Hybrid uses
 

What sort of uses do the hybrids excel in other than commuting?

I'm looking into getting a new bike that will be suited for riding in the countryside. I live in Iceland and our roads vary from so-so tarmac (most frequent) to being dirt packed or rather rough gravel if you go off the main roads. I'm wondering if a hybrid will be fine doing that sort of work and if they can carry some extra luggage?
Ideally the bike would be suited as a commuter or for shorter trips the rest of the year.

Mainly I'm looking into an FX but I'm wondering if I'd need a sturdier bike.

I have a mountain bike but it's too much of a workhorse to be enjoyable on open roads.

You're correct - Hybrids excell at being a do it all bike. Home on pavement, gravel, packed gravel, packed dirt - etc.

With 700X40 tires on there - they are very nice commuters, grocery getters, path riders, etc. And, those that are considered Performance Hybrids, like the FX, Sirrus, etc, also like to go fast - just not as fast as a true road bike.l

Thanks for the response :)

Another thought, I do have a Trek 6000 hardtail MTB and it's not super hardcore. It's heavier than the FX 7.3 but I'm wondering if I could buy an extra set of tires (700) for it. Would it still be lengths away from a hybrid? I'm not sure how much it'd slow me down but it'd save me a few bucks for sure. ;)

I do want to have a MTB so having one bike and changing tires may be tedious but I don't know how much work switching tires is going to be. hmm.

ETA: Getting ahead of myself there. My MTB tires are 26" and I'm restricted by the suspension so I can't increase the tire size enough for it to make much of a difference.

26 in. tires can be as "thin" a 1.5 road slicks all the way up to 3.0+ in width. We use a 26.1.75 CST Slectra (kevlar shielded) tire that works on all the types of surfaces you listed and "rolls" wayyyyyyyy better than a classic "knobby" MTB tire. Although we've decided we like "road/touring" better, our Jamis Trail-X MTB's are set up for that type of riding (converted) BUT, if I decided I wanted to do a little off roading, I too like the idea of "just getting a 2nd. set of wheel's" and putting on some nice 26x2.0 knobbies on them. So your idea of using your MTB as a "all around" bike, can work well, jmho.

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