairfax 1, ticks most of the boxes on our hybrid-bike checklist: durable-enough components, a chrome-moly steel fork that’s forgiving on potholes and rough city streets (and of higher quality than the high-tensile steel forks used on many other, pricier bikes), rack and fender mounts, and hill-friendly gearing (including a rear cassette, rather than a cheaper and outdated freewheel cogset).

In our testing, this bike stood out for its well-designed aluminum frame, which provided more-agile handling and zippier acceleration than the competition while remaining stable. We wish it still came with the above-average-in-quality tires that we originally liked. However, given the growing price difference between the Fairfax 1 ($500, the same as it’s been for the past few years) and similarly equipped bikes from other companies, we believe it’s still the best option. (The Fairfax 1 is available in a step-through option at the same price.)

The Jamis Coda S2 is an excellent choice if you’re seeking the comfort of a steel frame, as steel effectively dampens vibrations caused by rough pavement much better than aluminum. Importantly, the Coda S2 avoids the weight penalty typically associated with lower-priced steel frames, which are often made from heavier high-tensile steel. Instead, it features chrome-moly construction in both its frame and fork. This lightweight design makes it easier to carry the bike up stairs and lift it onto bus- or car-mounted bike racks.

The Coda S2 comes with well-rated Vittoria Randonneur tires—that is, tires from a “real” tire company that you can buy in a bike shop, and now in a wider and cushier size—and steel-wrapped resin pedals. (This bike is also available in a women’s version, which essentially means smaller sizing and a women’s-specific saddle.) The main drawbacks with this model are maneuverability—it’s not quite as nimble as the other bikes we tested, which could be a function of its geometry (more on that in How we picked and tested)—and price. In 2018, its predecessor cost $530; now, the Coda S2, which has very similar components, is $630 (on sale).

For commuters, belt-drive systems offer numerous advantages. The belts tend to last longer than traditional chains and don’t require regular oiling, which means less bike grease in your life and on your clothes. Additionally, internally geared rear hubs allow for gear changes while standing still, such as at a traffic light. However, the downside is the cost: reliable internally geared hubs can be quite expensive, making bikes with belt drives pricier than our other selections.

But the aluminum Priority Continuum Onyx is a bargain for this category, especially considering that it comes with hydraulic disc brakes, the well-respected Gates Carbon Drive belt, and an Enviolo continuous gearing rear hub, plus upgrades, such as internal gear cable routing and dynamo-charged front and rear lights. This bike does not, however, come in a step-through version, and it’s not available in bike shops, which means dealing with assembly yourself.

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The research

Why you should trust me

Who this is for

How we picked and tested

Our pick: Marin Fairfax 1

Also great: Jamis Coda S2

Upgrade pick: Priority Continuum Onyx

The competition

Sources

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Why you should trust me

I’ve overseen Walletray’s cycling-gear coverage for seven years. In a previous chapter of my life, I commuted on an eight-speed hybrid bike from San Francisco’s Bernal Heights to my downtown office, and I later relied on that sturdy little bike as my go-to townie.

• For the original 2017 version of this review, I interviewed mechanics and proprietors at shops specializing in commuter bikes all over the country—Boston, New Orleans, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Washington, DC—who repair bikes ridden in all kinds of conditions.
• I talked to bike manufacturers and component suppliers, spent multiple days surveying every booth at bike trade shows over the past seven years, and interviewed everyday riders, including members of San Francisco’s local bike coalition.
• I’ve continued to test new iterations of our picks, to make sure they’ve retained the features we liked, and I’ve researched new models from other manufacturers, testing those that seemed promising.

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Who this is for

If you’re looking to start regularly riding to work or school, and your commute lasts half an hour or more, you’ll likely want what’s often referred to as a fitness hybrid bike, or a performance hybrid. This term describes a bike that combines the features of a road bike with flat, mountain-bike-style handlebars.

A bike like this will be agile enough to navigate around potholes you encounter, tough enough to handle the ones you don’t see, and speedy enough for weekend family rides or charity events. Importantly, it’s not as twitchy in terms of handling as a drop-bar road bike.

And if you eventually find yourself chasing local KOMs or QOMs (in other words, you’ve upgraded to a high-end road bike) or tackling challenging singletrack (meaning you’ve invested in a quality mountain bike), your trusty hybrid can still serve as your reliable townie bike—perfect for loading up with groceries (hurray for rack mounts!) or locking up outside with less concern about theft (hurray for the lower price!).

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How we picked and tested

Performance hybrid bikes don’t typically attract the kind of enthusiasts who engage in lengthy discussions on road-bike or mountain-bike forums about various brands and models. Nevertheless, we scoured available reviews to uncover both praise and criticisms.

The sweet spot for a starter bike like this used to be around $500. If you go much lower, you may end up with outdated or poorly made components that can be challenging to replace once they wear out. On the other hand, spending more could yield a nicer bike with lighter parts, which somewhat defeats the purpose of a starter bike. However, many of the $500 bikes we reviewed a few years ago have seen price increases, with some rising by as much as 35%.

After evaluating current offerings and consulting commuters, bike-shop owners, and mechanics, we identified key features we’d like to see in an ideal basic hybrid-fitness bike.

Fitness-appropriate geometry: When bike enthusiasts discuss “geometry,” they refer to the angles at which the frame’s tubes meet. Adjusting these angles affects how the bike handles on corners and climbs. If the bike is overly responsive, it can feel unstable. For efficiency, the frame design should be closer to that of a road bike rather than a beach cruiser. You want to avoid sitting upright, especially on longer weekend rides, as that can increase wind resistance.

Flat handlebars: These are more user-friendly than the drop bars found on road bikes, and they allow for a more upright position, providing a broader field of vision—an essential advantage in city traffic.

Safe, strong brakes: Mechanical (or cable-actuated) disc brakes have largely replaced traditional V brakes on even lower-priced hybrids. While this transition isn’t necessarily beneficial, as noted by Loren Copsey, co-owner of The Daily Rider in Washington, DC, “On these bikes, you’re going to get entry-level disc brakes that are difficult to set up and maintain, with lower-quality pads—and they might not even outperform rim brakes.” Additionally, bikes with disc brakes are typically heavier than their rim-brake counterparts. However, it’s now rare to find a hybrid equipped with V brakes that doesn’t have significant shortcomings elsewhere.

Fender and rack mounts: Using panniers attached to a rear rack instead of a backpack to carry your gear lowers your center of gravity, which is beneficial for stability. Plus, it eliminates the sweaty back issue. Fenders help keep you and your riding companions drier when riding in the rain or on wet roads after the rain has stopped.

Gearing appropriate for your terrain: This primarily means that the bike should have gears rather than being a single-speed. While single speeds can be ideal in flat areas with harsh winters—like Minnesota—most riders will benefit from having gears. Most fitness hybrids typically feature three chainrings in the front and seven or eight cogs in the back, providing a total of 21 or 24 gears to accommodate a variety of riding conditions. Recently, we’ve noticed an increase in hybrids with just a single chainring up front. While having one fewer shifter is appealing, achieving the same gear range requires a large—and often expensive and heavy—cassette in the rear, which is why we excluded those hybrids from our recommendations.

A sturdy yet reasonably lightweight frame: It’s important to have a bike that you can easily carry up steps, down into the subway, or lift onto a bus or bike rack, while still being durable enough to handle a few bumps. An aluminum frame is typically a good choice; it weighs about a third of steel and is much more affordable than carbon. While aluminum can provide a somewhat jarring ride, a good-quality, lightweight steel frame offers a cushier experience, though it tends to be pricier. Most of the bikes we evaluated featured steel-bladed forks, as the slight weight increase is worth it for the added vibration dampening. Among these, we preferred those made from chrome-moly, a stronger type of steel compared to the high-tensile steel commonly found in very inexpensive bikes.

Decent-quality components: Achieving the right balance of price, quality, and durability is crucial when selecting a bike. One key element to avoid is old-fashioned freewheel cogsets on the rear wheel; instead, look for more modern cassettes. A common complaint among hybrid users has been being stuck with a wheel whose hub is only compatible with freewheel cogs, which are increasingly hard to find, especially high-quality ones. It’s particularly unwise to buy a bike with both a freewheel and disc brakes, as noted by Copsey: “If that rear wheel gets stolen or damaged, good luck replacing it. You just can’t find those two components on an off-the-shelf wheel.”

Wide rims: The wider the rims on your wheels, the larger the tires you can use, and the lower the air pressure you’ll need, resulting in a more comfortable ride. As Michael Ferrand, owner of Bicycle Michael’s in New Orleans, puts it, “A big fat tire is the poor man’s suspension.” For these bikes, a rim width of at least 32 mm is standard, and you’ll want at least that. A positive trend is the increasing number of hybrids being offered with wider tires; instead of the typical 35 mm, many now come equipped with 38 mm and even 40 mm tires. Regarding suspension, none of our experts would recommend a $500 bike with front suspension, no matter how rough the roads are. Emily Thibodeau, former owner of Hub Bicycle in Cambridge, Massachusetts, stated, “The shocks you’d get are really heavy and non-adjustable—it’s like having a glorified pogo stick on the front of your bike.”

When we first compiled this guide in 2017, we began with a master list of 45 bikes, narrowing it down to 16 for testing. In the following years, we delved into the latest specifications for all the bikes we’ve evaluated, including our picks and any new models that emerged. When necessary, we also called in models that had undergone substantial changes.

Doing the Supermarket Slalom in reverse.

Next came the test-riding stage, which featured what I like to call the Supermarket Slalom: navigating up and down a steep driveway leading to my local Safeway while weaving through a line of soft-hit poles to assess the bikes’ handling. San Francisco even obliged with a few rainstorms, making the abundant broken glass in the parking lot more enticing for tires and turning the pedestrian walkway’s plastic surface into a slippery challenge.

Here are two important points to remember when shopping for a bike. First, always try to test-ride any bike you’re considering—how a bike feels to you and how your body responds while riding it are intensely personal experiences.

The second point is that bikes don’t typically change much—or at all—from one model year to the next. If the bike you’re interested in isn’t available, but the dealer mentions that next year’s model is arriving soon, be sure to ask if it’s a “carry-forward” model. If it is, you can expect no significant changes.

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Our pick: Marin Fairfax 1

After a redesign for 2022, the Marin Fairfax 1 continues to hold the top spot on our list. For riders who prefer a step-through or low-rise frame, Marin offers a version called the Fairfax 1 ST. This model is identical to the Fairfax 1, with the only difference being its lower top tube for easier access.

It’s designed to be both agile and stable. When I hopped on the 2022 model and pedaled down the street, the bike felt quick—not in a nervous or edgy way, but with a lively, sprightly character. (We tested the step-through version, which is the bike shown in the photos above and below.) Accelerating felt effortless. Upon examining the bike’s chainstays—the parts of the frame connecting the rear wheel to the bottom bracket—I noticed they are flattened, a design choice intended to enhance stiffness, allowing more of your pedaling power to reach the rear wheel. Additionally, the seat stays, which connect the rear wheel to the seat tube, join at a relatively low point, tightening the rear triangle and further boosting the bike’s responsiveness.

It offers excellent value. While prices for similarly equipped hybrids from major brands like Cannondale, Fuji, Giant, Specialized, and Trek typically hover around $600, the 2024 Fairfax remains at just $500. Despite this affordability, it features the same frame and components as last year’s model, ensuring you get quality without breaking the bank.

The bike’s chainstays are the horizontal tubes running parallel to the chain; the seat stays are the tubes running from the rear hub to the perpendicular seat tube. 

Its gearing is well-suited for tackling hills. The cassette on the pre-2019 Fairfax had eight gears ranging from 11 to 32 teeth, while the current model features seven gears ranging from 11 to 34 teeth. This means that although you have fewer gear options, the overall gearing range has actually increased, which is particularly beneficial when facing steep hills and needing that extra-easy big gear in the back. However, the larger jumps between the fewer gears might make shifting feel rough. Fortunately, this isn’t something we noticed with the Fairfax. Regarding the front gearing, it matches what we found on all the bikes we tested, except for the belt-drive models: a Shimano Tourney triple set of chainrings with 48, 38, and 28 teeth.

Its components are upgraded where it matters most. While having only seven gears in the back is common among other hybrids in the Fairfax’s price range, what sets the Fairfax apart is that Marin utilizes a true seven-speed cassette instead of a freewheel cogset (see our criteria in the How We Picked and Tested section). None of the other 21-speed bikes we evaluated come with a cassette; in fact, we’ve encountered bikes costing up to $650—such as the 2022 Giant Escape 3 Disc—equipped with a freewheel cogset.

Additionally, the Fairfax features a shock-dampening chrome-moly steel fork, which offers a better ride quality compared to the cheaper, stiffer hi-tensile steel forks used by many competitors. The remaining components—mechanical disc brakes, derailleurs, shifters, handlebars, wheels, and rack and fender mounts—are standard for entry-level hybrids: adequate but not exceptional. This assessment also applies to the saddle, pedals, and handlebar grips.

Both the brake and shifter cables are now routed through the frame. 

The most recent redesign introduced a couple of appealing extras. First, the shifter cables are now routed internally, as they were in previous models, and the brake cables have also been upgraded to this internal routing—an unexpectedly high-end feature for an entry-level bike. Running the shifter and brake cables inside the frame tubes protects them from damage, similar to cable housing, but offers even better protection. This design prevents grit from getting trapped between the cable and housing, which can lead to slow or ragged shifting.

Second, the frame now has added clearance for larger tires, allowing you to upgrade from the stock 35 mm tires to cushier 38 mm or even 40 mm options, should you choose to do so (I checked, and they fit perfectly).

The Marin Bikes head badge; most models from Marin Bikes, including the Fairfax, are named for locations in California’s Marin County. 

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Flaws but not dealbreakers

• When we first tested this bike in 2017, it was equipped with Schwalbe Road Cruisers—tires made by one of the most respected manufacturers in the industry, featuring a protective layer of Kevlar fiber. In 2019, Marin switched to a private-label tire with no claims of flat protection. The 2024 Fairfax 1 continues to come with this private-label tire, which means it lacks the added security of the previous Schwalbe options.

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Also great: Jamis Coda S2

If your daily routine involves navigating rough pavement or potholed city streets, we highly recommend the Jamis Coda S2. Notably, Jamis also offers a “women’s” version of the Coda S2, which comes in a smaller size, features different color options, and includes a slightly wider saddle for added comfort.

Its steel frame delivers a smooth ride. The current version of the Coda S2 is very similar to the 2017 model we tested (which was then called the Coda Sport). This model features the same Shimano Tourney front derailleur and triple crankset (with 48, 38, and 28 teeth), Acera rear derailleur, and an eight-cog, 11-32-tooth cassette. It also includes Tektro V brakes and steel-wrapped resin pedals. At the heart of the Coda S2 is the relatively lightweight chrome-moly steel frame and fork, weighing in at just 27 pounds for the 19-inch size, which effectively dampens road chatter you might otherwise feel while riding on rough pavement.

The Jamis head badge; the company’s Coda line of bikes has been around since the early 1990s. 

Steel is also easily repaired. Another advantage steel offers is that if it bends, it can be bent back. So if the hanger that attaches the rear derailleur to the frame gets bent—as can happen if the bike is in a crash or even, say, jostled roughly on a train—it can be straightened again without risk that it will snap. With aluminum, sometimes such an operation is successful and sometimes … not. (Most aluminum frames—such as our top pick’s—do use replaceable hangers, but they come in a wide array of sizes, and not all bike shops carry all of them.)

The gray vertical piece of metal in the top center of the photo is the derailleur hanger; the rear derailleur (the shiny black object that has the cable feeding into it) literally hangs from it. 

It comes with name-brand—and cushier—tires. After a brief downgrade, three years back, the Coda S2 once again sports Vittoria Randonneur tires, from a venerable manufacturer. And now those Randonneurs are 40mm wide—they used to be 32s—which will undoubtedly make your ride even smoother.

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Flaws but not dealbreakers

• In the years since we first tested this bike, its specs haven’t changed in any substantive way, but the price has steadily marched upward, from $520 in 2017 to $530 to $580 to $700 in 2021 to $770. It is currently discounted to $630, but even so, that’s quite a trajectory.
• We found this bike not quite as maneuverable as our top pick in terms of acceleration and handling.
• The Coda’s V brakes worked fine in our testing. But if you plan on commuting during foul weather or spend a lot of time riding on dirt roads, you might want to consider a bike with disc brakes, which maintain their stopping power in the rain (they also don’t get clogged up with mud or slush the way V brakes can).

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Upgrade pick: Priority Continuum Onyx

If you’re someone who commutes in stylish attire, finds traditional bike gears perplexing, or simply prefers to avoid extensive bike maintenance, the Priority Continuum Onyx is a fantastic option.

This bike features a carbon-fiber belt drive instead of a conventional chain. Since carbon belts require no lubrication, they don’t collect dirt like chain lube can, meaning no greasy pant legs and no need to remember regular chain maintenance. However, it’s important to note that belt-drive hybrids tend to be pricier than traditional hybrids, largely due to the necessity of an internally geared rear hub, which can range from about $100 to $1,500. In contrast, a Shimano eight-speed cassette and hubs found on many bikes typically cost around $45.

Gear shifting on the Continuum Onyx is remarkably straightforward. It comes equipped with an Enviolo continuous internally geared rear hub, eliminating the click-and-change system of standard setups. Instead, you simply twist the grip shifter: one direction makes pedaling easier for climbing hills, while the opposite direction increases resistance for faster riding on flat terrain. While the inner workings of internally geared hubs can be complex—reminiscent of an intricate, high-end watch—the concept of continuous gearing feels almost magical. The hub does have defined limits in terms of gear ease and difficulty, but according to Enviolo, it offers a broader range compared to popular options like the Shimano Nexus eight-speed hub.

The Priority head badge on the second Continuum we tested—the Onyx—and the dynamo-powered headlight that comes with the bike. At the time, it was mounted on the head tube, but now it’d be on the handlebars. 

It’s a good price for what you get. Although the aluminum-framed Continuum Onyx retails (at the time of publication) for $1,300—a little over two and a half times the cost of the Marin Fairfax 1—it’s inexpensive for a belt-drive hybrid. The Continuum comes with hydraulic disc brakes, an aluminum fork, and a Gates Carbon Drive belt (Gates being the most well-made option from a high-quality manufacturer).

The Gates belt drive system uses a notched belt made of carbon fibers instead of a metal chain. 

You don’t have to charge its lights. The Continuum Onyx we tested came with a headlight that’s powered by the front wheel’s dynamo hub, so you don’t need to plug it in to recharge it, and a removable, rechargeable (by USB) rear light; the Onyxes now shipping, however, are equipped with a rear light that’s wired to the front hub’s dynamo as well. The headlight on our test bike was strong enough for city use—I’d supplement it with our commuter headlight pick if I were taking it on dark suburban bike paths—but it had a strobe-y effect that I found distracting.

A cassette’s sprockets are out in the open (that’s the Fairfax, on the left); with an internally geared rear hub (this one, on the right, belongs to the original Continuum), all the shifting happens inside the hub. 

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Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The bike doesn’t come in a step-through version, which makes it hard to use with a child’s seat on a rear rack.
• The bike is available only through the Priority website, not in bike shops. This means you can’t test-ride the bike ahead of time to make sure you like it and that it fits you.
• Once the bike arrives, you have to finish putting it together. This was the case when we tested this Continuum Onyx, as well as its predecessor, the first Continuum. Though you don’t have to fiddle with derailleurs, you do still need to make sure your brakes are set up correctly and your bike is bolted together properly.Since our testing, Priority has created a workaround: Priority ships your bike to a bike shop near you, and the shop assembles it for a fee of $130.
• If you do choose to have the bike shipped directly to you (this costs $30), we recommend that you have a bike shop assemble your bike for you or at least check your work. You should expect to pay the shop its standard service rate and maybe even a “corkage” fee—a small fee for bringing in a bike you bought online instead of purchasing one at the shop. (If there is a fee, pay it, and don’t be a jerk about it. As Michael Ferrard points out, bringing in a bike you’ve bought online for them to put together is like “driving your meat to McDonald’s and asking them to fry it up and put some porcini and portobello mushrooms on it.”)

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The competition

The Trek FX 2 Disc and the Trek FX 2 Disc Stagger step-through, which both come with hydraulic brakes, now list at a cool $800 each, a $70 increase from 2021 and a $260 increase over 2019. Trek’s entry-level FX, the FX 1, is available for $700 (currently, it’s discounted on Trek’s site to $600). The FX 1 now comes with a cassette, not the freewheel cogset that we initially dismissed it for. However, even on sale, it’s still pricier than our top pick

Giant’s Escape 3 series of bikes come with high-tensile steel forks, which we like less than chrome-moly forks, and in rim-brake and mechanical-disc versions; the rim-brake one uses a freewheel cogset—a dealbreaker, as we said above. The 2024 version of the disc Escape 3 Disc now has a cassette, instead of 2022’s freewheel. But beware: The Giant website still lists the 2022 freewheel incarnation as well, and both cost $650—$150 more than our top pick.

In a laudable commitment to women’s cycling, Giant has an entire women-specific brand, Liv. The Liv equivalent to the Escape line is called Alight; the Alight 3 comes in rim-brake and mechanical-disc models, also with (dealbreaking) freewheel cogsets.

The Specialized Sirrus 1.0 has a double chainring in front, in place of the triple it once had. This reduced the number of gearing options to 14, as the rear cassette remains a seven-speed, and those gears span a narrower range (12 to 32) than the Marin Fairfax’s 11 to 34. (The bike also has rim brakes and a high-tensile steel fork.) As of spring 2024, the price is $550 (discounted from $650).

Cannondale’s Quick range of fitness hybrids now starts with the Quick 6, which has V brakes, triple chainrings, and a seven-speed cassette. The price was $660 for the men’s and the women’s versions; they are identical apart from the range of sizes and colors available, and the fact that the women’s version has a step-through frame. Currently, last year’s stock is discounted on Cannondale’s site to $530—if you prefer V brakes, you might consider this bike, if you can find it in your size.

Fuji’s Absolute line is available again, after a period of corporate turmoil. However, the Absolute 2.1, which is the closest in price and features to our top pick, comes with a freewheel rather than a cassette.

We dismissed Batch Bicycles’ Fitness Bicycle because it uses a freewheel cogset rather than a cassette. We had been planning to test the steel Roebling, from Brooklyn Bicycle Co., but it now comes with a single chainring up front instead of the original triple chainring, which we still consider a dealbreaker.

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Sources

1. M. Loren Copsey, co-owner of The Daily Rider, Washington, DC, phone interview, September 29, 2016
2. Kevin Womac, owner of Boulevard Bikes, Chicago, phone interview, September 29, 2016
3. Michael Ferrand, owner of Bicycle Michael’s, New Orleans, phone interview, September 29, 2016
4. Emily Thibodeau, former owner of Hub Bicycle, Cambridge, Massachusetts, phone interview, September 29, 2016
5. Gene Oberpriller, owner of One on One Bicycle Studio, Minneapolis, phone interview, September 29, 2016
6. S.B. Phillips, then mechanic, The New Wheel, San Francisco, interview, October 1, 2016