Gravel bikes are an amazing tool. They have been circulating under different names for years but hit the scene about five years ago as gravel bikes. They are excellent for cycling on road and off-road and great if you enjoy bikepacking or touring. Gravel has now become a professionally raced sport, and it seems to be the direction many people want to go with their own cycling. A lot of people ask us about gravel bikes and where they fit in the cycling world. The most common question we encounter is the difference between gravel bike vs hybrid bike. In this article, we will be telling you about each and explaining the differences.
Table of contents
What is a gravel bike vs hybrid bike?
The best way to understand these two types of bikes is to break them up and tell you what makes them. We’re going to discuss frame and forks, geometry, wheels and tires, gearing, and brakes.
Gravel Bikes
Gravel bikes look a lot like road bikes, but they are actually very different. The most common misconception is people think a gravel bike is a road bike with wider tires when it isn’t. Here’s what makes a gravel bike special;
Frame and forks
On gravel bikes, you generally have carbon fiber, aluminum, or steel frames. They are made to be as lightweight as possible while still being strong enough to take a knock. The forks generally are rigid, and you won’t often see suspension on a gravel bike.
Geometry
When it comes to gravel bike geometry, it needs to do a lot. It has to provide the user with control, stability, aerodynamics, and comfort. You typically see a relaxed geometry with a slack headtube and an upright riding position on gravel bikes. You also find the bottom bracket to be lower to the ground, and the bike tends to be longer than other bikes like road bikes.
Wheels and Tires
On gravel bikes, you generally use two different wheel sizes, 650b, and 700c. It tends to be 650b on gravel bikes designed for a lot of off-road riding and 700c for gravel bikes that spend most of the rides on the road. Gravel bikes tend to come with large tires, normally around 40c, but some can be as big as 2.1” mountain bike tires.
Gearing
The gearing on gravel bikes is quite unique as you have drop bar shifters but require very low gear ratios. You tend to get gravel bikes specific groupsets now, such as the Shimano GRX. These are made for off-road riding and typically have a wider range of gears and clutch mechs, meaning they still work efficiently while going over bumpy terrain.
Brakes
On all bikes, brakes are very important, but on gravel bikes, you need them to be very good. On all modern gravel bikes, you see they are equipped with disc brakes. These come in either mechanical or hydraulic, the hydraulic being the better of the two.
Hybrid Bikes
Hybrid bikes are a combination of different types of bikes hence the term hybrid. These bikes come in many different forms, the most common being a flat bar road bike and a relaxed mountain bike.
Frame and forks
Most hybrid bikes, the frames are typically designed to be very strong. They are made of either aluminum or steel and are made not to be lightweight and fast but to be reliable and strong. You will often see suspension forks on hybrid bikes.
Geometry
The geometry of a hybrid bike is purely made for comfort. Cyclists that buy hybrid bikes typically use them for commuting, short rides with friends, or even to go shopping. When designers make hybrid bikes, they are not worried about aerodynamics, control, or making the bike go as quickly as possible. Hybrid bikes have an upright position and are easy to get on and off.
Wheels and Tires
Wheels and tires on hybrid bikes, like gravel bikes, do vary. Some have 26” wheels. Others might have 27.5” and some 700c. Typically a flat bar road bike will have 700c and small skinny tires, but a relaxed mountain bike will have oversized slick mountain bike tires in a 27.5″.
Gearing
When it comes to gearing, a hybrid bike typically will have mountain bike gearing. Hybrid bikes have flat bars, meaning you will generally have trigger or twist shifters. The gearing will be basic, but it will offer a huge range of gears, especially when it comes to the lower end.
Brakes
When it comes to hybrid bikes, you will see all different types of brakes. Some will have rim brakes, and others will come with disc brakes. Generally, the brakes are fairly basic on hybrid bikes as they are not designed for extreme riding.
Related Reading: 7 Best Gravel Bike Shoes
Gravel Bike vs Hybrid Bike: Key Differences
So now you have learned a little bit about each type of bike, what are the main differences you will find when using each in the real world? Learn more about the key differences between gravel bike vs hybrid bike below.
Frames and Forks
When it comes to the frame, the hybrid bike is going to be much heavier, and it’s going to give you a much more comfortable upright riding position. On a gravel bike, the frame will be much lighter and is going to put you in a more aggressive position.
Then we have the forks. On gravel bikes, you generally use lightweight carbon fiber forks, which are made to be rigid. On hybrid bikes, you will see some rigid, but the majority are suspension forks to help you get over bumps.
Handlebars
The first difference you’re going to find is the handlebars. On a gravel bike, you will generally use drop bars, which you see on road bikes. On hybrid bikes, you will see flat bars, and these are what you see on mountain bikes.
Drop bars do give you more positions to help you get aerodynamic. They are designed to keep you closed up and help you be as quick as possible. Then you have flat bars, designed for the user to have one position but much more control and comfort.
Shifters and Brakes
On bike handlebars, you will have the controls for your shifters and brakes. On a gravel bike, you use drop bars. As we discussed before, these use road bike style shifters and brakes. That means they are all one solid unit, and you control them like you would a road bike using your fingers.
On a hybrid bike, you generally use mountain bike shifters and brakes. These are separate units, so you have them independent of each other. The shifters are general trigger or twist shifters you control with your thumbs. For the brakes, you pull levers with your fingers.
Weight
Then we have the weight. On gravel bikes, you will typically weigh anywhere from 8kg to 13kg. You can look at anywhere from 12kg to 16kg on hybrid bikes. The weight difference is very big, and you’ll find a gravel bike much lighter.
The weight matters when it comes to racing and being fast, but if you’re not worried about speed and just looking for a bike to get from A to B, it doesn’t really matter.
Cost
Bikes are costly, and generally, you get what you pay for. Gravel bikes will range from around $500 all the way to $8000. Hybrid bikes are much cheaper, and you’re looking at roughly $150 up to around $2000 maximum. Gravel bikes are much more expensive, but typically they use very high-end parts and lightweight materials. Much more goes into the manufacturing of gravel bikes than hybrid bikes.
Accessories
When it comes to accessories, you do get a lot more for your money in hybrid bikes. They often come with fenders, racks, lighting, and even suspension seat posts. It might not seem like a lot, but this can save you money and add to the cycling experience. Gravel bikes generally do not come with any accessories, and you typically add them yourself.
Can I use a hybrid bike as a gravel bike?
Yes, of course, if the hybrid bike has some off-road capabilities, it will work. It will be slower and might feel like hard work, but it will be fun on the gravel trails and offer a lot of comfort.
Many cyclists use hybrid bikes over gravel bikes for gravel riding as they prefer flat bars to drop bars. It gives a very comfortable ride and extra control without having to use a mountain bike which could be a little much.
Are gravel bikes better than hybrids?
It all really comes down to the purpose you want the bike for. A gravel bike is far better for you if you want a bike for Sunday’s club run and hitting a dirt road at speed. If you want a bike to attach a rear carrier and go on days out with loved ones, then a hybrid bike will be much better for you. Both gravel bikes and hybrid bikes are excellent ways to enjoy cycling and any bike is better than none.