hybrid or mountain bike
 

So what's the diff between a mountain bike with a suspension fork and a hybrid bike? I really like my mountain bike, but the cycling club (that I want to join in the spring) suggests a road or hybrid bike for their cycling adventures. Can I just put smoother tires on and be good? I routinely ride to work (14 miles one way) on knobbies that are probably a bit worn down now! on my mountain bike and am fine with that. The roads are crap here in Winnipeg-compared to the states. I sold my road bike years ago because it just beat me to death. Actually quit riding for a spell-so disenchanted with the roads here. Anyhow, my lighter aluminum mtn bike with a suspension fork rides like a cadillac as far as I'm concerned.

yeah, a 26x1.5 or x1.9 slick or semi-slick will do you just fine for street riding on a mtn bike.

hybrids now days tend to have 700c wheels which are a little bigger in diameter, and tire sizes in the 28-40mm range... a 700x28 is a medium-large size on a conventional road bike, while a 40mm is nearly mountain bike fat.

the suspension forks on most hybrids that come so equipped aren't very good quality, I tend to eschew them.

The gearing is also different. Smaller 26" wheels usually give lower gear ratio then 700c, plus MTBs often have 42 or 44t big chainrings compared to Hybrids typical 48t. In the rear older MTBs might have smallest ring as big as 14t.
You can calculate the differences here: http://www.bikecalc.com/gear_meters_of_development

29er mountain bike will take a narrower tire, where the max tire width capacity
of many cross/hybrids is much less .

I have a 26" wheel*Trekking bike; and a black ice ready studded tire bike built up from a late 70's stumpjumper.

There are some nice rolling fat comfy tires like Schwalbe Big apples. I fit the puncture resist Marathons on one *

My two cents:

-Put some slicks on your mtb to improve your ride for the commute. My hybride is essentially a rigid mtb- 26x1.5" slick(ish) tires and a high gear of 42x11. I can typically cruise at 20 mph should I choose to do so. Most of the non-racing club rides that meet at the LBS for a ride typically advertise an average pace of 15-17 mph- and that are for the ones that are in full kit.

-Tell that club that you'll take their suggestions/recommendations under advisement, but you'd like the opportunity to use what you currently have. If you are a strong enough rider, you probably won't have a problem keeping up with them (depending on how the ride is orientated). If you struggle, then that will be the time to reassess the situation.

+1 Good answer..:thumb:

An mtb with a lockable fork and slicks is just as good as a hybrid. I have both and for longer rides in comfort I will take the mtb anyday. 6 hours on 700x28c high pressure tires rattles my teeth out.

+2 spot on!