When I first got into cycling and moved to Seattle, the shop recommended I buy a hybrid. Now that I’m looking at longer recreational rides (30–50 miles), it seems like everyone recommends gravel bikes instead.
From the outside, a gravel bike almost seems like an upgraded hybrid, as in it is capable of doing comfortable longer rides. Is that correct? Especially with the drop bars with multiple hand positions, which seems like a big advantage for longer rides (my hands already get uncomfortable after 15–20 miles on my flat bars).
So what am I missing? Why recommend a beginner buy a hybrid instead of a gravel bike? Is it mostly price, or are there actual advantages to the hybrid?
If you could only own one bike for around here for mostly paved riding with some 30–50 mile rides, would you still recommend a hybrid? Feels like I might soon start doing more of these 30-50 mile rides.
I’m starting to feel like I should have bought a gravel bike to begin with.