I’ve got a hybrid bike (trek fx) since 2019, and it’s more than capable of doing gravel/dirt/light trails with some roots and rocks. If you have the money for a “gravel bike”, I’d say go for it, it’s your call, but if you can only affords a hybrid, they’re amazing too
I agree”. I have a TREK FX-2 and I’ve done every single thing he mentioned. He says the gearing is deferent. But it’s not. Being we might have 8-9 speed cassette but with a 3 speed crank. Makes up the same deference. Also he says gravel bikes have disk breaks. As do ours. Hydraulic breaks and all. Now the weight I understand but it’s not much. #hybrids rule 💪🏽😂👌🏼
@@dirtybird7280 one of the “big secrets” of the bike industry that I came to realize is that gravel bikes are pretty much another class of hybrid bikes, but they’re renamed so they sound cool and get more sales from those rich retired doctors and hedge fund managers 😂
@@Rocky4719 I agree 🤣. If you look at a TREK FX2 it’s essentially a gravel bike/road bike. What changed? Tire size,flat bars versus down bars. The frame is the same exact thing. Unless it’s a carbon set up then I understand. Aside from that. It’s the same darn thing. Trying to sell me a gravel bike for $4K or a road bike for $4K is crazy 😝. I did a ride along with some road bikes at a pace of 24mph for I think was 9-10 miles straight. I was with them the entire time. On 35c tires and flat bars 🤣🤣🤣. Did it kill my legs? YES but proved a point 🚴🏽💨
@@dirtybird7280 I wouldn’t say the frame is exactly the same, because the geometry will differ, and even for an aluminum gravel bike, they try to engineer the frame to be light, lighter than most aluminum hybrids. But as you point out, you can’t really buy speed. A strong cyclist on a hybrid can keep up or even outpace cyclists on a road bike. Another personal thing is that I find it much easier to get out of the saddle and push up climbs on a flat bar as opposed to drops. It just feels more stable for me
Just the industry trying to make a buck. Not everyone can afford a $6K carbon bike. So if you can only buy a $1K bike, you're looked down upon. You can't win.
Not sure this comparison is 100% spot on as many hybrid bikes have large gear ranges and 'gravel' tires ... for instance, the Specialized Sirrus X bikes ...I have a 3.0 and it came w/ 700x42 gravel type tires, and an 11x42 cog ... gravel tires, big range, oh, and disc brakes. And, there are similar bikes with the other manufacturers (Trek FX, and the Giant Escape Disc, etc).
Indeed. Interestingly, the Canyon Pathlite 6 he keeps showing in thr video as the example hybrid bike comes with a Shimano SLX, 12-speed (10-51T) cassette. That’s as big of a range as Shimano makes.
Most hybrid bike come with mountain bike type tires. Hybrid bikes can go off road too... just not rocky or mountainous terrain. The suspension, linear pull brakes, and aluminum frames will prevent hybrids from being true mountain bikes. Hybrid bikes are meant to do light trails (ie flat dirt roads or loose gravel) in addition to the road. The only thing I give the gravel bike over the hybrid bike is the speed.
I’m a beginner and everyone is telling me i should get hybrid for now. I did get the Hybrid from REI because they have great returns if i dont like the bike. I like going to gravel/ trails more, do you think my hybrid can handle it? Or should i upgrade to a mountain bike? Or should i just keep the hybrid but change the tires?
Great overview. Of course, there are exceptions. There are now some "hybrids" that are very gravel oriented, including suspension fork, thru axles, and MTB-type wide range gearing. This is my choice for gravel AND bikepacking. I enjoy 700c x 45mm tires for both.
You videos and podcasts have been a great source of information and inspiration. Doing a sprint triathlon tomorrow and doing my very first 70.3 in September! Being 41 feels better and better!!
I bought a 700 CAD hybrid bike for cross training to supplement my running. My first bike since childhood. I am very happy about it!!! Gravel bike sounds really fun tho. I would get looked down on by guys who have 6k carbon bikes but just like my golf, I can get along with my 300 used iron sets.
got a road bike and a MTB, a gravel bike might seem like the next step for me, but I am not sure. The hybrid bikes, Canyon Roadlite 6 (and 7 from 2023) and the Canyon Pathlite 6 (and 7, from 2023) really make me fall in love. Both are like the bike of my dreams, as I always wanted a bike with the nimbleness of my 2X road bike and the easy gears of my 3X MTB, with 1X and found the Roadlite 6 recently by sheer chance, which has a 46T chaining and a 10-51T cassette. The Roadlite 6 (and 7) with its harder gear being 46-10 has better speed than my 48-11 road bike and the 46-51T gear is as easy as the easier gear of the middle chainring of my MTB, which is 30-34T (the easiest gear of my MTB is 22T-34T but that's a whole different story). The Pathlite is quite similar to the Roadlite but it uses a 36T chainring, and now where it comes my dilemma, I want to buy one or the other in january 2024.
I purchased the latest version of the Boardman mtx 8.6 hybrid a few months ago, just to get me back into cycling after 20 years without being on a bike. I have no complaints. I manage a 15 mile cycle, to and from work comfortably mostly on cycle paths, I also do an extra 20 miles after work around 3 times a week. Now I'm comfortable with cycling reasonable distances and increasing my mileage regularly, I'm considering purchasing either a road or gravel bike but I'm unsure which to purchase. I live on a Welsh coastline, the main roads are good, there are some cycle paths, but I also tend to cycle on some country lanes which are rather potholed and rough at times. I'm wondering whether a road bike would be suitable, or should I look into a gravel bike for the not so comfortable country lanes / elevations? I do track times, mileage etc on Strava but I'm not a stickler for personal bests etc. I'm tempted by something along the lines of a Cannondale topstone. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
I bought a Specialized Sirrus in 2013. To my surprise she was as good on the road as offroad (gravel and not to hard trails). it a very gravel like bike.
We are on the same track. I am 5'8", @ 280.., AND, I'm 53. 😒 Anyway.., I rode a road bike when I was a teenager.., LOVED IT. A friend, & I raced traffic, jumped the 10-Speeds off anything we could get air from.., & so.., I K-N-O-W I want a gravel bike, (*Disclaimer: I eventually got hit by a car, & my parents never bought me another bike..,). But, of course.., I can't just buy a $1,400+ bike, w/o having to prove to my wife, (*& myself), that this is not a passing thing).., so, I too have to lose weight, etc. SO.., WHAT I AM DOING is BUILDING a make-shift gravel bike. I bought a 2010 Trek FX 7.3 a guy had posted for $250.., for $200.., it's got 3x8 gearing, & it is LIGHT. So far, I've installed an adjustable stem, drop bars, & took a Dremel to the stock straight bar trigger shifters. I will soon get drop bar shifters, & larger gravel style tires. I'm not racing, so do I REALLY need a gravel bike? No. & a Trek should be plenty tough enough to take what little legit bumps I can give it, so.., just buy a cheaper used Trek hybrid, put some $ in to it, (*incrementally).., & Make a trip of your ride to a state of more knowledge.
damn I really wish I saw this video before buying my hybrid bike, btw I pushed that thing Past its limits, damn near need to repair everything on it, I bike 11 miles to work 5 days a week. well I'm thinking I'm just going to build a gravel bike keep the frame from the hybrid and just upgrade every single part on it.
I find a CX bike offers the most versatility. I have a Trek Boone and it works well on pavement and dirt. Gravel bikes tend to be heavier and all sorts of frame attachment points I would never use. FWIW I have no trouble running 40mm tubeless gravel tires on the Trek Boone.
what are your thoughts on Gravel vs All-Road vs Adventure bikes? I know all-road is between road and gravel and adventure is more towards gravel but I've got a hybrid currently and I require a drop bar bike for canal towpaths, parks, roads as we ride time trial, pushing to beat our last journey.
Hey there! Great video! Here is my issue: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is my sport of choice and in my off-mat time I want to be involved in activities that support that end. One of those activities is bike riding. I live in NYC and currently have 1 - 2 days a week to devote to cycling. I usually do the loop at Central Park, which is a paved road with soft to moderate hills and climbs. Should I go for a gravel bike with road tires? I am interested in performance, but my focus is an activity level that supports my Jiu Jitsu practice. What would you suggest?
The real difference is in bicycle dimension for Raod bike or Mountain or Hybrid. I feel like the Gravel bike term is another marketing strategy to sell more bikes.
totally disagree : hybrid bike are far better off road with fork suspension and upright position with flatbar handlebars, the only reason for gravel bike is speed speed speed but of road and in the large distance for me is better comfort than speed: many people traveling across the globe by bicycle don't even consider the gravel bike but hybrid or mtb . Gravel is meant for marketing and fashion
Cyclocross bikes are limited by the rules set by the sport. As of now Gravel bikes do not have any UCI rules and therefore not constrained on tire clearance, geometry, and gears.
Waste money and time , it is too simple , why complicate things !??? In road : use hybrid or road bike Of road : use mtb bikes (xc, all mountain, enduro,...)
My hybrid came with 38 gravel tyres stock, it also came with a 1x 11 speed 11 to 42t, hydraulic discs, a carbon fork and it has headset suspension, so this is BS, yeah like we are going to get an unbiased opinion from a guy who has 3 drop bar gravels in his box room. The people who should be looking at a gravel bike are those that have swallowed the marketing red pill. Maybe try justifying the price differential between the two types of bike, brake levers? A hybrid is more comfortable, and as for switching up hand positions, just slap on a set of bar ends, or inner bar ends. You are only allowed to have a drop bar on a gravel / XC bike? Jesus, I've never heard anything that is so ridiculous!
I’ve got a hybrid bike (trek fx) since 2019, and it’s more than capable of doing gravel/dirt/light trails with some roots and rocks. If you have the money for a “gravel bike”, I’d say go for it, it’s your call, but if you can only affords a hybrid, they’re amazing too
I agree”. I have a TREK FX-2 and I’ve done every single thing he mentioned. He says the gearing is deferent. But it’s not. Being we might have 8-9 speed cassette but with a 3 speed crank. Makes up the same deference. Also he says gravel bikes have disk breaks. As do ours. Hydraulic breaks and all. Now the weight I understand but it’s not much. #hybrids rule 💪🏽😂👌🏼
@@dirtybird7280 one of the “big secrets” of the bike industry that I came to realize is that gravel bikes are pretty much another class of hybrid bikes, but they’re renamed so they sound cool and get more sales from those rich retired doctors and hedge fund managers 😂
@@Rocky4719 I agree 🤣. If you look at a TREK FX2 it’s essentially a gravel bike/road bike. What changed? Tire size,flat bars versus down bars. The frame is the same exact thing. Unless it’s a carbon set up then I understand. Aside from that. It’s the same darn thing. Trying to sell me a gravel bike for $4K or a road bike for $4K is crazy 😝. I did a ride along with some road bikes at a pace of 24mph for I think was 9-10 miles straight. I was with them the entire time. On 35c tires and flat bars 🤣🤣🤣. Did it kill my legs? YES but proved a point 🚴🏽💨
@@dirtybird7280 I wouldn’t say the frame is exactly the same, because the geometry will differ, and even for an aluminum gravel bike, they try to engineer the frame to be light, lighter than most aluminum hybrids. But as you point out, you can’t really buy speed. A strong cyclist on a hybrid can keep up or even outpace cyclists on a road bike. Another personal thing is that I find it much easier to get out of the saddle and push up climbs on a flat bar as opposed to drops. It just feels more stable for me
Just the industry trying to make a buck. Not everyone can afford a $6K carbon bike. So if you can only buy a $1K bike, you're looked down upon. You can't win.
Not sure this comparison is 100% spot on as many hybrid bikes have large gear ranges and 'gravel' tires ... for instance, the Specialized Sirrus X bikes ...I have a 3.0 and it came w/ 700x42 gravel type tires, and an 11x42 cog ... gravel tires, big range, oh, and disc brakes. And, there are similar bikes with the other manufacturers (Trek FX, and the Giant Escape Disc, etc).
Indeed. Interestingly, the Canyon Pathlite 6 he keeps showing in thr video as the example hybrid bike comes with a Shimano SLX, 12-speed (10-51T) cassette. That’s as big of a range as Shimano makes.
@@jonathanv9587so it's not me noticing the massive cogs on those Canyons.
I have a cirrus 1.0. I live it.
Most hybrid bike come with mountain bike type tires. Hybrid bikes can go off road too... just not rocky or mountainous terrain. The suspension, linear pull brakes, and aluminum frames will prevent hybrids from being true mountain bikes. Hybrid bikes are meant to do light trails (ie flat dirt roads or loose gravel) in addition to the road. The only thing I give the gravel bike over the hybrid bike is the speed.
I'd go for gravel but because I'm beginner and price range is overwhelmingly higher at this already elevated crises right now, I went with hybrid.
I started with a hybrid bike for my gravel rides but a year later I bought the gravel bike and love it
I’m a beginner and everyone is telling me i should get hybrid for now. I did get the Hybrid from REI because they have great returns if i dont like the bike. I like going to gravel/ trails more, do you think my hybrid can handle it? Or should i upgrade to a mountain bike? Or should i just keep the hybrid but change the tires?
Great overview. Of course, there are exceptions. There are now some "hybrids" that are very gravel oriented, including suspension fork, thru axles, and MTB-type wide range gearing. This is my choice for gravel AND bikepacking. I enjoy 700c x 45mm tires for both.
Hybrid is the best
You videos and podcasts have been a great source of information and inspiration. Doing a sprint triathlon tomorrow and doing my very first 70.3 in September! Being 41 feels better and better!!
Great video, definitely confirmed that a hybrid bike is right for me! 👍
I bought a 700 CAD hybrid bike for cross training to supplement my running. My first bike since childhood. I am very happy about it!!! Gravel bike sounds really fun tho. I would get looked down on by guys who have 6k carbon bikes but just like my golf, I can get along with my 300 used iron sets.
got a road bike and a MTB, a gravel bike might seem like the next step for me, but I am not sure. The hybrid bikes, Canyon Roadlite 6 (and 7 from 2023) and the Canyon Pathlite 6 (and 7, from 2023) really make me fall in love. Both are like the bike of my dreams, as I always wanted a bike with the nimbleness of my 2X road bike and the easy gears of my 3X MTB, with 1X and found the Roadlite 6 recently by sheer chance, which has a 46T chaining and a 10-51T cassette.
The Roadlite 6 (and 7) with its harder gear being 46-10 has better speed than my 48-11 road bike and the 46-51T gear is as easy as the easier gear of the middle chainring of my MTB, which is 30-34T (the easiest gear of my MTB is 22T-34T but that's a whole different story).
The Pathlite is quite similar to the Roadlite but it uses a 36T chainring, and now where it comes my dilemma, I want to buy one or the other in january 2024.
I vent for trek dual sport hybrid (2022 version as it had suspension still) so far satisfied, but I ride mostly in city.. lot of potholes though.
I.got a specialized cirrus 1.0 and I love it. I was going to buy the trek fx but I wanted a 2 by or 1 by not a 3.
I purchased the latest version of the Boardman mtx 8.6 hybrid a few months ago, just to get me back into cycling after 20 years without being on a bike. I have no complaints. I manage a 15 mile cycle, to and from work comfortably mostly on cycle paths, I also do an extra 20 miles after work around 3 times a week.
Now I'm comfortable with cycling reasonable distances and increasing my mileage regularly, I'm considering purchasing either a road or gravel bike but I'm unsure which to purchase.
I live on a Welsh coastline, the main roads are good, there are some cycle paths, but I also tend to cycle on some country lanes which are rather potholed and rough at times.
I'm wondering whether a road bike would be suitable, or should I look into a gravel bike for the not so comfortable country lanes / elevations?
I do track times, mileage etc on Strava but I'm not a stickler for personal bests etc.
I'm tempted by something along the lines of a Cannondale topstone.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
good description - one of the best.
I agree
I bought a Specialized Sirrus in 2013. To my surprise she was as good on the road as offroad (gravel and not to hard trails). it a very gravel like bike.
If you value your back…if you want comfort…control…speed…go hybrid…if you indiana jones and you love being trendy…go for drop bars…😎👍
Hi I’m 5’11 and 300 pounds and want to bike but don’t want to break the bank do you have any recommendations please trying to lose weight?
We are on the same track. I am 5'8", @ 280.., AND, I'm 53. 😒
Anyway.., I rode a road bike when I was a teenager.., LOVED IT. A friend, & I raced traffic, jumped the 10-Speeds off anything we could get air from.., & so.., I K-N-O-W I want a gravel bike, (*Disclaimer: I eventually got hit by a car, & my parents never bought me another bike..,).
But, of course.., I can't just buy a $1,400+ bike, w/o having to prove to my wife, (*& myself), that this is not a passing thing).., so, I too have to lose weight, etc.
SO.., WHAT I AM DOING is BUILDING a make-shift gravel bike. I bought a 2010 Trek FX 7.3 a guy had posted for $250.., for $200.., it's got 3x8 gearing, & it is LIGHT.
So far, I've installed an adjustable stem, drop bars, & took a Dremel to the stock straight bar trigger shifters. I will soon get drop bar shifters, & larger gravel style tires.
I'm not racing, so do I REALLY need a gravel bike? No. & a Trek should be plenty tough enough to take what little legit bumps I can give it, so.., just buy a cheaper used Trek hybrid, put some $ in to it, (*incrementally).., & Make a trip of your ride to a state of more knowledge.
Just need a gravel bike and a mtn bike. Gravel bike with road wheels and gravel wheels. Mtn bike for the really nasty off road.
damn I really wish I saw this video before buying my hybrid bike, btw I pushed that thing Past its limits, damn near need to repair everything on it, I bike 11 miles to work 5 days a week. well I'm thinking I'm just going to build a gravel bike keep the frame from the hybrid and just upgrade every single part on it.
If you have a belly get a hybrid bike…. Seriously, it’s hard to enjoy the drop bars if you can’t get long b/c you have a belly.
What kind of bike should I buy if I want to get around the city quickly?
I find a CX bike offers the most versatility. I have a Trek Boone and it works well on pavement and dirt. Gravel bikes tend to be heavier and all sorts of frame attachment points I would never use. FWIW I have no trouble running 40mm tubeless gravel tires on the Trek Boone.
what are your thoughts on Gravel vs All-Road vs Adventure bikes? I know all-road is between road and gravel and adventure is more towards gravel but I've got a hybrid currently and I require a drop bar bike for canal towpaths, parks, roads as we ride time trial, pushing to beat our last journey.
Hey there! Great video! Here is my issue: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is my sport of choice and in my off-mat time I want to be involved in activities that support that end. One of those activities is bike riding. I live in NYC and currently have 1 - 2 days a week to devote to cycling. I usually do the loop at Central Park, which is a paved road with soft to moderate hills and climbs. Should I go for a gravel bike with road tires? I am interested in performance, but my focus is an activity level that supports my Jiu Jitsu practice. What would you suggest?
Go with the hybrid because it has adjustable shocks for your cross-training needs or up the Hudson valley when you are inclined.
Very Informative thank you for posting!
Excellent comparison.
The real difference is in bicycle dimension for Raod bike or Mountain or Hybrid.
I feel like the Gravel bike term is another marketing strategy to sell more bikes.
Hybrid for me. I'm cheap 😂😅😂
In other words, if you're not on a gravel bike, you're not really biking... you're just puttering around like an idiot. Got it.
Yup …. That is what industry need …. You to spend money! Jeeezus
Nah...A hybrid bike, a cheap starter mtb change its fork to rigid, convert to 1x12 etc. and a fast rolling tires, Thats it..Wallah..Hybrid bike!
For daily commuting, I use a hybrid bike
Great video
totally disagree : hybrid bike are far better off road with fork suspension and upright position with flatbar handlebars, the only reason for gravel bike is speed speed speed but of road and in the large distance for me is better comfort than speed: many people traveling across the globe by bicycle don't even consider the gravel bike but hybrid or mtb . Gravel is meant for marketing and fashion
what's the difference between cyclocross and gravel bikes?
Cyclocross bikes are limited by the rules set by the sport. As of now Gravel bikes do not have any UCI rules and therefore not constrained on tire clearance, geometry, and gears.
Waste money and time , it is too simple , why complicate things !???
In road : use hybrid or road bike
Of road : use mtb bikes (xc, all mountain, enduro,...)
That’s the thing… people don’t have money to waste.. so why would they buy 2 separate bikes when one bike is expensive enough??
My hybrid came with 38 gravel tyres stock, it also came with a 1x 11 speed 11 to 42t, hydraulic discs, a carbon fork and it has headset suspension, so this is BS, yeah like we are going to get an unbiased opinion from a guy who has 3 drop bar gravels in his box room. The people who should be looking at a gravel bike are those that have swallowed the marketing red pill. Maybe try justifying the price differential between the two types of bike, brake levers? A hybrid is more comfortable, and as for switching up hand positions, just slap on a set of bar ends, or inner bar ends. You are only allowed to have a drop bar on a gravel / XC bike? Jesus, I've never heard anything that is so ridiculous!
Hybrid = Between a Road Bike and MTB.
Seems to me like Gravel Bikes are a type of Hybrid.
So much misinformation in this video 📷
I have a gravel bike with flat bars. 🤷
It’s all a bunch of marketing BS to turn a buck. When IPMBA adopts them, then I might think about it. News flash, it’s not going to happen.
gravel bikes suck because they are way uncomfortable
Exactly. It's really just for people who like road bikes and want to go on terrain.
ρ尺ｏΜ𝐎ᔕᗰ