Mountain bike v hybrid

[SevenSistersStar]

Looking for help understanding what kind of bike I need!

I have been riding under two years. I have a very old, second hand, rigid Apollo mountain bike. In the summer I enjoy riding in our extensive local forest, and in the winter I ride along tow paths and less demanding tracks. I never really go on the road, except to get to somewhere I can go off road. In the forest there are some pretty hilly tracks, gravelly and rutted in places. I recently did a route that included a 5% incline over half a mile - although I did struggle with that a bit. In the forest/hilly routes I do a maximum of about 12 miles and up to 800ft climbing in a ride, or on the flatter routes eg on the towpaths up to 30 miles. I wouldn't mind if these numbers went up, but that's not the focus of my riding which is to enjoy myself.

I give all this detail because I really want to understand what kind of bike to get. My husband thinks a hybrid would be fine, I think I probably need a mountain bike (partly because I am not the most confident rider, so I like the thick knobbly tyres, I feel I'm less likely to slip).

The models I'm considering are the Liv Tempt (MTB), Liv Rove (adventure), Trek Marlin (MTB) or Trek DS (hybrid).

Any thoughts??

The Sonder bikes look pretty good. Their Camino bike might be a bit more than you were hoping to pay, but it’s a very good price for a decent looking gravel bike. A gravel bike is an ideal option for the paths you ride, but they’re usually extortionate.

If you’re riding an old heavy Apollo, most of the previously mentioned options will feel amazing in comparison.

just had a look at the Liv Rove which you mentioned and I think that would be good. It comes with 42mm tyres which should be wide enough, takes 50mm tyres if you wanted wider. I do really like Liv bikes (I have 5)!

I'd def go for an MTB. I used to have a hybrid, and it was good for tow paths, but rubbish on looser surfaces and the geometry wasn't great for descents.
My ds has a Marlin which has been fantastic, and no problems at all even though it is his everyday riding to school bike as well as actual MTB riding.

I’d get a cross bike or gravel bike 🚲

ive just picked one up second hand on market place

I wouldn’t be using a hybrid over a gravel/cross bike

you can use on road and for touring

Don’t worry about what tyres the bike comes with. Find out what it can take in terms of size and swap then for ones within that suitable for the terrain you want to ride. My cross/gravel bike has 2 wheel sets and I have differing tyres for different uses from road to winter mud. It wouldn’t be suitable in the woods on the road tyres or the ones for commuting on shared paths, but would tackle the local MTB routes on knobbly cross tyres. It weighs something like 8.5kg which is probably half your Apollo. Saddles, pedals stem/bar sizes and tyres are easily modified but the frame needs to suit.

Thanks. Yesterday I went and sat on the Liv, Trek and Specialized MTBs. With the Liv I clearly need a particular size, whereas with the Trek and Specialized I'm between sizes, so I think I'm going to get the Liv. It felt right when I sat on it which the others didn't.

Perfect! That’s exactly the point of going to sit on a bike before you buy.

Do you think that if you really get into it, you may migrate to riding other off road paths (I.e. bridleways) in 2-3 years' time? If so, better to 'future proof' it by getting a MTB.

You can get some ok mountain bikes within your budget;
www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/the-best-mountain-bikes-under-500/

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I've just ordered the Liv Tempt 3 (new 2022 model) 😀

Yay! New bike time!

fwiw when I bought my current (very lovely) bike I mentioned to the guy in the shop that I was having second thoughts as it seemed a lot of money to spend when I don’t really care how fast I go. He said to me “you’re not buying this bike because it will make you go fast, you’re buying this bike because you’re going to her really enjoy riding it”. And he was right. If you love riding a particular bike then everyone else falls into place. You’ll cycle more, get fitter, go faster… and then buy another bike in a few years time 😂