Some help please?

[Alan16ac]

First of all.
I'm very sorry, as I bet you're all sick of "what bike to get".
But I'm here to ask.... What bike shall I get?
I've always had mountain bikes in my teenage years and as a child.
I'm now returning to biking after selling my car.
My route to work is all road, but if my fitness improves with biking again, I'd like to do some weekend biking up in the mountains like I used to years ago.
What kind of bike would you recommend?
Are Mountain Bikes ok for road use? As I'll mainly be road riding.
I don't want to break the bank on a bike until I'm 100% on the whole thing either.

 

[Alan16ac]

I've no experience of a road bike, they look very proffesional lol.
This intimidates me!
The seating position is very racey too, do you think I'd get used to this?
Any links to some decent online bike stores would be great if you know any.

 

[rollinstok]

Hi,
The knobbly tyres on a mountain bike will slow you down on the road and suspension will soak up a lot of the energy that you put in to pedalling.
A road bike would get you to work a lot faster with less energy expended, but they dont like being taken off road.
A hybrid may be worth considering as they are suitable for roads and trails, canal towpaths etc. A hybrid would not be able to tackle the extreme rough stuff though.
I would go for a hybrid which will get you to work ok and still allow for weekend trail rides.

 

[MattHB]

Having bought a hybrid for commuting I'm very pleased with it. But as I got more into it I realised it was holding me back on my road weekend/evening rides. So I then bought a road bike. Trouble is, as I've got used to the roadie, I don't want to ride the hybrid!

I agree with getting your MTB on the road, then buying a very decent roadie that you can commute (and other) on.

 

[Alan16ac]

I like the sound of a Hybrid more.
Hoping it's going to get me fitter too. Where I live there's a lot of hills on my commute so will have to do a lot of hill climbing.

 

[rollinstok]

Cycling will definitely get you fitter !!
A hybrid often comes with a triple chainset which will provide lower gears for climbing than a road bike.
A road bike will £ for £ usually be lighter though. Decisions decisions.

 

[bucksgill]

It may cost a bit (I have no idea) to do but...

If you do really want a MTB then you could always get a hardtail with lock out front suspension so it wouldn't sap your energy. You could also put slick tyres onto it then when you do go off-road just switch them over before hand, it would take a little time but you will get pretty quick at it.

 

[Alan16ac]

Thanks for the advice.
I'm thinking 2 bikes might be better though. I can fix up my old Mountain bike for £100.
It has disc brakes, and full suspension.
I went through a lot with it years ago.... broken arm, cut open forehead.
Used to ride some silly places lol.

I think I need familiarising with road bikes and hybrids, I'm sure they'd be better for me.
I'll be using it to pop to Tesco and Aldi too as I no longer have my car, but I suppose I can just buy a back pack to keep things in.

 

[NormanD]

It may cost a bit (I have no idea) to do but...

If you do really want a MTB then you could always get a hardtail with lock out front suspension so it wouldn't sap your energy. You could also put slick tyres onto it then when you do go off-road just switch them over before hand, it would take a little time but you will get pretty quick at it.

I'd agree on this option too

 

[CopperCyclist]

Look into a cyclocross too. You can think of them as another sort of hybrid, but from the other way...

What I mean is a normal 'hybrid' looks like a mountain bike in style and shape and can take some trail riding, but rides faster and easier like a road bike.

A cyclocross looks like a road bike in shape and style, and can do similar speeds with an easier ride, but is capable of being taken off road or riding rougher trails. Personally I prefer it, because daunting as they were for me, once I tried drop bars and 'racy' saddle position, I loved them