Hybrid Vs Road Bike: 5 Key Differences You Need To Know | Cycling Weekly

If you're looking to buy a new bike it can be difficult to work which to go for. Hybrid Vs Road bike is a question we get asked a lot, and these are the five key differences you need to know.


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[rbro]

My advice: Don't obsess. If you're a beginner and your not sure which way to go, start with the hybrid. You can usually pick up an entry level hybrid new for a few (or several) hundred dollars less than a road bike. Aluminum bikes are very light and strong and have great pedal to wheel power transfer. Forget about carbon fiber, it's not necessary at all and it's expensive. Disk brakes are nice but not necessary. Don't obsess about bells and whistles. (actually, a bike bell is not a bad idea). Make sure the bike fits you well so you can enjoy riding it. And then ride the heck out of it (a reputable bike shop will let you test drive). Learn by experiencing your bike and chilling with other bike riders. Find a bike shop that makes you feel at home and offers friendly and insightful advice. A shop that tries to ram a 1200+ dollar bike down your throat is probably desperate for a sale. Stick with the better name brand bikes, avoid walmart bikes and you can't go wrong.

[emancipy]

Everything was clear and then he mentions gravel bike.

[brutalgamez]

Instructions not very clear bought a Harley-Davidson by mistake ..

[dcallan]

I think the key thing that is left out is "personal geometry", fitness and flexibility. Some people can't physically ride a drop bar bike without pain.

[jamesfirth]

Hybrid bikes are value for money and do most things well.

[dn]

Been training on 14.5kg hybrid. I can see how strong and fast am becoming, so am happy with that.

[vulpixgrant]

I started with a used Giant Rapid III Hybrid, was by far my fastest bike off of Marketplace and I used it for century rides and to tackle large inclined climbs. Recently picked up a used Giant Defy road bike, and it's top speed doesn't feel 'That' much faster, but cruising speed is noticeably faster per same effort. I just went back to use the Hybrid again after riding the Road bike for a couple months, it blew me away how much more confident I felt on that. Those wide handlebars had me tackling sidewalk turns I would have slowed down for on the Road Bike, amazing how big a difference that was.

[eldartop]

I own hybrid bike. It has aluminum frame, very similar in shape as racing bikes. Also it has hydraulic brakes, flat bar, semi-wide tires. It weighs 14.5 kg. This bike is good for riding in town where roads are slightly bumpy sometimes. Slightly is a key word. On highways you can pull a decent speed out of it. In overall it’s a nice all around bike for daily commuting with the price tag slightly lower than shosser.

[bigflat]

Know nothing about bikes, but bought a hybrid and love it, don’t have any pain, back, neck etc,

[olzt]

I have a hybrid and had it for four years. Its meant for light off-road riding and perfect for commuting and exercising. If one is is commuter only I see no purpose in buying a road or mountain bike. A road bike is for speed. A comparable road bike is often a couple hundred dollars more because it was made for speed and the lighter weight is more expensive. A mountain bike is good for rugged trails. But if one is not riding a lot of trails then they will not get the best use of the bike for the money. But a hybrid can take trails that are not extreme. But one should change the tires for mountain biking because commuting and road tires will not have great performance on trails.

[zerodad]

Hybrid bikes come in all shapes and sizes with sporty versions literally being a road bike with flat bars and just as fast.

[BrandonMeyer]

I spent a good petition of my life riding bikes. I have toured through Europe and the United States on a steel frame touring bike. I decided to get a new bike a few years ago and decided on the “hybrid” bike. Being that I have already gotten used to the geometry of a drop bar bike I was comfortable being fit to a frame where my seat would end up being higher than the bars. This lend me some more aero and marginally better handling. The bike had a middle of the road Shimano alivio and Altus groupset with wide range in cassette and front chainrings. The frame had a couple scratches so I was able to get a discount and walked out the door with a bike of an msrp of 800$ for 600$. Everything on the bike was good except for wonky grips and low end Shimano hydraulic disk brakes that faded like crazy on a steep descent. I switched them out for esi foam grips and a pair of Shimano mt 500 disk drakes which are basically deore just without the logo. I use the bike mainly for commuting to class and going on gravel rides on weekends. It’s been rolling on the stock tires, 32 mm gatorskins and now 35mm gravelking sk. I ride the bike a lot and have ridden it down stairs, bunny hopped it, taken it off drops, hell I’ve even rode singletrack and the frame is still totally fine. Its got enough gearing to go fast af or crawl up a steep grade. I made the bike my own with brakes, tires, grips and stickers. It’s truly a rad bike and it has a ton of personality. Flat bar bikes with rigid forks for around 500-800 bucks are really the sweet spot for most people in my opinion they are durable, reliable, cheap to maintain, they are not very flashy, so people are unlikely to try and steal them, and con be customized to your hearts desire. If you are going to commute I recommend such bikes. Just make sure if you are going to lock it outside on a rack that you get a good u lock and know how to use it and change out your skewers from quick release to one’s that need a hex wrench so your wheel that isn’t locked is likely to stolen. If you are going to ride gravel I recommend a bike with a Shimano alivio rear derailleur. Great value. Shifts great, 9 speeds, super durable. I have thousands of miles on them over the past 8 years and have only had to deal with minor stuff here and there like cable tension.

[shaunbarnett]

Just for getting around town/commuting, a hybrid is most definitely the best option. With thicker tires you get less punctures, it's a more comfortable ride, a more solid build than a road bike, and without unnecessary suspension, you get much better power transfer than with a mountain bike.

[lastpme]

I have both and prefer my hybrid bike since I can ride it on different road conditions.

[danielsay]

Ive been riding a 22kg (yep) Giant RS3 10 miles every day for a year. I just upgraded to a Nordco Indie 1 which is 12kg and it feels like riding a feather!

[jzgroove]

I have been riding the drop bar geometries on road for 15 years. Expensive models, professionally fit, with all bells and whistles. Occasionally, when I climb aboard a MTB or hybrid bike, my body instantly whispers "Thank you!!!!". Over the years, and I as age, the number of drop-bar models that geometrically and reasonably painlessly fit my body has dwindled to a mere handful. A tall adult with below average flexibility, very long legs, short torso and short arms would need a large frame with very short reach and very tall stack. But, as already mentioned above, the choices from non-bespoke manufacturers are very slim. I wouldn't be surprised if I eventually transition back to the hybrid geometry - the one I started my cycling journey on. As they say: the best bike is the one that fits you the best. Unless you compete in time trials or crits, a hybrid bike will fulfill its purpose as good as a drop bar bike. Ride what fits your body and don't pay attention to the Internet hype or the herd mentality.

[thenobleone-]

I deliver with Uber Eats and I prefer Flat bars. Mountain Bikes are my favorite style. I will eventually upgrade to a E Bike.

[dudestir]

I love using my hybrid bike for commuting to/from work. It's comfortable, goes fast enough, and very light and easy to get on and off the bike rack on the front of the city bus. It's definitely a lot better for my health and the environment, and a lot more fun, than my Honda HRV.

[jcsrst]

If your'e even asking which you should probably start with the hybrid.

[peterwilliamson]

Lovely article thanks. I had a bike shop build me a hybrid commuter bike using mountain bike rings and cassette and the frame from my old carbon Scott CR1 road bike. Its a fabulous hill climber which is important in New Zealand where I live. I am an older rider so limits on top speed from mountain bike gearing are never a problem. Its a blast of a bike and a great way to go if you happen to have a surplus carbon road bike in the shed.