Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Hybrid Bicycles
Reload this Page >

Flat bar road bike vs Hybrid

Notices
Hybrid Bicycles Where else would you go to discuss these fun, versatile bikes?

Flat bar road bike vs Hybrid

Old 08-06-11, 07:57 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
McCallum's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Kansas
Posts: 275

Bikes: Trek multi-track 720

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Flat bar road bike vs Hybrid

This may have been asked and answered; if so give me the link. What is the difference between to two. I asked about a FBRB at one of the local shops and when they pointed the one they had out my wife exclaimed "Oh, it looks like your hybrid!" It did; I have bar ends on mine (better design IMHO) and without taking it down that was about the extent of the looking. The floor lady (whom I think was the owner; first time in this shop) said that the major difference is that a FBRB has Road bike gear 52 tooth on a RB and 42 tooth on a hybrid. So master(s) enlighten weedhooper please.
McCallum is offline  
Old 08-06-11, 08:24 PM
  #2  
Speechless
 
RollCNY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 8,842

Bikes: Felt Brougham, Lotus Prestige, Cinelli Xperience,

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 39 Times in 16 Posts
I don't know if there is an official definition, but a flat bar road bike has all road components except for a flat bar.. so road crank, road brakes (not linear pull or v-brakes), road RD and FD, shifters with road cable pull (which both Shimano and SRAM make). No suspension fork, no springy seat post.

A hybrid is a blend of components, but typically has an MTB drive train.
RollCNY is offline  
Old 08-06-11, 08:40 PM
  #3  
Ridin' South Cackalacky
 
dahut's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,918
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by McCallum
This may have been asked and answered; if so give me the link. What is the difference between to two. I asked about a FBRB at one of the local shops and when they pointed the one they had out my wife exclaimed "Oh, it looks like your hybrid!" It did; I have bar ends on mine (better design IMHO) and without taking it down that was about the extent of the looking. The floor lady (whom I think was the owner; first time in this shop) said that the major difference is that a FBRB has Road bike gear 52 tooth on a RB and 42 tooth on a hybrid. So master(s) enlighten weedhooper please.
There you go. Buy a road bike and replace the handlebars. Voila! FBRB.
If you really wanna get froggy, add drop bar ends to your flat bar...

dahut is offline  
Old 08-07-11, 11:10 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
McCallum's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Kansas
Posts: 275

Bikes: Trek multi-track 720

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
OK, that makes sense! I think I will stick with my hybrids; unless I can fun into a cheap in good shape used Road bike!
McCallum is offline  
Old 08-07-11, 03:23 PM
  #5  
Two-Wheeled Aficionado
 
ColinL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wichita
Posts: 4,903

Bikes: Santa Cruz Blur TR, Cannondale Quick CX dropbar conversion & others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
I wonder if people riding flatbar road bikes have ridden dropbars enough to form a credible opinion. Six or more hand positions versus one (maybe two)...
ColinL is offline  
Old 08-07-11, 03:33 PM
  #6  
Speechless
 
RollCNY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 8,842

Bikes: Felt Brougham, Lotus Prestige, Cinelli Xperience,

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 39 Times in 16 Posts
Originally Posted by ColinL
I wonder if people riding flatbar road bikes have ridden dropbars enough to form a credible opinion. Six or more hand positions versus one (maybe two)...
So are you saying that the only "credible opinion" is that drops are superior to flats? I ride essentially a flat bar road bike, routinely use three different hand positions, all of which turn my wrist in a different orientation and change where the pressure point is on my hand. Your description of six on drops is the highest number I have heard ascribed to them, five being more common, but the bulk of them keep your wrist in the same position, and all of them place load between thumb and forefinger.

Drops are a wonderful thing, but to each his own. I don't mean to sound snippy, but it seems that most people think flat bar riders do so out of ignorance. Which in turn seems ignorant.
RollCNY is offline  
Old 08-07-11, 04:27 PM
  #7  
Two-Wheeled Aficionado
 
ColinL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wichita
Posts: 4,903

Bikes: Santa Cruz Blur TR, Cannondale Quick CX dropbar conversion & others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
No, that's not what I meant. Most people that have tried both do prefer dropbars for longer distances, but I am sure it is nowhere near 100%.

I have this impression from here, friends and family, and people in bike shops that flatbars are accessible and usable by all, and that dropbars are unapproachable or require a lot of skill to use. (They don't take a lot of skill at all, of course, but it does take a little while to become proficient with them and enjoy using them.)

The five (whoops! Lol) positions I use are: top center, top corners, shallow above/on the hoods, fully on the hoods, and in the drops.

Last edited by ColinL; 08-07-11 at 04:34 PM. Reason: counting.
ColinL is offline  
Old 08-07-11, 06:05 PM
  #8  
Speechless
 
RollCNY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 8,842

Bikes: Felt Brougham, Lotus Prestige, Cinelli Xperience,

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 39 Times in 16 Posts
I am glad I didn't offend, because that wasn't my intent. It is absolutely a pet peeve of mine, because every time a new person shows up at the group ride, they ask about my flat bars and explain the advantages of drops. Rubbed raw is probably an understatement on my part.. lol.

I know you ride both, and you and I seem to post in many of the same threads, so I realize you know pros and cons of both. Is the Litespeed a CC purchase? I oggled it there for a while but in the end decided to stay loyal to my flats. Glad they sold out of my size to remove temptation. Now the Wilier calls me... resistance may be futile.
RollCNY is offline  
Old 08-07-11, 06:43 PM
  #9  
Two-Wheeled Aficionado
 
ColinL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wichita
Posts: 4,903

Bikes: Santa Cruz Blur TR, Cannondale Quick CX dropbar conversion & others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Yep, I got my bike Litespeed last month from Competitive Cyclist. The Wilier is a great deall, too!

I borrowed a road bike and found out on my own the I preferred drops. I wouldn't try to ride a MTB trail with them, though.
ColinL is offline  
Old 08-07-11, 07:09 PM
  #10  
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 5,155

Bikes: rockhopper, delta V, cannondale H300, Marin Mill Valley

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by ColinL
I wonder if people riding flatbar road bikes have ridden dropbars enough to form a credible opinion. Six or more hand positions versus one (maybe two)...
You mean like a whole month?

I rode drop bars for 14 years. In the 1970s and most of the 80s they dominated the market. There wasn't a whole lot of options.
qmsdc15 is offline  
Old 08-07-11, 08:39 PM
  #11  
Speechless
 
RollCNY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 8,842

Bikes: Felt Brougham, Lotus Prestige, Cinelli Xperience,

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 39 Times in 16 Posts
In '87, I built my Lotus with drops and downtube shifters, and can remember drooling over the "new" Shimano SIS downtube shifters (7 speed?). That was my third bike with drops. So I guess I could consider myself properly informed in choosing flat bars today.
RollCNY is offline  
Old 08-08-11, 12:33 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
The Chemist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Shanghai, China
Posts: 977

Bikes: Waltly Custom Ti // Seaboard CX01 // Dahon Boardwalk

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Liked 519 Times in 242 Posts
Originally Posted by RollCNY
I don't know if there is an official definition, but a flat bar road bike has all road components except for a flat bar.. so road crank, road brakes (not linear pull or v-brakes), road RD and FD, shifters with road cable pull (which both Shimano and SRAM make). No suspension fork, no springy seat post.

A hybrid is a blend of components, but typically has an MTB drive train.
So what does that make mine? My drivetrain is a mix of road and MTB - rear derailleur is Sora, rear casette is a road 9, front crank is a road triple (largest chainring ~50 teeth), but front derailleur and shifters are Deore. Hybrid? Flat bar road bike?

Doesn't really matter to me, though - all I know is it rides great and is awesome for long distance rides as well as for commuting.
The Chemist is offline  
Old 08-08-11, 07:26 AM
  #13  
Two-Wheeled Aficionado
 
ColinL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wichita
Posts: 4,903

Bikes: Santa Cruz Blur TR, Cannondale Quick CX dropbar conversion & others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by qmsdc15
You mean like a whole month?

I rode drop bars for 14 years. In the 1970s and most of the 80s they dominated the market. There wasn't a whole lot of options.
Not taking the flamebait.

I've ridden mountainbikes since I was 12, and dirtbikes since I was 5. I know all about flatbars. I started riding road bikes with drop bars last year, borrowing one now and then. Finally, I bought my own.

The fact that people initially liked riding big knobs on the street, and still do it despite the emergence of hybrids, tells me that a lot of people are drawn to flatbars for a variety of reasons.
ColinL is offline  
Old 11-15-14, 04:08 AM
  #14  
Newbie
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by ColinL
I wonder if people riding flatbar road bikes have ridden dropbars enough to form a credible opinion. Six or more hand positions versus one (maybe two)...
I would expect most have if they are considering one. Still, one only needs one position - the right one for them.
recumbentguy is offline  
Old 11-15-14, 04:53 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Incheon, South Korea
Posts: 2,836

Bikes: Nothing amazing... cheap old 21 speed mtb

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I don't know what to call my trusty Soma.



She be a mix of roadbike, mtb, tourer, cx bike. As for drops, done plenty of brevets with them really don't like them. Give me my bullhorns any day.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
lastride.jpg (94.6 KB, 76 views)
krobinson103 is offline  
Old 11-15-14, 06:04 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
mobilemail's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Gateway to the West
Posts: 810

Bikes: You mean this week?

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 23 Times in 15 Posts
I bought a used Novara Express XX that falls right in the middle of this debate. Cantis and an MTB drivetrain, but more road-like chainring sizes. At the end of the day, I still call it FBRB because it will only accept up to a 28mm tire with proper clearance. In my mind, when it takes at least 35mm which I consider the minimum for trails/offroad, it then can be considered a hybrid.
mobilemail is offline  
Old 11-15-14, 07:02 AM
  #17  
aka Phil Jungels
 
Wanderer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North Aurora, IL
Posts: 8,234

Bikes: 08 Specialized Crosstrail Sport, 05 Sirrus Comp

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 202 Post(s)
Liked 86 Times in 60 Posts
I bought a Hybrid with flatbars, for physical reasons.......... after 30 years on drops, and before that, 30 years on "regular bikes". It was either that, or give up riding ---------- I love Hybrids and flatbars................. I guess I could say that I have spent more years off of drops, and on regular bars. LOL
Wanderer is offline  
Old 11-15-14, 12:26 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Middelbury, Vermont
Posts: 1,105

Bikes: Giant Escape 1

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 136 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
I had a Cannondale CAAD 8 road bike. It was a very sweet bike, but I really didn't like drops - they hurt my hands. So I had the drop bar replaced with a flat bar. The bike was much better for my hands but I discovered something I hadn't thought about before hand. A road bike has a shorter wheelbase and is, by design more "twitchy" which makes it less stable. While the bike was quick and climbed well, it struggled in the wind and fast downhills. It made me too concerned about holding it steady. Then I got a hybrid (Giant Escape 1) and found it to perform well and it was much more stable which made it more efficient. So a hybrid is not the same as a flatbar road bike.
practical is offline  
Old 11-15-14, 01:01 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
EvilWeasel's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Ft. Lauderdale
Posts: 269

Bikes: Trekalized 7.Sequoia Elite+

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I've owned both. Started out with a road bike, switched to flat bars for better control and leverage in tight urban riding situations. Added aero bars so i could still get aero.

Bought a Trek fx frame for a song and switched all the road bike stuff (except drive line), and flat bars over to the fx. This is my current ride.

The biggest difference is the lack of cornering clearance on the hybrid frame. The road bike frame had a higher bottom bracket placement. I lose 10 yards in every corner to the full road bike guys during club rides. Also my biggest chain ring is smaller than the one on an average road bike. Thus i have to spin much faster to hold the same road speed.
EvilWeasel is offline  
Old 11-15-14, 04:19 PM
  #20  
DancesWithSUVs
 
dynaryder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
yay,zombie thread
__________________

C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
dynaryder is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
chong67
Road Cycling
11
07-21-16 09:40 AM
funbikerchick
Hybrid Bicycles
11
10-17-15 09:49 PM
Cameron a
Hybrid Bicycles
12
06-19-13 06:37 PM
xoxoxoxoLive
Road Cycling
18
03-17-13 07:16 PM
bjjoondo
Hybrid Bicycles
13
07-05-12 06:08 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.