Greg, the problem with mountain bikes on the road
is not the weight, but the tires. The mountain bike
frame will keep you more upright and generally more
comfortable than a road (racing) frame. <br><br>The
popularity of MTBs mean that road bikes are expensive, and
generally lesser values. You may think about a "city" or
"hybrid" bike. They have road compatible tires on MTB
frames, and are made for casual city
riding.<br><br>Mountain bikes generally use knobby tires. These blocks of
rubber squirm when on hard surfaces, and the power
sucked up in that squirming comes from your legs. It you
ride off road on hardpack, or anywhere but pea gravel
(or Birtish Columbia), you would be served quite qell
with semi-slicks. They have a generally slick center,
but knobs on the side.<br><br>If you ride only on the
road, get fully slick tires.<br><br>As for what I ride,
I got a deal on a Trak Y-Foil 66. This is a
time-trial racing bike made from carbon fiber. They stopped
making this model, as UCI changed the profile rules for
time trials and the frame is not allowed anymore. It
has a long cantilevered arm that really smooths out
the ride. I have come to love carbon, though it is
pricey.<br><br>I am considering another bike, as this one is bad
for general commuting. I'm afraid to leave it behind
- too tempting a target. I'm looking at getting a
cyclocross bike. This is a road-like frame with large tire
clearences and skinny knobby tires. Cyclocross is an
interesting form of racing, look it up. The model I'm
considering has pannier mounts, so it would make a good light
touring ride - just change the tires to toruing
types.<br><br>JOKE