Road Bike VS Hybrid Bike

[Norm]

Oh, and if anyone wants to know how meaningless "Hybrid" is, check out some of the 1,300 hits on Evans' site alone when searching for that word.

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bikes/hybrid-bikes?

 

[John90]

To be honest, I think the rider's fitness and technique is far more important than the bike...look at the pros, all have the best bikes but some are far better than others


Nail being hit on the head by hammer i would say, and that says it all don't you think

I don't know about far better. I suspect at pro level the difference between good and 'bad' is actually quite small.

I've seen a few threads on here saying 'it's the person not the bike'. But then there are also plenty that talk about how vastly superior road bikes are for speed. And if the differences between bikes are so small why does anyone other than a competitive cyclist spend a grand or more on a bike rather than buy (for example) one of the options the OP linked to?

 

[vickster]

But I assume at the pro level, there is a pretty big difference between the top pro and the bottom pro - so say #1 in world vs. the #1000 but they still ride similar bikes?

I bought the road bike I bought as I wanted something totally different to my Specialized hybrid...and I probably have more money than sense

I would say there is a big difference on the road on a grand road bike versus say a £300 MTB...speed and comfort...but a pro on that £300 MTB would still thrash me on my carbon road bike

 

[Norm]

I increased my speed by nearly 20% on one of my bikes, just by changing tyres. I improved imes by 5% on another just by going clipless, but my commuting time over 10 miles was barely different between a road bike, a cyclo-x and a 20 year old MTB.

Speed depends on surface, gradient, junctions, traffic, fitness, destination & incentive, wind... and a whole lot more. However, (up to a point) an expensive bike with better kit works, feels, and looks (let's not deny vanity) so much better that some people think it's worth it, even if the engine is still too old, too heavy, smokes too heavily and drinks too much "fuel".

 

[JonnyBlade]

Here we go, latent snobbery rearing its head, alot of road bikers turn their noses up at other cyclists and have appalling arrogance, constantly out to scalp the poor pleb on a hybrid or other

Shock over reaction

 

[aberal]

To be honest, I think the rider's fitness and technique is far more important than the bike...look at the pros, all have the best bikes but some are far better than others


Nail being hit on the head by hammer i would say, and that says it all don't you think

Nope. Nail missing head by a mile. Cadel Evans would not have won the TDF on a hybrid, mountain bike or sit up and beg bike with basket. He needed to be riding the equivalent bike of all his near competitors for his fitness and technique (and strength, stamina and mental endurance) to bear fruit.

The same moderately fit man riding the same road route in the same weather conditions on a road bike, hybrid and mountain bike will complete the course in this order:

1. Road bike.
2. Hybrid.
3. Mountain bike.

The advantages of lighter weight, thinner tyres and aerodynamic position on a road bike will increase his speed through the reality that is physics and nothing else. All other things being equal. Enjoyment - a sensory, subjective thing will also increase. IMHO.

A hybrid - in its original form, is simply a mix of road and mountain bike, offering the advantages of both but ultimately being neither one thing nor the other. People buying their first bike often gravitate towards them. Good for the country lanes and byways, they surmise, but it will also take you down the tow paths and farm tracks and bumpy lanes. Which they do - and no harm in that. They also make for the ideal commuting bikes, and possibly cheque book touring. Thick tyres for the crappy urban roads and flat bars with the brakes and gears always within easy reach see to that.

But for fun - sheer unbridled thrills on two wheels, nothing really compares to a quality top of the range, road bike. Effortless light and fast and that's where the fun is to be found.

Off road - nothing compares to an MTB. But that's another story.

 

[John90]

I increased my speed by nearly 20% on one of my bikes, just by changing tyres. I improved imes by 5% on another just by going clipless, but my commuting time over 10 miles was barely different between a road bike, a cyclo-x and a 20 year old MTB.

Speed depends on surface, gradient, junctions, traffic, fitness, destination & incentive, wind... and a whole lot more. However, (up to a point) an expensive bike with better kit works, feels, and looks (let's not deny vanity) so much better that some people think it's worth it, even if the engine is still too old, too heavy, smokes too heavily and drinks too much "fuel".

I think that's right, certainly in the city. I often get passed out by road bikes on a clear piece of road but I generally catch up with them at the next lights (unless they you-know-what). Rarely does a cyclist on the same route as me get completely out of sight unless they are willing to do things that I won't.

As for aesthetics, I like the look of MTBs. Add the benefit of a smoother ride and the greater exercise benefits over a fixed distance and they're the best choice for me.

 

[Rykard]

How about a 29r?

 

[paulb55]

How about a 29r?

Hi Rykard,

When you say 29r, are you saying change my tyres from a 700 x 38 to a 700 x 29, can i do that on my bike???????, and will it increase my average speed

 

[vickster]

I think a 29er is a different type of MTB with different sized wheels http://en.wikipedia....r_%28bicycle%29

 

[vickster]

Nope. Nail missing head by a mile. Cadel Evans would not have won the TDF on a hybrid, mountain bike or sit up and beg bike with basket. He needed to be riding the equivalent bike of all his near competitors for his fitness and technique (and strength, stamina and mental endurance) to bear fruit.

That was my point - pros all on same bike (more or less in terms of type, weight, spec etc), the fitter, stronger one with better technique will beat the others - i.e. rider rather than bike

 

[paulb55]

I think that's right, certainly in the city. I often get passed out by road bikes on a clear piece of road but I generally catch up with them at the next lights (unless they you-know-what). Rarely does a cyclist on the same route as me get completely out of sight unless they are willing to do things that I won't.

As for aesthetics, I like the look of MTBs. Add the benefit of a smoother ride and the greater exercise benefits over a fixed distance and they're the best choice for me.

Hi John,

Why would you get greater exercise benefits over a fixed distance on a hybrid (MTB) ??????????

 

[Moodyman]

Hi John,

Why would you get greater exercise benefits over a fixed distance on a hybrid (MTB) ??????????

More effort is needed to propel an MTB than a road bike.

 

[Rykard]

I think a 29er is a different type of MTB with different sized wheels http://en.wikipedia....r_%28bicycle%29

thanks Vickster, it is exactly that basically an MTB with 700c or 29" wheels..

 

[Ian 74]

Road bike wins by knock out in the 3rd round hybrid didn't stand a cat in a rocking chair factory's chance, he was slightly over weight and obviously didn't have the speed or power to beat the well bred road bike.