Decision?

Mtb are better in the mountains, trekking bikes are better for trekking
and transporting milk*.

*let it be known that if you are lactose intolerant, certain models
accomodate this allergy. I like the Soy Inter-7, but there are others
if soy makes you gassy.

Quoted message said:

Mtb are better in the mountains, trekking bikes are better for trekking
and transporting milk*.

what about longer rides on the road?

It all depends on the terrain you ride in....The big heavily treaded
tires of an mtb give extraordinary traction in almost any weather
condition in almost any terrain, which is a prized premium if you are
climbing a steep hill with loose surfaces, leaves and roots...The
smooth tread tires give you spped, but sacrifice some traction....if
your quest is to win a race, and the terrain is single track or
relatively firm ground, then the smooth tread and skinnier tires can
give you a winning edge, and if you are an all-out speed freak, taking
a 700c wheeled lightweight bike into the off road is a thrill....the
light weight of the frame compared to the much heavier weight of most
mtbs will have you screaming down the road far ahead of the mtbs...and
in treacherous sections of the trail, the bike is easy to dismount and
carry over an obstacle, somewhat negating the advantage of an mtb to
plow through...I have raced competitively on mtbs and used the slick
tires with great results and prefer these as long as there was not too
many slipperry slopes on the course, which I would decide by a ride
through of the course prior to the race...and Although I did not use a
cross bike in a race, I love them off road, they so sharpen your riding
technique, that you become a better mtb rider...and I love the rush of
an all out blitz down the slope of a steep slope on any bike!!!

Quoted message said:

It all depends on the terrain you ride in....The big heavily treaded
tires of an mtb give extraordinary traction in almost any weather
condition in almost any terrain, which is a prized premium if you are
climbing a steep hill with loose surfaces, leaves and roots...The
smooth tread tires give you spped, but sacrifice some traction....if
your quest is to win a race, and the terrain is single track or
relatively firm ground, then the smooth tread and skinnier tires can
give you a winning edge, and if you are an all-out speed freak, taking
a 700c wheeled lightweight bike into the off road is a thrill....the
light weight of the frame compared to the much heavier weight of most
mtbs will have you screaming down the road far ahead of the mtbs...and
in treacherous sections of the trail, the bike is easy to dismount and
carry over an obstacle, somewhat negating the advantage of an mtb to
plow through...I have raced competitively on mtbs and used the slick
tires with great results and prefer these as long as there was not too
many slipperry slopes on the course, which I would decide by a ride
through of the course prior to the race...and Although I did not use a
cross bike in a race, I love them off road, they so sharpen your riding
technique, that you become a better mtb rider...and I love the rush of
an all out blitz down the slope of a steep slope on any bike!!!

Thanks..
I am not so interested in "hard" off road...
Buu I also think that mtb with slick tyres can also has a goog
performance...
What about comfort when riding longer rides(not competition just casual
longer ride) more than 100km: Trekking or mtb with slick tyres...
Maybe trekking 28" had a better geometry for comfort longer rides?

A have a dilema between these two categories: hardtail( "sport" ) or offroad
trekking: www.ktm-bikes.at

link: hardtail= sport categorie , offroad trekking: te same name

when you think of longer rides you need to think of several
things....#1 gearing...an mtb with a triple and smaller large
chainwheel will mean that you need more rpms to keep up with the road
or trek bikes which have the larger 52 or 53 tooth front sproket, and
if those bikes have a "racing triple i.e. shimano or campy" then they
can get the same kind of low gearing for hills as you would on an
mtb...#2 weight unless you have spent over $1500 on that mtb, then
the weight of your ride compared to a much lighter trek bikes means
you will have to develope a lot more horsepower to travel the same
distance. Even with slick tires..... #3 the main reason people seem to
use an mtb for long trips is the comfort factor...front suspension
soaks up shocks, the big tires soak up a lot of shock, giving a smooth
ride, and the upright seating position. Many people are put off by
drop handlebars, despite the fact they give you 3-4 times the number of
handpositions of a flatbar....so the mtb on long rides will give an
extremely smooth ride, but with a heavy penalty on speed and effort. A
trek bike with a granny gear will be a great treat on the road, and an
extra bonus is much lighter faster steering, which could help you avoid
road hazards rather than plow through them with an mtb...I have used my
mtb hardtail on a century ride, and numerous half centuries...but I
now have a road 'dale with a triple, and won't go back to the mtb
except for extreme off road....for light to medium offroad, I just use
the 'dale, it hasn't let me down yet.