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.

Everything was clear and then he mentions gravel bike.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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

Hybrid way better for city streets

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.

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.

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

Tea or coffee? We recommend hot chocolate! 🤣

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.

Let’s look at Hybrid vs Road bikes..... conclusion.... Have you considered a gravel bike? 🤦‍♂️

l recommend a good hybrid for beginners ,road wheels ,light alloy frame ,good range of gears ,disc brakes (mechanical are easier to fix and set up) .They usually have all kinds of mounts for stuff too . AND IF N WHEN you feel to try road biking try a friends for a day or two first see if its for you then go from there :)

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.

I wanted to get back into riding after many years away from mountain biking. I ended up with a Trek dual sport 3. Same tires as the gravel, plenty of attachment points. Front suspension with lockout. Not as capable off road as Im used to but Im not looking to be so aggressive there anyway so it does suit the trails I do go on. And much faster on road than the mountain bikes Im used to. Its a good middle ground.

Don’t be fooled: gravel bikes still have a very aggressive geometry. I know plenty of people who’ve had back problems, switched to a hybrid (or Mountainbike) and everything resolved pretty quickly. My point is: try out some bikes or lend it for a brief period before buying! Cheers!

In the UK : If I am not looking at traffic, I am looking at potholes , they are everywhere. We don't have the roads for a road bike.

When I started cycling 46 years ago there were, broadly speaking: the very expensive hand made racing bikes with tubular tires the road bikes (cheaper versions of racing bikes with wider tired and gears) and practical working bikes for transport, no gears, quite heavy, to carry the whole family No mountain bikes, no aluminium bikes, no carbon bikes, no hybrids, no gravel etc. Still fun though... Overtime the options increased enormously, for the better. Thanks for the video.

I currently have a 10 year old hybrid comfort bike and it weighs 17kgs! I'm overweight but ride it everywhere. I've done some 60klm rides but can't make it further than that. I''ve ordered but yet to receive a liv devote gravel bike. It's going to be a whole new world.

The wider your tires are the longer they last. I commute everyday. But I will start cleaning it daily. Good video.

Thank You! Exactly the video I needed. I decided on the new road bike! I went to a bike dealer today and I was thinking "the hybrid would be something more in my price range, but I really like road bikes." When I heard it makes you feel more secure and it's heavier, I was out. I'm not a pro, but avid in summer. Although I could learn a lot from pros, I'm not scared of biking and I hate heavy bikes. There's a new cannon out, comes out in April, and I'm getting it. The only thing I don't like about cannon is the thickness of the tubes. Why are they so big? 😧 I'm sure I'll love the bike though. I love your videos!

So hybrid is a cross between road and mountain, but gravel is a cross between hybrid and road?

Hybrid is what made me love cycling and now Ive got highend road and mtn bikes

I have a Hybrid Trek Dual Sport 2 I love it and its handy for gravel trails too and pretty fast..I agree if you want do the road and a bit of off road stuff it's the perfect choice..

As a beginner, I chose a hybrid bike. Comparing with ride fast, I prefer to control well and sit up >_

Have had great fun with hybrid ,no back issues etc so this video reinforces my next purchase of a hybrid bike or maybe 🤔 a gravel bike

Depends on the use you intended to do. For exercising and speed the road bike is good. But for commuting and in a especially hilly area the hybrid is better because the great range of gears it got making it a less strenuous to use.

I have both a Trek hybrid and road bike and I can honestly say that I enjoy the hybrid bike more. The hybrid bike can handle all types of road and gravel trails. Also, I can ride the hybrid bike at local parks, trails, and urban cities easier than a road bike. Also, since a hybrid bike has wider tires, you don't have to worry a lot about getting flats like a road bike with skinny tires. Anyway, if I'm riding for long distances and speed, then I ride my road bike. Each bike serves their own purpose.

The case for hybrids is it's cheaper and more practical. They're beginner friendly and are more comfortable. The cons are they're easy to outgrow, not as fast as road bike or tough as MTB. Having said that hybrids are currently sold out due to covid19. Btw my giant fastroad is only 22lbs with claris.

Wow. thanks for the education. Now i know my bike is a hybrid. Thought it was a road bike because the tires are more narrow than my MTB but it has flat handlebars.

I have recently purchased a giant roam 0 and I can say I am impressed. It is perfect for my needs.

Great video. I love how you explained everything in a very easy to understand way.

I just bought a flat-bar gravel bike. At 62 and returning to cycling after a 10-year lay off, I want to enjoy the ride!

Nice work, definitely informative, especially that part about higher end road bikes and luggage carrying possibilities. 🤙ride on.

Back in the nineties I already owned a hybrid bike, which was pretty well equipped to the standard of that time. It took me everywhere: commuting, through the forests on light trails, and even on the Ventoux, Pailheres and the Parpaillon. The last one I couldn't have done on a road bike, because after several km the tarmac went into gravel. If I'm going uphill, I just want to get there... I don't have to win a race. Might be something to consider!

In olden days there was just one bike that was made of steel

Hybrids are available in carbon fibre frames. Just got one. At 9.5 kg with a 1x 11 gear set, it's amazing. My back at 55 just won't appreciate a road bike over time I feel. Plus I much prefer the control of a hybrid.

For me I tought speed is everything, had to realize better vision and comfort are more important on the long term. So looking forward to replace road bike with hybrid. With a good lightweight wheelset I think it will also feel fast enough and climb easily.

Im old now, the hybrid bike is my choice now

I love my ridgeback hybrid bikes. They just sail along all day

Guys go with Trek Dual Sport 2021 2 or 3 in City. Worth every penny. Cool , fast enought , you can ride everywhere and everyone is looking at you . Love my 2021 trek ds2

Nicely explained!!

this was a great breakdown and very helpful information towards my selection, Thank You!

Nice. Purchase first hybrid today.

Thank you! this is a great video! I'm usually a big fan of hybrid bikes, but living in New York - we now have a decent network of citibikes for commuting. For longer rides with friends (not many offroad paths in manhattan) or if I want to do a triathalon at some point I think I am leaning towards getting a road bike.

I bought my Hybrid 8 years ago. Dumped a bunch into it, wheels, hubs, handlebars, saddle, etc... still have it and pretty much does it all.

I'm always nervous about road bikes in crap weather, and going near any manhole covers, grates or potholes. Those thin tyres look like a whole world of trouble if it isn't a sunny day on a decent road. Oh, and I use a £250 hybrid from decathlon, and that has been a really reliable everyday bike.

That was great! Thanks for sharing!

As a guy that likes to spec them out into the altument commenter, this is very informative. Once bought a nice road bike.. might of been a hybrid, But I removed the handlebars, and stem, and replaced them with BMX offerings. Fat maned the seat, Racked the back, mudguards, and chain guards. Still tore that thing up with speed, even if I had my entire life on my back at the time. Was vagabonding across san diago at the time. Love going fast, but I also want to be practical.

A short reach and a more upright position is definitely what I need. Wouldn't want to aggravate my back.

That was excellent, thumbs up

Nice video. Points are very clear. Thank you

Thank you for this information! 🙏🏽

This was awesome, thanks for explaining the difference, I want to buy a bike but had no idea about them🤦‍♂️

Great video. Thanks for sharing

Some years ago, before there was such a thing as "hybrid bikes", I had a mountain bike, but I needed a faster bike to commute to work on. Where I lived, it was quite hilly in places, and the inner city traffic was on the dangerous side. So I went to my local bike shop and found a Scott racing bike at a good price, threw on a flat bar, resulting in having to change the shifters, but that was fine. I also got flat pedals(for fast getaways - without mishap - at the lights). I really needed that upright position in the dangerous traffic, plus as a mountainbiker, I find the racing position not comfortable on the back etc. So it was comfortable, plus I had the speed and acceleration to keep me out of danger in the midst of traffic, and I was able to get up hills with relative ease.

I started to ride on a citybike, then tried a roadbike and then switched to hybrid. Im more comfortable on the hybrid bike than anything else. I not that fast on a hybrid as roadbike, but I def got more control and I enjoy my rides much more now

My fx II has been in mountain and on roads and works great

I have both, hybrid with suspension. Great for roads with speed humps and rough roads. 24 gears vs 20.

Great video. I was debating between getting a first-time rider a hybrid or road bike for city biking in uncertain conditions. Definitely going with a hybrid bike!

Thank you for all the great info.

I remember from before there even were "mountain bikes" for adults. Back then we had: Touring frames - which were stretched out so the frames would absorb bumps better, and had lots of mount points. Road frames - Not as stretched out. Few mount points. Meant for regular riding that wasn't going to be thousands of miles. This was the choice of most commuters. Racing frames - As short as possible for weight and stiffness but with long neck extensions to stretch the rider out anyway. Beach Bombers - Comfortable to sit upright and enjoy the view. Not meant for going fast or far. And there was every variation in between. Buying a bike was a more a le carte affair. The names were just general classifications and you could find a bike with just about any combination you wanted, if you looked around. Even wider stays and forks for wider tires. These days, it seems bike journalists and manufacturers have become far more segregationist. With strict divisions between classifications. I suspect this has far more to do with manufacturing efficiency than anything else. Plus, if they limit choices for a while, they can then come out with the same bike they sold 10 years earlier but give it a special name and charge way more for it. It also promotes the false notion that people have to buy a different bike for each different use, which is nonsense. Other than racing, you can pick a geometry to match what you do most, plus allows for some flexibility, then just change wheels and pedals to suit the days riding. Will a "special" geometry give you better efficiency? Of course. But even 10% difference is not going to be noticed by regular people. Besides, you are riding to enjoy a certain amount of TIME on the bike. The total number of miles is less important. Time x effort is what increases fitness. Time x non-effort = a nice time chatting with your friends. Not everyone, in fact almost no one, is as obsessed with total miles and maximum pace like bike journalists are.

Thank you for sharing!

Thank u really useful info trying to decide between the two ATM 🙂👍

For short commutes to work i say hybrid, for longer road/gravel bike. Also in the city the upright position and flat handlebars helps with car traffic. Better to have good visibility, good brakes and a slow speed. Will keep you safe in a city polluted with cars.

My Trek FX 6 is a Hybrid, 20.5 pound Carbon bike with 105 gear set is FAST

I got a hybrid because there is so many trails and off road paths in my area. I use the roads for long distance and the trails are more for fun

I’ll give road bikes a chance, but my heart will always be to hybrid bikes. Flat bars just agree with me more. Besides, I can always get a higher end fitness hybrid with the same frame materials and gearing of a road bike. I’m no racer, so outright speed isn’t my thing. But a decent amount of speed is always a good thing!

I’m not even buying a bike but this was highly informational. Well done.

Great info. Thanks! I thought you helped me make up my mind but then you introduced me to a Gravel Bike....

Amazingly explained

I´ve been looking and researching for a hybrid bike that I want to use for regular city riding, for grocery shopping and a few rides a week as exercise. I´m not riding on car roads or super long rides so I thought a hybrid would fit me better as it usually comes with wider tires as well. But when I ask for help most bicycle forums just shit on hybrids in an elitist fashion like they are worthless and I don´t get that attitude. It´s the same bullshit that I've read about the elitism against electric bikes, it´s ridiculous. Some people do not seem to understand that not everyone who are looking for a bike are people who want to do long travels in cycling gear on the motorway but just a fast enough comfortable everyday bike that´s also decently light for some fun exercise, that´s why I want a hybrid, especially since they offer quite good value at a lower price point. You can get a Merida Speed 200 for about 1000 bucks and it comes with a carbon fork and have can house up to 37 mm wide tires, which is awesome. It´s also only 10.5kilos, which isn't as light as many road bikes but it's light enough for common use and A LOT lighter than many other hybrids or commuter bikes. And of course, I understand that if you really want to push yourself and start taking cycling more seriously as a sport of course get a road bike or a gravel bike, but not everyone wants that.

I've got a specialized crosstrail, flat bars, hydraulic disc, loads of control, one finger braking, dragging back brake round a bends, ( a motorcycle thing ) and counter steering round bends( motorcycle thing as well) with more leaverage on bars. Yep road bikes faster, or seem to be, but I'm happy with my flat bars, mudguards etc.

I got a road bike,carbon frame,with full ultegra groupset with vision wheels,,yet have converted my trek 7.3fx 3x8 to a 1x10 with drop bars and shifters.and love it,the fact i can go off road,do canal paths and lite gravel is awesome,,find myself using my trek so much more and not have to worry about goin over bumps and rough surfaces is fantastic,,would highly recommend to anyone to convert your flatbars to drop bars,,so much cheaper than buying a gravel bike

When I was a boy, back in the 60s,the mountain bike equivelant had a three gear Sturmey Archer system. Racers were 5 speed. If you had a ten speed racer, you were the Champ. Hahaha

Very helpful video, than you.

Great explanation. Thanks!

I rode a Schwinn Orange Krate in the late 60s and when the MOTO cross came in the early 70s I built my own with a nice suspension fork. Then in mid 70s to 81 I rode a 10 speed rode bike...at 58, I have not ridden in several decades but I am hooked on the Hybrid Cannondale with a Riser for my handlebars. I love riding upright and its less pain on my older back. I could not see myself ever slumping in a rode bike as it just tears my back. Hybrid all the way and can easily go 20 plus miles on my Cannondale CX4...who needs an e bike?

Nice , never knew about stack and reach. I'm from the down-tube shifter era. LOL

Your video is very informative. I am 61 years old and I do sports on a flat route for around 20-30 cycles every day on a regular basis. I have a 2x9 road bike and a city bike with 3x9 shock absorbers. On the same route, my average speed is 22 km per unit time with my road bike and with my city bike. I have an average speed of 15-16 km. Instead of these two bikes, do you have a suggestion for a hybrid bike that is closest to the smoothness of road bikes? My aim is to have a comfortable and fast hybrid bike

Thank you. I never heard of gravel bike before.

Thanks man.

If you like urban and exploring rides, hybrid. If you like just pure riding and covering miles and miles of distance on the road...road bike. I take hybrid anytime for its versatility.

Good explanation!

Thanks - I am on MTB now but am looking for a RB...homework showed I probably should consider hybrid but my heart kind of like gravel 😆... confusing time indeed!

There are also differences in steering tube angle, rake, and trail that affect stability. IMO, hybrid bikes are LESS comfortable. The upright position puts a lot more stress on the seating position. The flat bars have only 1 hand hold position versus several on drop bars.

Thanks!

Because of back issues, I converted two road bikes to straight bars with angled stems. I still have the light weight and light wheels but a more upright riding position.

Hybrid bikes can come with or without all those extra mounts for luggage, those metal mudguards and those dynamo-powered headlights. the version outfitted with all that extra stuff I've most often heard being referred to as "trekking bikes"

I have a Schwinn GTX3 Hybrid that has an aluminum frame. I just had Tannus Tires and Evo rims installed a few days ago. I love my bike! Go HYBRID!

I love my hybrid. Time has change.. alloy now can be light and rigid. Hybrid bike can be fitted with mtb groupset.. which in my humble opinion more friendly and easy on urself and still be light and fast.. and ur back is gonna thank u... believe me