Fifty Plus (50+) - OK, I need a bit of help here.

A few days ago I posted that my older brother is going to start riding again.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/738068-After-30-years-my-Riding-Partner-Rides-Again!

I offered him a road bike (1980s Specialized Sirrus). I just heard from him last night. His wife, an RN wants him to start his re-entry into cycling on a mountain bike, not a road bike. He'll be riding on paved two-lane country roads even with the mountain bike. She's stated that she thinks it will be safer. Both my brother and I don't see the logic in this, but he wisely (in fairness for the many sacrifices she has made during his extended illness) says he'll defer to her on this issue. I'll certainly respect his decision.

In the meantime I've suggested he just keep riding the mountain bike he has, and maybe by mid-July his wife will have changed his mind, and the Specialized will still be waiting for him.

As I shared this story with my wife, she nodded her head in agreement saying that his wife probably knows best. OK, so am I missing something here? I'm not getting the logic here.

His wife just might know him better than you.

His wife just might know him better than you.

I have absolutely no doubt she does. But it's the "safety" issue I'm not getting. How is a road bike any more or less safe than a mountain bike riding on a paved surface?

My wife might say the same thing regarding the mtb. When we ride together she is usually on her road bike and I'll be on my cross or mtb playing around to get a little work in by riding off the side the paved trail or road. In her mind the mtb bike is slower, easier to get on and off, and she gets to set the pace.

I have absolutely no doubt she does. But it's the "safety" issue I'm not getting. How is a road bike any more or less safe than a mountain bike riding on a paved surface?

Road bikes have much narrow tires that can get caught in road defects, etc.

Road bikes have much narrow tires that can get caught in road defects, etc.

You know I thought about that and offered to put on a set of 700x38 Schwalbe Marathons (I've run them on this bike before, so I know they'll fit). But it's still a no go.

Maybe she's looking at "safer" in a different way than you are.
I know when I ride a "fast bike,( tighter geometry, lighter wheelset, closer gear ratios,etc) I tend to want to ride it faster than if I'm on my "slower" touring bike ( relaxed geometry, heavier wheelset, wide freewheel.)
Perhaps she thinks he'll push himself too hard on the roadie, being in a more aerodynamic position, and he'll be less aggressive in a more upright seating position.

I offered him a road bike (1980s Specialized Sirrus). the Specialized will still be waiting for him.

I'm not getting the logic here.

Is your, offered, Spec Sirrus the same as mine? Built 1988. Chromoly, down tube shifters, Ergo drops, biopace cranks, 52 42 30 triple, xtr on the back? Looks black unless direct sunlight picks out the purple metalflake? White bar tape, San Marco Blaze?

Buy him a dinner, send him to Walmart, keep the bike

The most comfortable bike I've used for many centuries and many multi country European tours.

If so, well, congratulations for offering to a close family member

Guessing you need to happy that the two of you can still ride together.

I rode 16 miles with my 11 year old nephew while back.

We came out of a park trail onto a sidewalk. My road bike tire got caught in the grove between a driveway and the sidewalk.
I remained calm and was able to stop. No problem with a MTB.
The kid and I had a great time.
He said he could not wait to tell his friends at school about his riding.

203677

Having ridden both and I would never put a road bike onto anything other than a nice smooth flat-pothole less road:cry: That's why when I was out with my mates on their MTBs and they wanted a 3 mile offroad to show that they could beat me somewhere on the ride I took it steady on the downhills so I did not wreck the wheels and looked for the dry mud so I didn't get wheel spin on the uphills.

I used to ride the MTB on century rides with only a change to narrow slicks and a flipping of the stem. Boy was that hard work in comparison to the road bike. But on the safety side I don't think there is any difference between an MTB and a road bike when being ridden on Road surfaces. Hard pack and the road bike is slower and not as comfy but not dangerous in any way unless your energy exceeds your capabilities.

Is your, offered, Spec Sirrus the same as mine? Built 1988. Chromoly, down tube shifters, Ergo drops, biopace cranks, 52 42 30 triple, xtr on the back? Looks black unless direct sunlight picks out the purple metalflake?

Close. Mine is red and it's been updated to Ultegra 9 speed brifters and a compact up front. It's a very good bike. I actually had two. I gave the first one to my oldest son as his first road bike. He still rides it, and says it's one of his favorites.

Guessing you need to happy that the two of you can still ride together.

Yeah, I am. It's just that when I can't figure something out, it creeps into my thoughts until I get it figured out. This one is making me nuts, and I don't want to say or do anything that will impinge on relationships.

The most comfortable bike I've used for many centuries...

Wow! I knew some of you guys were older than me, but what are you, a vampire?

;)

Wow! I knew some of you guys were older than me, but what are you, a vampire?

;)

Scary thought.....

Actually I think that a hard tail mountain bike with smooth tires is pretty hard to beat for general putzing around. I've got one that I use that way and I love it.

Actually I think that a hard tail mountain bike with smooth tires is pretty hard to beat for general putzing around. I've got one that I use that way and I love it.
+1 My hard tail weighs45lbs.and is real easy to keep out of trouble..The 24lb lighter,skinny tired roadie takes lots more attention to keep outta trouble...
Bud

Sound like she needs to look at the hybrids?
Best of both worlds!

Folks, thanks for the replies. I get it now. It probably does makes some sense, given what I'll call the "stability factor" for him to get his legs back, attention built up to where it should be, and handling skills back. All and all, I'm still thrilled that he's back riding.

I suppose this is a bit late to the party, but MTBs generally have a more upright position, and that might translate to giving a wider and more alert field of vision. That and the fact that under hard braking, for example, there is a little less chance of going over the handlebars.

Maybe your brother's wife has more wisdom than she's given credit for.