Bikes

What’s The Difference Between Hybrid Bikes and Road Bikes?

Bikes are a great way to get around, whether you’re commuting to work, cutting your carbon footprint or trying to hit your fitness goals. But with so many different types of bikes on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. In this post, we’ll break down the key difference between hybrid bikes and road bikes.

Bikes as Cars

If you are new to cycling it’s often easiest to think about bikes as cars. Road bikes are the sports car of the cycling world. Light, fast, efficient, quick handling, but not always super practical. Hybrid bikes are the hatchback of the cycling world. Practical, economical and easy to live with.

Surfaces

Hybrid bikes are designed to be used on the road and also to be able to handle hard packed gravel paths and tracks. Up until a few years ago we would have said that road bikes are only for use on the road. But in recent years there has been a trend to make road bikes more capable and many are now rated for ‘light gravel’ use. This means you can ride them a lot of the same places as a hybrid.

Handlebars

The biggest visual difference between hybrid bikes and road bikes is the handlebars. Road bikes come with ‘drop’ handlebars which curve around. This allows the rider to get into a more aerodynamic riding position. Hybrid bikes come with flat handlebars which put the rider in a more upright riding position. This is more stable, makes it easier to access the gears and brakes and let’s you see what’s happening around you in traffic more easily.

Wheels and Tyres

Many hybrid bikes use the same 700c wheels that are found on road bikes. These large diameter wheels are fast rolling on the road so you can easily maintain speed. This is obviously great on a race bike but also helps you out when commuting. The tyres on a hybrid will normally be a bit wider. Modern road bikes typically use 25 to 30c tyres where hybrids are normally around 35 to 45c wide.

Gears

Hybrid bikes generally have slightly easier gears than road bikes. They are often based on road bike systems but with the ratios adjusted slightly. This means you lose a bit of top end speed but it’s easier to get up hills when your bike is loaded down with shopping or after a long day at work. Many hybrid bikes now come with a 1x setup where you have a single chainring on the front. This has been tried on road bikes but hasn’t caught on yet.

Suspension

Some hybrid bikes come with a front suspension fork to absorb bumps and lumps. Suspension forks are almost never found on road bikes as they add too much weight and reduce pedalling efficiency. For the same reason a lot of hybrid bikes don’t use them.

A few higher end road bikes do come with internal ‘micro-suspension’ systems. These hidden suspensions systems are lighter and more efficient, but these are normally only found on bikes over £2000.

Accessories

Hybrid bikes will normally come with all of the mounting points you need for pannier racks, mudguards and stands. There are also ‘equipped’ or EQ version of many hybrids which come from the factory with all of the extras already fitted for you. Hybrids are normally also setup to take child seats. Some entry level road bikes will have the ability to take mudguards and a rack but this is generally not found on more expensive road bikes. So if you want to haul a lot of gear, or a child, hybrids are the way to go.

So, which type of bike is right for you?

If you’re looking for a bike that’s fast and efficient, then a road bike is a better option. If you want more comfort, stability and to carry more stuff around, then a hybrid will do a better job. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences and what you’ll be using the bike for most often.