What is a Hybrid Bike?
A hybrid bike is a great compromise- can be used on the tarmac and light trails-and evolved from a mountain bike and whose greatest selling point is versatility. This is the perfect recreational bike for everyday riders who enjoy the flexibility and strength of a mountain bike but don’t quite need the weight and sturdiness that comes with it. Having been designed for comfort rather than performance, hybrid bikes appeal more to casual cyclists. However, if you are keener, you will find, other hybrid models for touring and commuting.
With its straight handlebar and a large saddle, the hybrid bike is considered the most comfortable bike on the market. Other outstanding features include fenders for preventing any mess that could make you need a change of clothes from occurring and luggage racks for light touring.
Pros
- Versatile. That is, can be ridden in the city as well as on moderately rough terrain.
- Comes with cargo racks for carrying extra luggage
- Comfortable seat and saddle and an upright handlebar.
- Much lighter and therefore much faster than a mountain bike
Cons
- Not as flexible as mountain bikes
- Not suitable for off-road terrains.
What’s a Mountain Bike?
Mountain bike is a term used to refer to bikes used especially for off-road. The subgroup of this category are dirt bikes, endure, and downhill MTBs. These variants are available with or without an electric motor. Mountain bikes also come with straight handlebars for a stretched-out steering position.
Their frame geometry, big knobby tires for traction on rough trails, and heavy suspension are designed for faster and more responsive steering as well as enabling the bike to overcome obstacles and absorb shocks while at the same time improving stability.
The steering responsiveness of a mountain bike is far greater than that of a hybrid bike and can handle the type of dangerous terrain that the hybrid can only dream of.
Pros
- Ideal for off-road cycling
- Comes in a variety of choices (enduro, trail, downhill, etc)
Cons
- Higher rolling resistance on tarmac
- Has a sporty seating position making it not ideal for everyday use.
Hybrid Vs Mountain Bike – Difference Between Hybrid and Mountain Bikes
Both hybrid and mountain bikes are robust and practical in their unique ways. So, if you are wondering what makes them different, and which one best suits you, below are some of the differences that will make your purchase decision much easier
- Frame design and riding style
When comparing the hybrid and the mountain bike, one of the most obvious differences you will notice is the frame.
Since mountain bikes are designed for off-road, tackling steep hills and awkward terrains, they need frames with great clearance and that are much stronger to support the rider’s weight as well as absorb extensive shock and high impact without breaking.
A mountain bike’s main consideration is strength, that is why they come in thick sturdy frames which are considered the heaviest amongst all bikes.
Hybrid bike frames are designed more like road bike frames but with upright handlebars. The frames have a thin and lighter tubing which makes them aerodynamically structured to handle road riding efficiently. This factor makes the hybrid bike slimmer and lighter than the mountain bike
The seat and saddle of a hybrid bike are all about comfort as compared to that of a mountain bike. The mountain bike’s seating position is sporty as it is geared towards optimal propulsion. It is also upright similar to that of a hybrid bike.
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- Geometry
The geometry of the frame determines the rider’s riding position as well as how it feels to ride the bike.
The angles and the lengths of the frames are the major difference between a hybrid and a mountain bike in terms of geometry.
Since the hybrid bike is designed more for comfort than performance, it is the most preferred bike by casual and inexperienced riders. Mountain bike geometry on the other hand is designed for faster, more stable, and responsive steering on steep and rocky descents with tight and twisty corners.
- Bike Tires
Another major noticeable difference between the hybrid and the mountain bike is the tires. Mountain bikes come with bigger knobby tires that provide mechanical grip, as the knobs dig into the dirt to provide traction in rough terrains, no matter the weather conditions. These tires, however, are slow and noisy on the tarmac.
On the other hand, hybrid bikes come with thinner lightly treaded tires, which reduces the rolling friction allowing them to cruise more efficiently.
When it comes to tire pressure, it varies between the two bikes. For the hybrid tire which is about 28 ‘’(inches) in size, the recommended PSI is 40—70, while for the mountain bike tire which is about 26.7”-29” (Inches), recommended PSI is 20-5. The low pressure in mountain bikes enables better traction and accommodates impact while riding.
- Bike Gears
Mountain bikes come with a wide range of gears to help the rider maneuver through the different terrains during a variety of conditions. From the extreme rocky climbs to the steep twisty descents, there usually is a gear suited for each.
In comparison, hybrid bikes which are best suited for general road riding with occasional hills, come with fewer gears while others go as far as having a single speed. Fewer gears mean less weight which translates to improved road efficiency.
- Suspension and brakes
Most hybrids do not come with suspension because they spend most of their time on paved roads. Their wide tires with low pressure enable them to handle road bumps, that might otherwise feel uncomfortable. Occasionally when you come across a hybrid bike that has the basic front suspension, it’s usually not up to the standard of a mountain bike suspension.
Mountain bikes are known to handle rough terrains; therefore, they are equipped with suspension for absorbing big hits and land–offs and keeping you in control across slippery roots.
Since weight is a concern for hybrid bikes, many of them use the rim brakes because they are lighter, easier and cheaper to replace. The rim brakes are ideal because the hybrid bikes are normally used for short commutes and casual riding on relatively flat ground that does not require the more powerful disc brakes.
By default, mountain bikes come with disc brakes because they are strong enough to slow you down or bring you to a stop in dirt or wet conditions. The hydraulic disc brake systems with large rotors found on mountain bikes are very effective for proper control of descents over rough terrains.
Related article: Types of Bike Brakes – Common Bike Brakes
- Weight and Maintenance
When it comes to a bike’s handling, weight has a big influence. A mountain bike has heavier components, that is, the frame, disc brakes, suspension, and tough tires which are suitable for the kind of terrain it handles. Because of this, it requires more power and is more cumbersome to handle when ascending a steep gradient. However, it handles descents very well.
Hybrid bikes come in a lightweight and aerodynamic frame with thin and smooth tires. As opposed to a mountain bike which uses a disc brake, hybrid bikes use rim brakes which are lighter. Also, hybrid bikes don’t come with suspension. For these reasons, hybrid bikes are best suited for paved roads and city riding.
Maintenance on hybrid bikes is easier because it is a non-suspension bike. For mountain bikes, those with mechanical disc brakes are easier to maintain than those with more powerful hydraulic disc brakes.
- Carrying capacity
Because hybrid bikes are often used by commuters, they clearly have an edge when it comes to luggage transport, and many come with cargo racks and those without have the option to install one. You can carry luggage on the cargo rack or you can mount panniers if you are on a bicycle tour lasting several days.
Luggage transport is difficult with a mountain bike since only a backpack is possible. It is extremely rare to find a mountain bike that comes with a cargo rack. However, you can get an after-market cargo rack installed if you are using a mountain bike for commuting.
FAQs – Hybrid Vs Mountain Bike
Q. Can I use a hybrid as a mountain bike?
Some hybrid bikes have a similar frame design to that of mountain bikes. This means it can cater to both street riding and mild off-road but not without a few limitations around mountain biking.
Although some hybrid bikes are equipped with the right drivetrain and suspension, the bike’s smooth tires cannot withstand the challenging harsh terrains. As much as you can reduce the tire pressure to gain traction, the frequent roots and rocks aren’t fun and will tire you out and pose a structural risk to your bike.
Q. Which cycle is better MTB or hybrid?
This is an age-old question, especially for novices. If you are wondering which bike to take between a mountain bike and a hybrid bike, first you need to ask yourself some essential questions;
- What type of riding are you planning to engage in?
- If planning to ride with companions, what bikes are they riding?
- What kind of bike (if any) have you had in the past? Likes? Dislikes?
- What quality are you looking at and what’s your budget?
Once you get the answers to the questions above, you will be an inch closer to solving your dilemma.
Q. How much faster is a hybrid than a mountain bike?
If you are looking for speed and are wondering which of the two between a hybrid bike and mountain bike is faster, then take a seat. Theoretically, on average, a hybrid bike is 3.9% faster than a mountain bike on a flat road. This is mainly because a mountain bike has a higher rolling resistance on the tarmac resulting from the wide knobby tires. However, that is a very small margin in speed if you ask me.
Q. Are mountain bikes suitable for road use?
If you are wondering whether you can ride your mountain bike on the road, the answer is yes. However, since mountain bikes are designed mainly for off-road, they are harder to cycle and a bit slower on the pavements and so, won’t perform as well on the road. You can nevertheless make minor modifications to make your street riding more enjoyable and safer. Some of these changes are;
- Changing the knobby mountain bike tires to smooth road tires. The mountain bike tires with their thick tires meant for traction on rough trails may not be ideal for the road.
- Since mountain bikes are made for rough terrains, they come with suspensions that absorb the heavy land-offs. When riding on the streets, you don’t need much shock absorption so you may need to adjust your suspension to be much stiffer.
The biggest advantage of riding your mountain bike on the road is, that the brakes, shocks, and gears will last significantly longer than when you are riding on rough trails.
Related article: What is a Step-Through Bike?
Q. Can you go off-road on a hybrid bike?
Rough terrains require the wide thick treaded mountain bike tires for traction something the smooth hybrid tires cannot offer. Although hybrid bikes might have a similar frame to that of a mountain bike, they have limitations like low stand-over clearance and no suspension making them capable of only handling moderately irregular terrains.
With this in mind, I would recommend you buy a bike that is best suited for the terrain you intend to tackle often.
Q. Is a Hybrid Bike worth it?
When it comes to versatility, nothing beats a hybrid bike. With mixed characteristics of a road and a mountain bike, a hybrid bike can be cycled over a range of terrains. Also, a hybrid bike can be used for several purposes like city commuting, light-off-road cycling as well as fitness training.
The different types of hybrid bikes are;
Hybrid Classic Bikes:
Looks similar to a traditional bike and is ideal for casual urban cycling as it offers an upright, comfortable riding position.
Hybrid Sports Bikes: This one comes in 2 categories:
- Road hybrids– This resembles a road bike except for the flat handlebars and the riding position which is more upright than that of a road bike.
- Electric Hybrid bikes (Urban e-bikes)– These bikes are the in-thing and that’s for a good reason. As the name suggests, this bike comes with an electric pedal assist motor. The electric motor assists you to ride up to the speeds of 25km/hr. This gets you to your destination faster, with less effort.
So yes, a hybrid bike is worth every dime!
Conclusion – Hybrid Vs Mountain Bike
With all that has been said, an ideal bike should offer you performance without compromising on comfort. You should be able to tour during the weekends after commuting with it Monday through Friday.
A hybrid bike gives this vibe and that’s why it is the most preferred by the new breed of cyclists because it has more to offer than a mountain bike.
Whatever the case, both the hybrid and the mountain bikes have their fair share of pros and cons. You should however note that the moment you start riding a bike on terrain that it is not meant for, they wear and tear at a much faster rate.
So the best you can do for yourself is decide which type of riding you want to engage in and buy a bike specifically meant for that.
Ride on!