murfnut

I have been going back and forth on this one and still do not have a clue what to get.

Right now I am a runner. I would like to get into biking. I also plan on buying my wife and daughter (6) a bike too. Plan on doing it this weekend, possibly.

For my wife, a comfort/hybrid for sure since she will only be using for rides in the neighborhood and not to much use.

I would like to use my for fitness rides on the roads, fun rides with the family and some riding on easy trails. I may do a little off-road riding at times but I doubt anything that serious. Not sure what to do.
May try a duathlon sometime for fun. Not to win anything.

What is the advantage of hybrid, comfort over mountain bike. What is the difference between hybrid and comfort.

The LBS store I like tends to sell a lot of Raleigh bikes. How good is Raleigh, any favorites there.

For my bike, I am looking to spend between 400-600.

Thanks for any help.

Bigmark

A hybrid is just that, it is a cross between a mountain bike, and a road bike. Now don’t get me wrong, it is not close to either. It has a sturdy frame like a mountain bike, but has larger tires like a road bike. The tires are not as skinny as a road bike, but they usually don’t have the aggressive tread that mountain bikes have. It is geared a closer to a mountain bike, but carries a taller stance. It is comfortable to ride on the street, but don’t expect to be a speed demon, on the other hand you can take it off road, but don’t expect to be able to conquer very aggressive terrain.

A hybrid is a good middle of the road bike; it gives you the ability to smoothly travel the city streets, with the freedom to jump on light off road trails.

Some have full suspensions, forks as well as seat post, but don’t be fooled, they are not mountain bikes, and if they are treated like one the rider will surly be disappointed. On the other side of the spectrum if you are planning on keeping up with a roadie, you will end up behind. If you are looking for a comfortable ride around the neighborhood with the family, or just want to get back into riding in general a hybrid is an outstanding choice.

The difference between a hybrid and a comfort bike is where you put you feet. A comfort bike allows you to put both feet flat on the ground while seated where as a hybrid you are only able to put one foot down.

I hope this helps a little bit.

lsd87

To generalize...the comfort bike is just a hybrid with a bigger seat, wider tires, and the handlebars mounted higher up.

Sounds to me like the hybrid is the way to go. this would give you the opportunity to ride with your family, do some road work or light trail riding, and see what kind of rider you develop into. Alot of hybrid riders eventually get another bike, prefering speed, performance or whatever.

A key is finding a bike that fits you well.

Check out the Specialized Sirrus!

Bigmark

Also the pedals are forward so that you aren’t squished when pedaling. Not a hybrid, not a recumbent, not a road bike, not a mountain bike. I did see a lot of these while I was on vacation; a lot of older people were on them. They are able to put both feet on the ground while stopped. To me it seems like the bike for people who don’t want to stretch when stopped.

will dehne

I own a Trek 7700 Hybrid, shocks in front and back. This bike is very good for Rail to Trails which feature large unexpected holes and other obstructions. The lime stone path will get soft during a heavy rain. Not so good for skinny slick tires. So I have 38 mm wheels.

I also got a speed bug. So I have also 700 x 25 mm tires to go like hell on paved roads. With aero bars (same Hybrid) I can average 20 MPH for 50 miles. Not bad for an old guy but not good enough to compete.

I also own a light weight road bike. Cannondale R2000. I am only 5% faster with that bike. It is still a much better choice for hill climbing because of a 10 lb. difference in weight.

Either bike costs more than your budget. I think that this information can give you some ideas. I also started with $600 Hybrids. I can share with you all the problems I had with that. (Schwinn)

MTB is good for its intended purpose. If speed is in your future, they will not do the trick. My son loves his MTB and claims he feels very safe riding it on roads.
He will go on the side strip if he hears a car coming. My son is not an aggressive biker. But he bikes a lot for exercise.

KeithA

I vote hybrid and hope you can check out the Jamis Coda Sport. I own a Coda Elite and just got back from a 55-60 mile ride this morning. It was plenty comfortable and I don't think I could have done it near as quickly on a comfort bike, but, then again, I don't really like the feel of comfort bikes at all and, in the end, would prefer a mountain bike over a comfort bike, even for longer rides.

jimx200

KeithA, I just test rode a Coda Sport today....very impressed. I ride mt. bikes and a 25 year old road bike and am looking for a bike that has the more upright position, especially important in traffic (as in I see better). The Coda with it's co-moly frame felt really forgiving and think this will be the perfect bike for my 30-75 milers, usually riding charity rides on some not so nice roads. Did the piston seat stem seem to offer better absorption... I did not even realize it had it until I got off? If I get it tomorrow (Performance has a no sales tax sale starting tomorrow), I'll post a pic. Ride safe everybody.

bbattle

Check out the Trek site's Bike finder section. Also compare their FX bikes to their hybrid bikes in the City/Path section. The FX series leans more to a road bike geometry but is more upright and has flat handlebars like a mountain bike. Skinnier, faster wheels than a hybrid. Trek hybrids have a front fork suspension, and a suspension seatpost. Also a more upright geometry and fatter tires. Gearing is more towards a mountain bike, that is, lower.

Marin bikes has a big Urban/City/Commuter section of bikes to check out, too.

Specialized has several models in your description.

Mountain bikes are really only good off-road. When I ride mine on streets it's like I'm pushing a barge compared to my road bike. Knobby tires are terrible on pavement.

Whatever bike you get you may want to go ahead and get slick tires to replace the stock ones. Better traction, lower rolling resistance.

sunflowerflyer

I have both a road bike and a cross bike (hybrid). The cross bikes have 700c wheels, just like my road bike. The rims are slightly wider, so you can put light weight slick high pressure road tires on if you want, generally 28-35mm wide, or the hybrid wheels with small knobs. Mine has high pressure 28mmX700c tires, that are slightly faster (not much) than the little knobies I took off. It also rides a little harsher now.

When I'm riding with my family or on the rail trails, the cross bike is more comfortable. I often pull my younger child in a trailer, and the LBS is putting together a trek mt train for me for my older daughter.

When I want to go over about 20 miles with my roadie friends or accross the state, the road bike is the only way to go. It is faster, and climbs better. The road gearing is also very smooth and quick shifting. While it is a blast to ride, It's also less comfortable on my mid 30's body. I wouldn't personally hook anything like my kids trailer to it. The double chainring gearing is too high to effectively pull 300+ pounds up a hill anyway (me, bike, trailer and 2 kids). I have mine set up with a little higher handle bars, brakes on the top position, and road bike clipless pedals. The pedals help pedal smoother.

To me the only reason to buy a mountain bike is if you want to do real trail riding. I'm sure my cross bike will handle anything that isn't straight up or down, or anywhere the wheels stay on the ground. And it is generally just a tad bit faster around the neighborhood. The mt. bikes should be more cushy with big lower pressure tires, shocks, etc. I wouldn't mind having a real mountain bike, but since most of the time were on rural paved roads, rail trails, the very occasional gravel road, or long fast rides, it just doesn't high on my priority list.

That price will buy a high end cross bike, or a low end road bike, and I don't know on mt. bikes. My wife has a new Trek 7300FX that costs almost $400 new. MY used trek Cross bike costs $125 used from a bike store. My road bike was pieced together for about $700, and has crossed Kansas once. I will buy a new road bike with a triple front crank before doing another cross state ride though. The lower mid range models I've been looking at are $1100-$1500.

My advice? The real answer depends on were you are going to ride and your budget. Long fast rides get a road bike, Hard trail riding get a mountain bike, everthing else get a cross (hybrid) bike with 700c wheels.

If you're going to spend several hundred dollars, I believe you should buy a name brand. That way you can dump it on ebay when you want to change.

sswartzl

I have one of each, a $150 GT Palomar mountain bike from a sporting goods store, a $650 Trek 7500 hybrid, and a $400 Trek Navigator 300 comfort bike.

For casual and basic fitness/recreational riding on roads and improved trails (like rail-trails), any of them will work. The comfort bike is basically a mountain bike with additional suspension under the seat. A hybrid bike is basically a comfort bike with larger and narrower tires (slightly wider than those you'd see on a road bike). The hybrid and comfort bikes also keep you in a more upright position (though that will vary by model), which you may find more comfortable. The narrower tires of the hybrid make it easier to pedal, but also reduce the type of terrain you can handle.

From my experience, for the type of riding you describe my favorite is the hybrid. I use it for as much recreational riding as possible (the comfort is my primary commuter, the mountain my backup commuter). If you are going to be riding on rougher trail surfaces, bad roads, snow/heavy rain, etc. you might like the wider tires of the mountain and comfort bikes.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents' worth.

shardy53

I have a Diamondback Wildwood comfort bike that I use for a combo of short distance road rides, smooth trail, and some in woods nature trail riding. This bike has surprised me how well it does on a bumpy trail and at climbing fairly steep dirt hills. It is not a speed demon on the road but it does beat the mountain bikes and is much smoother. I have had it for five years and I havent killed it yet even though I have taken a few 3 foot jumps with it. I have had it tuned up every spring and no other problems have arisen.

Steve