jazzy74

OK...I'm laying it all on the line right now

I'm 5'7" and about 245 pounds
I do NOT want skinny road tires, but not sure I want a mountain bike either...
I think I want disc brakes
I know I want front suspension...why though???

This will be a primary bike for fitness and light travel to and from the gym. I live in the country, so the roads are anything but flat.
I will also be taking the bicycle off road and onto dirt roads with rocks at the local Christmas tree farm where I live.

I rode and fell in love with a Scott Mtn. bike, but for me just starting out it may be overkill.
I then rode and thoroughly enjoyed the Trek 8.5DS....I honestly think the bike and I made it to 3rd base on a first date

Should I stick with the DS, look and test ride an FX, or just go all the way and get a mountain bike with full suspension and all the bells and whistles?

I'm about as lost as a one armed wall paper hanger right now...
If you can help I'd be grateful.


Thanks,

Jeff

And there is NO way I'm trusting my life to a Wal-Mart or K-Mart bike...so don't even go there!!!


I'm riding a Fuji right now that is a hybrid with grip shifters...NEVER again; I want speed trigger shifting.

Lanovran

Based on the type of riding you've decribed here, and the choice of bikes you're looking at, I would recommend the DS. The Dual Sport will give you the suspension, disc brakes, and more off-road-ready tires that will help on those dirt roads, while simultaneously allowing you to easily lock out the suspension and transition to a relatively speedy and lightweight ride on the road. A full suspension MTB will be heavier and slower in general, and while it may still have lockouts on the suspension (depending on the bike), it likely wouldn't make for quite as convenient a transition.

If you think you'll get into honest-to-goodness mountain biking, then I'd point you towards the MTB; but otherwise, what you're describing sounds like precisely what the DS was designed for. Honestly, I wouldn't even bother with the FX if you'll be riding on rougher dirt roads that often. I used to have a 2012 8.3 DS as my commuter, and it was a reliable, comfortable ride (I ended up selling it and trading up for something more appropriate to where/how I was riding, but still...). You can put a rack and fenders on there pretty easily, as well. The only other option I might recommend would be a cyclocross or cross-style bike, which in a way would be similar to the DS, except with a road-style drop handlebar.

Best of luck to you, in any case!

fietsbob

Slick tires on the MTB should hold you over while you test ride the options in the shops.
700c-35 wide tire wheels are the common other category .

1nterceptor

If the only thing you don't like about your current bike are the shifters;
you may want to look into upgrading just the shifters instead of a whole
new bike. Although having a new bike is always fun.

canadiandude

Either go with the DS or see if you can find a Scott Aspect 30 (for example). It'll do everything if you can find one at a reasonable price. I just sold mine as I moved from dirt trails to commuting.

jazzy74

You folks are definitely THE BEST resource!!!
Should have come here BEFORE the local bike shop.

I'm just gonna do what I want and get the 8.5DS...if my needs change I can also buy a mountain bike down the road.

Thank Again!!!!!

jazzy74

OK...how expensive of an undertaking is it to switch from grip shifters to thumb controls?
Please bear with me; I fix broken people...not bikes!

WestPablo

Locate your nearest bicycle co-op and do the switch yourself along with experts.

Otherwise, a hardtail mtb should suit your needs just fine. Full suspension seems a bit like overkill for your usual type of riding.

Personally, I'd prefer the Surly Ogre for what you've described.

AdelaaR

That's the spirit!
N+1!

Wanderer

If that thing will accommodate 40 or 45 wide tires, try one on the back. The added comfort will be welcome, and keeping the 38 (or even a 35) on the front will help with speed and quickness.

By the way, nice choice - I like the DS Series.