longest distance/time/type of ride on a comfort bike?

[saraha71]

I have a Giant Suede that I got about three years ago. I seriously love it, it fits me perfectly.

When I lived in TX, I generally rode 20 miles on it (without stopping) at least once a week, weather permitting, but the bike paths were flat as a pancake (this was in dallas). Took me about an hour and 15 minutes. I never was very tired at the end, I could have gone another ten - fifteen miles with a break in between.

Now I'm in NYC, and I love riding the Hudson river bike paths. I generally do 10 - 15 miles round trip. The bike's got 7 gears, and I can't do really steep hills on it - I can do Central Park, but so far, I've only done the loop once (I had to go at that point, I probably could have pushed myself to do it twice). It's pretty hilly in some parts.

My question is - this summer, I'd like to take it further, outside of NYC. Take the train somewhere and bike for 20 - 30 miles, not too many hills. Is that do-able on a comfort bike?

If you live in the NYC area, where would you suggest I go outside of NYC?

Thanks for your time,

Sarah

[masiman]

I think you can do that far. Your gears might limit how big of a hill you can handle though. Smaller gears will let you make it up the hill on the bike rather than walking, but that does not mean it will be easier :).

We were just on the Hudson River path two weeks ago after the 5boro. That really is a nice path for being right in NYC.

I wish I had ride suggestions for you in that area, but I do not. I imagine as you go further north out of the city, the hills will get bigger. Long Island seems like it would have some nice spots. If you don't get recommendations here, try to find a place that looks interesting and is accessible by train, search the web for a local bike club in that area and contact them for help in finding a route. Maybe even join in on one of their rides.

[rugerben]

To answer one question, on Saturday, I rode 45 miles on my Giant TranSend with no discomfort at all, and in fact it was time that brought me in. I wasn't even tired yet. I know it's not quite a comfort bike, but very similar geometry and style.

As for trails, I know there are some great ones in Westchester. Try asking people about White Plains, Harrison/Mamaroneck, and even over into the Heartsdale/Valhala area. There ought to be tons. I know there is one that leads up to a Bhuddist monastery that is supposed to be very beautiful, but I think it's only a short trail.

[Rosie8]

Have you considered trading your Suede 7 speed in for a 21 speed Suede DX? I have the 7 speed Suede and absolutely love it too. My longest rides have only been 11 miles but I do ride 8-10 as many days a week as I can (weather permitting). Sorry, can't help you out on routes to take in NY.

Another thought - don't know how easy/difficult - have your LBS add more gears by changing cassette (?? is that the proper term).

[RonH]

My question is - this summer, I'd like to take it further, outside of NYC. Take the train somewhere and bike for 20 - 30 miles, not too many hills. Is that do-able on a comfort bike?

If you live in the NYC area, where would you suggest I go outside of NYC?

Thanks for your time,

Sarah
Hi Sarah. Have you thought about upgrading to a slightly more aggressive bike to help you get over the hills?

Why not ask the folks in the Northeast (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=232) regional subforum about riding in the area?

[saraha71]

I think that it's a good idea to see what they would charge to change the gears up to a 21 gear - I'll try that. My goal is not speed, it's more distance...

Thanks everyone for answering. I guess I can also take the train to CT - there's a whole bunch of greenway near New Haven that's converted train tracks that's great riding.

And I have friends up there, so maybe we can do it together!

Sarah

[saraha71]

I just spoke to a bike shop - they said it would cost too mcuh to replace, it won't be worth it... I guess I'll just limit myself to the smaller hills, for now, and I'll see how it goes.

Sarah

[Longfemur]

It's always do-able, but if you're going to put the effort into riding a bike regularly for fitness outside of your immediate neighbourhood, wouldn't you prefer to go as far and as fast as you can for the same amount of effort? Comfort bikes are great for what they do, but they aren't really meant for distance - where they aren't really comfort bikes anymore. I think you would ultimately derive a lot more pleasure doing it with either a conservatively-fitted road bike, or one of the more road bike-like flat bar hybrids that are readily available now. Once you try it and once your body gets used to it, being positioned a bit more bent over with the proper reach (even if the handlebars are level with the seat or only just a bit lower) gives you so much more power for the same amount of effort that you won't believe the difference. Compared to a comfort bike, it will feel like the bike is pedalling itself. Then, when you go back, you feel like you just filled your legs with concrete.

[gcottay]

Hello, Sarah.

Hills are an issue for most people getting into or back into cycling, enough so that many bikes get dusty. At least some of the problem seems to be fear. The hill seems much too high and the effort outlandish. The best way through it is pretty simple, go up the hill.

Though a greater gear range is an advantage, there is no hill you can't climb with your present bike. If the going gets too hard, you can get off and walk. Since walking a bike is much less fun than riding, that increases your motivation the next time you hit the same or similar incline. It might also lead you to the Suede DX.

[Tom Bombadil]

We had a thread in the 50+ group about long rides on non-road bikes. Turned out that several people had ridden 50+ miles, a few 100 miles, on various hybrid and comfort bikes. I believe there was a person who had ridden a 300-mile tour on a Giant Suede, but one that had around 24 gears. A lot of road bike cyclists underestimate how far one can ride on a non-road bike.

Now with a 7-speed bike, the limited gear range will make it somewhat more difficult to ride long routes that have steeper hills. It can still be done, as people ride 100 mile centuries & further on single speed bikes. And people have ridden long tours on 3-speeds. However it will require better conditioning on your part to pull it off.

If you are riding on an easy to moderate course, it should be relatively easy to do 20-30 miles on a 7-speed.

[Brian T.]

My longest trek so for on my bike is 27 miles. I went form my house the the Newport Aquarium. Granted it took me awhile( lots of hills and I amm just getting back into biking) so I had to make a couple stops, but I was proud of myself when i was done.:thumb:

[scwebd]

Hi Sarah -

This is kind of ducking the question, but I think you might enjoy biking out to Coney Island. It's in the range of 20-30ish miles, and mostly flat and leisurely terrain. I've biked it many times from upper Manhattan, and frequently take friends who are the least hardcore cyclists in my circle. You can hop over the Brooklyn Bridge and fly out to Prospect Park. From there you can either take the Ocean Parkway route or you can take the "Along the Verrazano Narrows" route. Both are gorgeous and flat. The biggest challenges on this ride are the Brooklyn Bridge itself and then coming back up the hills in Prospect Park upon your return.

But once you're at Coney: Nathan's hot dogs, (bad but good) daquiris on the beach, playing in the ocean, riding the Cyclone, the El Dorado bumper cars (!!!), the eccentric characters you see wandering the boardwalk, the aquarium, the ocean air, cotton candy, etc etc etc. And, if you're feeling lazy, you can always hop the train home from Coney. :)

Cheers,
Another Sarah

[Javan]

I did a 27 mile ride on some streets/roads and the Cuyahoga Tow Path. It was great and I had no pain. I change the geo a little since then. I have lowered the handlebars and readusted the seat a tad so that I am getting more aerodynamic. I want to try a longer ride (30-40) miles this way and see how it goes, but right now I am stuck with the 8.5 mile commute.

FYI, this is a Diamondback Wildwood that has a more racing style saddle, clipless pedals, bar ends, 26 x 1.25 tires.

[OCLV or Bust]

I have a '97 Lemond Chambery OCLV bike. Overall its one of the best i've owned. Good handling and very comfortable. I've had it for 10 years but have only been riding seriously on it for about 5 years. It still is as good as when i first bought it. I purchased another bike as i became more serious. The lemond just sits in my basement except for the occasional weekend cruising. My question is, Is it just a hunk of carbon in my basement, Or is it worth something. Other than sentimental value?

[Robert Foster]

Sarah,
Tom has some excellent advice. There is a reason for the word comfort in comfort bike. They tend to be easier on your back and your legs. Most of all they tend to be easier on where you sit. That being said climbing hills are not what they are best at. If you have a low enough gear and are in no hurry they still can be done with a comfort bike. The best part is you are sitting up looking at the sites and getting used to the things around you. Distance is only a matter of time on a bicycle. If you aren’t into Lycra and bright colors and like to get off and walk once in a while a comfort bike like the one you have will serve you just fine.

Bob

[Bezohh]

To answer the question in the thread title, I managed a 23 mile run on my comfort bike today. A Diamondback Wildwood Citi. Granted at around mile #15 it began to feel like someone threw meat tenderizor on my bum and pummeled it with a wooden mallet.

It was comfortable in the beginning though.

[wb416]

Good question by the OP. I've been wondering the same thing since we started cycling again about a month ago.

After seeing all the road bikes effortless sail past us on the Little Miami Bike Trail, I've wondered if getting a hybrid was the right choice (I've yet to find any unimproved paths around here I originally wanted to try).

We have an end of summer goal to ride from South Lebanon to Yellow Springs, returning the following day (40+ one way), and managed a 30 mile loop from Morrow to Corwin last weekend.

[sunflowerflyer]

I watched two girls ride crank forward bikes across Kansas (BAK), 540 miles in a week. Kansas doesn't have mountains, but the flint hills are not small.

The bikes were Rans models, had lightweight wheels and tires, and quality mountain bike gearing. One of the girls has a road bike, and said she missed the way it climbed, and she lost a little average speed. However she loved getting off the bike after 75 miles with little pain. Her sister riding with her was not an avid cyclist.

This was my inspiration to buy my wife her 700c 21spd townie, and upgrade it. She loves it, but after upgrading we had more than doubled the price of the bike, and could have almost just bought the Rans... lol. But the Townie and the wicker basket look good together.

[Phantoj]

There were a couple of guys who rode the last STP (204 miles) one-day on what looked like old 3-speed cruisers...