I'm new to riding, bought a mtb first, finding a decent place to ride took me 30+ minutes to get too, so i started riding my mtb on the road. It felt really hard to do, knew something was wrong, went and bought a road bike, and the difference in night and day, One Monday I took a 15 mile route with my MTB, could only do 10 miles and I was wiped out, had to call my wife to pick me up or I would be late for work...took 62 minutes. tuesday after work I purchased my road bike, wednesday morning I did the same 15 mile route, I was able to complete the entire route, and I did it in 43 minutes....and felt like I could keep going. Next day I went out after work and rode 20 miles. It is awesome! I still love MTBing but the road bike is so much more convieniant. I would like to get in shape enough and start competing in races.

 

mountain bike for sure!

less likely hood of getting hit by cars, and more fun (in my opinion)

 

X2! Love it!

 

Having both really is the most ideal situation. I have an alright mountain bike (Mongoose with a lot of mods that make it not a walmart bike but still not a Fisher), which works for me because I don't spend a lot of time out on the trails. My road bike (Giant TCR C2) is my baby and gets ridden all the freaking time. I also have a single speed I made out of an old Trek aluminum frame from the 80's that is fun to ride around town....but that's a whole other animal and is really just for fun. I don't think you'll be disappointed with what you get as long as you are using the bike for it's intended purpose (ie. keeping the mountain bike off the pavement)

 

I love my Gary Fisher 29er!

 

Here is my old Gary Fisher "Joshua" on my JK


Thinking it may be time for a trade in for that new Gary Fisher 29".
Just have to decide which one to get.

 

I grew up on a BMX bike, raced and everything, been off a bike, other than a casual ride in the neighborhood with the kids. I have a 15 year old Diamond Back, from the days before you could buy them at the discount stores, that I am going to tune up this weekend. I'm a runner and need to cross train to help improve. My fear is that I will have yet, another expensive hobby!! I'm looking at some used bikes on craigslist/ebay right now, Trek 4500's, Trek 6000, Gary Fisher etc that can be had for around $300.

Not so sure about being clipped into the pedals though, with my BMX background, that scares me.

 

My background was similar, but I continued riding my Schwinn Continental off and on. My first mountain bike was a Cycle Pro that I still have hanging in the garage. (They clearly didn't make a successful leap from BMX to mountain.) My MTB after that was a Cannondale that got stolen. That bike was an extension of my mind and would take me everywhere I pointed it. Current bike is a GT hardtail that I've had since 1999. Despite thrashing the daylights out of it, still going strong. Components have been upgraded over the years with craigslist finds and Jenson closeouts.
Don't overlook upgrading your DiamondBack. The older frames still have a lot to offer, especially with component upgrades. (Trek, Cannondale, Specialized)
Also, you're more likely to get a US-made frame in the older mid-grades. Newer bikes of all brands are pretty much Chinese, except top end.

Like you, I don't clip into pedals off road. My riding style usually means a foot prepared for whatever.

 

In my experience, 7 gritty miles on a mountain bike is equivalent to 30 miles on the road for heart pumping.
Not only that, but my arms and core get a workout on the mountain bike. The road bike is just my legs.
Many like to ride MTB comfortably in the saddle, but I'm out of it most of the time, pushing the limits of stupidity.
My MTB trail time served as good conditioning and prep work for Hilly Hundred.
If it helps put things into perspective, Cadel Evans started as a mountain biker.

 

for heart-thumping action and an overall dependable ride, go with a mountain bike from Gary Fisher...I rode a Gary Fisher Marlin for the past 6 years but had to sell it due to medically being unable to ride.