so why do i want a hybrid anyway?

[KnottedYet]

I don't generally think of my bikes as "hybrid". I think of them as "utility" and "road". So I have a "utility" bike (Kona hybrid) and a "road" bike (Waterford cyclocross).

Sounds like your mtb is going to be your utility bike, and now you're in the mood for a roadie!

[michelem]

I've been switching out my tires on my mountain bike now that I understand that the slick tires are better on the road. The first few times are a bit difficult when the tires are new and stiff, but after that it's not a big deal. You may want to try that for a while until you decide what kind of bike you really want. I've decided I want to go for a road bike since I'm aiming to do centuries and the like. I'll just switch the tires out on my mountain bike to suit the terrain (road or off-road) if I'm going to be doing "utility" rides (good terminology KnottedYet!); can't do that with a road bike.

[lph]

I've been switching out my tires on my mountain bike now that I understand that the slick tires are better on the road. The first few times are a bit difficult when the tires are new and stiff, but after that it's not a big deal. You may want to try that for a while until you decide what kind of bike you really want. I've decided I want to go for a road bike since I'm aiming to do centuries and the like. I'll just switch the tires out on my mountain bike to suit the terrain (road or off-road) if I'm going to be doing "utility" rides (good terminology KnottedYet!); can't do that with a road bike.

Oh I have slick tires! They're wonderful

But I don't really have the time to go switching tires all the time (commute on the road daily, ride on gravel roads in the woods 1-3 times a week) or the money to buy a new wheel set.

Well, that's not true, really, I've decided I'd rather have a new bike than a new wheel set

[lph]

Sounds like your mtb is going to be your utility bike, and now you're in the mood for a roadie!

I thought a "roadie" was the person on top of the road bike.

Considering the recent thread on hot male riders, that sounds about right.

[uk elephant]

How about going for a cyclocross bike? Fast as a road bike, but seems a bit tougher. That's what I did. I needed a bike that could handle rain and sleet in the winter (no proper winter here in England, more like a Norwegian spring), the occasional trail (dirt and gravel) to Uni yet was speedy enough for longer road-rides. I went with the Specialized Tricross, but I'm sure there is a wide selection out there.

[lph]

Thanks for the tip! I'd never heard of cyclocross bikes before, but once I started reading up they sounded perfect for my use. Fast and light but just a bit more robust.

Only problem is the market for cyclocross bikes is small here, so they're all for enthusiasts, and just out of my price range...

In the meantime - woo hoo! I've arranged to borrow a real road bike that should fit me reasonably well! I'm REALLY pleased with this, because it gives me a chance to try out a completely different type of bike in peace and quiet for several long rides.

I'm thrilled