Originally Posted by
Duragrouch
This is not rocket science.
First priority is proper fit for comfort, aero if you need, power output, etc. That's for any bike.
A hybrid will be heavier than a road race bike. If the century is on the flats, weight has less effect. If a lot of climbs, weight has effect, and you need low enough gearing for your climbing style and endurance. But a comfortable fit in terms of size and adjustments, good saddle, goes a long way to making any long ride easier. You may want multiple hand positions, so if a flat bar, adding outboard or inboard bar-ends may be good.
Better still, add a bolt-on aero bar instead of bar ends.
My do-anything 1995 Cannondale hybrid, so equipped, is my go-to these days for most of my riding, including 5-hour jaunts in northern Baltimore county.
The triple crank flattens the numerous hills, and, thanks to the aero bars, my average speed elsewhere is roughly equal to what I see with my racing bikes.