I'm getting quite annoyed at all the mountain bikes I see on the roads, especially after seeing some goon in action this morning.

I use a hybrid bike - it's like a cheap road bike, but with flat bars.

Here's a picture and the stats of the new model version of my bike.

It's got 28mm width tyres. Mountain bikes generally have upwards of 32mm and racing road bikes have 23mm tyres.

The advantage of narrow tyres is you go faster.

The wheels on road bikes are literally bigger, and the high pressure and narrower width means there is less rolling resistance.

The upshot, road bikes are quicker to use on the roads than mountain bikes.

So why do most people buy mountain bikes, which are heavier and slower, when they mostly use them on the roads?

Especially ones with massive front and rear suspension.

You're not rock jumping, you trundling along a pavement.

Maybe they are better for canal towpaths and I can understand they maybe more comfortable in some ways.

But surely most cycling is on flat, decent surfaces?

So why buy mountain bikes unless it's just the soft, easy option?

But what especially gets me about them is some people who use them think they have a license to ride how they like.

I think they think they are urban warriors, not poeple with bikes.

For example, this morning some guy went straight through the red light where Warrington Road meets Lane Ends on the way into town on his mountain bike.

He then went on to the Sankey Cycle Way, across the grass verge back onto to the road to avoid the pedestrian crossing at Cromwell Avenue, then back on to the cycleway.

This kind of riding is double dangerous for me.

This is because.

A. A couple of times mountain bikers have nearly hit me as they speed past while I do the correct wait/manouvere at a junction, especially round the Pink Eye roundabout.

B. This style kind of riding annoys motorists and makes them less charitable towards cyclists in general, including me.

You know, I've never yet seen a cyclist on a road bike go thruugh red lights.

Mountain bikers make a habit of it.

Maybe it's the only way they can get anywhere on time using their big ugly steeds...