Tenex said:Tenex said:I'm confused!!
Well I've just read this on a website see if you'd agree, seems reasonable to me if only the
manufacturers wouldn't invent a myriad of categories....
Q. What are hybrid bikes?
A. Hybrid bikes feature an upright riding position similar to mountain bikes, making them more
comfortable and suitable for riding around town, touring and carrying racks, panniers, etc.
The big difference is in the wheels. The wheel's rim diameter is "700" c (close to 27"😉 which
is the same diameter used on road-racing bikes. The tires used on a hybrid are wider than
those used on road bikes, but narrower than mountain bike tires. The advantage of this type of
wheel/tire combination is that when riding on paved roads there is less rolling resistance
making the bike easier to pedal, or more efficient. For a rider wishing to ride longer
distances it is a more enjoyable and faster ride. The tires are wide enough and have ample
tread to allow for riding off pavement on dirt roads and on smooth hard-pack trails. They
would not be suitable in soft conditions such as sand or mud.
Reasonable, except that for those "wishing to ride longer distances" it would be even more enjoyable
and faster if they got a tourer, which is probably a longer wheel-base, has tyres that are more
tailored towards road use and has drop handlebars. Such a bike can (I do) also be ridden on "dirt
roads and on smooth hard-pack trails" but might not be as easy to handle as a hybrid. (With care it
can be ridden over almost anything that a mountain bike can, but it can be a handful down a steep
rocky descent, and I take it a lot slower on teh tourer than on the mountain bike).
Quoted message said:Q.What are the characteristics of a mountain bike?
A. Mountain bikes or ATBs (all-terrain bikes) feature a frame and fork that are more rugged than
those found on general recreational trail bikes. Their frames are often built of aluminum so
they are lightweight and stiff, making them efficient to ride. The fork has a suspension or
shock-absorbing feature to reduce hand/arm fatigue. The wheels are built with stronger rims
than on recreational bikes and the component selection (cranks, derailleurs, etc.) are more
durable. This bike will take on most any terrain.
Reasonable, except taht mountain bike does not require suspension, and see my note about "most any
terrain" above. Then again, a pneumatic tyre on teh front would count as a "shock-absorbing
feature", I suppose, in which case teh definition is fine. If you want to quibble, "making them
efficient to ride" is nonsense - yes a light stiff frame is efficient to ride, but it's irrelevent
unless you've optimised everything else - having teh wrong tyres for teh task in hand, for example,
will more than cancel out any benefit from stiffness of teh frame.
Quoted message said:Q. What are the characteristics of a recreational trail bike?
A. Recreational trail bikes offer a little more comfort yet still have most of the attributes of
a mountain bike: a wide gear range, strong brakes, tires that are suitable for riding either
on pavement or off, and an upright riding position. Wheels are commonly 26" for adult bikes
and 24" for kids' bikes. Frames are built of chrome-moly steel and/or hi-tensile steel. These
are good bikes for casual riding around town, trail riding on smoother trails.
This is tosh. I've not come across the term, but the definition sounds like it's one made up to
justify the existence of things intended to look like mountain bikes but not actually being suitable
for the use.
regards, Ian SMith
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