I have been asked a few times from friends and family to be the bike guy and I always recommended either a MTB or hybrid bike.

MTB is solid and will last a long time. also it is the most versatile of all the bikes IMHO if you needed to make your own path through a forest shortcut or something. Full all terrain bike. Tho you can always change the tires and get a smoother ride and go a little faster.

Hybrid bikes are the best of both worlds. Half MTB and half road. Also some people and females opted for the hybrid bike because if allows you to have a straighter back and eases some of the back pain. Because the tires are thinner you can pump the tire pressure to a higher PSI thus allowing you to go faster. Like the MTB you can change the tires to get more grip for light offroad riding. Tho the most I would take the hybrid on is hard packed dry dirt road.

For a first time bike I would saw go with a MTB as the itres are wider and allows you to bike with little worry about the cracks and such on the road. After a while riding and you've gained confidance or just want a faster bike then go with a hybrid or road bike. If you're a 4 seasons gal then a MTB with studded tires IMHO is king/queen of the road as you have lots of tire to road contact and the wide tires help.


Zero_Enigma