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Bike suggestion
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
I am trying to get my husband into riding. I have a road and MTB and thinking of getting something that might suit both road and off road.
The trails we would do will be no harder than say Terrey Hills (Perimeter and Long). The purpose is for fitness.
Not wanting to spend a great deal either, say around $800.00. Any suggestions of a bike that may be suitable for both without breaking the bank? (My MTB is an Avanti 29inch hardtail, so I think a 29 inch also would be best).
[Mod. moved to MTB gear... you can ride any bike on road, but not necessarily off]
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I reckon a second hand hard tail for around $500 (eg recent post on forum) and a lower end second wheel set with slicks for the road and crank the tyre pressure right up. That's $800 total.
If he gets into it the $500 is easily recoverable. Then upgrade bike.
In my personal opinion hybrids are usually too compromised for beginner riders to have much fun safely on Sydney's more technical than 'normal' terrain. Hybrid wheel sets and tyres are also often not suited to rocky rubble.
I agree with the above comment!
Hybrids are not a good idea if you intend to take your beginner/novice rider off the sealed bike path/bitumen road. The tyres are typically too thin, and lack the tread to cope with any sand or gravel that one might encounter, and the rims are often not capable of standing up to the inevitable impact with the one rogue square-edged rock that so often sits in the middle of an otherwise smooth gravel trails.
Numerous friends of mine have bought 'hybrids' claiming that they "don't want to get into mtbing" , and that they "only want to ride the rail-trails" etc.... but then they struggle as even a very good rail trail has some sections with less than perfectly smooth hard pack gravel, and the typicaly thin tyres of the 'hybrid' leaves them sliding, skating, and falling all over the place. Eventually they ask to have a go on one of my mtb's, and then end up borrowing it until they sell their 'hybrid' and buy a hard tail mtb!!!
Moral of the story- MTB = GOOD.... HYBRID = BAD , no, but seriously- a hard tail mountain bike would be a much better choice, with far greater potential applications, especially if you did get a second set of wheel fitted with slicks for the road... ( but you could just pump the off road tyres up to their max psi for road and stick with the one set- that will certainly help with fitness! )
Hope that helps you make an informed purchase.
Thanks guys, yes I think you right, I was thinking of a hybrid, but just didn't think it would be suitable even for some of the easy stuff. I use my hardtail for some comuting to work and it is fine (I inflate the tyres to max) and having the 29" wheels it's a very comfortable easy ride.
Hardtail 29er is the go. Very flexible for off-road use, and with a good tyre choice not too bad on the road.
I use a 26er HT for my commuter and have just left the low tread height Michelin XCR Dry 2's that it came with on it. Sure it's a bit of a tractor, but it sends a message to the roadies when I pass them (sometimes
), and it's good to have a bit of fun with hopping up kerbs and riding down stairs on the way to work. Hoping to upgrade it to a 29er HT this year, funds and suitable bargain permitting.
Saw some people trying to ride Manly Dam on hybrids last Saturday, ... and one on a flat bar roadie with 32mm slicks.
None of them seemed to be having much fun, I have to say, judging from the grimaces and very tense way they were holding themselves on their bikes. The couple I saw at Terrey Hills a few months ago on touring hybrids were picking themselves up after hubby had had an off in the loose gravel on a short climbing section.
So I think you're heading in the right direction. Nice big-bag 2.2-2.4" tyres roll surprisingly well and take the edge off the bumps.
Yes, totally agree. I also have seen riders on the trails on hybrids and yes they don't look like they are enjoying themselves.... I have recently started comuting to work on my 29 hardtail and it's a breeze. I used to ride on the road with my roadie, but after a few close calls I decided it wasn't worth the risk. I now ride from north side of narrabeen lakes, all the way on a bike path (minus about 500mtrs at Dee Why) to Brookvale, such a lovely ride and a breeze on the 29er. This new bike path was opened late last year, great for the whole family!