Bike for Dirt Road

[char]

Hi all! I'm new to the forum. I've been lurking for quite awhile. I'm looking for a bike to ride the dirt roads of VT (and some pavement). I'm a mountain biker (yeti 575) so my first idea was to buy a hardtail with slick tires. Then I started googling! I do have a road bike (Trek 1500 WSD) that has 650 wheels, but the bike would not be good on dirt roads. Then I started looking at cyclocross bikes (Surly cross check). Which then lead to touring bikes and even 29ers. I'm basically all over the place. The dirt roads are quite hilly. So I'm looking for a bike that's not to heavy. Possibly with a triple. I think I really need to start test riding some to help narrow down my options. Right now on my list I have:

Surly Cross check
Surly LHT
Salsa Vaya
Bianchi volpe
Specialized Crosstrail
Jamis Coda Elite

I'm 5'4". But I don't know my inseam measurement. So I'm struggling with the geometry charts. I guess I need measurements! Any thoughts or help would be appreciated!

[Catrin]

I'm basically all over the place. The dirt roads are quite hilly. So I'm looking for a bike that's not to heavy. Possibly with a triple. I think I really need to start test riding some to help narrow down my options. Right now on my list I have:

Surly Cross check
Surly LHT
Salsa Vaya
Bianchi volpe
Specialized Crosstrail
Jamis Coda Elite
...

I have the LHT, and take the second smallest size. She is my lovely cushy tank and is far from light. She weighed about 33 pounds before I put rack and fenders on her. I don't know how she compares with the other bikes on your list weight wise.

With the touring geometry she is very stable, almost too stable as she was built for loaded touring. I do not know that she would as nimble as you might like. That steel does soak up a lot of vibration though and she can go all day long. Of course any Surly is a good bike, and I note you have two on your list :)

[Atlas]

I have a Surly Cross Check and while I don't do a lot of gravel now I'm hoping to get more in to it. My partner, on the other hand, almost exclusively rides on gravel and B grade dirt roads on his Cross Check. Those bikes are as tough as nails. He's slid down gravel hills and been through hell on that bike and mine shouldn't look as nice as it does with some of the stupid stuff I've done, but take a wet rag to them and it looks new. Everyone says they're bombproof for a reason.

Not to say the other bikes don't meet your needs too. The CC isn't the lightest bike (though it is light to me because my other bikes are much heavier). Try as many bikes out as you can and get whichever one fits you and your budget.

Just for full discretion, we are definitely a Surly family so I always lean that way :)

[Becky]

Generally speaking, I'd look at cyclocross bikes, similar to the Surly Cross Check. I would add the Soma Double Cross to the list and, depending on budget, you might want to look at some of Gunnar's frames. A cyclocross bike should be more nimble than something designed for touring...

My commuter is a Scattante cross frame, built with wide tires, a triple, a rack, and fenders. I could easily ditch the rack and fenders, and it would be a perfect dirt bike.

[SheFly]

Like others have said, for riding dirt roads (and I know many of the dirt roads in the Northeast Kingdom), a 'cross bike is the way to go. Save the Yeti for the Kingdom Trails, and the 'cross bike for touring around the area.

Only you can figure out which bike is right - fit is the key. I'm guessing that if you ride a 575 on the trails, you're not as worried about weight. I ride a Ridley (because I also race), and the carbon damping is pretty nice on the dirt. Others will recommend steel as well. Aluminum will be much harsher on you. Try to test ride - you live in an area where 'cross is HUGE, so local shops should have different brands for you to try. Find the one that makes you happy!

I ride a lot of dirt roads in Maine, and the 'cross bike is perfect for it.

SheFly

[sundial]

The dirt roads are quite hilly. So I'm looking for a bike that's not to heavy. Possibly with a triple.

Welcome to the wonderful world of gravel grinding. ;) Dirt road riding is becoming more popular with the mountain bike crowd and as a result a new bike category has been created--the SUB. Salsa has been on the forefront of creating bikes for the gravel roads and they introduced the Fargo and it's sister bike, the Vaya.

If you are looking for a lightweight bike, perhaps a titanium Fargo (http://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo_ti/) or Vaya (http://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya_ti/)? The Fargo is technically a touring mtb that is designed primarily for the trails and gravel roads whereas the Vaya is more of a pavement to gravel type bike.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/2dogcrew/IMG_0107.jpg

I ride on hilly gravel roads and the Fargo with a triple is my go to bike even though it weighs in at a hefty 31 lbs with the rack and fenders. With the heavier bike it smoothes out the ride and reduces fatigue.

The Surly Crosscheck would be another good choice for gravel grinding.

If you are unsure about the size that is appropriate for you, I would contact the company directly if your bike shop doesn't have the bikes available to test ride. With the sloping top tubes on the Fargo and Vaya, there is wiggle room in sizing. I usually ride a medium size road bike but in the Fargo I ride a small.

Good luck with your search and let us know what you decide.

[KnottedYet]

I ride my Surly Cross Check on everything.

Switched out the bars for moustache bars, switched the knobbies for Vittoria Randonneurs, added a 3rd chainring. I can ride on dirt, gravel, grass, and asphalt without any concerns. "Bombproof" is right!

Loaded from a Costco grocery run, the bike handles just fine. Pulling a trailer, just fine.

It's a nimble, tough bike.

(FWIW, I'm 5'8" and ride a 52cm Cross Check)

[jessmarimba]

I've got a Fargo also and LOVE IT. But I was considering a Surly Cross Check or a Salsa Vaya also. (Biggest difference b/t the Vaya and the Fargo, if I remember correctly, is that the Fargo has mtb components and the Vaya uses road, for the most part). gnatlikes.com, if you want to see a Fargo and Vaya out in their element.

[char]

Thanks for all the suggestions and help! Alot to think about for sure. I do like the idea of a cross bike. I really have no intentions of touring. Just looking to get outside when up in VT. I did look at the double cross... my husband think hydraulic is the way to go. We have that on all of our mtn bikes. I'm not as convinced as he is. I know that a couple of the local bike shops have cross checks in stock. But I think they are abit to big. Does it make sense to test ride one that isn't really my size? I saw a vaya (I like how they are called adventure bikes) in my size at a shop in Amherst. I'll need to go back and give it a test ride. I'd like to keep the weight at 30 or less. I've actually gotten my yeti down to 26 lbs so it's a zippy climbing machine. And I have a bullit that weighs in at 33... my freeride bike... but no stranger to climbing!

Thanks again!

[roguedog]

I agree, Vaya or Fargo.

If you think you'll be mostly riding on pavement with some gravel, go Vaya. If you think you'll be mostly on fire roads/gravel with some pavement, go Fargo.

I have been drolling over the Fargos. I'm not sure I'd ever use one but it sure is a totally cool bike. I think I like the conundrum of it :) Neither fish nor fowl.

If you think you'll be mostly on pavement, then I'd look at the Vaya, Cross Check and DoubleCross. I think the geos might be slight different between them. Also, if I recall, the Vaya in the smaller sizes are built for 26 not 700. NOt sure it matters. Jus sayin.

Have fun on the search! I'm going back to drool over the Fargo pics in this thread :p

[roguedog]

Oh, occurred to me that I assumed that your price range is in the Fargo range.

If you want to go custom, lots of builders will build what you need (e.g Engin cycles, Dave Anderson, Cococino (mtb focused), Hampsten, etc.).

Sorry if I'm stating the obvious but before I starting biking I had no idea bout custom builders.

Anyway, as I said before, either way, it'll be fun.

[goldfinch]

Welcome to the wonderful world of gravel grinding. ;) Dirt road riding is becoming more popular with the mountain bike crowd and as a result a new bike category has been created--the SUB. Salsa has been on the forefront of creating bikes for the gravel roads and they introduced the Fargo and it's sister bike, the Vaya.

If you are looking for a lightweight bike, perhaps a titanium Fargo (http://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo_ti/) or Vaya (http://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya_ti/)? The Fargo is technically a touring mtb that is designed primarily for the trails and gravel roads whereas the Vaya is more of a pavement to gravel type bike.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/2dogcrew/IMG_0107.jpg

I ride on hilly gravel roads and the Fargo with a triple is my go to bike even though it weighs in at a hefty 31 lbs with the rack and fenders. With the heavier bike it smoothes out the ride and reduces fatigue.

The Surly Crosscheck would be another good choice for gravel grinding.

If you are unsure about the size that is appropriate for you, I would contact the company directly if your bike shop doesn't have the bikes available to test ride. With the sloping top tubes on the Fargo and Vaya, there is wiggle room in sizing. I usually ride a medium size road bike but in the Fargo I ride a small.

Good luck with your search and let us know what you decide.

That is one beautiful bike. I love it! The Fargo is too big for me but I do lust after a Vaya. I didn't know they did titanium. What is the titanium advantage? How much lighter?

[andtckrtoo]

I'm another one who has ridden my Cross Check on everything, including true mountain bike trails. It was fun (a little hairy until I got into it and I missed the suspension, but fun!). I love my Surly. Best purchase I've ever made.

[Atlas]

Have fun on the search! I'm going back to drool over the Fargo pics in this thread :p

Exactly.

[char]

Hi girls! I'm ready to put closure on this. I'm a proud new (new to me) owner of a Surly Cross Check! 2008 46cm, 25.5 lbs. I had my first ride on her today... some road and some rail trail. A nice ride. I definitely want to swap some things out but I can't wait to hit the dirt roads of VT. Here's a couple of pics. Thanks for all of your help! :)

[jessmarimba]

Purdy! I love surly's bikes!!

[Catrin]

Sweet! I think you made a great choice and you will have many miles/smiles on her :) Surly bikes are great, for sure.

[bluegirl]

Congrats on the Surly! I ride a 46" Cross Check and I love it. Totally bomb proof! :) Enjoy!!!

[andtckrtoo]

Congrats on your Cross Check! I love mine. Enjoy.