HI I have been biking on roads and bike paths for a 1.5 years (I am in my 40's) to drop weight. Been riding old steel framed hybrids and road bikes. A coworker just told me he is going to get back into riding on mountain bike trails in the greater Los Angeles area and invited me to join him.

So I think i need to get some tires and can use some input.

Here's what (in addition to a few road bikes with thinner tires) i have that i have been riding on roads (I have no experience on mountain trails etc.). I have 2 steel framed (non suspension) hybrid bikes with 700c wheels and tires. Frankly i dont like to ride these so much anymore except on late night rides on city sidewalks and bad city streets, riding mostly alone for excercise/recreation. I started out riding these bikes because i was more comfortable on them before i lost 43 pounds (I am down to 175 pounds now at 5.9.) and moved on to road bikes with thinner tires (I found my favorite is Panacela Tourguard 32cm). On one bike i have Marathon Plus 38cm tires that i dont like to ride on on roads, too heavy. On the other, i have 40cm chinese tire also with tread for road that are lighter that i like better.

But sitting in the garage I have two Bridgestone MB3 steel framed (non suspension) old mountain bikes with 26" wheels that need overhaul and new tires. I got these a few months ago off craigslist with vague ideas of converting them for road use, but didnt get around to it since i have other bikes.


So my coworkers going to invite me to ride on some local mountain bike trails. I might get into this regularly. I have never done this sort of riding. I assume they are dirt trails and what are called fire roads. Being in LA area i assume they get some steady use and arent in a wilderness condition.

My first and favorite idea (since it is no money) is whether i can use own of my hybrid bikes with the road tread fat tires. Is this just a terrible idea or can i get away with it for awhile to see if i like mountain biking?

My next idea is to get some sort of 26" dual use tire that i can use 90% of the time on road but will meet minimum needs for occasional mountain biking. Whats the best one to get?

My next idea (which is my 2nd favorite idea since i want to get them anyway to ride on roads for fun) is to get Schwalbe Big Apple 26" tires. I think id enjoy these on a road but dont know if theyd be any good on a trail. Would they be of any use to me on a trail? Would the widest ones i could fit on my MB3 be 2"?

Then my last idea would be to get dedicated mountain bike 26" tires. I am not too keen on this idea since they may sit in my garage unused almost all the time. But since i have two MB3 bikes i could always swap a set of wheels out with more road suited tires on it for my road riding (or ride one of my other bikes on roads.)

So if u were me and just wanted to try some mountain biking and not spend more money than necessary what would you do ?

Thanks