Originally Posted by
brianipmh
snip
just a general question, is a road bike really that much better than a hybird (Giant Escape2) ? Even for a cheap road bike?
IMHO, yes especially for the amount of riding you are doing
More hand postions with a drop bar let you adjust to the riding your are doing and surroundings and avoid wrist pain by having multiple positions (in full disclosure, i am not a fan of flat bar as they gave me wrist pain a lot)
better aero dynamics, especially if you get in the drops
better bio-mechanics
doing the same ride with the same percieved effort by road bike is easily 2 mph faster than my upright commuter bike
beyond the bike, doing the mileage your are doing I suggest bikes shorts and jersey and clipless pedals.