Help Please - Hybrid or Mountain Bike

Decani

Hi,

I bought a Boardman Hybrid bike on the Cycle 2 Work scheme via Halfords. They sold me the wrong size frame which is far too big for me and they have agreed to change it. I am in a position now where I could opt for a different bike or order the same bike, but a smaller sized frame. I am now wondering what would be the best option - a Hybrid or a Mountain bike?

I hope to commute 12 miles each way to work through London/Essex and also use the bike for pleasure.

I am a big guy 18 stone and want to use it as a means to lose weight as well.

Thanks for your help.

skyd0g

As this is the road section, the most likely reply is 'a road bike'.

...however, from the situation you describe a Hybrid would be the best bet. An MTB on the road will be (comparitively) slow and heavy. A hybrid will make your commute easier and still handle light off-road bits (canal towpaths etc.).

You could also consider the Boardman CX bike http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_736231_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

stokepa31

what he said but dont let your weight put you off a road bike. im 18.5 stone and have no probs

mudslinger

I tend to find that a lot of hybrid bikes are very much a compromise in that they are fairly limited to what they can do off road. However all Boardman bikes are very nice bikes indeed & their hybrid is more road orientated than many hybrids.

I commute (16 miles each way) on a MTB using semi slicks. They roll much faster than normal MTB tyres & give me some grip when I cycle over the South Downs.

If your commute is all road then I'd strongly consider a road bike. All depends what you have in mind when you say you want to use it for pleasure as well as that may mean a MTB is what you are looking for. Of course ideally you'd have a bike for all occasions!

ilm_zero7

try a decent road bike with straight bars - must be some to choose out there - 5 % less effort clocks up to a lot if you are commuting every day and no way do you want to do that on nobblies!