RTB20926
08-02-08, 11:05 AM
I'm looking for a bike for my wife to join me on my rail to trail rides. Does anyone have any sugeestions of what bike to look for for this type of ride. My Cannondale F500 treats me just fine. Thanks in advance.
Recreational & Family - Rail to Trail Riding
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RonH
08-02-08, 12:54 PM
Any bike will work on a paved bike path. Let her look at several models and styles and have her pick the bike that is comfortable for her.
Read through the General Cycling forum for more ideas.
Read through the General Cycling forum for more ideas.
sunflowerflyer
08-18-08, 06:08 PM
honestly about any bike will work, so find one you like. If the trail is crushed stone, like many in our area you likely want to stay away from really skinny road tires. But, laws of physics will prevail, so the lighter the rotating parts (wheels, tires, etc.) the further and faster you can ride using the same amount of energy.
My trail bike is an old Trek, with 28mm road tires on it. They are slightly on the skinny side, but have ridden them on soft rain soaked trails without problem. A 50 mile day even for someone out of shape like me is not a huge problem.
My wife wanted something very comfy, so we bought an Electra Townie for the geometry (almost no weight on hands, flat foot stops). Then swapped the wheels for some strong but reasonably light road wheels, and lightweight 32mm wide tires. Also swapped on some better shifting while we were at it. It works very well on rail trails.
I know many recommend mountain bikes for rail trails. The function great, but you give up some speed and distance do to the heavier components. But if you don't plan on riding long distances, they should work just fine.
My trail bike is an old Trek, with 28mm road tires on it. They are slightly on the skinny side, but have ridden them on soft rain soaked trails without problem. A 50 mile day even for someone out of shape like me is not a huge problem.
My wife wanted something very comfy, so we bought an Electra Townie for the geometry (almost no weight on hands, flat foot stops). Then swapped the wheels for some strong but reasonably light road wheels, and lightweight 32mm wide tires. Also swapped on some better shifting while we were at it. It works very well on rail trails.
I know many recommend mountain bikes for rail trails. The function great, but you give up some speed and distance do to the heavier components. But if you don't plan on riding long distances, they should work just fine.
Rob_U
08-23-08, 09:44 PM
Our Trek Navigators do well on the this type of trail. The wider tires perform well on either the recycled (crushed) asphalt, or the looser, and finer crushed limestone. the shocks are nice plus as well.
limeylew
08-24-08, 05:17 AM
I'm looking for a bike for my wife to join me on my rail to trail rides. Does anyone have any sugeestions of what bike to look for for this type of ride. My Cannondale F500 treats me just fine. Thanks in advance.
So what would be wrong about your wife having a Cannondale F500 also, in a size that fits her and a color she likes?
So what would be wrong about your wife having a Cannondale F500 also, in a size that fits her and a color she likes?
rallykid
08-24-08, 09:32 PM
If it is a smooth path like pavement or hard packed dirt then most any bike will do. That being said I rode a rails to trails system that went from hard packed dirt and pavement to a 2 mile section that was large rocks, gravel and holes large enough that I bottomed my fork out several times. A hybrid would get killed on that section. It all depends on how improved your path is as to what will work.