Originally Posted by mcompton1973
I could get an older 10 speed or similar road bike. would be good for longer rides, but I dont know if they accomodate the racks and fenders as easily. and I know tires are sometimes a bigger issue as far as flats etc...and then I hear that alot of people put on Mt Bike type handle bars...why?
If you can dig up an old 10-speed road bike, check to see if the fork and the area around your dropouts have eyelets for mounting stuff, and check to be sure that there's enough brake clearance to fit fenders (should be okay on most older bikes provided they haven't been refitted with contemporary short-reach brake calipers...trust me, you'll know when you see them!). If so, you're in business. Other big thing to look out for if you're looking at a road bike: make sure the bike doesn't have a one-piece crankset (where the left crank arm goes through the BB and comes out the other side as the right crank arm). These are heavy (not just in the "weight-weinie" sense of the term!) and can be a bigger pain in the butt to service than is necessary.
Flat tires? Well, yes, road tires are more vulnerable. Low-pressure MTB tires kinda moosh down around debris, whereas high-pressure road tires don't. Generally, if you can keep your eyes open and manage not to roll over broken glass and the like, road tires are fine. The benefit of higher pressure tires is less rolling resistance: if you like to ride fast, or if you get into a situation where you need to go really fast, they'll serve you a bit better. Note that I said a "bit", and I mean it. It's probably not going to be a huge difference unless you're in a race for your life, against time, or both.
Handlebar-wise, it's largely preference. Some folks like the upright riding position, either because they find it more comfortable or because it's what they're familiar with. Some folks like dropbars because of less wind resistance from the less upright position. Others (myself included) like dropbars because they give you a better variety of places to put your hands and avoid numbness or serious nerve damange.
EDIT: It's important to note that most people commuting with drop handlebars don't tend to use the drop section proper, and thus the riding position is better described as "not quite upright" than totally crouched down. It's not an insane difference.
I cant really use the "cruiser" type bikes, because they are all single speed, adn I dont think that I can do that...so that leaves all the hybrids etc etc...adn I guess I dont really understand them much...so any ideas on which bike I should look at most, and anything else that I should think of? advice, tricks, tips, etc.
I wouldn't necessarily say that the single-speed nature of a cruiser is going to make it less of an option for you. Cruiser gearing isn't usually that high and is pretty easy going for most people. The more deciding factor is that most cruisers are crazily heavy...think 50+ lbs. They're fun to tool around on and are good for a once-in-a-while ride and maybe a short daily jaunt, but 10+ miles a day on that might get old fast, especially with the moderately hilly terrain with which you seem to be dealing.
Hybrids are way expensive for what you get. My call is to get an old steel roadie, give it a tuneup (or get someone to do it for you), and add on the fenders and racks you need for your commute. You can do all this for well under $500, and you're going to pay way more than that for a decent hybrid bike geared towards commuting.
But as always, these comments are based on personal experience and personal preferences. The only universal truths remain "don't get hit" and "have fun".
EDIT: Also, if you've already got a MTB, why get a hybrid? Get something vastly different and change it up according to weather conditions and the like.