Caincando1

While I was at the bike shop yesteday toying with the idea of a road bike or a CX to replace my nav 300 I kept thinking about wether or not I'd actually ride offroad. So I went home and decided to take the navigator for a little off road jaunt. I have a 2 mile route that I mow along the local field and woods where I hike with my dogs almost daily. I didn't have time yesterday to walk them and go for a bike ride so I combined them. Man what an eye opener. I only went 2 miles off road and it almost killed me. I had to stop 3 times on the way home. I don't work that hard in a 25 mile road ride. Even with a triple I needed lower gears, I though my heart was going to explode. I now have a new appreciation for offroad riders. Half way threw the ride I swore I'd never do it again, but I will keep doing it untill I can congure it. But I plan to focus on road riding and even if I get a CX bike, I'll probably put road tires on it and keep a second bike to off road jaunts with the dogs.

bdinger

Oh I love offroad after the past weekend. I dang near mangled myself, but I can't wait to get out again! Sounds totally idiotic, this I know, but seriously amazing amounts of fun.

And no kidding on the workout factor. Pedaling up some dirt trails full of roots is a great way to build up the "quads of steel"

KingTermite 

LOL....I had a similar experience when I took my Nav 300 (1st bike) out for a little minor off-roading. I went to a mountain bike trail and went through about 2 miles of soft sand to get to the first place where I saw anything. I was so tuckered out by then, I did the first technical challenge, then turned around and went back through that 2 miles of soft sand.

I never went back. In fact, shortly after I put on slicks (road tires) and kept it only on road/trail.

Another consideration over a CX bike might be a touring (almost same thing). I ended up with Trek 520 touring bike when I got my road bike. Now its my commuter.

Caincando1

I've looked at the touring and "urban" bikes also. I test rode a trek protland and loved it, I just can't afford it right now. I have a line on a barely used 02 xo1 for 400 bucks that I'm going to look at this weekend.

KingTermite 

Ok.....Trek 520 normally goes for about $1200. I got lucky with one bike shop had that had sat for a year from somebody who ordered it and then never bought it. I got the brand new 520 for $800.

Neil_B

The Navigator isn't meant for offroad riding. It's designed for bike paths. And for folks who ride a couple miles once a week. :-)

tt1106

I love mtn Biking, although I do far more road biking now. I do have a vintage(1996ish, ) Diamondback Carbon fiber waiting for the opportunity though.

fifthcircle

Off road riding is definatly more of a workout per mile. If you look at time on the bike, and if you have a good mountain bike (full suspension does wonders!) it makes it much more enjoyable.

I would highly recomend going to a demo day close to you. Try out a couple full suspension mtn bikes on singletrack trails. Just leave your check book at home =)

ang1sgt

I am so OLD SCHOOL it hurts sometimes. I like the precision that a hardtail gives me and in my area, there are more technical sections to ride so I'll stick with the Hardtail. Had a Cannondale suspension bike a number of years ago and was always glad I didn't sell my Trek 970.

Chris

Caincando1

Yep, that's why I'm looking to upgrade. I'm not offroading it in any extreme conditions. It's basically a mowed road ditch.

rickyaustin

When I was searching for a bike, the shop recommended a 29" MTN bike... when I was looking for a roadbike/cyclocross bike. It wasn't what I needed, but it could be something worth looking at for you.

Caincando1

This is an old thread but I though I'd update it. I did the same 2 mile off road ride today and didn't need to stop and rest at all. So I guess my conditioning must be getting better.