Should I buy a hybrid bike or a mountain bike?

Question

So here's the deal lol, my family and I plan to purchase bicycles soon. I haven't had a bike since I was much younger and don't know much about the different types. I have done some research, however, and have narrowed it down to two choices: a mountain bike or a hybrid bike. Since I'm new to this, I don't want anything that expensive, and I understand most mountain bikes are cheaper than hybrid bikes, so this is a plus in favor of the mountain bikes. I intend to ride around with my family (for fun, not really for commuting) and hopefully go on some trails sometimes. If I had a mountain bike, and the rest of my family had hybrid bikes, would they leave me in the dust when riding around, or would I just have to work a bit harder to keep up? Thanks very much :)

Answer 1

You only want a hybrid if you are going to spend a lot of time on the road with a little time off it. if you are cycling for the fun of it and intend to spend most time off road then go for a mountain bike. you will have to work harder to get some speed up on a mountain bike on the road but you can make them faster on the road by changing the tyres to slick tyres.

From what you've said it sounds like you need a mountain bike. spend some money and buy a decent one that will not only last but will be much lighter than the cheap models.



http://www.defensivecycling.com

Answer 2

Listen, off hand I would say mountain bike, cross country hard tail, 29in wheel if your local bike shop caters to them, maybe a cyclocross (drop bar, looks like a road bike but reinforced frame with enough clearance to run 45cm tires) But these guys that say hybrids (I consider hybrids any bike that doesn't have an associated race) are off base. Hybrids will get you no better of a work out than walking and if that's all you want that is fine. They are made for people that were injured on bikes that were too big or too small and now they ride these half bikes because of it. If people took the time to buy the right size and have the bike shop do even the most rudimentary bike fit they wouldn't have this problem. I've seen it time and time again, the more stretched out you are, the faster you go, the better workout. Still if you are too stretched out then you will experience numbness in the hands. The higher the seat the less pain in your knees but too high will cause saddle sores. Seats are always tricky, but good shorts (approx. $150) help. Reputable seat companies will have a demo program through a good bike shop. Saddle position is very important but it still boils down to trial and error. There is a lot of issues that will eventually need to be addressed but this enough to get you going.

Answer 3

I just got a awesome hybrid so I can sort of try to help explain:)



Mountain bikes are

a bit more stable (wider tires)

can handle rougher terrain



hybrids

faster (not blazingly but definitely noticeable)

lighter weight

more expensive but i just got a hybrid for $400

(my mountain was $200 and was smaller)



if your just riding around for fun, a mountain will be perfectly fine but doing over 5-6 miles will get tiring.

best of biking!!!

maybe just try them out at the store?

Answer 4

Get a mountain bike. As others have mentioned, terrain + hybrid = fail, and mountain bikes are cheaper. As you mentioned, you are new, and probably a bit rusty at riding. So a Mountain Bike, with it's fat, knobbly tires, will give you more confidence. Don't know why, it just does.

Answer 5

Mountain can ride terrain a Hybrid will fail at. Go MTB. You can always make them lighter to go much faster!

Answer 6

Get a 29'er mountain bike.....one of the most versatile platforms out there

Answer 7

mountain bike , they are great for the environment and health and plus there are activities you can do with the kids in the wooded areas and more

Answer 8

Go for a mountain bike they are really the good one

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_4?url=search-alias%3Daps&tag=bestdeals-y-20&field-keywords=mountain+bike&x=0&y=0&sprefix=moun