hybrid or road bike?

[Crankarm]

Neither. The solution to your predicament is a Brompton.

 

[beanzontoast]

Personal choice plays a large part. I've used both drop bar bikes and hybrids for commuting and nowadays prefer the latter. I don't notice much difference caused by any extra weight. The hybrid cost me less and IME is no more difficult to maintain. I prefer the more upright posture and value comfort of riding position and how safe I feel when cycling more highly than things like speed.

 

[MrJamie]

I wouldn't say all hybrids are heavy, mine certainly isn't. There's only a slight difference between it and Mr6's roadie.
I went through a phase of thinking I should "progress" to a road bike, but I'm perfectly happy with the hybrid. Mostly I ride on the road but if I fancy going over a field or down a track I don't worry about the bike coping with it, I just go.
I think it depends on the hybrid you choose, mine's more of a flat bar road bike whereas some are definitely trying to be mtb's.

I'm similar, I think at some point ill probably 'progress' to a cyclocross bike, but for me its the versatility I like. My hybrid is probably closest to a 29er MTB and it maintains a decent enough pace on the road, but if I'm cycling through the woods, I can happily ride off-road and explore the MTB trails and has a nice big bag on the back for smaller shopping trips.

 

[peedee]

I have both an MTB and road bike, but I prefer to use the MTB for the commute for the following reasons:
- traffic is heavy and I'd rather not rely on my unclipping skilz. (Yes, I could put flats on the road bike but it seems a shame.)
- part of the route has the option of a cycle path which isn't smooooth enough for the road bike.
- on the road bike I feel as if I should be in my full lycra gimp suit, on the MTB I wear jeans.
- the route is pretty flat, hence weight really isn't much of an issue.

If I was buying again, I would go for a hybrid (though more towards the 'flat bar road bike' end of the market)

 

[Sandra6]

I'm similar, I think at some point ill probably 'progress' to a cyclocross bike, but for me its the versatility I like. My hybrid is probably closest to a 29er MTB and it maintains a decent enough pace on the road, but if I'm cycling through the woods, I can happily ride off-road and explore the MTB trails and has a nice big bag on the back for smaller shopping trips.

I'm leaning towards mtb's at the mo, but I may explore the possibility of a cyclocross.
In an idea world I'd have both, and the hybrid, and the roadie, and the electra cruiser and....

 

[CommuterBen]

Can you not cycle the whole way?

160 mile round trip? I don't think so!

 

[HLaB]

Ben, if I had the choice I'd go for a road bike but go for whatever you are comfortable with and encourage you to cycle

 

[Davywalnuts]

160 mile round trip? I don't think so!

Ahh, but you would soo kick arse on the 'mycyclinglog' league tables if you did...

 

[jowwy]

i have both a hybrid and a road bike - yes the hybrid leans more toward the roadie end, but i enjoy riding them both and use the hybrid alot more during the nasty winter weather. Go with which ever suits the style of riding you would like to undertake. Both bikes will also take a rack and guards too.

 

[Kies]

^^^^^ great minds think alike jowwy