Which Type of Bicycle is Best for You?
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When I was a kid you had very few choices in what kind of bike you would ride. Most bikes were simple single speed bikes with coaster brakes. Your top speed or hill climbing ability was dependent upon your leg power and nothing more. Early on, I got my first 3-speed Schwinn bicycle and the world of cycling would never be the same for me. The selection of gears made bicycling a lot easier and longer trips seemed to be much faster.
I remember when the first mountain bicycles making their way to the market with a softer seat and a straight handlebar which provided a much more comfortable riding position. The only negative I saw was the harse ride provided by rugged mountain bike tires.
About twenty years ago, some of the major bicycle companies started with basic versions of what we now call hybrid bicycles. In the beginning they simply took a popular road bike and changed out the handle bars for straight mountain bike types. Most went with a tire the same size or just a bit larger then their road bikes, only with a deeper tread. In most cases the early hybrids were a bit more comfortable then the standard road touring bike but their tires made them a bit worse on streets and only good for gravel or dirt paths off road.
Today, it is easy to be confused between terms like mountain bikes, comfort or cruiser bicycles and hybrid bicycles. Comfort bikes for the most part are well sprung and soft seated versions of what we’d refer to as old fashioned cruiser bicycles. These are well suited for easy riding along asphalt roads, dirt paths and beach areas. You’ll probably tire of this bike quickly if you want to do any distance riding or use your bike for commuting to work or school. But they are great for short trips.
The typical mountain bikes today provide a good upright sitting position with adjustable seat height and handle bars. They might provide from 18 to 24 speeds via handle bar twist grip shifters. Many mountain bikes will have front fork suspension and many will also have rear wheel suspension. There are differences of opinion on the value of front and rear suspension. Some riders feel it provides too soft a ride for serious hill climbing while others value the smoother ride. The simple truth is that most mountain bike riders never venture into rough terrain but buy this style bicycle due to the overall look.
A hybrid bicycle is somewhat of a multi-purpose bike that incorporates features of mountain bikes and merges them with road bikes. Unfortunately, the price is usually more expensive then mountain bikes.
Instead of spending money on a hybrid, you might make certain adjustments to your own bike. Most all bike owners will save their bicycles for years. The first thing to consider is where you can find a good variety of bicycle parts for sale. I suggest reading the entire article to help you decide if a Mountain Bike or Hybrid Which is Best for you.