Originally Posted by
Moisture
I'm looking to either use my current road bike or buy something else specifically for singletrack use this upcoming spring.
I get good comfort and performance on a road bike with a short reach/top tube (390mm reach, 580mm top tube) converted to flat bar using a tall 40mm stem. I want my handlebars slightly above or nearly level with my seat.
I feel like I can rip singletrack on this bike, but tire clearance is lacking in the rear dropouts and the bottom bracket is too low to do anything serious.
I'm thinking that some sort of flat bar gravel bike with extra tire clearance might work best.
Do you think that the short top tube and reach which I prefer isn't ideal for singletrack?
What manner of road bike is this? Does it have cantilever brakes at least so you can fit say, a 32c cyclocross tire even?
ITs been a long long time ago, but i picked up some aggressive "Rain tread" tires for my bike and thought they would be the ticket for light duty trail use ---- so i hit it on some dry days -- Was unique and fun for a ride or two. Then i realized my real mountain bike was more fun