Originally Posted by fireworks
I don't want to threadjack but I'm in the market for a bicycle, and I ended up reading this thread while doing research.
My question is related to mountain bikes as all rounders, but specifically which one. I'm a newbie and I'm usually able to sort out what I want through research but getting a new bicycle after 20 years....well I could use some help. I didn't realize just how many freakin' options there were.
Anyways I'm looking to pull the kiddie trailer, run errands, etc. I won't be doing any dirt or unpaved riding with the exception of hard packed gravel on bike trails, and packed dirt 'shortcut' paths through wooded areas; those trails that seem to be the shortest route from A to B for people walking.
I'm looking at the following:
-Specialized CrossTrail (which one is best bang for buck)
-Trek Soho
-Trek SU 100/200 (which one is best bang for buck)
-Cannondale Bad Boy (which one is best bang for buck)
*Any cyclocross or road bikes? I'd consider something with a wide drop bar too.
I've ignored the tire width's as I don't know how much it will matter for what I want to do. I'm assuming wider would cover more bases but what's the diff with regard to rolling resistance?
Basically, I want the lightest and fastest bike that will let me do what I want, while not being hugely expensive. I'm good in the $1000 area. Actually, I'd appreciate any used references. I found some Bad Boy's on ebay at a good price.
I started out looking at touring type bikes (
http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/EN/Bikes/Touring/Turismo.htm) as it has panniers but I don't think that they are quite right for pulling a trailer!
Anyways, I could use some help!
Thanks!
I'm not a big fan of the "one bike to rule them all" idea. There is no one bike that will do all things well. If you want to ride dirt trails, get a mountain bike. If you want to ride fast on the road, get a road bike. If you want to pack all your stuff up and go for a ride that lasts a week, get a touring bike. If you try to make a bike do something it's not designed for, you'll probably be unhappy with the result.
Let's start with the Soho. That's a lot of money to pay for a bike without a better drivetrain. Some people like simplicity but it should come at a reduced price not a premium. You may be getting a great frame but $1200 is a lot to pay for a 9 speed bike. Look elsewhere, you can do better.
The Trek SU's are kinda weird. I'm not sure who they are for or what they are for. Mountain bike - no. Road bike - no. Commuter - there's better. They are too much like a platypus for my taste.
Cutting to the chase, why not use the touring bike? I pulled a trailer for many, many miles with touring bikes and tandems. They do a great job. The bike is built to take a beating and it will carry just about any thing you care to put on it. I'm not sure how your trailer will fit with the discs (you'll want to check the fit before you buy) which is another strike against discs in my eyes. It will do the job very well and be fun to ride. I'd go for it over a cross bike or a hybrid.