Quote Originally Posted by pooks
It seems that a lot of people start with hybrids but eventually switch to either a true road bike or a true mtn. bike. Is that right?

Who started with a hybrid? Do you still ride it, or have you moved on to another bike?

I can't believe I'm already thinking of another bike -- won't buy one anytime soon, that's for sure.

Are urban bikes (like the Breezer, for example) the same as hybrids? They're not road bikes, and not mtn...?
Story 1:
I started with a hybrid - a 1992 Miyata. My chiropractor recommended one, as he felt the upright riding position would be kinder to my bad back. After about 3 years of steady riding, the bike was stolen from the driveway of a friend's house. She filed a claim with her insurance company and with the money, I bought a road bike - a 1995 Bianchi Eros. It was a solid, middle-of-the-road touring/road frame when integrated brake/shifters and triples were just starting to come out. I loved it. It was the best thing that ever happened to me as a cyclist. I was able to log longer, faster, rides with greater efficiency.
I did ultimately pick up a flat bar road bike for commuting (some versions of "urban" bikes with 700c wheels are flat bar road bikes), but I felt the hybrid was not for me any more.

Story 2:
I used to do the MS-150 from Boston to Provincetown with some friends. A friend of the team leader was from the San Francisco area and rode a hybrid. Lord, she was a strong rider! I asked her what she was doing on a hybrid, she'd do so much better on a road bike. Well, she actually took what I said to heart, as the next year I saw her...she was on a road bike, and beating the socks off all of us!!! She thanked me for the suggestion, got a road bike, hooked up with a local group and was doing all sorts of crazy rides and enjoying every minute of it!!