The following information about Comfort and Hybrid bikes came from: http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_cn-z.html#comfort

The original runaway popularity of mountain bikes was mainly related to their greater comfort for casual cyclists, compared to the drop-handlebar, skinny-tire sport-touring bikes that had been the predominant adult style through the '70s and early '80s.

By the late '90s, this trend had gone so far that many casual/beginner cyclists were finding mountain bikes uncomfortable. In response, the industry came up with what is commonly known as a "comfort bike." Typical comfort bikes resemble mountain bikes in wheel size, brake and gear equipment, but also differ in several ways. Comfort bikes have:

• Shorter top tubes, for a more upright riding position;
• Taller, often adjustable, handlebar stems, also for a more upright riding position;
• "Riser" handlebars, also for a more upright riding position;
• Wider saddles with springs (and/or suspension seatposts.);
• Smooth, wide tires for quiet and comfort on smooth surfaces.

Hybrid Bikes

A hybrid is a cross-breed, the result of taking features from two different sources and creating something different, with aspects of both. The term has two common uses in bicycle usage:

Hybrid bicycles, also known as "cross" or "fitness" bicycles are a cross between a mountain bike and a touring bike. The best of them have the handlebars and control levers of a mountain bike, with the frame, gears, wheels and brakes of a touring bike.

Hybrids usually come with 622 mm (700c) wheels like road/touring bikes, but with wider tires than are normally supplied for touring. Most hybrid bicycles, unfortunately, come with tires that are designed for looks rather than for function. These are typically knobbies: 35-40 mm wide. These tires are not good for much. Knobby tires are good for dealing with soft sand and mud, but hybrid tires are too narrow for these conditions--if you plan on riding through soft sand and mud, you really should buy a mountain bike. When ridden on firm surfaces, these tires are noisy and slow, and can cause an irritating buzz as they roll. They also corner poorly on pavement.

Mountain Bikes

"Mountain bike (MTB) is the currently preferred term for bicycles made for off-road use. Mountain bikes use 559 mm wheels, have at least 15 speeds, and usually have cantilever brakes...The mountain bike is in many ways a hybrid design, a cross between a BMX bicycle and a touring bicycle." (from: http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_m.html#mountainbike)

Mountain Bikes are intended for off-road use in rugged terrain -- this is where their smaller wide tires and heavy-duty frames shine. On smooth roads or reasonably even trails they become unnecessarily fatiguing. For riding Towpath or other bike trails or moderate road rides, a Comfort or Hybrid bike is a better choice.

In addition to narrow tires and drop handlebars, Road Bikes are lightweight. They are intended for racing and long touring rides on smooth surfaces. The bent-over posture they require reduces wind resistance and, in combination with light bodies, ensures that you get the most mileage and speed out of every stroke of the pedals. They are favored by people who routinely take long rides. For towpath riding; urban/suburban commuting, relatively short rides, or any riding on rough terrain, Road Bikes are not recommended.

Based on women riders' feedback, Marin has designed a custom handlebar and unique grip system that is slightly smaller in diameter for smaller hands to comfortably hold onto without excessive fatigue. Included with this system are a set of shims that allow the brake levers and shift levers to be positioned in the most effective positions for performance and comfort.

• How the Women's Fit Geometry bikes are different:
• Shorter top tube reduces the reach to the handlebars
• Slightly relaxed steering geometry makes the bike feel more stable
• Smaller diameter handlebars and grips reduce fatigue for smaller hands
• Women's specific saddles provide more consistent support for a women's anatomy.

Also, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Women's Fit Geometry bikes will be donated to Breast Cancer Research in hopes of helping to find a cure for a disease that effects so many.