Bike for paths, light road use?

[Trek420]

I sometimes wonder why everyone does not ride a flat bar road bike. Several of them are on my when I win the Lotto list, like the Kona Phd.

http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...9&parentid=253

[RoseC]

I sometimes wonder why everyone does not ride a flat bar road bike. Several of them are on my when I win the Lotto list, like the Kona Phd.

I've never actually seen a Kona - they didn't carry them where I'm from, but it looks like there's a local shop in this area (just moved here a year ago). I'll check them out - thanks! The model you linked is really a road bike with flat bars, isn't it? Without sounding like a broken record...can a bike like that handle dirt at all, or would I be relegated to the paved paths?

I'm undecided how important it really is that I have the ability to ride on anything but pavement, since I do have the mountain bike, but there are a lot of unpaved rails-to-trails type trails...

[KnottedYet]

I have a Kona Dew, which is the same geometry and frame as the PhD, but lower level of componentry.

My Kona has done dirt, gravel, grass, and asphalt. I rode it in a triathlon, too. It is a fabulous all-round bike for me.

My kiddo decided he wanted it when he outgrew his bike, so I just gave it to him and bought myself a Kona Smoke this afternoon. Now we're a two-Kona family!

Kona is based here in Ferndale, WA. They do a lot of outreach to kids in need (including kids at my old Junior High), and did a huge Bike Town project with AIDS workers in Africa. I'm happy to support Kona. And their bikes are very decent for the price. As my LBS says, they're "bombproof".

[RoseC]

Thanks, that's just the sort of info I was hoping for!

Ooh...and the current Dew is a gorgeous shade of blue...I know color doesn't matter, but I'm shallow like that.

There is a local Kona dealer here, though I've not been there yet. I'll check them out!