Do I need a mountain bike?

[sundial]

I went with my dad on a ride through the state park this afternoon. At one point he headed for a nice little bike trail that traveled around the lake but I didn't have the right treads to follow him so we stuck to the paved roads.

I have a Specialized Sequoia that I can put different rims and tires, say 700x32, or I can go mtb bike shopping. :) The trail was semi-paved. I'm not looking to do boulders, logs, and adrenaline junkie stuff so I wouldn't need a Stumpjumper or anything in that class.

What would you recommend? Tricross? Crosstrail? Different tires altogether? :confused:

[emily_in_nc]

I've seen a lot of cyclocross bikes on the unpaved fire roads and non-technical unpaved trails (which sounds like the trail your Dad rode) I ride on my mountain bike. Sounds like your Sequoia might work fine for that with wider, knobbier "urban" tires. DH and I have also ridden our Bike Fridays (with 1.35" tires) on packed limestone park trails, and they do fine. When I do ride rooty singletrack, though, I wouldn't have anything else but my mtb with full suspension. No log jumping, teeter totters, boulders, or drops for me either, but anything really bumpy feels much better with suspension. If it's relatively smooth, you'll be fine without a mountain bike.

But then again, it's always fun to get a new bike! :D

Emily

[LBTC]

I say go for it! It would be great fun to have a nice new mountain bike, don't you think?

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[DirtDiva]

You enabler you! (I like the way you think. :D)

[sundial]

I like enablers. :)

[fatbottomedgurl]

I'm not looking to do boulders, logs, and adrenaline junkie stuff

That's what they all say. And Clinton didn't inhale.

FBG

Yes I am alive

[mudgirl]

Sounds like you need a mountain bike. ;)

Seriously, I bought myself a $400 Specialized Rockhopper just over a year ago and I love it!!! I was only going to do rails to trails in the beginning, but suddenly, with the help of peer pressure, I found myself out on sweet singletrack, rolling over small logs, lots of roots, and even doing some small (6" at most) drop offs! Heck, I even took it up to Whiteface Mountain this past summer and did some lightweight downhilling with it!!!! Doooo iiiiitttttttt. :D

[sundial]

You guys are not helping me. I see dollar bills floating away. :eek: :D

OK, I am going to pick up a set of 'cross tires and put it on my Sequoia. If it still doesn't satisfy my riding experience I may shop for a mtb.

Is that Rockhopper heavy?

[sundial]

Ok, the Rockhopper looks really cool. Should I go with disc? compact disc? I like the burnt orange color. :)

[wannaduacentury]

I just traded my hybrid in for a mtn bike in sept. Go get one, you'll love it. I don't do techie stuff either, but I don't care. I got the mtn bike to go through rougher areas off trails that the hybrid tires would get a flat on. Jenn

[onimity]

every time I see the title of this post on the front page I think to myself

YES!

My first MTB was a Kona Fire Mountain, a great entry-level MTB. My sis got a Novara MTB (from REI and it was great as well, and cheaper...you can get a great deal with one of their 20% off coupons!)

I don't do any seriously technical rides but love what I can ride on the MTB. There are few things that I enjoy more than a commute home on singletrack, and a bike with suspension makes rough terrain a lot more manageable.

People have different opinions about disc brakes but I *love* them. I commute in all sorts of weather so they are nice to have for that reason alone.

Do you have an LBS that will rent you a MTB? Just to let you try it? :)

I love my road bike, but my MTB as a really special place in my heart. It will just go *anywhere*

I know, I'm not helping!

Anne

[sundial]

Well, the enablers did a GREAT job of encouraging me to spend $$$.

I ordered a Specialized Rockhopper in candy red. :) Here's a link to the bike:

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=33092

I can't wait to ride Carmine down these gravel roads and trails in our parks. Thanks everyone for encouraging me to take the plunge.

[onimity]

Congrats!!!

You will love having a mountain bike! :) :) :)

Anne