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-   -   Rail Trails/Commuting/Exercise (https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/927575-rail-trails-commuting-exercise.html)

SimplisticStyle 12-27-13 10:37 AM

Rail Trails/Commuting/Exercise
 
So in a month or two here I will be buying a new bike. I am hoping to keep the bike in the 1000 dollar range (800-1200ish) I plan on using this bike on mostly paved surfaces, about 10 miles daily for exercise and some 25-50 mile rides on the weekends. Some of the longer rides will include riding on gravel, crushed limestone , and a dirt trail or two. Hoping to get my first century in this summer as well.

I think I have my choices narrowed down to two bikes and would appreciate any help with pros and cons and which would be the better choice. I think I like the more upright geometry of these two bikes. I am not a racer but would not mind going a little faster lol.


Trek Crossrip Comp

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...rossrip_comp/#


Specialized Secteur Sport Disc

http://specialized.com/us/en/bikes/r...eur-sport-disc


Any help would be much appreciated, THANKS

PoorInRichfield 12-27-13 11:40 AM

I bought a Trek cyclocross bike this past summer (Trek ION) for riding gravel trails and I love it. I wanted the bike to be fast, yet comfortable, and riding my mountain bike on gravel trails was neither. I'd say you can't go wrong with either of the bikes you posted.

Since primary use will be road riding, you may consider purchasing a second set of wheels (someday). When you know you're going to be road riding only, like in a century, have on set of wheels with slick, narrower tires (25mm?) mounted. Then use your other set when you think you might be traveling over gravel. That will kind of give you the "best of both worlds" w/o having to buy two bikes.

BTW, I got my bike on eBay for a great price... $1,500 for a custom build, Ultegra 10-speed equipped bike. You might consider looking there for a cyclecross bike as they show-up quite often.

Retro Grouch 12-27-13 02:04 PM

Same shop or different shops?

Which shop do you think has the better people? Whichever one that is, that's the bike I would buy because there will be bigger differences between the shops than between those two bikes. Who do you want to have to talk with if the bike doesn't work to your satisfaction? Who do you want to be working for you if you have a warranty issue? If you buy parts or accessories, whose advice would you rather have?

SimplisticStyle 12-27-13 02:56 PM

different shops, the specialized shop is closer and I feel would offer slightly better service. So overall, between the two bikes would they both offer pretty much the same speed and comfort over longer rides? Both able to handle gravel grinding and trails the same? I just want to make sure that I get the best bike within my budget.

Thanks

fietsbob 12-27-13 03:05 PM

3% is a steep ascent for a loaded railroad train , so the RtoT conversion routes will be a casual ride.

you could do it on a Beach Cruiser. :rolleyes:

PoorInRichfield 12-27-13 03:10 PM

Assuming the two bikes aren't radically different in weight, then "speed" is likely going to be more dependent on your abilities than the bike's. ;) Neither bike looks like an aero time-trial bike, so I don't think aerodynamics comes into play much.

However, as for comfort, the Specialized appears to have dampers built into the frame. I've never ridden one of the "comfort" Specialized frames, but if that technology actually does absorb shock, then the Specialized might have an advantage over the Trek. Trek's "Domane" frames are supposed to be the equivalent of Specialized's comfort frames. I rode my Trek ION CX bike for 70 miles on a gravel trail this Fall and was quite surprised at how good I felt when I was done even though I haven't ridden that far for years prior.

Within your budget, I just don't think you'll go wrong with either bike. However, with the Trek being a little less money, that'll allow you to get pedals and perhaps a little more and still stay within budget.

SimplisticStyle 12-27-13 03:17 PM

Thanks!

metabike 12-28-13 08:12 PM

The Specialized has better shifters/derailleurs and is 9-speed (which will better help you find the "sweet spot" gear). That being said, for what you want to do with it, I'd go with the one that will allow the widest tires.


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