wrong kind of bike?
#1
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wrong kind of bike?
I grew up in the shadows of the rocky mountains - so naturally I bought a mountain bike. Well with work and family I can never seem to find the time to actually go mountain biking. So I pulled off the nobby tires and put on slicks - this has been great - I can get in a great ride right out my front door in less than an hour. Most of the roads I ride are paved, some are gravel, some are just unpaved country roads. But I don't think I'll ever been mr mountain bike again.
What kind of bike do I need? Hybrid, cyclocross, road bike with nobby tires?
help?
What kind of bike do I need? Hybrid, cyclocross, road bike with nobby tires?
help?
#2
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What sort of distances are you riding? If less than a couple of hours at a time, a mountain bike is fine. For longer rides, a cross bike might be more comfortable.
#3
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Honestly, I do some pretty rugged off roading with my treadless Vittoria tires on my road bike. If you are comfortable with the ride and stability of a roadbike on dirt and gravel, and you have a good wheelset that you keep in true (though I don't even true my wheels), a road bike should be fine for you, especially if you get tires that are a little more treaded than average (though like I said, mine are totally slick and work fine).
If the rides you do are more off road than on, a road bike probably isn't your best choice. A road-oriented hybrid seems like a good choice. If you mostly do road and well packed dirt, then a full on road bike would work (assuming you are confident in riding a road bike in these conditions, some people want more stability).
If the rides you do are more off road than on, a road bike probably isn't your best choice. A road-oriented hybrid seems like a good choice. If you mostly do road and well packed dirt, then a full on road bike would work (assuming you are confident in riding a road bike in these conditions, some people want more stability).
#5
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A cyclocross bike COULD do you well...
Seems that there's a bit of gravel in your ride, so yeah...
Just understand the geometry of a cyclocross is a bit different from general road bikes...
Seems that there's a bit of gravel in your ride, so yeah...
Just understand the geometry of a cyclocross is a bit different from general road bikes...
#6
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I rode a mountain bike fitted with slicks for many years as a road bike and they do the job well. A little slow but comfortable.
So the real question is what do you want from a bike that your current bike doesn't satisfy?
Regards, AnthonyG
So the real question is what do you want from a bike that your current bike doesn't satisfy?
Regards, AnthonyG
#7
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If your riding gravel and country roads you could probably just save your money and keep using what you have. One bike I have taken a liking to that would probably work well if you want a more road oriented bike is the Bianchi Volpe.
#8
is slower than you
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What kind of budget?
Cross bike might be good. Otherwise, you could consider a road bike with room for wider tires (depending on just how soft the unpaved roads are). For instance, my Gunnar Sport has a more stable geometry than most of the road bikes out there, has a steel frame that will absorb a lot of the rough stuff, and has clearance for 35mm tires.
Cross bike might be good. Otherwise, you could consider a road bike with room for wider tires (depending on just how soft the unpaved roads are). For instance, my Gunnar Sport has a more stable geometry than most of the road bikes out there, has a steel frame that will absorb a lot of the rough stuff, and has clearance for 35mm tires.
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Proud supporter of the Chippewa Off-Road Bike Association (CORBA)
www.chippewaoffroad.org
Proud supporter of the Chippewa Off-Road Bike Association (CORBA)
www.chippewaoffroad.org
#9
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I'd go mt.bike as you get the stability, comfort, and with the slicks, decent speed. I much prefer my mtb if the roads a less than smooth. I still remember the pothole I hit with my old Yakota road bike (that had hell for stout Araya dbl. wall rims)...moving about 18mph, the pothole was a good 5-6" deep and it folded the rim in about a foot. I was lucky not to do the endover Evil Kanevil...
Another trick for speed is to find the highest pressure tire you can....80lbs in a 1.5 moves real well. Good luck, if you get a chance, try the cyclocross bikes and let us know what you think.
Another trick for speed is to find the highest pressure tire you can....80lbs in a 1.5 moves real well. Good luck, if you get a chance, try the cyclocross bikes and let us know what you think.
#10
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Or just put a 12-28 cassette on your mountain bike and get 99% of the performance of a "hybrid" without the expense of an additional bike. You already got the slicks so you are halfway there.