Urban Mountain bike or cyclocross
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Urban Mountain bike or cyclocross
Ive been cycling since March now. I'm doing between 50 and 100 miles a week depending on work, days off etc.. I like cycling on the many tow paths around Denton in Manchester, exploring trails and off road, some of which can be quite bumpy, I also like cycling on the road, and often cycle to My sisters or Mums houses about 13 miles away.
I try and commute the 7 miles to work two days out of every 4 (I work shifts), which is entirely road and through some busy traffic areas (hopping on and off pavements) also down and up two valleys the Tame and the Goyt, with fairly challenging hills in both directions.
If I am cycling back from my sisters I often try new short cuts, again down tow paths or any track that looks like it might lead somewhere. I also enjoy long rides on and off road, having done the Manchester to Blackpool ride a few months ago, and quite often do 30/40 miles on my days off. Basically I want a bike that goes anywhere, and is fast, and is good for going up hills.
At the moment I have an entry level Mountain bike, a Schwinn GSX Frontier. Ive adapted this into a form of commuter bike by fitting slightly narrower semi-slicks, basic mudguards, toe clips, an extended handlebar stem, prolongeurs on the handlebars angled forward to allow me to get in an aerodynamic position in the wind/downhill etc. Ive raised the seat to the optimum position for me (I think) and adjusted the back forward position of the seat so it feels most comfortable. All this has given me an increase in speed on and off road.
Ive also this week fitted a rear rack, which allows me to put my rucksack on and gives me more freedom to move.
In March I have a decision to make as I will be able to purchase a new bike through the cycle to work scheme. This is why I have been doing a lot of tinkering with my bike to find a set up with which I am happy with.
I have looked at cyclocross bikes, a colleague of mine has a Tricross and is very happy with his bike for commuting. I also like the look of Kona Jake the snake. The problem with the cyclocross bikes is the gearing, I feel I may struggle on the steepest hills with a 36/46 T or similar chainring.
Just lately my interest has been drawn to Urban Mountain Bikes, particularly the Scott Sub 10 and the Maris Point Reyes which will fall within my price range in March. Does anyone have experience of any of the type of bikes mentioned, ridden in similar situations to mine?
I would particularly like to know what the fixed front forks are like for offroad, on the Urban Mountain bikes and if these bikes are good for longer distances. Also if the 700 wheel size option is faster on this type of bike.
I'm dont mind what handlebars the bike has.
Thank you
I try and commute the 7 miles to work two days out of every 4 (I work shifts), which is entirely road and through some busy traffic areas (hopping on and off pavements) also down and up two valleys the Tame and the Goyt, with fairly challenging hills in both directions.
If I am cycling back from my sisters I often try new short cuts, again down tow paths or any track that looks like it might lead somewhere. I also enjoy long rides on and off road, having done the Manchester to Blackpool ride a few months ago, and quite often do 30/40 miles on my days off. Basically I want a bike that goes anywhere, and is fast, and is good for going up hills.
At the moment I have an entry level Mountain bike, a Schwinn GSX Frontier. Ive adapted this into a form of commuter bike by fitting slightly narrower semi-slicks, basic mudguards, toe clips, an extended handlebar stem, prolongeurs on the handlebars angled forward to allow me to get in an aerodynamic position in the wind/downhill etc. Ive raised the seat to the optimum position for me (I think) and adjusted the back forward position of the seat so it feels most comfortable. All this has given me an increase in speed on and off road.
Ive also this week fitted a rear rack, which allows me to put my rucksack on and gives me more freedom to move.
In March I have a decision to make as I will be able to purchase a new bike through the cycle to work scheme. This is why I have been doing a lot of tinkering with my bike to find a set up with which I am happy with.
I have looked at cyclocross bikes, a colleague of mine has a Tricross and is very happy with his bike for commuting. I also like the look of Kona Jake the snake. The problem with the cyclocross bikes is the gearing, I feel I may struggle on the steepest hills with a 36/46 T or similar chainring.
Just lately my interest has been drawn to Urban Mountain Bikes, particularly the Scott Sub 10 and the Maris Point Reyes which will fall within my price range in March. Does anyone have experience of any of the type of bikes mentioned, ridden in similar situations to mine?
I would particularly like to know what the fixed front forks are like for offroad, on the Urban Mountain bikes and if these bikes are good for longer distances. Also if the 700 wheel size option is faster on this type of bike.
I'm dont mind what handlebars the bike has.
Thank you
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,212
Bikes: Lemond Alpe d'Huez 2005
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i got a gary fischer utopia...it's duel sport...i loveeee it....i can go explore off road and get some serious speed on road...i run 700x38c all terrain tires..
#3
Fourth Degree Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: American Gardens Building
Posts: 3,826
Bikes: 2005 Kona Cinder Cone & 2010 Cannondale SuperSix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'd say a cyclocross bike might be a good investment. At least try them out.
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
gary fischer utopia, yeah thanks for that it's a nice looking bike, I'll find out if I can get in the UK. I like the lockout front suspension too.
Cyclocross, I would like to try, but I dont understand why double not triple chainsets.
Cyclocross, I would like to try, but I dont understand why double not triple chainsets.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,212
Bikes: Lemond Alpe d'Huez 2005
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
the lockout is awesome for cruisin on the road...the doubles is because the gearing is near the same as a triple...you dont have the very extremes highs and lows of gearing but it is sufficient to get around...but you should really check out the utopia...it has exceeded all my expectations.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Palm Beach County, Florida
Posts: 182
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i have a specialized p.2 urban mtb 16 speed with 2 disc brakes that i like a lot. i bought i used for about 25% of the price of a new one.... it doesn't have a fixed fork though.. its perfect for hopping up curbs and stuff though the frame geometry makes it super easy to get air with minimal effort... i ride it about 10 miles a day but have done as much as 25 in one shot
hope that helped
hope that helped