(Paul D) said:
Mountain bikes (with and without suspension)
You ride 98% on road - a mountain bike would be a poor tool for this.
All the energy goes into deforming the tyres, unless you change them -
and then it's not really a mountain bike.
Quoted message said:Road bikes
You don't want a racer. Fine. Could be rather fragile for general
use. I'm told they're great fun though.
Quoted message said:City bikes
Fine, but with an upright riding position, you won't escape the
headwinds.
Quoted message said:Shoppers
Fine for shopping.
Quoted message said:Tourers
On road, great. High pressure tyres for efficiency, drop bars to get
out of the wind. Wheels strong enough for tow-paths, tyres 28mm or
greater should be fine on rough surfaces. Wide spread of gears, if
you ever find a sloping tow-path. Strong frame (for carrying
luggage). This would be my choice, have a look at the Dawes Horizon
(roughly £350) or whatever the equivalent from Edinburgh Cycles is
these days.
Quoted message said:Hybrids
See comment against City Bikes.
Quoted message said:Comfort bikes
Not sure I understand the term.
Declaration of personal bias:
I have a relatively old Dawes Sterling (tourer with drops) that I use
every day, and a relatively new Dawes Galaxy that I use for holidays
and weekend rides.
My mountian bike rarely sees the light of day, but has a rack for
panniers when I'm commuting - just in case.
Al