Building the Compact Hybrid - one-size-fits-all urban hybrid for the 21st century - demanded a completely new approach. To design a compact, durable, easy-to-ride and versatile bike that would slot easily into a busy lifestyle, our engineers began by building a compact frame around 20in wheels. The simple, cross-braced down tube is elegant, stiff and strong. It also makes the Compact Hybrid easy to step in and out of, as well as providing a convenient carry handle. The long head tube ensures accurate steering, whilst the smooth and powerful Bosch drive unit lives neatly in a custom housing at the bottom of the frame, and we located the battery behind the seat tube, close to the bike's centre of gravity and out of the way of both luggage and the rider. Quick saddle and handlebar adjustments allow one bike to fit a wide range of riders, too. It might not usher in a revolution in urban transport, but we like to think it's part of the solution.
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