to consider long distance bike rides on a hybrid mountain bike.

[LEMmingaround]

I have a lovely comfortable bike. It has 21 gears, quite an upright seating position and a comfy saddle. Front suspension. Im quite fat but reasonably fit. Dp thinks my bike isnt good for long distances and id be beyter with a road bike. Never mind that I can't afford a new bike and they look like implements of torture. By long distance I mean about 30 miles. I manage about 15 -20 no ptoblems. Would prefer less road work as im very anxious person. Am I setting myself up for a fall?

You'll be fine. DH is doing 70 miles a week on his hybrid, and I'm doing 40 atm

I was like you op- dh bought me a road bike as a present and I'm totally converted. It's much easier to ride as less friction and we go further because of that.

Give it a go!

I had a hybrid mountain bike and started cycling last year. I bought a new road bike after 2 months, as I found the hybrid really heavy and hard work.

I must say I think I would struggle doing 30 miles on the hybrid, but if you are happy doing 15 - 20 miles on your current bike there is no reason why you couldn't build up to more.

Could you pick up a 2nd hand road bike on Gumtree if you decide you really need one?

Will see how I get on. Does it really make that much difference?

I have a 13 year old hybrid and started cycling in earnest last year. I am mainly one for the hills, just because of where I live and the views are good on a particular route, so I'd normally do 15 miles to take in the gradients 3-4 times a weeks in summer.

I was ok on the hybrid, but I gave in and got a Scott Contessa for my birthday last summer and I've never looked back. It's light, I can carry it up some steps that are on my route really easily and now I can do two big hills instead of just one.

If you are nervy or like me, clumsy, I'd say steer cleat of cleats or spds for a good long while, if not forever.

Also? LEM, Endomondo is a great route tracker and motivational took if you want a good smartphone sports app. It tells you your distances, calories burned, speed etc.

Enjoy. Your hybrid will be good enough, but I just wanted to share my experience to give you more food for thought. Happy cycling.

Longest I've done on my hybrid is 60km and it was fine. Mine sounds similar to yours, except that I don't have any suspension so it might be a little bit lighter. You could always get less bumpy tyres if you want to do frequent longer rides?

Its more about the tyres than frame shape. Knobbly tyres are harder work on tarmac than smooth tyres.

If you use your hybrid mainly on road or EASY off road look at putting some slick or touring tryes on it. If your looking at doing 30 miles of off road mud n lumps use something more suited to that.

I have done 55 miles on an actual mountain bike many times lol. Now have a hybrid and commute 10 miles everyday and its fine, often do a 30 mile cycle at the weekend too. I personally wouldn't invest in a road bike unless you are absolutely sure you will get your money out of it and you have plenty of time to get used to it.

Ride what you feel comfortable on. I ride a hybrid flat bars road bike got it new few months back specialized vita its great. My last bike was 18yrs old mtn bike with road tyres on .II'm training for a 100k road charity ride in June at the moment and did total of 70miles on my vita last week.

Totally agree it's the tyres you need to look at. Ditch knobbly tyres unless you are off road

I did 80-100 miles a day on my hybrid last year (bike tour) and it was great. Coped with all terrain and was comfortable. I have tyres slightly wider than my road bike but not knobbly. I'd happily do 50 miles on it tomorrow

I have non knobbly tyres. But thicker than road bikes. Im fat so feel I need something substantial. My bike is a specialised expedition step through. I call him ralph :)

I dont like riding on the road so go off road whenever I can.

I ride a hybrid 25 miles a day, though it is on the 'road' end of hybrid. With smooth tyres I'm sure Ralph will be fine.

Friend did lands end to john o'groats on a ladies hybrid, so I can't see a problem!

You certainly do not need a road bike, I spent 6 months touring North America on a $250 mountain bike with no suspension and the bare minimum cheapo non-lycra kit. Roads all the way, about 80 - 120 kms per day. I started with 40-50kms per day and no training, and quickly became pretty fit. I've now got a beauuutiful road bike waste of money and the saddle hurts my f but my hybrid (a Specialized Sirrus) is far comfier.

As long as you've got a reasonable level of fitness, non-knobbly tyres - I used Continental Town and Country for my long trip, a comfy saddle and / or padded shorts, a water bottle and some food for energy (I like shortbread or bananas), you'll be fine :)

do pm me if you want any not very technical advice on bikes and stuff

I used to go go youth hosteling on a mountain bike and that was 80-100 miles a day. It was fine and I found it much more comfortable than a road bike. Road bikes always make my body feel like I've been in a fight.

People tour the world on hybrids and similar bikes like a Surly Trucker. I find a hybrid generally more comfortable than a road bike.

The one thing you can to to help if needed for long rides is to put some bar ends on it. This gives you the option of another hand position if your wrists start to ache.

You'll be fine. Done the odd 50 miles on mine as well asusing it for commuting. Would be happy to do more on it.

I agree with your DP. I used to do triathlons and hence have a superlight racing bike. I find it very comfortable. I also went through a phase of mountain biking, and have quite a lightweight well fitting mountain biking. So one day I decided to do a long cycle of about 30 miles on my mountain bike instead of my road bike. It was awful, I got so much more tired, everything was much more of a struggle, never again. I will stick to my road bike. And the mtb was set up for road riding, with slicks on. Bloody slow compared to the road bike.

RogerMcguinns, your trip sounds ace. Did you do a blog?

I don't think it's an issue for 30 miles unless you are belting along. It would help if you ensure your tires are as inflated as possible.

Do you have toe caps as they would help a lot too.

My hybrid is fine for road trips but it's not too mountain bike'y and it's lovely and lightweight. and I would just stop for a coffee if I got tired

Oh, maybe my suggestion to inflate the tires would make it less safe [confusion]. [confusion]

I do find it easier with inflated tyres. Did forget to re attach the breaks once though

I don't see that a road bike would be a great advantage if you're mostly riding offroad. The sort of hybrid which isn't really a 'mountain' bike works well for offroad paths - mine has slightly bigger diameter wheels but narrower, less knobbly (but still puncture-resistant) tyres than DH's 'hybrid mountain'.

For some people the biggest distance-limiting factor is the comfort of the seat!

I actually didn't think the bike matters as long as you are wearing all the matching Lycra gear