Originally Posted by Mariner Fan
My first bike was a Trek Hybrid. To be honest they try to cross between a Mountain bike and a Road bike and don't do either well.
But the hybrid will at least do both with some grace. A road bike on a trail is just an invitation to bent wheels, and a MTB on asphalt is just out of its element. Before I get flamed by both road riders and MTB riders, let me say that riding "out of your element" is obviously possible - it just isn't optimal.
With my hybrid, I could road ride, commute, and explore any trail I got the notion to. My current touring bike is closer to a hybrid than either of the "special purpose" road or MTB styles. Yes, I give up the ultimate efficiency, but that's why I like to keep more than one bike!
