Whats more practical Hybrid mountain bike or racing bike, my riding is done mainly on gravel/tar road?

Answer 1

I would say a hybrid. For general pootering about it would be more comfortable than a racer.

Answer 2

Listen, off hand I would say mountain bike, cross country hard tail, 29in wheel if your local bike shop caters to them, maybe a cyclocross (drop bar, looks like a road bike but reinforced frame with enough clearance to run 45cm tires) But these guys that say hybrids (I consider hybrids any bike that doesn't have an associated race) are off base. Hybrids will get you no better of a work out than walking and if that's all you want that is fine. They are made for people that were injured on bikes that were too big or too small and now they ride these half bikes because of it. If people took the time to buy the right size and have the bike shop do even the most rudimentary bike fit they wouldn't have this problem. I've seen it time and time again, the more stretched out you are, the faster you go, the better workout. Still if you are too stretched out then you will experience numbness in the hands. The higher the seat the less pain in your knees but too high will cause saddle sores. Seats are always tricky, but good shorts (approx. $150) help. Reputable seat companies will have a demo program through a good bike shop. Saddle position is very important but it still boils down to trial and error. There is a lot of issues that will eventually need to be addressed but this enough to get you going.

Answer 3

Would you use it mostly for commuting or just going out on rides? I've had my road bike for a couple of months and am not an expert but I wouldn't fancy riding it on gravel - not enough surface area on the tyre to stop sliding around. Tar is alright with a road bike though.

I wouldn't ever go off-roading but at least with a hybrid you get the best of both world's - you can easily ride on bridleways/tracks as well as being comfortable on the roads. Road bike is really just for roads.

Hope this helps a little!

Answer 4

I use a mountain bike for commuting and the occasional weekend in the new forest.
For any serious mileage - say over 40 miles a day, I would use a touring bike like a Dawes Galaxy. Much more comfortable to ride over longer distances. A hybrid is a compromise. It should give you the best of both worlds

Answer 5

Go with a cyclocross bike. You are getting the durability of a mountain bike (minus the front suspension) with the performance of a road frame, efficiency of 700cc wheels, brakes that will stop in mud and snow (if you choose to) with some knobby rubber on the tires for extra traction and durability on the gravel. The "cross" nuts I ride with can go pretty much the same places I can with a hard-tail cross country mountain bike - but they do take it a bit easier on the rough downhill singletrack. True hybrid bikes are usually built as low-price (low-quality) commuter style bikes - they will work on gravel for a while, but they are really made for asphalt only.

Kona has three cross models for 2007...
Rocky Mountain has city versions that would be more durable than a typical hybrid...

Answer 6

As a few others have said get a cyclocross bike, the perfect bike with the right tires for gravel roads.

A hybrid does nothing well, it will be a tank, slow on pavement and slow in gravel. A cyclocross bike will road ride almost a well as a "pure road bike" and handle gravel roads very well. I use my Cyclocross bike as a winter road bike and ride it on some mtb rides just to mix things up.

Answer 7

This really depends upon what type of riding you intend to do. If it a bit of pleasure or short computing i'd go for the hybrid mountain bike, its a more comfortable ride for the average person. But if you want fitness or need to cover a few miles id go for the racing bike. It will take a little getting used to but you soon become acustomed to it and then you can cover distances quicker and improve your fitness with it. All i will say is if you are going to ride gravel you will need to consider your tyres carefully, a racing bike doesnt have to have narrow thin tyre, you can fit 25/28mm tyres with a good tread which will easilly cope with it. the same with a hybri you dont have to use big bulky tyres you can get road/Dirt track versions which will give a better more comfortable ride unlike knobblies!!!

Answer 8

Neither one, unless you combine them. . .
That is both easy and inexpensive.

A hybrid bike is more practical. These are also called cyclocross, also called 29'er.

I'm not talking about a "Mountain Comfort Hybrid" bike. Those are good for exercise or really bad gravel, but slow, slow, slow, slow on the road.

I'm talking about a "Road Hybrid" or "Cyclocross" which vary little in function, greatly in price, both on 700c size wheels, deal with gravel fine, and they're quite fast on the road.

Diamondback Maravista is a good and inexpensive example.
It comes with cyclocross wheels. However, you may install road wheels for much easier hills (tiny rim version called "climber"). Nashbar has FSA RD80 wheels and Performance has Forte Gemini. For the short (Low Profile) rim, large tires fit fine.

The combination of a large tire on a climber rim with an inexpensive road hybrid (also called fitness bike) is capable of going between gravel and road with a soft ride and great speeds.

Check for enough tire clearance for 44mm tires. Kenda Kourier (antiflat 29'er tire), stock on Diamondback Maravista, can install onto road wheels with small/short/not-thick rims (climber wheel). Just use a 34mm tube to match them up. Fast on the road, secure on the gravel.
Isn't that practical?

Answer 9

Thats an interesting question and I will try to give you a good answer. Let's start by saying that you left the town on a racer. you got out of the busy traffic and on to a long stretch of country road. You cruise along for half a mile and it's a old smooth road. Then you reach a part when the road is gritty and tar....It's not going to do those thin narrow tyres any good and you'll lose speed and time.. I would switch to a hybrid mountain bike.

Answer 10

I recommend a cyclocross bike. It's like a strong racing bike with knobby tires that are still fast on the road.

Answer 11

I proudly cycled to work on my Mountain Bike. Only to find that I was being passed by joggers on a windy day - on the flat at that!