How do road bikes handle sidewalks?
05-01-08, 05:24 PM
#26
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Yeah that's kinda ********. So the pro's ride on cobble stone on road bikes, so what? They're pros, they get paid for it, their bikes are retired after that one ride.
For commuting, with a load, daily, in comfort, get a suspension if you have a lot of cobble stone.
For commuting, with a load, daily, in comfort, get a suspension if you have a lot of cobble stone.
05-01-08, 07:18 PM
#27
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I commute any of my various bikes. The route is always the same, which includes 2 kms of sidewalk over the bridge section (bikes not allowed on the bridge's lanes).
My road bike has Specialized Armadillo road tires which gives me a slightly rough ride but certainly bearable. My hybrid has larger tires with front suspension; I feel none of the irregularities of the sidewalk or road but the ride is definitely slower on this bike. My recumbent bike is even more comfortable but even slower.
To have only one bike - I would definitely go with a road bike. Just fit it with wider tires for comfort without sacrificing much on speed and efficiency.
My road bike has Specialized Armadillo road tires which gives me a slightly rough ride but certainly bearable. My hybrid has larger tires with front suspension; I feel none of the irregularities of the sidewalk or road but the ride is definitely slower on this bike. My recumbent bike is even more comfortable but even slower.
To have only one bike - I would definitely go with a road bike. Just fit it with wider tires for comfort without sacrificing much on speed and efficiency.
05-01-08, 07:52 PM
#28
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Contrary to conventional wisdom, a road bike will not spontaneously disintegrate if its wheels contact something other than asphalt. You can ride a road bike on grass, dirt, cobbles, even sidewalks (although I wouldn't recommend it unless your dad just took off your training wheels and is running behind you).
OP, trust me, you do not need a mountain bike to ride around town unless you plan on doing lots of drops off of rock ledges and stuff. Or riding down flights of stairs.
If you are truly concerned about it then get a cyclocross bike which is a road frame but can handle wider tires. Get those wider tires.
05-01-08, 08:41 PM
#29
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don't ride on lawns. those little cement gnomes are really bad for bikes.
