Steel road bike frame off road - will it stand up to doing the same job as a mtb?
 

Hi,
Im guessing this could be in either the cyclocross or commuting forum but here goes.

Ive been asked by a friend to recommend a bike to him.

In recommending I had a problem which was:

Will a road bike frame put up with the rigours of off road riding?, how are mountain bikes able to withstand more abuse? can a cyclocross frame take more abuse than a road frame?

What bike should I be recommending when my friend tells me he does pavement jumping and road riding on his daily commute, hes been borrowing a bike but looking to buy one for himself.

I thought either a hybrid that could double up as a road bike depending on the tyre size used, or a converted old steel frame road bike with flat bars and wide tyres

Thanks for any help

This has been asked many times before use the search option.

But, basically:

- Don't go for a super light frame designed for racing - weight will have been cut at the cost of strength

- The tyres will make a big difference. The fatter they are, the more shock will be absorbed. Fat-ish tyres can be fast if you are willing to spend the bucks.

- A Cotic Roadrat or Surly Crosscheck will probably be about the toughest cross frames you can get

I've ridden a couple of steel road bikes on mellow fire roads no problemo. Univega Super Special and Trek 400T.

he does pavement jumping is an important phrase that begs clarification.

If that means hopping on and off curbs, a road bike with strong wheels will get the job done.

If that means boosting 3 foot bunny hops and airing over big sets of stairs then don't go for the road bike