Pre-newbie looking for guidance!

Hello everyone! What a great community.

I'm a half marathoner that may have to give up distance running due to some intestinal difficulties. The doc suggested I take up cycling instead, and I'm really interested. I'm 50 this year and aside from riding a mountain bike here and there, haven't ridden since I was a kid.

Any suggestions on bikes for the brand new kid? Do you buy the cheapest Giant and then upgrade later, or do you start off with something a little more techy? Since I have to buy everything, the cost is a bit scary.

I'm really interested in any newbie info, including how to learn to ride with clipless pedals and proper shifting. Do you join a group right away? Are there any old gals like me in North San Diego County?:D I need a buddy.

How much do you want to spend on a bike?

What kind of riding do you want to do?

I suppose that info would be helpful, huh?:D

I'm looking for a road bike. DH and I just checked out the Giant OCR 3W ($650) and the Trek 1.2 WSD ($750). I don't want to spend too much on my first bike because I don't know what kind of riding I'll be doing, how far, etc. I just want to get started!

Or do you think I would be better off with one or two levels above the basic model? What would you do in my shoes?

I'm incredibly, horribly, indubitably biased. I'd be looking for a steel frame bike that fit perfectly in that price range (maybe used) and planning to upgrade components as my needs changed in the future.

But I like steel.

A lot.

Whatever you get, get a frame that feels wonderful to you when you ride, that feels like it's part of you, that you just can't wait to take off on. Components can be swapped later. The frame is the heart and soul of a bike, the frame is the part you can't change.

Feel the bike love, and don't be afraid to go with what (literally) moves you!

Knot-2-lugged-steel-bikes-and-2-TIG-welded-steel-bikes

(most of the steel bikes I'd recommend are in the $800-$1000 range, which might be more than you're thinking of spending. Try looking at used bikes in your area. Sometimes used can be a really good way to get started.)

I would test ride everything in your price range that you would consider purchasing (hybrids, flat bar road bikes, road bikes with drops)!!! Personally, I like to keep a chart with the bikes that I have my eye on and then I can add ones that the bike shop points out and record the price, components, what I thought about it, etc.

Ride to your hearts content at different stores in different sizes (keep in mind that most people fit 2 sizes--which is usually comes down to a fit preference) and chances are you will know which one you want! :D

Also, keep your eye out for a friendly bike store you like with staff that are friendly and willing to help you try all these bikes! :D They should be able to ask you about your riding style, your goals, etc to make some good suggestions about the kinds of bikes that would best serve you. One of the worst things is having to buy a bike from a store with unhelpful people because a lot of shops offer you free tune ups if you purchase your bike at their store so you're most likely to return :( So pick a place that seems professional that you would trust to work on your bike and are not only friendly but also willing to accommodate your desires as a customer! :D

One way to tell is if they offer to adjust the seatpost height for you when you test ride (if they don't offer, ask them so you can get the most accurate approximate fit when you test ride)! They should also be able to tell you something about the fit of the bike when they see you on it (too small, too cramped, not enough standover, etc).

OMG, this makes me want to go bike shopping :p

Did you ride either of those bikes?
I have a the Pilot 1.2 and I like it a lot, but that's me.

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

I'm incredibly, horribly, indubitably biased. I'd be looking for a steel frame bike that fit perfectly in that price range (maybe used) and planning to upgrade components as my needs changed in the future.

But I like steel.

A lot.

Whatever you get, get a frame that feels wonderful to you when you ride, that feels like it's part of you, that you just can't wait to take off on. Components can be swapped later. The frame is the heart and soul of a bike, the frame is the part you can't change.

Feel the bike love, and don't be afraid to go with what (literally) moves you!

Knot-2-lugged-steel-bikes-and-2-TIG-welded-steel-bikes

(most of the steel bikes I'd recommend are in the $800-$1000 range, which might be more than you're thinking of spending. Try looking at used bikes in your area. Sometimes used can be a really good way to get started.)

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And the rest of us drool over carbon... :p:D

I love my steel bikes -- very smooth rides, very responsive. And the chro-moly steel of today's bikes is a wonderful material. Steel does not necessarily mean heavy!

Never been on a carbon bike but I'm sure there's a reason why people love it, too -- it probably just comes down to personal preference.

Try out lots of bikes and don't let anyone rush you into a decision.

Good luck and have fun!

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Originally Posted by kelownagirl

And the rest of us drool over carbon... :p:D

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Except for us crash-prone riders of carbon frames, who drool over titanium :p

Here we go spending someone else's money over their budget again :D

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Originally Posted by zencentury

Did you ride either of those bikes?
I have a the Pilot 1.2 and I like it a lot, but that's me.

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I did today. They seemed fairly equal. But I just rode around the parking lot to get a feel.

What steel bikes are you endorsing?

Oh, you must ride more than the parking lot!

My LBS lets me take bikes out for 10-15 mile test rides. It's hard to know with just a parking lot ride. Half an hour or more is good, I think.

Steel: I have a Surly Cross Check ($900). Surly Long Haul Truckers are nifty ($950) Jamis Aurora are sweet and smooth ($850). Trek 520 are classic, but more than $1000. Really, if you can find used steel it will be cheaper than new. There are enough steel nuts on TE that you can get plenty of guidance as you search through steel used bikes on Ebay or Craigs.

Just for another opinion...

I really like the IDEA of steel bikes. When I bought a commuter I was sure I wanted a steel one. I tested lots of bikes in my price range and it came down to a lightweight steel cyclocross bike (Lemond Propad, before they put disc brakes on it) and an aluminum cyclocross bike (Bianchi Axis). I tried some heavier steel bikes (Bianchi Volpe, for one) too.

So, I bought the alu bike. They were about the same weight (~20-21 lbs, with pedals and knobby tires). The Lemond had a silky steel ride, nicer than old steel even. But it just wasn't as fun. Some of this might have been geometry related, but a lot of it was that aluminum is noticeably stiffer and snappier than steel, even good quality steel, and this really makes the bike feel faster, even when the weights are the same. (Of course, just as there are different grades of steel there are also different grades of aluminum, and I rode one cheapy alu bike that felt like a tank...). The heavy steel bikes are, well, heavy. However nice steel feels doesn't make up for an extra five pounds, for me.

I just bought a carbon road bike. But if I were looking to buy a less expensive road bike that I was going to spend a LOT of time on (not just an errand bike), I'm almost certain I'd choose alu over steel again. It is a more jarring ride, and lots of people hate that, but for me the stiffness makes up for it.

I totally get why people love steel, it is a very smooth ride, and I wouldn't knock them for it any more than I'd knock people who like vanilla instead of chocolate. But all in all, I think if I were just buying one bike and wanted maximum bang for my buck (and my budget didn't allow carbon or ti) I would pick aluminum over steel.

There, I've said it, let the stoning begin :D.

That said, I've never ridden ti, but I think ti bikes are gorgeous aesthetically, and I have a feeling I might like the ride too. Hmmm....

Kona makes some very nice aluminum bikes in your price range. My LBS calls their alu frames "bombproof."

(I had an alu Kona Dew. Great bike! Sweet geometry. Very fast for a hybrid. Incredibly comfortable for short rides around 20-30 miles.)

$0.50 tour & over generalization of bike frames:

Steel - buttery smooth ride, inexpensive, repairable! - crash it into the carport, get it fixed, beautiful, classic :) heavy :(. Don't drool on mine, it'll rust.


Aluminum- fast, light, zippy, stiff, CHEAP, stiff responsive sprinting machine :) . you'll feel every candy bar wrapper you go over :(.

Carbon - fast, light, zippy, stiff :p take out a 2nd mortgage expensive, has less "road feel", feels dead :(

Ti - buttery smooth steel-like ride, light, fast :), sell your soul on e-Bay EXPENSIVE, some find it "noodly", not stiff enough for sprinters or climbing :(.

Now, enter the designer!!! And the builder and your LBS!

With the right combination Ti can be stiff, zippy, with the buttery steel-like ride, carbon can have great road feel and still be a racing machine (but they are still both expensive-sorry, nothing changes that), aluminum can be comfortable and still zippy yet inexpensive and steel .... now, nothing rides like steel and steel can be light.

Now, get out there and find your LBS (that's local bike shop) and try bikes, try bikes, try bikes! :p What are you doing reading this? We're living through you, all the thrill of hunting for the right bike but with your money :D

Get out there and we want to hear the ride reports. :cool:

*disclosure, I have 3 bikes and counting, all steel ranging from a free-project bike, a 25 year old commuter, to Italian full-custom dream machine. Yeah, I like steel too but they are all great bikes!

Necessary disclaimer: all Trek420's bikes are steel. (as are all my bikes)

WE ARE BIASED!!!!! :D

No, we are an EEO board. All bikes are good. :) :D

(but you and I are steel-biased... admit it. we might lead this innocent new TE'er down the primrose path to custom Waterford, Mondonico, Gunnar, Rodriguez, Davidson, Luna, Sweetpea, Sycip, and, dare we whisper the name, Vanilla! oh, we are baaaaad)

http://vanillabicycles.com/

Bike porn. Click at your own risk!

OMG . . . that Vanilla website . . . I feel like I just landed in a Technicolor world after living in B&W Kansas all my life!

My first steel road bike was a 42 cm Rodriguez Stellar that had been custom built for a very nice lady who was _almost_ the same size as me. She sold it to me for $800 when she was not longer able to ride it. I had that bike long enough to feel like it was an extension of my body, and then it was stolen. I am currently waiting for its replacement to be born. Due date: Some time in the next two weeks!

Moral of story: you can find a really excellent bike within your budget if you are patient and try out lots of bikes to get a good idea of what you want. And if replacing your bike is going to cost, oh, 3X more than what you paid for it, make sure your homeowners/renters/special insurance policy covers "replacement" value, and not just what you paid for it. I have been very lucky in this regard.

Bike #2.1 is a Dahon Speed Pro TT. It's a 4130 cro-moly folding bike with 20" wheels and 27 speeds. You're probably not looking for a folder but I'll tell you about it anyway . . . Got this one because I want to be able to fold my commuting bike and store it under my desk during the day (my office doesn't have bike storage, and I'm a bit paranoid after losing my Rodriguez). My LBS finally (that's another story) got the gears properly tuned, and I took it out for a spin around the neighborhood today. The little wheels pick up speed FAST, the range of gears is great for Seattle's hills, and the ride was solid yet delightfully zippy. I'm still getting to know this bike, but from my experience so far I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who is considering a folding road bike. DH teases me for being a dork for being so into this bike, but I don't care. I feel like I've just met my new best friend. And it wants to go fast.

Hi, Mooseamerica! Welcome! Try as many bikes as you can to figure out what your preferences are. As for getting a starter bike vs. getting a quality bike right off the bat, well, that depends on what you're comfortable spending. Try asking around to find a quality LBS. A good LBS will ask you a lot of questions and help you narrow down your choices. Mine asked me things like: What type of riding are you interested in? Is there an organized ride that you're intested in doing? Are you intested in doing club rides? Will you be using it to commute? Are you intested in touring? Do you see yourself wanting a rack for your bike w. panniers? Do you want to race? If yes, what type of racing? What kind of mileage do you thing you'd like to achieve? And so on....

Keep in mind there isn't a perfect bike that will do all the above, but the LBS can help you get something that will fit your needs now with some wiggle room for what you might want to do a little further down the line. And if it doesn't meet all your needs in the future, than you can always upgrade or have the perfect excuse to get another bike entirely. It's the reason that many of us have more than one.

I hope you have fun finding your ride,

~Sg

BTW, you can answer some of those questions here and we'll try to help you too.

I can't let the steel v. aluminum discussion go.

I've owned a good mixture of steel and aluminum bikes. My assessment of the difference: doodly squat. (I've never ridden any serious miles on a Ti or carbon fiber bike so I won't discuss those).

Frame builders make their money by imposing their will on the materials they have at hand. A good builder can give a frame the handling characteristics of a wet noodle or make them lively and responsive regardless of materials.

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Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

Frame builders make their money by imposing their will on the materials they have at hand. A good builder can give a frame the handling characteristics of a wet noodle or make them lively and responsive regardless of materials.

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Well said.

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Originally Posted by mooseamerica

What steel bikes are you endorsing?

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:D

None at all, I will remain non-partisan on this one.(not really)

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Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

I can't let the steel v. aluminum discussion go.

I've owned a good mixture of steel and aluminum bikes. My assessment of the difference: doodly squat. (I've never ridden any serious miles on a Ti or carbon fiber bike so I won't discuss those).

Frame builders make their money by imposing their will on the materials they have at hand. A good builder can give a frame the handling characteristics of a wet noodle or make them lively and responsive regardless of materials.

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+2.

How the bike is put together (geometry, components, FIT) makes such a difference compared to materials as to how the bike will respond and feel on the road. I rode my not so cheap aluminum bike in a 600k brevet, and have no complaints about the ride (only my mental state for wanting to do such a thing.) My ti bike, on the other hand, has a harsher road feel than the aluminum bike. And it is heavier.

MooseAmerica - can you get out and test ride those bikes for longer rides today? While you're out, see if you can ride a couple others, too.

Take notes on what you liked and didn't like about various bikes, then share that info with your LBS. The more info you can give them, the better job they will be able to do of finding bikes that suit you. (even if your likes and dislikes seem trivial during the test ride, they can be really good data points for bike selection)

I had to give myself strict rules: not allowed to buy a bike unless I've test ridden it at least two different days.

(only broke that rule... umm... a little bit. here and there. yeah.)

Come back and give us a full report! We love it when someone is going bike shopping! :p

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Originally Posted by maillotpois

How the bike is put together (geometry, components, FIT) makes such a difference compared to materials as to how the bike will respond and feel on the road.

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+3

And don't get us started on wheels :rolleyes:

Look for a shop who will swap things. "I love this bike but hate the "brifters", these "brifters" are comfy but not the bike."

Saddles, bars .... a good shop will work with you to make it FIT.

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Come back and give us a full report! We love it when someone is going bike shopping! :p

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All the fun and it's YOUR money :p

Bianchi makes some nice steel bikes. You might want to give one a test ride. Lots of the women on this forum (including me) ride Bianchis.

For a beginner, I know firsthand how overwhelming all of this new information can be. I kind of dove into cycling, knowing very little except what my boyfriend (now husband) taught me. I bought a Giant OCR 3 in 2003. I didn't do it the proper way- no 'real' measurements were taken. Instead, I knew I was as tall as my husband, weighed less & made the general assumption that if the OCR worked for him, it would work for me. I KNOW- the TOTALLY wrong way to go about it!!:(

I didn't test ride my husband's because he had it customized to fit his needs (special saddle, handlebars, etc.). Instead, I went to a store and sat on a new one for a while & was even able to test ride it on the street for a while before I purchased it.

I bought the OCR 3 because I was, at the time, in a hurry to buy one and it was the nicest bike I could get at the very TOP of my budget. I now know I may have been able to find something a little better suited to my build, but I wanted to start cycling RIGHT AWAY & didn't really take the time to shop around. I LIKE the OCR 3, don't get me wrong. It has served me well. It's durable... I've been able to take my first falls like a true champ. (Trust me, you'll have yours, too, if you use shoes w/ clips!).

I'm not in the market for a new bike (that ever-present lack of funds!) and I've taken a few years off from riding, as I've moved several times, married, etc. SO- I'm just getting into the cycling spirit again.

I would say.. if you have the TIME and aren't in a hurry to ride just for the sake of riding (as I was), take your time when selecting your bike. ;)

Everybody's gotta start somewhere, right? There's only so much that you can learn from measurements and test rides. And even if that first bike isn't "perfect," the more miles you put on it, the more you'll know about what you want in your next bike.

I thought my first road bike would be all the road bike I would ever want, and then I learned that there are a lot of really good reasons to have more than one bike! :D

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Originally Posted by jocelynlf

Everybody's gotta start somewhere, right? There's only so much that you can learn from measurements and test rides. And even if that first bike isn't "perfect," the more miles you put on it, the more you'll know about what you want in your next bike.

I thought my first road bike would be all the road bike I would ever want, and then I learned that there are a lot of really good reasons to have more than one bike! :D

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Ditto.

I rode about 2000 miles on my first road bike in the first year. Traded it in on a different bike and then put about 2000 miles on that one in year two. In year three, I sold that road bike and bought the one I have now (which has about 3000 miles on it ) and I LOVE it. BUT, I would not have known that this bike would be perfect for me had I not had the experience I'd had on the first two bikes.

Don't stress about getting the *perfect* bike for you for your first road bike. Get something you can afford, that fits you, that's decent quality and that will meet your short term needs. Ride and ride some more. And then re-evaluate your needs...if they change, you can change your bike, if they don't, you're good to go!

Oh, and now I have 5 bikes :o...one for each occasion (though my 3rd road bike still gets the most use, by far!).

Steel

Pros: Cyclists and builders have long sung the praises of steel, citing its strength, reparability, and magical ride quality akin to being carried across a land of mattresses while on ecstasy by a phalanx of fairies wearing running shoes. Common sayings include, “Steel is Real,” “If it’s ferrous, others will be jerrous,” and “Aluminum sucks, but chromium and vanadium will get you laidium.”

Cons: Rusts, goes soft, is noodly and heavy, can give you tetanus, and eventually will turn on you and try to kill you in your sleep.

From The BSNYC Used Bicycle Buyer's Guide , a classic.

Wow . . . we've been so focused on spending your money on a new bike that we haven't really addressed some of the other questions in your original post!

We're all going to have our opinions about materials & components, etc. This is a community where people have a great deal of love for their bikes! Your choice should be shaped by your goals, what you're willing to spend, and whatever else might be important to you with this purchase.

You should feel comfortable that your LBS will spend the time to do a proper fitting. Getting a good fitting will go a long way towards your enjoyment of your bike. Regardless of what it's made of.

Fit was what pretty much led me to steel. As a petite person, a lot of "small" production bikes were too big for me. Or not in stock/available for test ride. When I finally found a bike that fit me, it happened to be steel, and I loved it . . . initially because of the fit, but also because it was such a comfortable ride. Maybe I'll consider something lighter in the future if I fall in love with racing, but that's a decision for another time.

Re: clipless pedals & proper shifting. There's a ton of information available on this board, but also you should be able to talk to your fitter about any questions you have about components. There are different kinds of clipless pedals -- some feel that some types are easier to get in & out of or have a quicker learning curve. I have bad knees and a bad hip so my fitter recommended Speedplay Frogs, and they've worked really well for me.

Finally, I would definitely encourage you to find others to ride with in our area. I still consider myself something of a newbie, and riding with others is a great way to learn!

There's so much difference in what people end up really liking that I would recommend getting something affordable that feels good. THen you can find out what direction your addiction will take.

I love all my bikes :)

You could have the nicest, smoothest, butteriest titanium bike out there, but if it doesn't fit, you'll have no fun riding it.

Fit is first and foremost. Materials are secondary.

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Originally Posted by tulip

You could have the nicest, smoothest, butteriest titanium bike out there, but if it doesn't fit, you'll have no fun riding it.

Fit is first and foremost. Materials are secondary.

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Yep! Yep! I'd rather ride my $200 bike that fits than a $5 grand bike that does not. (well, the $5k bike fits too :rolleyes:)

Thank you everybody for being so willing to share. I am very overwhelmed. I died when I read the post that I should test drive for 10 miles....I'm too much of a greenhorn to get out on the road yet! I need to get used to shifting, the feel, everything!

Wow again. I'm going to continue to shop, and I'll take some longer test rides. I'm running a half marathon this weekend, so shopping is on hold for now. I'll check out Bianchi too.

I'm thinking that I'll probably go for something cheap with the intention of learning for the next bike in a couple of years. I'm still open to more suggestions though!

Thanks again!

moo

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Originally Posted by mooseamerica

I'm thinking that I'll probably go for something cheap with the intention of learning for the next bike in a couple of years.

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Get the best frame you can afford. You may fall in love with the bike and upgrade the heck out of it as you wear parts out with miles of happy riding.

My namesake Trek420 originally cost about $400.00, but the time I was done with it I would have needed a Trek 5200 or so to get equal parts.

Okay, I'll admit, I did not read all of the posts above.

I have had an aluminum frame that was a little too large, and now ride a carbon fibre bike that fits me correctly. The first bike length on my carbon fibre bike, on our rough paved road, and I was in love. If I had bought it sooner, I would have ridden it so much more over the years. :o

I just saw that a fellow TEer has a carbon bike for sale, that looks like good spec and good geometry for a newbie like you. It's a good price, (1/3 what I paid for mine), and might be in your price range.
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=22830

Absolutely most important is that the bike fit you. You'll love carbon fibre, but stick with your budget and buy what feels best. I totally agree with that. And don't forget, with your budget, you'll need to spend on helmet, shoes, gloves, and clothing. Look for deals where you can, and try lots of stuff on.

When it comes to shifting, learning the pedals, biking strategy, motivation, come on back - these ladies are awesome!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

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Originally Posted by Trek420

$0.50 tour & over generalization of bike frames:

Steel - buttery smooth ride, inexpensive, repairable! - crash it into the carport, get it fixed, beautiful, classic :) heavy :(. Don't drool on mine, it'll rust.


Aluminum- fast, light, zippy, stiff, CHEAP, stiff responsive sprinting machine :) . you'll feel every candy bar wrapper you go over :(.

Carbon - fast, light, zippy, stiff :p take out a 2nd mortgage expensive, has less "road feel", feels dead :(

Ti - buttery smooth steel-like ride, light, fast :), sell your soul on e-Bay EXPENSIVE, some find it "noodly", not stiff enough for sprinters or climbing :(.

Now, enter the designer!!! And the builder and your LBS!

With the right combination Ti can be stiff, zippy, with the buttery steel-like ride, carbon can have great road feel and still be a racing machine (but they are still both expensive-sorry, nothing changes that), aluminum can be comfortable and still zippy yet inexpensive and steel .... now, nothing rides like steel and steel can be light.

Now, get out there and find your LBS (that's local bike shop) and try bikes, try bikes, try bikes! :p What are you doing reading this? We're living through you, all the thrill of hunting for the right bike but with your money :D

Get out there and we want to hear the ride reports. :cool:

*disclosure, I have 3 bikes and counting, all steel ranging from a free-project bike, a 25 year old commuter, to Italian full-custom dream machine. Yeah, I like steel too but they are all great bikes!

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You forgot Magnesium!

I have a giant xp (Aluminum) with road tires right now. Hard tail. I feel very stable on it no matter where I ride it. Oh my tires do have nobbies just on the outside of the tire so if I hit any gravel or sand i won't slide like if you had regular road tires on. It is a kinda a hybrid bike my dh built for me. I take on and off the road.