I have a 90's era MTB with slicks that I like very much. Somehow the frame geometry combined with those 26" tires make me feel like I can throw the thing around like I did my BMX back in the 80's. That being said I prefer my hybrids for commuting and my MTB for short jaunts or to transport my toddler around. BTW I was under the impression that messengers predominantly used fixies with really short chainstays. Of course bicycle messengers are unheard of in these parts - it's probably just a stereotypical view that I have (sort of like those who think that because I'm Canadian I live in an igloo).