Road bike or mountain bike?

Question

I'll be riding along concrete trails a lot, but I also want to be able to ride in my backyard which is rather hilly. I get tired easily so I need something easy, but I don't want it easy enough and "loose" enough to go every whichaway when I decided to ride through rocky and rough terrain.

so which would work, road bike or mountain bike?

Answer 1

For what you want, I would go with a mountain bike, but specifically a 29er (29" wheels instead of 26") and a hardtail (no suspensions).

The bigger wheels help road bikes in having the speed advantage and are super fast on the road. Suspensions suck out the energy you put into pedaling and takes it away from speed.

Even without shocks, a mountain bike can take some pretty beefy terrain and punishment.

A 29er might be out of your price range, but a hardtail is usually cheaper than a bike with suspensions and lighter. I pulled up some product links for you as examples (PS, a 29" bike *IS* a cyclocross bike, but most people know the races by category and not what the actual bike is called).

Answer 2

It sounds like you might need a cyclocross bike.  They are like “hybrids” but usually a little nicer (not heavy or clunky like some touring bikes).  I just saw some really nice ones at Belmont Wheel Works.  Good luck.

Answer 3

Cyclocross hands down. A cyclocross bike is sort of like a road bike but with wider knobby tires a little taller ground clearance for off road terrain. You won't have to work nearly as hard on the pavement as you would on a moutain bike, but you can still do trails with mountain bikes. Just make sure that you get fitted properly at a bike shop before you buy.

Answer 4

Mountain bike.  The mountain bikes are comfortable and easy to ride.  When you get tired, they have plenty of low gears so that you can pedal fast, not hard.  You also have the option of getting suspension with the mountain bikes.  I wouldn't get a FS bike (Full Suspension) if I were you, but definitely front.  The hard tails (Front suspension only) are fun to ride, lighter than the FS bikes, and still offer some cushioning.  

The tires you use will have a lot of impact on your riding too.  Don't get anything too aggressive, or  knobby or your pavement riding will be tough.  

Lastly, get the best bike you can afford.  It will be worth it.  Get a cheap bike and riding wont be fun.  Then your money will have been wasted anyway.

Answer 5

get a mountain bike. that you can ride on the road, as well as trails. road bikes are, well, road bikes. as far as getting tired, keep riding. push yourself a little further each day. eat breakfast, have smart snacks, and balanced lunch and dinner. also, stay hydrated! also, learn to shift efficiently! this will help you expend energy more effectively. I'd recomend you get a hardtail mountain bike, with a shorter travel fork, possibly with a lockout for road/bike path riding. I have both a MTB and road bikes. I'm more of a roadie these days, but I still love to get my stumpjumper dirty now and then.

Answer 6

Go mountain, its more suitable for  universal terrain and use, and some are as quick as normal road bikes. You could also buy a set of road tires for your mountain bike if you only ride trails occasionally. Toodles.