abc_biker

I'm planning to buy a bike and I have very specific wants and needs. I am going to tell you what I want it for and you, smart people, can help me out. How's that?

Ideally, what I would like is a bike with relaxed geometry speedy enough to be fun on pavement, able to take wider knobbier tires to go on dirt/gravel bike trails, with reasonably low gearing for towing a baby trailer up and down levees, but I'm not looking at any serious hills. Plus, I’m on the tight budget, so I rather by a used upgraded bike, then new one.
I think that steel will be a lot more comfortable than aluminum.
Friend of mine suggested that “Jamis Aurora” is and “Treck 520” are the bikes I want, but it might be might be a better choice for my needs. Has anyone test ridden these bikes? Any thoughts on which bike is better suited for my needs?

Help! I never shopped for a “non Walmart” bike before and I can't just go ride lots of bikes because this is a type of bike that shops rarely have in stock. Thank you.

climbhoser

This might not be the most friendly forum for this type of question, but since I'm friendly I'll give 'er....


I like the Surly CrossCheck...I HAVE the Surly CrossCheck. The Aurora I don't know so well, but the Trek 520 is a cadillac, and while great for hauling gear really isn't a great, relaxed, speedy on pavement kid hauler/commuter.

The Surly is quick on pavement, room for 45s or more (very wide tires), it's trail worthy (I rode it with MTB bars and wide tires on some singletrack and it was awesome), it's steel, it's a great kid hauler, it's just an amazing all arounder. So, unless you plan on hauling tons of crapola, look at the Cross Check

sfcrossrider

+1

My race bike is bike porn beyond words and I still reach for my SURLY, crosscheck when I want a fun, do all bike.

bitterken

The Jamis Aurora is a touring bike, and for what you're looking for, it may be a better option then a cyclocross bike. FYI, Jamis make great bikes, especially for the money.

Keep in mind that cyclocross bikes were initially designed for cyclocross racing. While there is some pavement, the courses are mostly dirt, grass, mud, etc. It's also a short and intense race, so the bike are not really built for comfort.

The common use of cyclocross bikes as commuters, winter bikes, utility bikes, trail bikes, etc. has resulted in some more general purpose bikes like the Surly Cross-check. But unless you need the off-road toughness, you're giving up road tires, wider gearing, weight, riding position, and cost (assuming a standard factory built bike.)

So my advice is to look at a touring-type bike. They are almost as tough as a cyclocross bike, but come with wide tires that are good for paved and packed dirt/gravel, wide range of gears, a comfortable riding position, and enough eyelets to mount fenders, racks, trailers, etc. It's also no slob when it comes to speed on the road either as it's top gear will be similar to that of a regular road bike. I would suggest looking for one that has regular road brakes or disk brakes rather then the canti's that come with most cyclocross bikes - unless they are top of line canti's, they don't work as well. Canti's are good for mud clearance and are currently the standard for cyclocross racing bikes.

M_S

The Aurora doesn't have great chainstay tire clearance. 35mm max in the chainstays, though unless you're really heavy that should be large enough or your purposes.

Oh, and I would actualy say touring bikes are tougher than 'cross bikes. They're built mainly with tough in mind, hereas lots o 'cross bikes are built with lighter weight parts. But that's a generalization.

I think any touring bike or perhaps the crosscheck would work out for you. People complain about slow handling on touring bikes, but if you're coming from walmart specials they should handle dreamily.

Good luck.