Comfort bike Choice on trails
 

I ride a Cannondale Cad3 F700 most of the time on trails but I'm buying a second bike for dual use. Looked at hybrids and comforts and liked the comforts and narrowed search to Specialized Expedition Sport or Trek Navigator 2. Any thoughts as to which is better overall and which is better for more frequent off road on easy to moderate trails?

Hybrid Bikes are not for off road use. They can be used like any other bike for off road use but I think they are useless.

You can always put some cyclocross tyres on the hybrid and think that the skull shaking arms numbing bumps when you go off road are just a smooth trail on any normal day, go ahead and convert one over.

I think that the "hybrid" bike idea is worthless. Most people use them to take to work and back, but then they question about a longer ride and find the bike to be useless for any "real" use.

For an extra $100 you have a choice of a road bike or a good mountain bike.

Comforts are made for older people who wish to go to the store or to stroll around the park with their grandchildren.

THEN mountain bikes are well known as a "hybrid" bike long before hybrids and comforts came out. If you buy a mountain bike and get some smooth center tread tyres with a rough outer edge they can serve for both uses. But the tyre will be easier to puncture.

I agree with BotByte... if you're gonna be using your bike for mainly off-road activity, even if it's just some light trails, go with a mountain bike. For 50 dollars more, your can get a Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...=Path%2FGravel). It'll be a good starter bike for off-road stuff, and, if you have a Specialized dealer, should be readily available. Comfort bikes are ok for small rides, and look ok to the average consumer, but if you want to do anything major, get either a mountain bike for off-road, or a road bike for road stuff. If you find you want to start commuting, or find you start doing more road things, you can get slick 26" tires for about 20 dollars a set at Nashbar.com, an online bike store.

Edit: just looked at the bike you currently have... you don't need to get another mountain bike. Just get some new tires, "smooth center tread tyres with a rough outer edge", as BotByte stated before.

I`m thinking maybe you should describe what you mean by `trail`. If an unpaved bike path is a `trail` to you then any bike will do.

My friend recently purchased a Specialized Crosstrail, works great for light trails and everyday commuting. Although when it was time to do some heavier trail riding he just didn't have the grip the rest of us had.

Both those comfort bikes would be a downgrade from your Cannondale. You might look into getting a second wheelset for the Cannondale for $160 or so. Set one up with some burly 2.1 knobbies and the other with some semi-slicks.

If you really want a more roadish second bike that you can take on smooth trails check out cyclocross bikes.

If you're really looking for a laid back slow-roll bike for mellow trail rides maybe the Hybrid forum has input on those two comfort models.

Thanks all.
 

I picked up a Janis Explorer and its great for around town and with the grandkids by the beach. It does fine on paved or improved trails. This was the primary purpose for this bike. I took it on a moderate wood trail and it did ok but the difference between this and my cannondale is obvious. I'll just use the cannondale for my trail riding and the Janis for around town. Thanks

Grandkids eh? You have reached the really good point of life! And a Ja"M"is to boot. Life sounds good. By the beach, sheesh, sounds really good. The rules around here are post a picture or the bike will flat every third ride. Don't tempt fate..............:twitchy:

"mmmmm"
 

mmmmmmmm......got to watch my typing. Yes life is good. Ride and enjoy.