Originally Posted by
frogman
Good to hear the fracture is minimal. Hope you are up to riding shape quickly ! Here's an idea. It sounds like some of your riding is road and some trail. How about getting a touring bike that will accept nice fat tires and then get a spare set of wheels with road tires. Then you can switch wheels to suit your ride.
I like that idea, but I'm still thinking that the small frame; 26" tires are not a good fit for me anymore. I only ride on the road on group rides for safety reasons because of aggressive drivers, but roads around here get pretty chewed up from the weather. The majority of my riding is done on crushed limestone with some coarse gravel and mud.
Originally Posted by
clengman
Whereabouts in Pittsburgh do you live? There are two bike shops I go to frequently. Nice people, knowledgeable mechanics. They won't try to upsell you if you tell them you're shopping on a budget. One is in Brookline, called West Liberty Cycles. If you go there and see Rob or Jason, tell them Carl sent you.
The other is Thick Bikes in the Southside, on 15th St I think? I've gone there for some parts as it's a convenient stop on my commute home. They've always been very helpful.
I'm in the South Hills. I've talked to a friend IRL who recommended West Liberty Cycles. I'm hoping to make a trip out there once I can spread my wings again.
As I do my research I'm thinking that a gravel bike with drop bars, 2x setup with wider tires might suit me best. I haven't found one for around $500 though and I don't think my 17.5" hardtail is a good candidate for conversion. It's too cramped for long rides and lacks the gearing for making good time. I maintain that my 4900 is probably better-served being converted to a 1X with maybe a new fork with more travel and a lockout feature that my kid can use - but that I can still "borrow."