I'm interested in a comfortable bike simply for touring the neighborhood streets, traveling on bike paths in parks, quick trip to the store, etc. I was wondering if a mountain bike fitted with smooth tires would be a decent choice over a pure "comfort bike"? Seems like mountain bikes come with better components and are made sturdier than a comfort bike. If you fit a mountain bike with smooth tires, then it seems like you suddenly have a beefy comfort bike that can handle anything on the street. The only things you would lose over a true comfort bike would be a softer seat (probably too soft anyway) and a slightly more upright riding position. What do you think?

I'm interested in a comfortable bike simply for touring the neighborhood streets, traveling on bike paths in parks, quick trip to the store, etc. I was wondering if a mountain bike fitted with smooth tires would be a decent choice over a pure "comfort bike"? Seems like mountain bikes come with better components and are made sturdier than a comfort bike. If you fit a mountain bike with smooth tires, then it seems like you suddenly have a beefy comfort bike that can handle anything on the street. The only things you would lose over a true comfort bike would be a softer seat (probably too soft anyway) and a slightly more upright riding position. What do you think?

Many of the comfort and hybrid models are just down spec'ed mountain bikes or touring bikes anyway. Slap on a set of slicks (I wouldn't personally but to each his own) and off you go. If you want a more upright riding position, put on a set of risers or a high angle stem and go riding.

Heck, you could put on a suspension seat post, too. I have the opposite problem...I have a comfort bike and thoughts have been swirling in my mind about a mountain bike....Hmmmm...Wanna trade? I've got decent components....... ;)

(I'll tell you what I got if you tell me what you got!)

I actually think that a mountain bike converted to a "street" bike works better than a hybrid/comfort model. I think the 26 inch wheels offer some advantages over the 700c wheels for the type of riding you normally do on streets and paths. A mountain bike is also often geared a little lower but still has enough of a top end to get you moving at 20 mph if you ever feel the urge. As far as seats go, any seat can be installed on any bike. If you ride alot you will find that the big seats that come standard on many comfort bikes do not really offer much comfort on longer rides.