Looking for a second bike but not sure what I should be looking at

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cathyd

2012-07-12 7:03 AM

Expert

1060

Ontario

Bronze member

Subject: Looking for a second bike but not sure what I should be looking at

I have a nice road bike that I love riding but living in the country there are a lot of dirt/gravel roads that I would like to ride on, road bike doesn't do well on gravel. I'm looking to get a second bike that I can ride on dirt/gravel roads and trails (nothing technical or difficult, just rails to trails type paths), and also that I can ride from the carpool lot to work. I thought a mountain bike but when I started looking online I see all these different catagories - cross, hybrid, cruiser. Now I'm not sure mountain bike is really what I need. Any advice on what bikes I should be looking at?And budget is $500 - 600.

Edited by cathyd 2012-07-12 7:05 AM

audiojan

2012-07-12 7:45 AM

in reply to: #4307320

Pro

4458

Greater Pittsburgh

Subject: RE: Looking for a second bike but not sure what I should be looking at

Do you want a mountain bike for trails, if so, look for one with a solid back end (i.e. no rear suspension). Better yet, look for a cycle cross bike... looks like a road bike, but designed to be ridder over rougher train (geometry, wider tire clearance, different gearing, etc.). That would be my choice for riding trails (hard packed trails and gravel roads).

mmrocker13

2012-07-12 7:53 AM

in reply to: #4307320

Pro

4809

Twin Cities

Subject: RE: Looking for a second bike but not sure what I should be looking at

bikesdirect.com has some inexpensive cyclocross bikes that you can pick up in that price range. Nothing fancy, but as a second bike or a gravel bike, they are solid. (I'm actually considering one myself right now)

pitt83

2012-07-12 8:18 AM

in reply to: #4307320

Champion

15073

Checkin' out the podium girls

Subject: RE: Looking for a second bike but not sure what I should be looking at

A cyclocross bike is a fantastic second bike. Ridley, Kona and Redline make great cyclocross bikes. Get one which is light enough that WHEN (and not if) you decide racing cyclocross is your thing. That extra weight hurts even more on lap 7 and 8.

Some good information at http://www.cyclocrossworld.com/cyclocross

Six000MileYear

2012-07-12 8:47 AM

in reply to: #4307320

Veteran

368

Hudson Valley

Subject: RE: Looking for a second bike but not sure what I should be looking at

An aluminum cyclocross bike would be perfect for the conditions you anticipate. I had one for charity rides. I had road tires on one set of rims and cross tires on another. It took a minute to swap out wheels for two different types of riding. If you want to go with a single set of wheels, a more agressive 700x28mm tire with a Slime puncture ribbon between the tire and tube would give you a lot of protection from flats and remove some of the bumps in the road.

mgalanter

2012-07-12 1:20 PM

in reply to: #4307519