Do I NEED a new bike? Or just want one?!
LondonMTB
Posts: 79
I have a good mountain bike that I love riding (Specialised Rockhopper Expert 2009). I bought it as a beginner, and started getting into mountain-biking, but then recently moved to Kent, where there are some very pleasant road-rides... I am also lucky enough now to have time to go riding on some weekday evenings, and think it is unsafe to ride on my own on a mountain bike, in a forest...
So, I have a dilemma. My mountain bike is fine (well, adequate) for riding roads on my own, albeit more tiring than on a road bike, as I can go whatever pace I like. I can put slicks on if I'm going on a long-ish ride. And anyway, it's good exercise lugging a slightly heavier bike up the Downs hills...!
However, I am really keen to do more 'social' rides, charity rides, and little tours, which means I want to be able to keep up with everyone else! My family has an annual French cycling tour, so I need a bike that can carry panniers with quite a bit of weight (we take our own camping gear). Last year I rode my mountain bike with slicks on, but struggled to keep up with others on non-mountain bikes (mainly I think through lack of regular food intake, French bakeries are always closed at lunch time!!!!).
Apart from that, although a lot of the riding I do in Kent will be on roads, I do occasionally go on dirt tracks, compacted chalk/flint paths, and muddy bridleways.
I think, although I'd love one, that a road bike would not suit these requirements. The question is, do I 'make do' with my mountain bike, and just get fitter to cope with touring on it, or do I get a second bike, perhaps a Cyclocross? My boyfriend has one and it is very tempting, my only concern is that I would probably need to change the gears, as I don't have much leg strength going up hills. Plus, I probably should try NOT to spend too much money right now....
So, I have a dilemma. My mountain bike is fine (well, adequate) for riding roads on my own, albeit more tiring than on a road bike, as I can go whatever pace I like. I can put slicks on if I'm going on a long-ish ride. And anyway, it's good exercise lugging a slightly heavier bike up the Downs hills...!
However, I am really keen to do more 'social' rides, charity rides, and little tours, which means I want to be able to keep up with everyone else! My family has an annual French cycling tour, so I need a bike that can carry panniers with quite a bit of weight (we take our own camping gear). Last year I rode my mountain bike with slicks on, but struggled to keep up with others on non-mountain bikes (mainly I think through lack of regular food intake, French bakeries are always closed at lunch time!!!!).
Apart from that, although a lot of the riding I do in Kent will be on roads, I do occasionally go on dirt tracks, compacted chalk/flint paths, and muddy bridleways.
I think, although I'd love one, that a road bike would not suit these requirements. The question is, do I 'make do' with my mountain bike, and just get fitter to cope with touring on it, or do I get a second bike, perhaps a Cyclocross? My boyfriend has one and it is very tempting, my only concern is that I would probably need to change the gears, as I don't have much leg strength going up hills. Plus, I probably should try NOT to spend too much money right now....
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Comments
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Match your bike to the majority of the surface you ride on,if that happens to be tarmac go down the route of a hybrid or proper roadie which will handle the miles much easier than an MTB and more comfy too.0
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and think it is unsafe to ride on my own on a mountain bike, in a forest...
Why?http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!0 -
Given you posted this in the 'road' forum it is not surprising that the majority have said to go with a road bike.
I wonder if you posted it in the mtb forum whether you would have the same reponse?0 -
If you have the cash I would go for it
Agree with the mtb on your own, If something goes wrong there is less chance of someone coming across you0 -
A CX bike with 28mm road tyres for comfort and dirt track use. Find one that will take a rack and it should be strong enough for your touring too. The gearing will also be low enough so you won't need to change it.
Do more riding and you will build strength.
If you can do part of you commute by bike that will help in 2 ways, it will build strength and justify the cost of buying another bike.0 -
night_porter wrote:A CX bike with 28mm road tyres for comfort and dirt track use. Find one that will take a rack and it should be strong enough for your touring too. The gearing will also be low enough so you won't need to change it.
Do more riding and you will build strength.
If you can do part of you commute by bike that will help in 2 ways, it will build strength and justify the cost of buying another bike.
This.
Cycling weakly0 -
Wot night_porter said!0
