Help me choose

[Roadtrip]

Back in the spring I bought a mtn bike (Trek Xcal, 29er hardtail) with the idea that I'd partake in the entry level skills session.... But it rained (excuse) and I'd decided to bail on the event. So this bike sits... Unridden... Partly because of injury and the other part lack of fitness from being off the bike. Ive been quite enjoying riding the roadie once I finally found a saddle that was right so that's the bike I most "want" to rode right now.

Now the medical bills are rolling in for the MRI on my shoulder injury to the tune of $2,000... But I also find myself being tempted by a Cyclocross bike too... A 2010 Trek XO2 I found locally or what seems a really good price... So I'm just debating lots of things. Do I NEED the cross bike more then the money for the medical bills.... Should I sell the bike and risk regret I gave up so easily.

Anywho, I really wanted to fall in love with the mountain bike, ths season had just really been rough and the two times I took the bike out I just felt horrible and wanted to cry. I was not enjoying being on the bike. I will say I'm not blaming th bike at all... I know it was a good deal of fitness level I'd lost... But I am wondering if I jumped in too soon.

Thanks for listening :)
Shannon

[Kiwi Stoker]

Are you thinking you want to do cyclocross or just want a bike that can be a roadie and a MTB?

If you say cyclocross- please think again. Cyclocross races involve lifting the bike onto your shoulder and carrying it. With a shoulder injury I wouldn't do it at this stage.

If you are thinking the later, I would probably sell both the MTB and your road bike and use this bike as a all-in-one, but of course only if it fits and you love the ride.

Otherwise keep the roadie and sell the MTB and put it in your mind "it isn't the right time". I felt worse when I didn't ride a bike and it just sat there. Hire a MTB at your local MTB track in a few months (or years) time and then see if this is something you want to do. I have a shoulder injury also and to be honest doing any riding except road riding makes me cringe. The jarring on my arms would make my injury (healed and 2 surgeries) flare up. You really don't want pain when you ride.

[hebe]

I'm so sorry you had such unhappy rides on your mtb, but I'm glad that you have a great saddle on your roadie and that you're enjoying that one.

I think Kiwi Stoker's points are all good ones. I'd be tempted to hold fire on the cyclo cross bike, keep the mtb for a few more months and try it again in the spring, if fitness permits. Then decide if you want to keep it or replace it with something else.

[pinsonp2]

It's hard to give advice about someone else's bike addiction. However, I just wanted to point out that I keep thinking of the pic you posted of you and your Ruby when you first got it.....what a smile! Even though I've read all the great tales of mountain biking here, I'm still a roadie. If you already have a shoulder injury, I would think trying to port a mountain bike around would be a recipe for reinjury. About a cyclocross bike, sorry I want to add one to my 'fleet', too.

Probably not any help, but good luck in your decision. You'll do what's best for you at this time.

P2

[indysteel]

My two cents? Pay your medical bills first. Then consider s new bike purchase.

[Catrin]

The others have made good points about cyclocross, you probably don't want to risk your shoulder with that at this point.

Why not wait a bit before selling your mountain bike? You already have it and you won't be able to get your original price out of it...and should you decide next season you would like to try it then you may regret selling it and could well pay more to replace it. I do know people with shoulder problems who are able to mountain bike without pain.

Another option is to setup the mountain bike for other use. I know people who use them as commuters. They put skinny tires on them and go for it.

I certainly understand wanting another bike, been there a time or two in the past two years :o :D Good luck with whatever you decide!

[Roadtrip]

Thanks for the feedback!! I'm definatly leaning toward selling and paying off the MD bills. My friend who caused the crash that day has agreed to pay half the expense, but now that the bills are coming in, I'm a little skeptical I'll recieve that, but IF I were... Then I could consider the new bike.

At this point I wasn't really thinking doing actual cyclocross racing for all TE reasons mentioned here, but a bike that I could take on unimproved surfaces, like a TOW path or crushed gravel, one I don't really think my Ruby is suitable for. Hybrid could do it with the right tires, but I'm loosing the road position, plus this XO2 is indeed a good price and seller might be interested in a trade, possibly.

Ps. Yes to the skinny "city" tires.. I put some Conti tires that are 42mm wide instead on the 2.25" knobbies that came on the bike.

Shannon

[pll]

Don't underestimate road bikes... I've done gravel paths on skinny 23mm tires, no problem. Think Paris-Roubaix!

[Owlie]

I'd go with paying off the medical bills, then going bike shopping.

[Roadtrip]

Well decided to pass on the CX bike for now... It's not like I couldn't put CX tires on my hybrid and ride... Heavy bike... But hey... It makes jumping on the Ruby feel like I have rockets in my legs ;)

Shannon

[hebe]

I hope that your friend who caused the crash does pay up. Does he have any insurance that would cover it, do you think?

Back on topic, you could try your 29er on some towpaths/gravel paths rather than the "proper" off-roading and see if you like it any better in a more controlled environment. Or perhaps you are simply a roadie at heart :D