what's the right bike for the job?
07-18-07, 07:22 AM
#1
the actual el guapo
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what's the right bike for the job?
...trying to think of an alternative title to another "which bike should i buy" thread.
i'm a roadie convert (from comfort/hybrid mup rides). here is my intended use....
i have a getaway place near galena, il. about 50% of my rides there are on less-than-friendly gravel roads. riding my roadie is out. i just use my trek 7300 to ride there. and i'm slowly converting this bike to be more road-friendly (28mm tires, rigid seat post, etc.).
i'd like a bike that i can bring with me to places where i can go on rides that are on a combination of paved roads and really rough gravel roads. before i went on my trip out west, i was thinking a 'cross bike would be the way to go. however, there was a 1-mile stretch of gravel road in teton n.p. that bounced me around on my roadie so much that it makes me think i need something with a suspension.
what are your thoughts?
-should i just use my 7300 but convert it to a more efficient road bike? the downside to this is i don't like the riding position. i think i'll need to swap out my stem/handlebars. also, i'm heavy and my front suspension is too soft...even at the stiffest pre-load setting.
-would a 'cross bike be a good bet or would rough gravel roads bounce me around just as much? i guess the only major benefit would be a sturdier wheelset.
-should i look at mtn bikes? i'm not going to be rock-hopping or stump jumping. i'm thinking a pure mtn bike may not be for me since i'm looking for a bike that is road-friendly.
thoughts, comments, suggestions?
i'm a roadie convert (from comfort/hybrid mup rides). here is my intended use....
i have a getaway place near galena, il. about 50% of my rides there are on less-than-friendly gravel roads. riding my roadie is out. i just use my trek 7300 to ride there. and i'm slowly converting this bike to be more road-friendly (28mm tires, rigid seat post, etc.).
i'd like a bike that i can bring with me to places where i can go on rides that are on a combination of paved roads and really rough gravel roads. before i went on my trip out west, i was thinking a 'cross bike would be the way to go. however, there was a 1-mile stretch of gravel road in teton n.p. that bounced me around on my roadie so much that it makes me think i need something with a suspension.
what are your thoughts?
-should i just use my 7300 but convert it to a more efficient road bike? the downside to this is i don't like the riding position. i think i'll need to swap out my stem/handlebars. also, i'm heavy and my front suspension is too soft...even at the stiffest pre-load setting.
-would a 'cross bike be a good bet or would rough gravel roads bounce me around just as much? i guess the only major benefit would be a sturdier wheelset.
-should i look at mtn bikes? i'm not going to be rock-hopping or stump jumping. i'm thinking a pure mtn bike may not be for me since i'm looking for a bike that is road-friendly.
thoughts, comments, suggestions?
07-18-07, 08:01 AM
#2
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The cheapest option is just convert your existing bike but that never stopped anyone from buying a new bike for the sake of it - and don't let it stop you 
cyclocross with disc brakes - I am biased
try voodoo, redline, salsa, kona, opus, cannondale, mountaincycle, lemond, norco, etc
cyclocross with disc brakes - I am biased
try voodoo, redline, salsa, kona, opus, cannondale, mountaincycle, lemond, norco, etc
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Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
07-18-07, 08:53 AM
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Try new smooth tires. If you are not going off road you probably do not need a suspension fork.
Folding bikes work for travel.
xooter.com swift, Bike Friday or Dahon Mu XL?
Folding bikes work for travel.
xooter.com swift, Bike Friday or Dahon Mu XL?
07-18-07, 09:29 AM
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Get a CX bike. They rock.
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https://blicksbags.com/
https://blicksbags.com/
07-18-07, 10:00 AM
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After reading many 'what bike should I get' threads while trying to pick a bike for myself, I found the general consensus to be: get a Surly Cross-Check . Either buy it complete or build it to your specifications. Everyone who has it loves it and it is good for a little bit of everything.
FWIW I just upgraded my current bike. That proved to be the cheapest way to get what I needed.
FWIW I just upgraded my current bike. That proved to be the cheapest way to get what I needed.
07-18-07, 10:56 AM
#6
the actual el guapo
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i've got 28mm bontrager race lite's on the bike now.
when i was in teton n.p., my rides were mostly paved with some nasty gravel roads going up to trail heads. seemed like just the terrain for a cross bike. when i went to the lbs's in the area and asked about cx bikes, they said VERY few people ever buy them out there. they just get the ocassional special order.
when i was in teton n.p., my rides were mostly paved with some nasty gravel roads going up to trail heads. seemed like just the terrain for a cross bike. when i went to the lbs's in the area and asked about cx bikes, they said VERY few people ever buy them out there. they just get the ocassional special order.
