Mar 1, 2010
I Will Be Riding Mostly On Streets Or Paved Paths. Do I Get A Mountain Bike Or A Hybrid?
I rode a Cannondale f7 and a Trek 7.2FX. I like how easy the Trek was, but when turning I hit some sand and the back tire slid. On the Cannondale mountain bike I hit the same sand and was fine, but it is much harder to get the bike going. Just not sure what to buy.
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I would go for the hybrid, unless you put road slicks on them, mountain bikes are horrible on pavements, and even then they suck (try riding a 150 mile over 2 day tour on one, and you’ll feel my pain).
Still, a hybrid is a compromise. While it will perform adequately on both surfaces, it will excel on neither. I have both a mountain bike and a road bike, so I have what performs best wherever I ride. Another option is to decide what type of riding you prefer, get the bike best for that, and just do that sort of riding.
I agree with ronnieboy. I’m not sure what a Cannondale f7 is but maybe the Cannondale CAFFEINE 29’er, lightweight and larger diameter wheels will give you the pickup you need.
Or check out the Specialized Crosstrail. Seems like a bike you may find suitable.
From reading what you wrote, I think you may want to work more on your gear shifts than worrying about whether you get a mountain or hybrid bike. While I agree that rolling is slower with a mountain bike, faster with a hybrid, and definitely fastest with a road bike, if you start in a low gear (and stop at lights in a low gear), you’ll have a much easier ride no matter which bike type you go with.
If there won’t be many sand traps or dirt roads, as you stated, the hybrid would be a better fit.
Negotiating sand is a matter of developing the skill set, but the simplest solution is to look at least 15 feet ahead, change your gears early, according to the upcoming terrain, and have as little bike lean as possible when negotiating turns and questionable terrain.
Hope this helps!
Cyclocross bike. By far the most versatile and fastest mix.
It has always been easier to put slicks on a mountian bike than knobbies on a hybrid.
I have been riding Specialized Rhythm 2.3″ tires on my Santa Cruz Chameleon single speed for a little over a year and I have had no problem keeping up with friends on traditional road bikes. However, it is much easier for me to take my bike off road, like down the beach for a sunset ride, or on the dirt paths in the state parks, even if my gearing isn’t always perfect.
Have you looked at any 29″ wheeled mountian bikes? I have never ridden one but it may be the missing link between the mountain bike and the hybrid.