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So im going to be buying a bike soon...?
- Thread starter Zach
- Start date
bikedadlien
New member
If you were only riding on pavement and perhaps some crushed gravel occasionally then a hybrid with 700 cc wheels would let you fly. But, given your riding on back roads with some real gravel and rough go with the mountain bike style, 26 or even 29 inch wheels. Depending on how rough the road, you may want to get one with a shock absorber. If you are going to do some real riding and want to enjoy the ride avoid the department store bikes which will be heavier and won't function as well as a bike shop quality bike. You will appreciate the bike more and feel it was money well spent. If you have a limited budget, bike shops have some bikes starting for under $300 and they are not one size fits all like the department store variety. And expert advice.
reignofcheese
New member
Either a hybrid or a mountain bike will do the job, but considering the up hill part of the ride you should forgo a rear suspension, which you don't need and will make you work harder and go slower. I would get the hybrid in your position, though I have a mountain bike because I ride trails too.
shindaiwa21
New member
A cyclocross bike would be perfect for you.
A cyclocross is essentially a modern road bike with a bit more clearance, stronger wheels, and nobs yet relatively thin tires. In my opinion it is completely superior to the hybrids, which are simply mountain bikes without shocks equipped with slicks. The cyclocross bike has drop-bars/hoods which are extremely comfortable to ride, and let you get nice and aero if you need to fight the wind, unlike a hybrid. I though I didn't like drops till I commuted in flat, windy desert for 10 weeks, then I loved them like my own mother.
Entry crossbikes to check out are the Fuji Crosscomp (got my 05, first, worst year, for 450 with a funky rear rim), Kona Jake, Motobecane Fantom Cross, and older Kona Jake the Snakes. Any of these will run about 500 used, 800 new. I think there is also a cannondale or two that is bellow 1000 new. Specialized tri-cross and bianchis tend to be more, but check with a shop.
Cyclocross bikes are designed for mixed rides on dirt track and road.
If you can't afford one of those, I have heard that if you take a 70's road bike with good clearance on the breaks, you can fit cross tires on and turn it into a sort of cross bike. You could probably do something like this for 250-300, but I'd just spring and get a real cross bike, because if riding a bike is a serious method of transport, there is no point wasting your money on a cheepo at the beginning. Tires may be expensive for one of these conversions, as most of road bikes have 26" or 27" wheels, not modern "700c", aka 622mm). At the very least you'll prolly have to buy them new, instead of at a swap meat for $10, the way i got mine.
If you want a hybrid, just get a cheap aluminum mountain bike, lock out the fork (or just get a frame with no suspension at all if you can), and put slicks on. I would go with an old school road to cyclocross conversion over this. It will be much faster and much more fun. Probably better quality too. Also it will do better on gravel than a slicked mountain bike (ie hybrid).
A cyclocross is essentially a modern road bike with a bit more clearance, stronger wheels, and nobs yet relatively thin tires. In my opinion it is completely superior to the hybrids, which are simply mountain bikes without shocks equipped with slicks. The cyclocross bike has drop-bars/hoods which are extremely comfortable to ride, and let you get nice and aero if you need to fight the wind, unlike a hybrid. I though I didn't like drops till I commuted in flat, windy desert for 10 weeks, then I loved them like my own mother.
Entry crossbikes to check out are the Fuji Crosscomp (got my 05, first, worst year, for 450 with a funky rear rim), Kona Jake, Motobecane Fantom Cross, and older Kona Jake the Snakes. Any of these will run about 500 used, 800 new. I think there is also a cannondale or two that is bellow 1000 new. Specialized tri-cross and bianchis tend to be more, but check with a shop.
Cyclocross bikes are designed for mixed rides on dirt track and road.
If you can't afford one of those, I have heard that if you take a 70's road bike with good clearance on the breaks, you can fit cross tires on and turn it into a sort of cross bike. You could probably do something like this for 250-300, but I'd just spring and get a real cross bike, because if riding a bike is a serious method of transport, there is no point wasting your money on a cheepo at the beginning. Tires may be expensive for one of these conversions, as most of road bikes have 26" or 27" wheels, not modern "700c", aka 622mm). At the very least you'll prolly have to buy them new, instead of at a swap meat for $10, the way i got mine.
If you want a hybrid, just get a cheap aluminum mountain bike, lock out the fork (or just get a frame with no suspension at all if you can), and put slicks on. I would go with an old school road to cyclocross conversion over this. It will be much faster and much more fun. Probably better quality too. Also it will do better on gravel than a slicked mountain bike (ie hybrid).