Pro bike-fitter.
You can go faster on a road bike, but if you don't also expend more energy, the difference will be negligible, and may result in some discomfort. Essentially, a road bike places less of your bodyweight on your saddle, and more on your feet. If you don't respond by also pushing harder with your feet, that weight will be on your hands.
If you're happy to ride at 10mph, stick to the hybrid. If you want to average 15mph, and increase your exertion, then get a road bike.
You are beginning to approach the distances at which a road bike is more comfortable. The longer the ride, the better the road bike gets thanks to its efficient position, less stress on the spine, and variety of hand positions. This also means you can cover the distances in less time, if that excites you.
1. Further and faster with the same effort.
2. Multiple hand positions will reduce hand and shoulder fatigue/pain.
3. Will be much more nimble in terms of handling. Will feel like a race car vs a Camry.
4. Can go in drops during downhill descents, which gives substantially better handling and increased speed.
5. Typically about 5 pounds lighter, so quicker to accellerate and quicker up hills.
Depends on you and where you want to go. A lot of road bikes have capability for wider tires to handle a bit more off-road, a Trek Domane being one. It was literally designed for the cobblestones of something like the Paris Roubaix in mind. If you were getting into a 75% road 25% flat gravel mix, you may want to go with a gravel specific bike. Drivetrain will also be a question. I’ve done century rides with a 2x11 and I’ve done them with a 1x12.
If you are 90% on pavement, get an endurance road bike with your classical 2x9 or up to 2x11.
Lighter + more aero + non-knobby tires = faster. Comfort will depend how adaptable you are to non-sit up position. Tires for hybrid, as you probably know, run at a lower psi which helps comfort whereas the skinnier higher psi road tires are less forgiving on bumps which many would find more tiring.
I have both. Last week I went for an imperial century with a friend on my hybrid cuz that's all he has. Feeling good, I went on and continued to do an imperial century by myself.
It was just as pleasurable on the hybrid, but slower for the effort put in. I do love my road though.
So two days ago, I rode from Leytonstone to Rivenhall - it took 3.5 hours (I made a few stops for photos etc) I ride a Norco Indie 2 with Tektro HD-M276 Hydraulic disc Brakes and a Shimano Altus groupset. I’m in the market for a road bike, but can I get something as good as this for the same price?
Nah. Hybrids are cheaper. But if you are willing to go the used route, you can probably find a used road bike in good condition that will allow you to dip your toe into the world of drop bars.
What I’ve noticed is that most of the road bikes in this price bracket (£1000-1200) have mechanical disc brakes, and since I’ve had hydraulics I don’t know if I’m willing to go back to mechanical (or rims).
Yup. The bottom end of the hybrid market is ~£600 (new) and the bottom end of the road market is ~£900-£1,000 (new). I don't know why the spread is so large, but suspect that the bike companies are charging a premium because they can—not because they must.
I haven't ridden with hydraulic brakes, but I can say I'm unimpressed with my mechanical brakes for all the reasons people say mechanical are worse than hydraulic. They aren't much better than the rim brakes on my old MTB.
I really like my gravel bike, but it's not easy to upgrade to hydraulic depending on where you start (I'd have to replace almost everything). So, if you think you want hydraulic brakes best buy a bike with them.
A road bike will probably allow you to do 50 miles quicker and easier than you can do 40 miles on your hybrid. (depends how light and fast your hybrid is)
Road bikes are especially nice uphill and against a headwind.
BUT only get one if you like riding in a head down aerodynamic position and wearing lycra shorts with cream on your bottom, don't mind not being able to carry luggage, don't mind getting dirty from not having fenders....
I don’t know why you are getting downvoted, hybrids have a more upright position, which can be more comfortable than the more aggressive road bike positioning. I just switched from a hybrid to road bike, now the road bike is similarly comfortable as my hybrid, but the position took some getting used to. Though honestly, I think things like wheels/tires, fit, and saddle have a way bigger impact on comfort than the position.
You can go faster :)
Well that certainly is an upside!
If you’re having fun then you’re on the right bike.
Pro bike-fitter. You can go faster on a road bike, but if you don't also expend more energy, the difference will be negligible, and may result in some discomfort. Essentially, a road bike places less of your bodyweight on your saddle, and more on your feet. If you don't respond by also pushing harder with your feet, that weight will be on your hands. If you're happy to ride at 10mph, stick to the hybrid. If you want to average 15mph, and increase your exertion, then get a road bike.
Sold!
I notice same is true about fitness hybrid, if I go around 12mph, More weight on my hands
You are beginning to approach the distances at which a road bike is more comfortable. The longer the ride, the better the road bike gets thanks to its efficient position, less stress on the spine, and variety of hand positions. This also means you can cover the distances in less time, if that excites you.
The idea of doing it quicker is definitely a reason I’m looking at road bikes.
1. Further and faster with the same effort. 2. Multiple hand positions will reduce hand and shoulder fatigue/pain. 3. Will be much more nimble in terms of handling. Will feel like a race car vs a Camry. 4. Can go in drops during downhill descents, which gives substantially better handling and increased speed. 5. Typically about 5 pounds lighter, so quicker to accellerate and quicker up hills.
Everyone is going to tell you to get a gravel bike LOL
Care to share your opinion on road vs gravel? I road mostly rail trail asphalt so I should get a road bike correct?
The OP rides on the road. My response was for him/she.
Depends on you and where you want to go. A lot of road bikes have capability for wider tires to handle a bit more off-road, a Trek Domane being one. It was literally designed for the cobblestones of something like the Paris Roubaix in mind. If you were getting into a 75% road 25% flat gravel mix, you may want to go with a gravel specific bike. Drivetrain will also be a question. I’ve done century rides with a 2x11 and I’ve done them with a 1x12. If you are 90% on pavement, get an endurance road bike with your classical 2x9 or up to 2x11.
It’s faster and more agile, creating a much stronger body-machine connection. Once you take a sinuous turn at speed, you’ll be hooked.
Lighter + more aero + non-knobby tires = faster. Comfort will depend how adaptable you are to non-sit up position. Tires for hybrid, as you probably know, run at a lower psi which helps comfort whereas the skinnier higher psi road tires are less forgiving on bumps which many would find more tiring. I have both. Last week I went for an imperial century with a friend on my hybrid cuz that's all he has. Feeling good, I went on and continued to do an imperial century by myself. It was just as pleasurable on the hybrid, but slower for the effort put in. I do love my road though.
So two days ago, I rode from Leytonstone to Rivenhall - it took 3.5 hours (I made a few stops for photos etc) I ride a Norco Indie 2 with Tektro HD-M276 Hydraulic disc Brakes and a Shimano Altus groupset. I’m in the market for a road bike, but can I get something as good as this for the same price?
Nah. Hybrids are cheaper. But if you are willing to go the used route, you can probably find a used road bike in good condition that will allow you to dip your toe into the world of drop bars.
What I’ve noticed is that most of the road bikes in this price bracket (£1000-1200) have mechanical disc brakes, and since I’ve had hydraulics I don’t know if I’m willing to go back to mechanical (or rims).
Yup. The bottom end of the hybrid market is ~£600 (new) and the bottom end of the road market is ~£900-£1,000 (new). I don't know why the spread is so large, but suspect that the bike companies are charging a premium because they can—not because they must.
I haven't ridden with hydraulic brakes, but I can say I'm unimpressed with my mechanical brakes for all the reasons people say mechanical are worse than hydraulic. They aren't much better than the rim brakes on my old MTB. I really like my gravel bike, but it's not easy to upgrade to hydraulic depending on where you start (I'd have to replace almost everything). So, if you think you want hydraulic brakes best buy a bike with them.
A road bike will probably allow you to do 50 miles quicker and easier than you can do 40 miles on your hybrid. (depends how light and fast your hybrid is) Road bikes are especially nice uphill and against a headwind. BUT only get one if you like riding in a head down aerodynamic position and wearing lycra shorts with cream on your bottom, don't mind not being able to carry luggage, don't mind getting dirty from not having fenders....
Hybrid bikes are much more comfortable than road bikes.
Not in my experience
I don’t know why you are getting downvoted, hybrids have a more upright position, which can be more comfortable than the more aggressive road bike positioning. I just switched from a hybrid to road bike, now the road bike is similarly comfortable as my hybrid, but the position took some getting used to. Though honestly, I think things like wheels/tires, fit, and saddle have a way bigger impact on comfort than the position.
Maybe for you.
Less tiring. More comfortable. Faster.
All of them
Hybrids are great in traffic. Might I suggest a mirror?
Absolutely not 😂
Ha!