Originally Posted by
meanwhile
Re. buying an old hardtail MTB: the best of these make superb general purpose bikes, as they have been designed for toughness and handling in a way that few if any hybrids have (no one expects anyone to "push the envelope") on a hybrid. I'd recommend an old Kona Lavedome/Cindercone/Explosif with fast slicks (say Rubino Pros) but some Orange and Spoecialized models also have their fans. Assuming proper pedalling technique you won't need to change the chainrings (unless you're addicted to pedalling all-out on fast downhills, which isn't terribly smart outside of a race.)
I have never really been a mountain bike person, but the experience of "hybridizing" my son's mountain bike for road use really has changed my mind about these bikes. I realize that was mostly a function of tires and to a lesser extent, gearing.
I lately find myself coveting an older, hardtail mountain bike for general purpuse riding. Hardtal Mountain bikes that sold new for $400 to $600 new 10 or 15 years ago sell for $100 or less, sometimes much less. I assume most of these bikes need at least a good tuneup, but even so, they represent a phenomenal value as a do everything bike.