Bike choice??
 

Hope I didn't make a mistake! I wanted a bike that I could afford. I will be riding on trail and road, but mostly on road. I bought a Specialized Rockhopper Comp, and I'm thinking I'll put a tire on it that will be a little more friendly on the road, but still will work on the little bit of trail I do. Question is, did I make a poor choice on picking a bike? Be easy!! I've always had a Walmart type bike, and when I got on this one, oh my gosh!! This thing is sweet! I guess you already know I could tell a difference!!

Thanks for any replies and especially advice!!

If you like it, you will ride it.

10 wheels....I didn't think much about gearing. If I ride with others on the road will this bike (Me) be at a disadvantage, or am I thinking too much into this??

Thank you

What gearing do you have?
Gearing is important. Depends who you ride with.

Your first bike is a learning bike. You will learn much about bikes and yourself.

Here is some reviews
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/xc-har...1_1527crx.aspx

I have no idea what the gearing range is, I do know it has 24 gears. Guess I should have thought about this before I bought! It just hit me that this may make a difference! Learning Bike, correct!! I've been running a lot, and thought I wanted to do some biking.

Gearing is important to know.
Just count the teeth on your front chain rings.
My road bike has a 50-39-24 cranks set.

Guessing you have a 44/32/22

Another thing, you need to know the size of your crank arms. I like 175's.

Great! That's a big difference! It only makes sense being I have a Mountain Bike. That's the one thing I didn't think about in my researching! Anyone need a good bike, LOL! I'm sure I'll still have a blast, I hope!

It is all about fun.
Enjoy what you have.

Thanks for the input 10, I will have fun. Oh, and the gearing difference must be why the guy at the store said I may want to get a bike with 29" wheels! Mine has 26!

I get passed up all the time by riders on mountain bikes.

Post a pic of your bike sometime.

Thanks for all 10 Wheels! Just needed some reassurance after a big purchase. Now I just need to smooth it over with my Wife, Ha Ha! I'll get her one!

You bought a bike to have fun. You did good.
Once you buy a bike to be fast it gets crazy, because there is always someone who is faster.

So, are you saying I'll be upgrading?? Ha Ha

Oh, excersize is my main reason for biking!!

Yep

+1

I ride with an individual that has a road bike, touring bike, and mountain hard tail. He has shown up for road rides with the mountain bike (semi-slick tires) and completes 45 mile rides on it, keeping up with the group.

Another individual, while he is a pro mountain biker, still has me amazed. I watched him from the comfort of the LBS where he had a helmet cam that was a live broadcast back. Not only was he hanging with the "A" riders on a very aggressive road ride, during portions, he was pulling!

A Rockhopper is a nice bike, and noted for it's lightness. Don't believe me - go to the LBS and lift the same size Hardrock, then the Rockhopper. Enjoy, and think nothing of it. You may want to get a second set of wheels, or at least tires, when plannning a road ride. Remember, many roadies ride mountain bike in the off season to build endurance for the next season - both with the shorter "true mountain trail" ride that gives a great workout in a shorter time/distance, and of course the longer road workout.

Building on a mountainbike, in a few years will give you an idea what you are looking for in your next bike - a road bike. At that time will find it difficult to part with the mountain bike - likeing the flexability of both.

petecrawford, I've used my mountain bike on road rides, with a tire change you'll be fine.

Brad

Don't worry about it excessively. The motor is what matters most. Ride and have fun. Everything else will sort itself out in time.

Whew, awesome! Thank you all, and I enjoy the chat! I feel better!!

Oh, and any tire suggestions for road?? I was actually looking at some Bell tires!

Some to look at:

http://www.everybicycletire.com/Shop...etfilters=true

For 16 years I only had MTB's. They did all the rides- Long Offroad rides- quick blasts round the Forest in summer and winter and 100 mile road rides. For the long road rides (Over 50 miles) I used to change the tyres to slicks but that was the only change I did.

Highest gearing I had was 44/11 and although I could not stay with the fit road riders on their lightweight Racing bikes- I could keep them in sight. Average club riders and we would be about the same.

You do have a bike that will do all you want it to- so don't worry. And like retro- just work on the motor.

And on the tyres- Depends on how much road you want to do. Lots of road then get a spare pair of wheels and mount the slicks on them. I used Continental Grand Prix tyres and they are a high pressure narrow slick- just like the road boys but anything from 1.0 to 1.5 will be good.

I knoe Bells are usually in dept stores $15-20/per tire. Tried looking at Bell's site but the 1 page on tires wasn't helpful. Also looked at Amazon, again not helpful as either used the multi-size generic picture for the Bell site, and all appear to be what you want to avoid - a full knobby like you have on your bike now. Also avoid the "slime" tire - particurally if plan on switching tires back and forth.

Two types of mountainbike tires to consider are "slick" and "semi-slick". Slicks are what they say. Personal preference is for the semi-slick. These have a slick surface, but raised ridges on the sides to bite on mixed surface riding, if you take road riding to light off-road. While this is potentially out of you price (even considering free shipping and no tax) it gives a good picture.
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=Y0062 Yes it is overseas, however they have a good reputation - and usually cheaper than Stateside. I have ordered from them before, and ordered a replacement today for my cut and worn out rear road tire.

Down in the Bell price range may want to look at the Kenda or Michelin tires. http://www.biketiresdirect.com/searc...lick-mtb-tires
And I would consider any of these (price limit search $0-$20) over the Bells. http://www.jensonusa.com/store/sub/1...0&pricemax=200

Only other suggestion - get a second set of tube and keep them matched to the tire if switching back and forth.