Ladies hybrid v beach cruiser type question

[LaserTam]

First time on pedal power, so go easy...

Wife wants a new bike. Been looking at a hybrid type model (Rayleigh Metro LX) because comfort is most important for her, and other than the occaisional semi off-road prepared trail, the thing wont be seeing any mountains. However, we also looked at one of these beach cruiser type bikes. She had a sit on and said it was really comfy.

Getting to my question - although the cruisers are more comfy to sit on, would they tend to be more effort to ride than a hybrid i.e. fatter tyres, probably heavier? It strikes me that they probably would, in which case any comfort gained would just mean more leg work. I asked in the shops but felt I got biased views because of what they were trying to sell me.

Any independant views? Cheers.

[V8s ONLY]

Dont even think about a Beach Cruiser,all show and no go.For generally messing about on,a mountain bike is much better than a Hybrid,fatter tyres,more comfort. Hybrids are faster on roads and probably better if you are doing bigger mileages

[LaserTam]

V8s ONLY said:

Dont even think about a Beach Cruiser,all show and no go.For generally messing about on,a mountain bike is much better than a Hybrid,fatter tyres,more comfort. Hybrids are faster on roads and probably better if you are doing bigger mileages

Thanks, thats what I was thinking. She was heading down the hybrid route mainly because the height of seat and handlebars means that she will be sitting more upright, she found her old mountain bike wasnt comfortable because she was having to lean forward more. Frankly it will 95% of the time be used on tarmac cyclepaths.