Hybrid Bicycles - Difference between flat handle road and hybrid bike

What's the difference between a flat handle road bike and hybrid? I was looking at a few bikes last week and couldn't tell the difference. The flat handle road bike, Marin Mill Valley, was noticeably lighter, but the retail price was also about 2/3 more than the hybrid, Scott SUB20, I ended up buying.

Near as I could tell, they felt indifferent to me, weight aside.

The Mill Valley was aluminum and carbon and was Ultrega equipped while my SUB 20 is aluminum only and equipped with Deore so I suppose that accounts part of the weight and price difference. The Scott also has oil operated disc brake.

There really isn't that much difference. Basically, it boils down to what parts are used and what brand it is.

It's partly semantics. There was a thread here with the purpose of defining what constitutes a hybrid.

To me, a "flat bar road bike" has a slightly less upright riding position and a road drivetrain: 5X/39/30 triple or 50/34 compact, 12/25 or 12/27 cassette, and 9- or 10-sp trigger shifters; 700c wheels; v-brakes or sidepull calipers; typically have a carbon fork and sometimes have carbon in the rear triangle; typically won't have braze-ons for a front rack; may have steeper front end geometry and a slightly shorter wheelbase, though still slacker and longer than most road bikes; targeted at riders that want the zippiest ride but don't want drop bars for whatever reason.

Other "hybrids" commonly come with trekking/touring cranksets (48/36/26) and wider range cassettes; 8- or 9-sp trigger or twist shifters; 26" or 700c wheels; v-brakes or disc brakes; often have aluminum (or even steel) forks.

Again, just my opinions. Mfrs take liberty in classifying their products however they choose.

That said, I think the SUB does indeed look like a "sport utility bike." Or maybe "urban assault bike." Nice features for commuting as well as fitness rides.

BTW, the only Ultegra component I saw on the 2010 Mill Valley was the rear derailleur. The rest was a mix of FSA, Acera and Shimano non-series components. Good, but not what I'd call an Ultegra equipped bike.

I have noticed the chainstays on a hybrid are typically longer which means a longer wheelbase. The longer wheelbase allows for larger tires on the hybrid. Flat bar is typically a road frame with flat bars, versus hybrid is mountain frame with skinny tires and fixed carbon fork (fitness) or suspension fork. But there is a lot of liberty taken by the manufacturers and marketing.

Much already said above, but TT are often longer on hybrids due to the flat bar position. That means different handling and response on road. Short TT and agressive geo gives a snappy reaction. Often road segment means a variety of TT length to accomedate different riders.

I consider flat bar road bikes to be a type of hybrid. The disc brakes (nice feature), slightly wider tires, slightly smaller chainrings make the Scott less like a road bike and more like a MTB compared to the Marin, but only slightly. I think you made a good choice, I have a Mill Valley, but I'd rather have your Scott.

After you've worn out the stock tires (or sooner), you can replace them with 700x28 if you choose. The difference is not enough to worry about though, which is why I suggest using the 32s for as long as possible.

I don't think you'll ever miss the extra two teeth on your big chainring. The 48x11 high gear on your Scott is a higher gear than the 50x12 high gear on the Marin.

Enjoy the ride!

BTW, the only Ultegra component I saw on the 2010 Mill Valley was the rear derailleur. The rest was a mix of FSA, Acera and Shimano non-series components. Good, but not what I'd call an Ultegra equipped bike.

Exactly. Manufacturers like to use a top notch rear derailleur to fool people into believing it is a top of the line bike.
Somebody using an ultegra component on the same bike with acera ... tshhhh ... such a person just doesn't get it.

To be honest, I did not really look at the specs of the Marin Mill Valley. I only saw Ultrega rear derailleur. Guess it's a good thing I did not buy it.

Exactly. Manufacturers like to use a top notch rear derailleur to fool people into believing it is a top of the line bike.
Somebody using an ultegra component on the same bike with acera ... tshhhh ... such a person just doesn't get it.

My '04 Mill Valley came with Tiagra derailleurs, but I upgraded rear to 105 after the stock unit was damaged in a collision with automobile.