Gravel Bike Vs Hybrid Bike?
If you are new to cycling or maybe you are looking to replace your bike and are undecided on which bike best suits you, worry not. In this article, we’ll get into the details of the differences between these two bikes, and hopefully, you will be able to make an informed choice.
What is a Hybrid Bike?
Hybrid bikes, sometimes referred to as fitness bikes are designed for everyday city commuting and leisure.
If you are looking for a reliable bike to ride daily to work, the best choice would be the hybrid bike. It comes with a straight handlebar which is ideal and comfortable for short rides.
Given the versatility, hybrid bikes can be ridden on various surfaces but are best suited for city or town commuting other than off-road.
Pros
- Frame geometry: A hybrid bike frame is designed with straight handlebars that help keep the rider’s posture upright.
- Fast on paved roads: Given that a hybrid’s frame is lighter, this makes it faster, getting you across town when on the pavement or a considerably flat dirt trail in no time.
- Versatile: You can ride the hybrid bike over various terrains and weather conditions albeit with some slight adjustments.
Cons
- Hand position: Because the hybrid’s handlebars are straight/flat, your hands can become numb for staying in the same position especially if you are riding over a long distance.
- Few Gears: Most hybrids come with only 1 chainring, which means the choice of gears is limited compared to the gravel which comes with a range of gears that matched your preferred cadence.
- Reduced speed: The straight handlebars make the rider’s position upright. This slows the bike because of aerodynamic drag
- Can only tackle moderately rough roads
What’s a Gravel Bike?
A gravel bike is an all-round bike, designed for multi-terrains. This means, with a gravel bike, you can handle dirt trails, forest tracks as well as city roads and pavements.
With a more relaxed geometry, the gravel bike’s drop bar enables you to cover long distances comfortably over a short period of time. The wide, thick treaded tires give you control and stability when riding on rocky terrain.
We can safely say that the gravel bike is designed more for functionality than for leisure.
Pros/What to like about Gravel bikes
- Versatility: The gravel bikes can be utilized for various purposes. You can a gravel bike ride comfortably on the road as well as tackle the off-road excellently in any weather condition
- Simple and durable design: They are made from aluminum which is strong and durable. Its simple bike frame geometry is perfect for extended riding or just running errands in town.
- Ideal for backpacking: If you are looking to ride out of town for some time, consider using a gravel bike. It comes with a luggage rack for your gear or camping tools and a bottle holder for your water bottle to keep you hydrated along the way.
- Tire adaptability: Gravel bike tires can be changed to fit different terrains and conditions. One time you could be cruising the city roads with slick tires and the next you could be tackling the trails with aggressive, knobby treads.
- Speed: Due to its aerodynamic frame, a gravel bike can travel at incredible speed. That way you won’t have to worry about the time taken to complete a journey.
- Gearing: Gravel bikes come with a wide range of gears which allows the cyclist to switch depending on the terrain,
Cons
- Weight: Gravel bikes are a bit heavier than their hybrid counterpart. This makes it a bit challenging to carry the bike in cases where you might be required to. For example, an apartment block where you are required to carry your bike upstairs.
- Cost: A gravel bike cost more than a hybrid bike, especially if you are looking for a lightweight gravel bike.
Related article: Hybrid Vs Mountain Bike
What is the Difference Between a Gravel Bike and a Hybrid Bike? – Gravel Bike Vs Hybrid Bike
Let’s go through what exactly distinguishes these two categories of bikes;
- Purpose/Use
Gravel and hybrid bikes are designed for different purposes although you will find some of the purposes overlapping in some areas.
A gravel bike is an all-around bike and is ideal if you enjoy riding off-road or on rough terrains. With capability over mixed terrain, you can use your gravel bike comfortably on pavements as well.
Hybrid bikes are not performance bikes and are perfect for commuting or riding around town on paved roads. You can also use it on gravel or loose surfaces under any weather.
- Frame design (handlebar) and riding style
A gravel bike’s most noticeable feature is the handlebar. They have the drop handlebar which allows the rider to automatically adopt an aggressive, racing position. This aerodynamic riding position aids in picking up speed and is convenient and more comfortable for long-distance riding or racing.
Also with a drop handlebar, the rider can change the holding position and prevent hand fatigue. If you have a back problem, the drop handlebar is not recommended.
On the other hand, hybrid bikes come with flat or straight handlebars which give a more upright riding position suitable for leisure or city commuting. The handlebars are a darling for novices as the controls, that is, the brake’s gears, are easier to reach.
The major disadvantage of this less aerodynamic position is the speed limit. Since your body is in a position, you obstruct the wind flow and this slows down your pace.
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- Geometry
A gravel bike is built with an aggressive geometry, which focuses more on greater speed, comfort, and endurance. This bike’s frame has a long wheelbase which makes it more stable even with heavy loads on varying terrains
You need to note that there are different gravel bike types to cater to various rider types. While some are designed for speed on lighter gravel, others feature a geometry that could put a mountain bike to shame.
A hybrid’s geometry is pretty comfortable, especially for beginners. The upright position provides a better view of the road ahead, making it easier and safer to ride in traffic. With the hybrid’s geometry, comfort is prioritized over efficiency and speed.
Both the gravel and the hybrid bikes are designed to accommodate panniers and rear racks to carry the extra weight if you happen to go for tours.
- Wheel & Tires
Gravel bikes are built for rough terrains and therefore, they have wider, thicker tires (normally 30-50mm thick) that have knobbier patterns. The 600b or sometimes 700c wheels paired with heavily treaded tires which are normally tubeless create stability and grip on the various terrains. Their tough casing is to protect the tires against punctures.
Hybrid bikes are fitted with thinner (35-45mm) and smoother tires on 700c wheels, which offer less road resistance as compared to gravel bikes. The hybrid tires are durable with extra puncture protection to cope with rigorous city commuting. With these tires, you can comfortably cruise on pavements as well as on gravel.
When compared to the gravel bike, the hybrid bike usually has extra clearance, which allows for a wide range of tires to be fitted.
Both the gravel and hybrid bikes can be fitted with an array of tire sizes to suit the rider’s style preference.
- Bike Gears
The gravel and the hybrid bikes come in different gears to accommodate different speeds.
The gravel bike has at least 8 gears although sometimes they may go as high as 12 gears. The gears are necessary to accommodate high speeds on smooth terrains as well as low speeds when descending steep gradients. When ascending, the lower ratio gears when engaged, assist in powering, making it easier to pedal uphill with minimum effort. When riding on flat terrain, cycling in higher gears helps you rack up speed.
You can find the gravel bike gears in two variants, the single and the double chain variants. However, the single variant is highly recommended because it doesn’t drop during demanding challenges.
When it comes to the hybrid bikes, some can come with just a single gear for those who plan to ride on relatively flat areas, while others have as high as 12 gears making the hybrid more versatile to handle a range of terrains.
The hybrid gearing system is mostly the derailleur gears. The derailleur gears are mostly fully enclosed for longevity since they are mostly known for easily breaking apart.
- Suspension and brakes
Suspension is mostly fitted on gravel bikes for the obvious reason that they are often used off-road. If you happen to be riding over obstacles such as rocks or roots or you go through a ditch or hit a pothole, the suspension makes the experience less uncomfortable while at the same time reducing the chances of damaging the tires and the bike.
Since hybrid bikes are made for flat terrains, they do not come fitted with suspension. However, you could have the suspension added if you wish to ride off-road and if your bike has the provision for it.
To increase comfort, you can look for suspension seat posts. This is suspension inbuilt into the seat post and it absorbs the shock just before it reaches your behind.
Most gravel and hybrid bikes are fitted with disc brakes which gives them more powerful braking in all cycling conditions.
For the gravel bikes, the disc brakes offer effective stopping while leaving plenty of room for wide tires.
You will however find some cheap hybrid and gravel bikes with V-brakes or occasionally, the mechanical disc brakes. Although they may be easier to service and maintain, their performance cannot be compared to that of hydraulic disc brakes.
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- Weight and maintenance
The weight of a bike is dependent on its frame material, suspension, type of brakes, and the number of chainrings, among other factors.
Both the gravel and hybrid bikes are lightweight and made from aluminum or the much stronger and more expensive carbon fiber. Their weight difference is however negligible.
It should be noted that the gravel bike is a little heavier since it’s built to tackle tough terrains.
Hybrid bikes on the other hand are kept lightweight as they are built for street and casual riding.
Since no bike is perfect, it’s worth combing through the details to consider everything they have to offer, both good and bad before settling on one.
FAQs – Gravel Bike Vs Hybrid Bike
Q. Can you use a hybrid bike as a gravel bike?
Sure you can. Hybrid bikes can handle the trails almost like gravel bikes. However, there are a few adjustments that you will be required to consider;
Since hybrid bikes come with wide wheels, you will need to switch those sleek tires with thicker and knobbly ones for better traction and stability.
If speed is not a priority, the straight hybrid handlebars will work just fine
Q. Is a gravel bike faster than a hybrid?
Yes, if riding on rugged terrain. Given the thick tires and aerodynamic riding position, the gravel bike will definitely be faster than a hybrid.
If on the road, the gravel bike tires will increase the drag slowing you down, while the hybrid bike will be faster on paved roads.
Both the gravel and hybrid bikes are built for different purposes and therefore their speeds will vary based on the terrain.
Q. What is the point of a gravel bike?
A gravel bike with its thick tires for traction, aerodynamic riding position for speed, heavy suspension for shock absorbency, and additional clearance offers stability and comfort when riding over long distances.
Riding a gravel bike is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.
Can a gravel bike be your only bike?
A gravel bike is the only bike that has a bit of every quality admirable in a bike. That is called versatility. In this case, it means;
- You will enjoy riding on gravel as well as on the road.
- You can use a wide range of tires on the gravel bike without much trouble
- Gravel bikes have a gear option for every terrain, which makes it easy to navigate each of them.
So, go ahead and get that gravel bike!
Q. Can hybrid bikes go on dirt trails?
You can ride your hybrid bike on the dirt trails since it comes with wider tires which makes it not only easy but more fun.
For a more comfortable ride, use flat pedals or toe clips to prevent your feet from spinning out and adjust the chain tension because it tends to come loose on compacted gravel.
Q. Are gravel bikes good for commuting?
Absolutely! A gravel bike can definitely be used as a road bike. It actually offers more comfort and stability than any road bike will. The heavy suspension will cushion you when you accidentally hit a pothole or a bump. You will only need to reduce the tire pressure to improve maneuverability.
Q. Which is better, hybrid bike or gravel bike?
If you are stuck as to which bike is better between the hybrid bike and the gravel bike, you should consider the purpose for which you will be using the bike. The hybrid bike is best used for city commuting with a bit of off-road, while the gravel is great for long-distance cycling over rugged terrain.
No matter the bike you choose, know that you will reap maximum performance if you use it for the terrain that it’s built for.
Conclusion – Gravel Bike Vs Hybrid Bike
When you are shopping for a bike and are confused about which one to take between gravel and a hybrid bike, consider the purpose for which the bicycle is intended.
If you are adventurous, and enjoy cycling in the woods and tackling hills and rocky trails, a gravel bike is a great investment.
However, if you are a laid-back person who commutes to the office daily on a bike, or one who prefers occasional road cycling with the fitness club, then a hybrid bike would be your best bet.