There is a well established consumer market for hybrid bikes that combine MTB features with road bike construction, but is there anything special about hybrid bike hubs? Don’t all the best bike hubs have excellent freewheeling release, low friction, low maintenance bearings, and efficient, smooth ratchet and pawl engagement? In this article we’ll discuss how the best option for hybrid bike hubs might be an MTB, road bike or gravel bike hub.
What is a hybrid bike?
Hybrid bikes are a class of bike that has the more vertical sitting position, straight handlebars and even the rugged styling of a mountain bike, but the lighter frame and components of a road bike. Hybrid bikes do not have full suspension. Some ‘hardtail’ designs have front fork suspension, but no rear suspension makes it easier to fit panniers for carrying luggage.
Hybrid bikes are positioned to fulfill demand for a bike that can be used for commuting as well as general recreational riding. Hybrid bikes will be used almost exclusively on roads and paved surfaces, but also need to be suitable for weekend riding on level trails and tracks.
How do hybrid bikes differ from traditional commuter bikes?
Traditional commuter bikes, like the one in the picture above, usually have luggage baskets, enclosed chains, large mudguards, and big, soft saddles. This makes them very heavy compared to road bikes and mountain bikes.
This is fine for someone who only wants to use their bike for a comfortable, short, ride to work or to the local shops, but if you want to also use your bike more recreationally commuter bikes are too heavy and slow for long distance riding.
Hybrid bikes have a comfortable MTB style riding position
Many recreational riders prefer a more vertical, comfortable, MTB style riding position with straight handlebars to the prone position of road bikes with drop handlebars. This makes MTBs a good choice of styling, but MTBs are over-engineered for general recreational riding or commuting. Hybrid bikes are usually compared to road bikes rather than MTBs when people discuss which they prefer.
Why not just ride an MTB?
MTBs have features, including suspension components, that add complexity, expense, and weight. This makes MTBs heavier than road bikes, although usually not as heavy as commuter bikes. The extra effort, cost, and complexity of a pure MTB means it is over engineered for commuting and light recreational use, and considerably more expensive than an equivalent hybrid bike.
Hybrid bikes are light and sporty for recreational riding
The hybrid bike meets the need for a lighter bike that is easy to ride, but which can be ridden in a comfortable, upright position. It is good for commuting and short trips, but also comfortable enough for longer recreational rides. Hybrid bikes have a more sporty look than the traditional commuter bike, and this appeals to a wider range of people.
What are the engineering features of hybrid bike hubs & components?
When you are engineering a hybrid bike it’s important to consider the customer requirements for durability and reliability of hybrid bike hubs and other components as part of a complete design. The fact that a hybrid bike looks more like an MTB does not mean that it should have a heavy duty MTB hub. Almost all hybrid bike riding will be on sealed surfaces or well maintained trails, more like a road or gravel bike.
What are 5 ways Revv achieves exceptional quality control in bike hub manufacturing?
- incoming supply chain materials are verified to match engineering specifications
- full dimensional and key dimension inspections during the manufacturing process
- reference pieces are checked during assembly
- all ratchet torque and drum dimensions checked for each hub
- production line final quality control checks before shipping
Using an MTB bike hub or downhill bike hub might far exceed the requirements of a hybrid bike hub. Riders of hybrid bikes are less likely to be extreme cyclists or put in the consistently high distances of devoted bike riders, so ultralight road bike hubs are unlikely to be the best choice, especially if they come with the need for regular maintenance.
Owners of hybrid bikes are more likely to be happy with a bike that has a durable hub with low maintenance that gives them good performance without any trouble. This makes gravel bike hubs the obvious choice to meet all the requirements of hybrid bike hubs. Gravel bike hubs are effectively a hybrid bike hub in origin, although one that has come from trail riding requirements rather than the demands of road riding.
Revv offers several options for hybrid bike hubs
Revv bike hubs offer a range of options for hybrid bike designs. Our responsive SRS ratchet system, light and strong machined forged aluminum alloy construction and rigorous testing makes Revv bike hubs easily meet the challenges of the casual rider who uses their hybrid bike mainly for commuting.
The zero failure rate of Revv bike hubs in 8,000 km of on-road testing makes them a component you can fit to an OEM hybrid bike without worrying about warranty issues! Exceptional quality control in our supply chain and manufacturing processes ensures every Revv bike hub performs exactly as required, without defects.
- Patented SRS ratchet system
- CNC machined forged alloy construction
- Extreme reliability and durability
- Standard dimensions match modern bike frames
- Available for Shimano HG, Shimano Micro Spline & SRAM XDR cassettes
As an excellent all-round bike hub design, our gravel bike hubs might be the first choice for a hybrid bike hub that is effortlessly efficient and reliable. All our bike hubs are manufactured to the same high standards, so if weight is a consideration a Revv road bike hub is also going to deliver the performance required for a hybrid bike used mainly on the road and in cities. Contact us to discover the Revv bike hub that is the perfect match for your hybrid bike design.
