Originally Posted by
jonny4947
But doesn't that put it at serious risk regarding potholes? I was thinking aluminum or carbon with a good hearty tire maybe? I don't mind feeling the bumps in the road, I just don't want it to mess up my bike or wheels.
26 in mountain bike wheels are normally stronger than the 700c and have higher spoke counts. Also tire inflation plays a key and you need to find the comfortable balance with some cush yet no pinch flats and good rolling resistance. Personally from my experience tires make the biggest difference. A carbon bike is just asking to get stolen and I personally think the frames can be brittle.
If you are really worried about the unavoidable potholes I think a 1.5 to 1.75 would do good. Also does the mountain bike have an aggressive geometry? If so it could be about the same speed as a flat bar hybrid.