ed 

The new city is really lacking in trails. Closest one is 30min. I know that's not terrible, but I'm a family man and don't like giving up time with my kids b/c pretty soon...they're gonna stop hanging out with the "old man" and chillin' with friends.

I've got my eye on a decent entry level (IMO) road bike. Given my size and shamefully hack riding...I hope it will withstand the abuse of ed.

Dannihilator

Uh oh, he's going to the dark side....

(join the club.)

scyclops

Has hell frozen over too?

scozim 

Nothin' like a little flexibility with what you're riding.

rothenfield1

Having gone from MTB to road and now getting back into MTB again; I'd say the 2 riding styles are so different, that there's room enough in a renaissance man's life for both.

That being said, if your a hardcore MTB'er, becoming a roadie just may bore you to death.

3speed

I say skip the new entry level whatever and get into C&V road bikes a little. It'll be much more fun, Much cheaper, and it'll give you another outlet into the bike hobby. You can get a Totally sweet C&V road bike for $500+, or have a lot of fun and build it up yourself with parts you find good deals on for practically nothing if you're willing to be patient. And the C&V guys are the nicest bunch of folks you'll find on the internetz and will help you out with anything, from questions so simple you'll feel ret****d for asking to finding parts you want.

Oh, and please tell me you just mean like you're gonna get a road bike to enjoy some rides on just to get on a bike, not like you're gonna go out and buy up all the clingy spandex you can get your hands on and become convinced that you Have to make your bike lighter, because that 2 grams extra on your crank-set totally matters as you're slowly putting along on a Saturday afternoon not competing in a race...

Dannihilator

Yeah, C&V is great.

liquefied

Nothing wrong with that. Bikes are bikes. A true bicycle lover should appreciate any form of cycling.

dminor 

Go West, young man.


Barring that, at least get yourself something like a Redline 'cross bike. Would be a decent 'road-ish' bike tough enough for even you.

rothenfield1

I'd be interested to know what road bike you have your eye on.

pablosnazzy

if you were REALLY cool, you'd get a fixie. either way, think of traffic as "singletrack," road riding in the city can be fun. especially on a fixed with no brakes. you can't break a surly steamroller, no matter how hard you try. i know this for a fact.

scozim 

Gotta echo this (along with the other three folks). My lightest C&V bike is less than 20 lbs, climbs great and is fun to ride. However, a lot depends on the type of riding you'll do. If you don't care about index shifting, 9-11 spd gearing in the rear, etc. then the C&V ride is the way to go - especially if you're not going to put a ton of miles on the bike. The hunt for the nice C&V is the best part of the hobby.

endless

I started out a roadie and eventually found my way to the trails with the help of some really good friends. I still ride the road bike to work everyday. I like to think that riding the road bike to work helps keep me in shape in between mtb rides... especially since its a heavy old steel beast that I converted to SS a couple years ago. let us know what you end up getting, with photos too of course!

sscyco

I have a couple comments about this:
1) I did this - got a road bike many years ago because I could not MTB as much as I would like to - Now I love both

2) I second what Doug said - cross bikes rock - commuting, 100 miles, single track - doesn't do any one perfect, but all pretty well.

3) Riding a 15 lb bike does not make me faster than riding a 18 lb bike - I have to regrettably admit.

4) Should have a sticky for "Mountain bikers that ride road" - or a sub forum or something better that reading that feggatry that is spewed in the road forum. Just say'n.

toytech

You can never have too many kinds of bikes. I ride everything from full suspended mountain bikes to a tandem road, a vintage skip tooth cruiser, am extracycle and all manner of vintage road bikes. You can always upgrade the drivetrain on your vintage stuff too.
I also agree that the hunt is half the fun. I have my kids and wife into it now too.

pablosnazzy

um....i thought we all road ride.....we just don't make a big deal out of it...

corvuscorvax

Ditto on the fixie. They're a whole new kind of fun, and IMO the experience especially suits somebody who is otherwise a core MTB'er.

I like a brake though.

ed 

I'm ordering tonight. No fixie though...2x9.

sscyco

I think this thread proves that we all don't.

ed 

Hate to disapoint, but I'm not a spandex-clad roadie type. My version of a road bike is still going to be "fun"...and my version of road riding could be otherwise labeled "urban".


I'm truly sorry to have dragged all you roadies out under false pretenses...what am I saying...no I'm not. I'm just ornery that'a'way.

pablosnazzy

you don't have to wear lycra or shave your legs to be a roadie. i road ride in the same cut off shorts, chain wallet, and t-shirt i ride my mountain bike in. the only difference is i'm sometimes not sober when i road ride.

ed 

Truedat...this'll be a good stair/curb hopper.

dminor 

Fixed.

3speed

Haha, same here. I ride my nicely built up 1x9 vintage road bike in the same cargo shorts and t-shirt as MTB, just minus the helmet and once in a while I add a couple beers as long as I'm on the bike specific trails away from roads. Not like loaded or anything, but a little buzz is fun. Good times.

LesterOfPuppets

I feel your pain. About an hour by car from here. And I don't have a car.

However there is a 2-mile teaser trail in town, out n back = 4 miles Whoop! Couple of lame-o dirt jump spots nearby too.

I ride my road bike on dirt roads sometimes. That's some proper fun trying to keep the shiny side up.