w2brdbkr

There is a new trail system that opened close to my town so I thought I would go check it out. It is for horses, hiking, & mountain bikes & I went to hike & just get a way for the day.

After hiking the 4 mile hike & part of the other trails I passed a few mountain bikes on my way down & I thought it would be fun to go up tomorrow with my hybrid bike. It is pretty much like a mountain bike, has the front shock, but I have a harder seat on it for riding on the road, which I hope won't hurt me.

Is there anything I need to know except for going down hill keep the weight even & not to use the front brake like you do on the road.
There are a lot of switchbacks but most of them will be on the inside because of the direction I'll be going.

I plan on taking an extra tube, pump, tire patch kit & my camelbak with water. I just had my bike tuned up so I should be ready to go.

I'm a little sore after hiking 5-6 miles so I figure I'll be dead tired after tomorrow...

Chris_F

Yeah, umm... be careful. Those hybrids aren't anything like mountain bikes despite having a shock on the front (BTW my Mountain Bike seat is plenty hard). Higher center of gravity, larger wheels, tires that aren't overly knobby... It makes riding on trails awfully tough. Give it a shot, the worst thing that happens is you decide it's not working and turn around.

As for the above: you will definately want to use your front brake. Just be careful and don't lock up (skid) the front since a locked front almost certainly means a fall. On a full knobbie tire'd mountain bike it takes an awful lot of front brake to lock it up (and you're just as likely to pitch yourself over the handlebars). Not so sure about a hybrid with lightly treaded tires.

w2brdbkr

The trail is really nice, about the size of a sidewalk most of the time but all dirt. When you get higher up the trail it gets skinnier but not bad & I know there is a couple places I'll get off & walk. Don't want to test out how a hybrid takes a crash that's for sure.

BFG

I suggest putting some meatier tread on it, but apart from that; BOMBS AWAY!

w2brdbkr

The tires I have on now have a smooth middle but there are still knobies on the side so I should be O.K. I don't know about BOMBS AWAY, I won't get that crazy.

Chris_F

Those hybrids work great on well groomed trails and dirt roads. If you're not bounding over roots, rocks, etc. then you'll probably have no problems. It all depends on the quality of the surface you'll be riding on.

DirtPedalerB

so what makes a cyclocross bike ok to hit roots and rocks and not a hybrid?? I say just ride and if your not comfortable get off and push a section or 2

SeventySeven

It's not okay to hit rocks on a 'cross bike. =/

Fail.

DirtPedalerB

I have seen multiple people on cross bikes on a rooty rocky trail.

Fail

SeventySeven

I challenge you to a fight.

First one to make a coherent thread in the 'cross forum wins. GOGOGOGOGO

EDIT: I WIN

Now, for the results.

DirtPedalerB

77=0

blue_neon

Just take the trail a bit more slower. It will be harder on a hybrid but give it a shot anyway. As for braking...yes you need to still use the front brake but you should also be using the back brake a fair bit aswell.

Chris_F

My cat's breath smells like cat food.

pdq 5oh

Tires better suited to REAL off-road than hybrids generally have. More suitable geometry, too.

w2brdbkr

Here are a couple pictures of the trail. As you can see it isn't that hard & I don't plan on racing, just out to have some fun & see how winded I can get.

BFG

Pics dont work buddy :]

w2brdbkr

I will try & fix the pictures this afternoon, headed out for a while.

Had a great time riding the bike & it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I did tip over on one corner & had to walk up the hill a little. The front tire was coming off the road & I couldn't get my body weight moved up fast enough to keep the wheel down.
Then I tried standing on a couple up hills & I would just spin my back tire, but I got better as I went.

The trail is only 4.5 miles long but it was fun but you do have to pay attention.
I used to ride dirt bike a lot in my younger days so it is similar but different being the power that's for sure.

There is a longer loop that if i do the 1.5 mile power line trail that the Ranger said I could walk part of it, then you get like a 5 mile downhill ride.

blue_neon

Cool glad you enjoyed it. Yeh i bet your tyres would be slipping. I dont know exactly what tyres you have, but you should be able to fit wider ones on.

kenhill3

Sounds like you are really having a great time! I appreciate your determination to just go out there and ride what you have. Now, after doing those trails a few more times with the bike you have, I would suggest borrowing (do NOT borrow a WalMart/department store POS bike) or more preferably renting an MTB and see what you think of the difference.

WHERE are you located?

w2brdbkr

Right now I'm saving for a good road bike, the mountain biking is just something different I wanted to try. I hiked this trail yesterday & saw a lot of bikes on it so I thought, what the heck might as well give it a try, plus I don't think my back could take that pounding, yes I'm an OLD MAN!!

I live in Colorado so besides the hills kicking my butt there is this thing about not having enough air to breath. but I did O.K. I guess going to the gym does help.

kenhill3

I'm an old man, too. You're a perfect candidate for a full suspension bike. :]

BearSquirrel

Let's start with what you "KNOW". On downhill you would be well served to keep your weight back. If you like sliding sideways downhill, by all means, use the back brake exclusively. If you'd like to brake effectively, you'll learn to use your front brake primarily as it is the only one that works while going down hill. To avoid going over the bars, reread this paragraph.

Besides the opposite of the two things you listed, keep your pedals level and learn to stand knees bent in the "attack" position. When things get sketchy you need to be on your feet. This provides you maximum balance and agility as your butt doesn't offer as much maneuverability as your legs. Wear gloves and a helmet.

rbrsddn

How old is Old? I'm 51 and my back feels pretty good. I love my Fat Ti, and don't feel the need for a fully. Yet!

w2brdbkr

47 & three back surgeries.

I will stick with riding on the road for now (with my hybrid) but its fun trying new things. I'm just getting back to riding the way it is since my high school days. I put over 1300 miles on my bike this year summer so that is a good start I feel.
I did like the trail today & it was fun. You do have to work a lot harder that's for sure, but you don't have to worry about having all those extra gears thats for sure. I only used the first three today & still went pretty fast, or fast enough on dirt.

DirtPedalerB

go read your thread I Win .. where is my prize?