corle001

A little about myself; Got back into cycling after 25 years 04/13, purchased a Trek 1.2 then & put 1800 miles on it in 2013 & 3800 this year. Just bought a Cannondale Synapse and thrilled with it. BTW: I researched (read plus rode) endurance road bikes for at least 6 mos before purchase of Synapse. Pretty much do my own maintenance with annual LBS checkout.
Uses for new bike; Short trips around town (Groceries, local restaurants/pubs), around camping areas & short commutes to stores/sites from camping areas. Would ride bike paths, roads both paved and hard packed unpaved, some grass/fields in parks etc. Probably would try some easy trails, but if I like that then next bike would be a MTB... Probably want to be able to put rack on back w/ panniers and be able to sit upright enough to wear a backpack.
Price range: will have to buy 2, my lovely wife will need one also. $1000 would be top end stretch each including any necessary modifications or additions (much lower would be very nice). Not to say that once I have them I won't be looking for upgrades.

Ok now some questions; (will definitely be riding and reading reviews on specific bikes also)
MTB vs Hybrid - Leaning towards Hybrid & I now that riding them will determine true difference, but just want some folks to opine on this?
Suspension - I think not since I'm really not hitting hard trails & worry about the loss of power (used to road bike). Plus how about the suspension that locks; good, bad, reliable, ...?
Seat - I know this could get crazy... I ride a Brooks B17 on road bike, moved it from my Trek to the Synapse, Love it!!! Sitting more upright on these type of bikes & more leisurely riding, seems to me that more weight on bottom vs. legs & arms on road bike. Padding (a no-no on road bike), springs (Brooks or others), ...?
Brands with known problems, especially at low end?
Any other comments or suggestions would be great...

alexdi

You're right in the crosshairs for this article:

The Best Hybrid Bike | The Sweethome

MTBs have a higher bottom bracket, a more slack head tube, shorter chainstays, and often, a shorter effective top tube. This all translates into a more vertical riding position with your weight further back. In your case, because you're willing to add an MTB later if the need arises, I'd choose a hybrid with no suspension and tires around 35mm.

fietsbob

Got a Shop that sells them or just going on what others say ?

MTB is not a Hybrid . wheel size is different, 29er with a road tire looks Odd, though You Might fit one. N+1 or 2 perhaps?
Hybrid~Cross a 35mm.. MTB is 50 or 60 wide..


NB: C 17 will survive washing the Mud off the Bike Better than B 17 ..



Gunnar is US , part of Waterford , so there's a merit.

though Taiwan has the same skills available and costs less , so thats where a Lot of Brands went.

bikemig 

Given your budget and knowledge of bikes (you do your own maintenance), why not get a pair of used bikes from CL? Lots of choices when it comes to hybrids; also a vintage mtb would work (no suspension). Both are good choices for short trips around town, easy trails, etc. You can get the 2 bikes for quite a bit less than $1k and have money left over for upgrades on the saddle, tires, etc.

corle001

Thank you for the replies. Great article @alexdi. I was looking thru CL & there are a number of hybrids to look at there. Now to start the riding...

Wanderer

I think the B-17 is perfect on a Hybrid. Selle Anatomica is also pretty nice, but different than a Brooks. I like 'em both.