| |
Hybrid
bikes (dirt road tourers)
We
like to think in terms of the hybrid use (some pavement,
some dirt) rather than the hybrid bike. Why? Simply
because there are lots of acceptable ways to make an all-around
bike.
| Common
name |
Characteristics |
Best
use |
|
|
Hybrid
Zebrano
|
700x35
to 42 tires, upright handlebars, usually $300-$500. These
are really touring bikes
made up to look like mountain bikes. |
Short
(<10 mi.) hops on paved roads and the occasional dirt
road. Never trails in the woods. 700c wheel bikes have
one or two higher (faster rolling) gears than 26"
wheel bikes have, but often don't work for smaller riders
(under 5'3"). |
|
|
Comfort
Bike
Napa
Monterey
|
26x1.5
to 1.9 tires w/smooth center tread, upright handlebars,
sprung seatpost and fork, very cushy saddle, adjustable
handlebar stem angle. |
Same
as hybrid, above. Essentially an entry-level mountain
bike made more upright and cushy. The adjustable angle
stem is innapropriate for real trail riding. |
|
|
Mountain
bike
Wahoo
Nevada
|
Entry-level
bikes ($300-500) are good for this purpose, as long as
they have skinny, smooth, high-pressure tires. They always
have stout frames and spring forks. |
Before
there were hybrids and comfort bikes, we just took the
lower priced mountain bikes and fitted higher handlebars
and faster rolling tires and voilà, a "hybrid".
This is the way to go if you have any desire to do some
trail riding. |
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