Mountain bike or hybrid?
Discussion
I've recently moved house and I'm now only about 6 miles from work so I'm seriously considering cycling in.
The route I would take is a poorly surfaced back road that I have been advised is a bit too rough for a road bike.
So the question is what should I buy, a hybrid or a mountain bike?
The mountain bike I'm looking at is a Carrera Vulcan as the reviews have been good and it is in my price range. It also has lockable front suspension.
However when I was in Halfrauds I spotted a Carrera Subway that looked good, had a taller gears and road tyres so would probably be more suited to my commute. It also has had generally good reviews.
So the question is will the mountain bike be too compromised for a commute that is all tarmac, albeit in a poor state of repair? On the other side of the equation is a hybrid going to be any good if I do decide to go off road.
The route I would take is a poorly surfaced back road that I have been advised is a bit too rough for a road bike.
So the question is what should I buy, a hybrid or a mountain bike?
The mountain bike I'm looking at is a Carrera Vulcan as the reviews have been good and it is in my price range. It also has lockable front suspension.
However when I was in Halfrauds I spotted a Carrera Subway that looked good, had a taller gears and road tyres so would probably be more suited to my commute. It also has had generally good reviews.
So the question is will the mountain bike be too compromised for a commute that is all tarmac, albeit in a poor state of repair? On the other side of the equation is a hybrid going to be any good if I do decide to go off road.
The mountain bike will do it all fine but be slower on the road than a hybrid. The hybrid might be a hard ride on the rough bits depending on how rough they are
Generally speaking hybrids are OK for roads, bridle paths, tow paths and other well surfaced tracks but only really for light off road cycling.
As ever it depends on what the road is like and what you want to do outside your commute. If both are similarly priced, I'd expect you'll get more hybrid for your money than mountain bike as it doesn't have any suspension.
Generally speaking hybrids are OK for roads, bridle paths, tow paths and other well surfaced tracks but only really for light off road cycling.
As ever it depends on what the road is like and what you want to do outside your commute. If both are similarly priced, I'd expect you'll get more hybrid for your money than mountain bike as it doesn't have any suspension.
I've a rigid framed hybrid 700c/28mm tyres and a hardtail. I tend to use the hybrid more often. Whenever I choose to go anywhere, it's rarely too rough for the hybrid but the limiting factor is that I've put slick tyres on it, so it's pretty hopeless on any sort of mud whatsoever. Great on roads and stones and shale but nothing slippery.
It's FAR faster than the MTB too.
But I reckon I could put some more all-surface tyres on it and it'd be even more general purpose.
It's FAR faster than the MTB too.
But I reckon I could put some more all-surface tyres on it and it'd be even more general purpose.
Thanks for the replies.
I've gone for a hybrid in the end. The road is very bad, not even classified and it was a keen road bike rider who told me that I'd need an mtb/hybrid.
In reality my off road forays will be limited to bridlepaths etc and although I liked the idea of a mountain bike I don't really need one.
I've gone for a hybrid in the end. The road is very bad, not even classified and it was a keen road bike rider who told me that I'd need an mtb/hybrid.
In reality my off road forays will be limited to bridlepaths etc and although I liked the idea of a mountain bike I don't really need one.
I went for a Carrera Subway. It fit my budget and looks good.
Trust me, you'd have to see the road, but to be honest I've made my choice now anyway. The hybrid will enable me to cycle along local paths and bridleways, of which there are many, aswell which is another reason I didn't want a pure road bike.
Thanks for the views though
Trust me, you'd have to see the road, but to be honest I've made my choice now anyway. The hybrid will enable me to cycle along local paths and bridleways, of which there are many, aswell which is another reason I didn't want a pure road bike.
Thanks for the views though
I ride farm roads on 23mm tyres without issue. They are gatorskins though. If my whole journey to work was on those roads i'd get a cyclocross bike rather than a hybrid so I can run wider tyres.
The main benefits is riding position/aerodynamics and weight. I've followed people on mtb/hybrids and the effort I need to ride at the same speed looks a lot less.
I guess a hybrid will have a more relaxed riding position and you are also unlikely to upgrade to Lycra.
The main benefits is riding position/aerodynamics and weight. I've followed people on mtb/hybrids and the effort I need to ride at the same speed looks a lot less.
I guess a hybrid will have a more relaxed riding position and you are also unlikely to upgrade to Lycra.
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