Do you think I should buy a Hybrid?

[tolga35]

Hi,

I have a mountaing bike which I have been using it for 2 years especially on 50-90km tours in rural areas (lots of climbing). It's in very good condition but I want to ride faster and longer.

I have 3 options.

1. Slick tires
2. Buy a Road Bike
3. Buy a Hybrid/Touring Bike

Slick tires option is the cheapest one. But I don't know whether I will get what I want with this option or not.

Road bikes are really attracting me. But I have some doubts about riding comfort and climbing to hills with it which we have lots of them.

Most reasonable option left is buying a hybrid or touring bike. They ensures both comfort and speed. But the road bikes' appearance attracts me.

What do you think?

[me and my bike]

Id say if you ride alot and your back is ok get a road bike. For miles there going to do so much better than the hybid. Hybrids are great if you have some back pain or you want to cruise rather than go fast, but if your riding your bike all the time your going to start getting that road bike craving, especially when your getting passed by roadies on your left haha.The slick on the mtb is going to suck because if you ever want to go back to moutain biking you have to put the old wheels back on or geta new wheel set. So yeah id recomend the road bike or even a touring bike if hats your style. dont worry about climbing, it will be alot easier with the road bike.

[SlimRider]

It would appear as though you live in a mountainous region. Therefore, for quick ascents on mountainous dirt trails, a cyclocross bike would be more highly recommended IMO. That's provided that your terrain may have patches of roots, rocks, crevices, and such. OTOH, if your terrain has hard packed mountainous dirt trails without such obstacles, then perhaps a hybrid or road bike would be in order.

In any case, you really wouldn't want slick tires riding on a rough terrain. OTOH, if the terrain is not rough, slick tires can only assist your increase in speed.

A nice cyclocross bike can be the solution in either case, actually. Consider the following:

1) Trek Steel Cross Lane

2) Raleigh Furley

3) Salsa Vaya

Also...

4) Surly Ogre

[jbchybridrider]

If your riding involves dirt roads or rough roads go for a performance type hybrid that fits wide tires up to 35c or get a cyclocross bike.

If your riding is all smooth bitumen get a road bike with wide gear spacing on the cassette for easy hill climbing.

[erg79]

I agree with the cyclocross or touring bike options.