Bike for paths, light road use?

[RoseC]

Hello, all!

I'm getting back into cycling and trying to get back into shape and drop ten pounds or so. Once upon a time, long ago and far away, I was a fairly serious mountain biker, so when I bought a bike again last summer, I ended up with a Trek 3900. I did ride off-road a bit, so I'm not entirely disappointed that I have a mountain bike, but 95% of my riding ended up being on the local bike paths. I'm working up to riding fifteen to thirty miles at a time, up to about 100-150 a week (aiming for five days a week in a good week), and I'm finding myself somewhat frustrated with how slow and heavy the mountain bike is. I'd also would like some higher gearing (and I'm probably using the wrong terminology - forgive me!)

So...I'm thinking about keeping the Trek just for off-road use, and getting something lighter and speedier for the vast majority of my riding, and I'd like recommendations! I'm mostly riding for fitness (and sanity!), generally on paved paths, though I'd *like* to have the ability to ride on very tame dirt / crushed limestone type paths as well. Rails-to-trails, for the most part. I've never had a road bike, and I'm not sure if they'd work for that or not. Can you rig them with semi-wide tires that are still fast? And how hard is it to get used to the drop bars? They're intimidating!

I *might* also use it for some road riding, if I can get up the courage for it, but cars scare me. I think it'd be mostly just the paths.

Other factors: I'm not really sold on Trek, for no reason I can put my finger on. I had a Specialized that I absolutely *loved* ten years ago, and I suppose I just have a sentimental attachment to the brand that's making me feel a bit negative toward the new bike. But I'm open to learning new things and hearing about new brands. Local bike shops carry Trek, Giant, Specialized, Raleigh and Schwinn, for the most part.

I'm 5'7" and have longish arms, so I don't think a WSD bike is necessary - probably not even advised.

Finally, am I giving up too quickly on my mountain bike?

[Darby361]

Hey Rose! Sounds like a hybrid would be a good fit for you. It is lighter than a mountain bike, and has tires that can withstand the gravel paths yet move easily on roads. I have a hybrid for just this kind of thing - I ride rail trails with my friends and sometimes we go into town on the roads. Mine is an inexpensive Trek 7100, and if I had the chance to do the purchase over, I would get one with better components. After just one year I am seeing that I will be replacing the derailleur in the near future. Now, I tend to ride hard - mud, rocks, etc. I can easily do 30 miles on the hybrid, but it is nothing like doing 30 miles on my road bike! As for putting thicker tires on a road bike, someone else will have to chime in on that one.
Trish

[RoseC]

I kind of tend to think of hybrids as being in the same class as cruisers...too upright of a sitting position for me, and without a lot of gear choices. I guess there are a lot more of them than there were when I was last really into bikes, though. Gosh things change fast in the bike world!

I'm poking around the makers' sites, but I'd really love any first person input - someone who has put some time on one of the newer hybrids and has some opinions on what models I should seek out.

Are the more road bike-like hybrids still OK on dirt paths? And are hybrids as a whole OK for decently long distances - up to thirty miles or about that?

[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".

[F8th637]

I kind of tend to think of hybrids as being in the same class as cruisers...too upright of a sitting position for me, and without a lot of gear choices. I guess there are a lot more of them than there were when I was last really into bikes, though. Gosh things change fast in the bike world!

I'm poking around the makers' sites, but I'd really love any first person input - someone who has put some time on one of the newer hybrids and has some opinions on what models I should seek out.

Are the more road bike-like hybrids still OK on dirt paths? And are hybrids as a whole OK for decently long distances - up to thirty miles or about that?

I recently bought a GT Nomad LTD hybrid and I love it! It is more upright but there are a heck of a lot of gear choices. The bike is light also. The tires that came with mine were thinner than mountain bike tires and not as treadless as road tires which was perfect for me. The LTD also has a lock-out front suspension. I bought this particular hybrid because it seemed more in line with a mountain bike than with a regular cruiser. I ride mostly on bike trails but wanted the option of taking it slightly off-road too if need be. I'd definitely check out the new hybrids. I know there are a lot out there that are like cruisers but there are just so many options out there that I'm sure you're bound to find the one you're looking for just like I did. Good luck!

ETA: I just checked out the Kona Dew and my bike is a lot like it except without the front lock-out suspension.

[roadie gal]

How about a cyclocross bike? They're designed for just what you're describing. I don't know anything about particular bikes, so I can't recommend any, but it sounds like something to look into.

[Thorn]

Yeah, I was wondering also about cyclecross--a road bike with drop handle bars, but with tires that would handle the rails-to-trails. I've been considering replacing my hybrid with a cyclecross this winter.

However, unless I've been looking in the wrong place, the entry level price of a cyclecross is around $800. And even at that range, I've only found the Bianchi Volpe and the Surley Crosscheck.

[RoseC]

How about a cyclocross bike? They're designed for just what you're describing. I don't know anything about particular bikes, so I can't recommend any, but it sounds like something to look into.

Ya know...these also didn't exist (at least back in Vermont) last time I was much into biking, so I hadn't given them a thought! But this afternoon I stopped by the LBS that carries Kona, and when I described what I want, that's what the sales guy suggested, too. He said it'd give me a lot more position options for if I decided to go more distance, but still allow me to ride gravel paths or dirt in addition to the paved trails. And if I ended up doing more road than I'm currently riding, I could put smoother, smaller tires on - basically turn the bike into a touring bike.

The least expensive cross bikes they had were Bianchi Volpes, which were on sale and therefore a bit picked over, but in the under seven hundred range, as I recall. A bit more than I was planning to spend, but I think I've got to at least *try* a few cross bikes. Then there was the Jake the Snake in bright, bright orange. I think it was $1200. Man...a lot more than my budget will allow, I think, but what a gorgeous bike!

It was suggested that I come in for a formal bike fitting, so I'm going to do that first, since I don't have a clue about anything but my height. They have a special stationary bike to allow you to try out different positions and figure out exactly what's right. I've never been anywhere that had one of those. I think it'll be worth it. And then...begins the scary business of test riding.

They also had the Dew and Dew Deluxe, a bunch of Felts and some Raleighs. Much better selection of hybrids than most shops I've been to. So I can try those, too!

[RoseC]

Just an update, for anyone who's interested.

I went through a full bike fitting, which was really interesting to me. One of the main things that came out of it is that I have very long arms, which I kinda knew. My brothers used to pick on me for it when I was growing up.

So a women's frame was definitely out, plus it means that in the past, in general (although it doesn't maybe matter quite as much on an MTB) I've been directed to frames that were really not quite long enough in the top tube, because I need a proportionately large frame for my height. I've always ended up with the seat jammed as far back as it would go and just assumed any discomfort was my fault. We also tried different bar heights and hand positions, with me pedaling in each, and came up with a good fit.

So...tonight I went back and test rode, intending to take my time. I'd already pretty much ruled out the hybrids, because I could almost make my mountain bike work as one if I really wanted, plus (being in a bike loving environment a number of days this week!) I'd gotten to thinking that given some time to train, I'd eventually really like to do some of the longer charity rides or rides like the Seattle to Portland (next year's, I'm thinking...), plus do group rides locally. And I think a road bike will be better for that. Given that I wanted the option to use wide tires and do dirt and gravel at some points, the Bianchi Volpe was the first one I really looked at. They tweaked it to my fit, showed me how to shift, and let me try it.

And I fell madly in love.

I kind of half-heartedly looked at others, and I know I *should* have taken weeks and weeks to try out everything I could, but I didn't. I plunked down the plastic and brought the Volpe home.

I'm soooo glad tomorrow's Friday...

Oh, and Knotted...they had a Smoke. Not what I was looking for, but I just *had* to give that horn a try just the same.

[KnottedYet]

Ah, yes... the power of the squeaky horn!

congratulations on the Volpe! Now, give us some pictures of your new lovely!!

Cyclocross geometry seems to suit my tallness and loooong arms very nicely, sounds like you and I are built similarly.

Knot-My-other-bike-is-a-Waterford-Cyclocross

[rij73]

I too suggest a flat-bar road bike. I have one that I LOVE LOVE LOVE! But, they are out of it for this season. FYI it's an IBEX Corrida CT. They are a maker that sells directly to consumers on their website. Good value bicycles almost 50% less expensive than name brands with just as good components and frames.

[RoseC]

OK, one last post.

Yesterday I took the Volpe for its first real ride, on the Chehalis Western Trail. Just did about fifteen miles, which is a pretty good evening ride for me. Observations:

1. This bike is sooooooo sweet! Oddly enough, it's a much cushier ride than the mountain bike. It feels a little bit springy and kinda "thrums" silently when it hits a big bump. It seems to just absorb most of the shock. Kinda feels alive. Cooool.

2. Power Grips rock, but a) they take awhile to get adjusted right when new and b) I've done no pedaling involving pulling instead of just pushing (lots of p's there...) and my legs are out of shape. Ouch.

3. Inhaling insects = ickypoo.

4. Washington is flippin' gorgeous this time of year! Lots of wildflowers out. I also saw lots of bunnies and various kinds of birds - jays and another blue colored bird that I'll have to look up.

5. The seat the bike came with has *got* to go. I've met a lot of uncomfortable seats in my day, but this one may top 'em all. It has leopard print panels on the back corners too, which is just...very odd. The bike shop guys adjusted the seat to a very particular fore-and-aft position and angle and I risk messing that up if I just schlep a seat on there, but I'm sure I can get it right again with trial-and-error, even if they might could do it faster. Since I'd be putting on a seat I didn't buy there and since it's such a small "repair", I'd hate to bother them with it. Actually I bought a Brooks B17 awhile back when Nashbar had a big sale, but I've been afraid to actually use the thing. Perhaps its time has come! It's honey, which doesn't really match the color scheme of the Volpe, but hey, *everyone* has a black seat. This will stand out, for better or worse!

6. This is the first time in a very long time that I've come back from a ride without my hands and wrists hurting. I guess the drop bars aren't such a bad deal... No numbness, even though I forgot my gloves. I imagine my shoulders will be a little stiff tomorrow just because of the new position, but that's OK.

7. Did my fair share of shifting the wrong way (up when I meant down or vice versa), but I was getting the hang of it by the end of the ride. I stayed in the center chainring up front, but I think it's bigger than the mountain bike one. I could still pedal on the biggest downhill.

8. Whew, that's a good workout!

A Volpe in its natural habitat:


I wish the colors had come out accurately - it is astoundingly green out right now.

[KnottedYet]

Beautiful bike!!!! And the honey Brooks will look great on it!

(and if you feel the honey leather looks out of place, try switching your bar tape to something that matches the Brooks a little. or get some leather Brooks bar tape.... )