Opinions on versatile bike

"Fred Barney" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm researching my next bike purchase. I already have a fully suspended
MTB and a road racer, but I want something to fill the gap. My rides
consist mostly of about 50 miles (80k) over very hilly terrain with
about 2500' (750m) of total climbing. The grades are mostly short but
steep. The MTB (with slicks) can deal with anything like dirt roads and
potholes, but it is heavy and not very good for standing up. With the
road racer I have to be picky about the road surface, cutting out a lot
of otherwise nice routes. I need a bike that is reasonably light and
that can fit decent sized tires for rougher surfaces and occasional dirt
roads. I'm thinking:

a) A fully rigid MTB with slicks

b) Cyclocross

c) Sport touring along the lines of a Rivendell Rambouillet

Opinions?

Sounds like any of those would work, but a 'cross bike would be more fun.
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/surly-cross-check.html#complete

Good price. The Bianchi Volpe would also work, and it's even cheaper than
the Surly.

"Fred Barney" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm researching my next bike purchase. I already have a fully suspended
MTB and a road racer, but I want something to fill the gap. My rides
consist mostly of about 50 miles (80k) over very hilly terrain with
about 2500' (750m) of total climbing. The grades are mostly short but
steep. The MTB (with slicks) can deal with anything like dirt roads and
potholes, but it is heavy and not very good for standing up. With the
road racer I have to be picky about the road surface, cutting out a lot
of otherwise nice routes. I need a bike that is reasonably light and
that can fit decent sized tires for rougher surfaces and occasional dirt
roads. I'm thinking:

a) A fully rigid MTB with slicks

b) Cyclocross

c) Sport touring along the lines of a Rivendell Rambouillet

Opinions?

Sounds like any of those would work, but a 'cross bike would be more fun.
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/surly-cross-check.html#complete

Good price. The Bianchi Volpe would also work, and it's even cheaper than
the Surly.

"Fred Barney" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm researching my next bike purchase. I already have a fully suspended
MTB and a road racer, but I want something to fill the gap. My rides
consist mostly of about 50 miles (80k) over very hilly terrain with
about 2500' (750m) of total climbing. The grades are mostly short but
steep. The MTB (with slicks) can deal with anything like dirt roads and
potholes, but it is heavy and not very good for standing up. With the
road racer I have to be picky about the road surface, cutting out a lot
of otherwise nice routes. I need a bike that is reasonably light and
that can fit decent sized tires for rougher surfaces and occasional dirt
roads. I'm thinking:

a) A fully rigid MTB with slicks

b) Cyclocross

c) Sport touring along the lines of a Rivendell Rambouillet

Opinions?

Sounds like any of those would work, but a 'cross bike would be more fun.
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/surly-cross-check.html#complete

Good price. The Bianchi Volpe would also work, and it's even cheaper than
the Surly.

"Fred Barney" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm researching my next bike purchase. I already have a fully suspended
MTB and a road racer, but I want something to fill the gap. My rides
consist mostly of about 50 miles (80k) over very hilly terrain with
about 2500' (750m) of total climbing. The grades are mostly short but
steep. The MTB (with slicks) can deal with anything like dirt roads and
potholes, but it is heavy and not very good for standing up. With the
road racer I have to be picky about the road surface, cutting out a lot
of otherwise nice routes. I need a bike that is reasonably light and
that can fit decent sized tires for rougher surfaces and occasional dirt
roads. I'm thinking:

a) A fully rigid MTB with slicks

b) Cyclocross

c) Sport touring along the lines of a Rivendell Rambouillet

Opinions?

Sounds like any of those would work, but a 'cross bike would be more fun.
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/surly-cross-check.html#complete

Good price. The Bianchi Volpe would also work, and it's even cheaper than
the Surly.

Fred Barney said:

I already have a fully suspended MTB and a road racer,
but I want something to fill the gap.

Sounds like the definition of a 'crosser:

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/CE/spec/5xr8blu.jpg

--
"Bicycling is a healthy and manly pursuit with much
to recommend it, and, unlike other foolish crazes,
it has not died out." -- The Daily Telegraph (1877)

Fred Barney said:

I already have a fully suspended MTB and a road racer,
but I want something to fill the gap.

Sounds like the definition of a 'crosser:

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/CE/spec/5xr8blu.jpg

--
"Bicycling is a healthy and manly pursuit with much
to recommend it, and, unlike other foolish crazes,
it has not died out." -- The Daily Telegraph (1877)

Fred Barney said:

I already have a fully suspended MTB and a road racer,
but I want something to fill the gap.

Sounds like the definition of a 'crosser:

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/CE/spec/5xr8blu.jpg

--
"Bicycling is a healthy and manly pursuit with much
to recommend it, and, unlike other foolish crazes,
it has not died out." -- The Daily Telegraph (1877)

Fred Barney said:

I already have a fully suspended MTB and a road racer,
but I want something to fill the gap.

Sounds like the definition of a 'crosser:

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/CE/spec/5xr8blu.jpg

--
"Bicycling is a healthy and manly pursuit with much
to recommend it, and, unlike other foolish crazes,
it has not died out." -- The Daily Telegraph (1877)

Fred Barney said:

I'm researching my next bike purchase. I already have a fully suspended
MTB and a road racer, but I want something to fill the gap. My rides
consist mostly of about 50 miles (80k) over very hilly terrain with
about 2500' (750m) of total climbing. The grades are mostly short but
steep. The MTB (with slicks) can deal with anything like dirt roads and
potholes, but it is heavy and not very good for standing up. With the
road racer I have to be picky about the road surface, cutting out a lot
of otherwise nice routes. I need a bike that is reasonably light and
that can fit decent sized tires for rougher surfaces and occasional dirt
roads. I'm thinking:

I think you can use a road bike for what you are talking about. I've used
mine on rides with miles of gravel, with no real problems aside from it
getting dirty. If you take reasonable care, occasional dirt roads are
not a problem. You might occasionally cut a tire, but you can do that on
any bike.

Just about all road bikes can take tires that are (real measurement) 25mm
wide with substantial tread, like the Avocet Cross tire. Heck, I've used
those tires on my track bike.

Of course, a sport touring frame would allow even bigger tires, as would a
cross bike, but a touring bike is more for loaded trips, and a cross bike
is the original cross-country design (pre mountain bike). Neither of
those sound like the riding you are doing.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Some people used to claim that, if enough monkeys sat in front
_`\(,_ | of enough typewriters and typed long enough, eventually one of
(_)/ (_) | them would reproduce the collected works of Shakespeare. The
internet has proven this not to be the case.

Fred Barney said:

I'm researching my next bike purchase. I already have a fully suspended
MTB and a road racer, but I want something to fill the gap. My rides
consist mostly of about 50 miles (80k) over very hilly terrain with
about 2500' (750m) of total climbing. The grades are mostly short but
steep. The MTB (with slicks) can deal with anything like dirt roads and
potholes, but it is heavy and not very good for standing up. With the
road racer I have to be picky about the road surface, cutting out a lot
of otherwise nice routes. I need a bike that is reasonably light and
that can fit decent sized tires for rougher surfaces and occasional dirt
roads. I'm thinking:

I think you can use a road bike for what you are talking about. I've used
mine on rides with miles of gravel, with no real problems aside from it
getting dirty. If you take reasonable care, occasional dirt roads are
not a problem. You might occasionally cut a tire, but you can do that on
any bike.

Just about all road bikes can take tires that are (real measurement) 25mm
wide with substantial tread, like the Avocet Cross tire. Heck, I've used
those tires on my track bike.

Of course, a sport touring frame would allow even bigger tires, as would a
cross bike, but a touring bike is more for loaded trips, and a cross bike
is the original cross-country design (pre mountain bike). Neither of
those sound like the riding you are doing.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Some people used to claim that, if enough monkeys sat in front
_`\(,_ | of enough typewriters and typed long enough, eventually one of
(_)/ (_) | them would reproduce the collected works of Shakespeare. The
internet has proven this not to be the case.

Fred Barney said:

I'm researching my next bike purchase. I already have a fully suspended
MTB and a road racer, but I want something to fill the gap. My rides
consist mostly of about 50 miles (80k) over very hilly terrain with
about 2500' (750m) of total climbing. The grades are mostly short but
steep. The MTB (with slicks) can deal with anything like dirt roads and
potholes, but it is heavy and not very good for standing up. With the
road racer I have to be picky about the road surface, cutting out a lot
of otherwise nice routes. I need a bike that is reasonably light and
that can fit decent sized tires for rougher surfaces and occasional dirt
roads. I'm thinking:

I think you can use a road bike for what you are talking about. I've used
mine on rides with miles of gravel, with no real problems aside from it
getting dirty. If you take reasonable care, occasional dirt roads are
not a problem. You might occasionally cut a tire, but you can do that on
any bike.

Just about all road bikes can take tires that are (real measurement) 25mm
wide with substantial tread, like the Avocet Cross tire. Heck, I've used
those tires on my track bike.

Of course, a sport touring frame would allow even bigger tires, as would a
cross bike, but a touring bike is more for loaded trips, and a cross bike
is the original cross-country design (pre mountain bike). Neither of
those sound like the riding you are doing.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Some people used to claim that, if enough monkeys sat in front
_`\(,_ | of enough typewriters and typed long enough, eventually one of
(_)/ (_) | them would reproduce the collected works of Shakespeare. The
internet has proven this not to be the case.

Fred Barney said:

I'm researching my next bike purchase. I already have a fully suspended
MTB and a road racer, but I want something to fill the gap. My rides
consist mostly of about 50 miles (80k) over very hilly terrain with
about 2500' (750m) of total climbing. The grades are mostly short but
steep. The MTB (with slicks) can deal with anything like dirt roads and
potholes, but it is heavy and not very good for standing up. With the
road racer I have to be picky about the road surface, cutting out a lot
of otherwise nice routes. I need a bike that is reasonably light and
that can fit decent sized tires for rougher surfaces and occasional dirt
roads. I'm thinking:

I think you can use a road bike for what you are talking about. I've used
mine on rides with miles of gravel, with no real problems aside from it
getting dirty. If you take reasonable care, occasional dirt roads are
not a problem. You might occasionally cut a tire, but you can do that on
any bike.

Just about all road bikes can take tires that are (real measurement) 25mm
wide with substantial tread, like the Avocet Cross tire. Heck, I've used
those tires on my track bike.

Of course, a sport touring frame would allow even bigger tires, as would a
cross bike, but a touring bike is more for loaded trips, and a cross bike
is the original cross-country design (pre mountain bike). Neither of
those sound like the riding you are doing.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Some people used to claim that, if enough monkeys sat in front
_`\(,_ | of enough typewriters and typed long enough, eventually one of
(_)/ (_) | them would reproduce the collected works of Shakespeare. The
internet has proven this not to be the case.

David L. Johnson says...

Quoted message said:

I think you can use a road bike for what you are talking about. I've used
mine on rides with miles of gravel, with no real problems aside from it
getting dirty. If you take reasonable care, occasional dirt roads are
not a problem. You might occasionally cut a tire, but you can do that on
any bike.

Just about all road bikes can take tires that are (real measurement) 25mm
wide with substantial tread, like the Avocet Cross tire. Heck, I've used
those tires on my track bike.

Of course, a sport touring frame would allow even bigger tires, as would a
cross bike, but a touring bike is more for loaded trips, and a cross bike
is the original cross-country design (pre mountain bike). Neither of
those sound like the riding you are doing.

How about a dirt road with a 1/2 mile 20% downhill grade? I already
have road bike and I only use 25's. I love it, but it isn't always the
best choice.

David L. Johnson says...

Quoted message said:

I think you can use a road bike for what you are talking about. I've used
mine on rides with miles of gravel, with no real problems aside from it
getting dirty. If you take reasonable care, occasional dirt roads are
not a problem. You might occasionally cut a tire, but you can do that on
any bike.

Just about all road bikes can take tires that are (real measurement) 25mm
wide with substantial tread, like the Avocet Cross tire. Heck, I've used
those tires on my track bike.

Of course, a sport touring frame would allow even bigger tires, as would a
cross bike, but a touring bike is more for loaded trips, and a cross bike
is the original cross-country design (pre mountain bike). Neither of
those sound like the riding you are doing.

How about a dirt road with a 1/2 mile 20% downhill grade? I already
have road bike and I only use 25's. I love it, but it isn't always the
best choice.

David L. Johnson says...

Quoted message said:

I think you can use a road bike for what you are talking about. I've used
mine on rides with miles of gravel, with no real problems aside from it
getting dirty. If you take reasonable care, occasional dirt roads are
not a problem. You might occasionally cut a tire, but you can do that on
any bike.

Just about all road bikes can take tires that are (real measurement) 25mm
wide with substantial tread, like the Avocet Cross tire. Heck, I've used
those tires on my track bike.

Of course, a sport touring frame would allow even bigger tires, as would a
cross bike, but a touring bike is more for loaded trips, and a cross bike
is the original cross-country design (pre mountain bike). Neither of
those sound like the riding you are doing.

How about a dirt road with a 1/2 mile 20% downhill grade? I already
have road bike and I only use 25's. I love it, but it isn't always the
best choice.

David L. Johnson says...

Quoted message said:

I think you can use a road bike for what you are talking about. I've used
mine on rides with miles of gravel, with no real problems aside from it
getting dirty. If you take reasonable care, occasional dirt roads are
not a problem. You might occasionally cut a tire, but you can do that on
any bike.

Just about all road bikes can take tires that are (real measurement) 25mm
wide with substantial tread, like the Avocet Cross tire. Heck, I've used
those tires on my track bike.

Of course, a sport touring frame would allow even bigger tires, as would a
cross bike, but a touring bike is more for loaded trips, and a cross bike
is the original cross-country design (pre mountain bike). Neither of
those sound like the riding you are doing.

How about a dirt road with a 1/2 mile 20% downhill grade? I already
have road bike and I only use 25's. I love it, but it isn't always the
best choice.

In article <[email hidden]>, Fred

Barney said:

David L. Johnson says...

How about a dirt road with a 1/2 mile 20% downhill grade? I already
have road bike and I only use 25's. I love it, but it isn't always the
best choice.

I used to ride a Steelman Eurocross down a 1.1-mile stretch of
indifferently maintained private gravel road that dropped 430-some feet;
the steepest bit, about a quarter-mile, is probably 15 percent or
thereabouts. Frankly, it's not much fun, even with 700x30 or 700x40
rubber. Got a bit easier once I added top-mounted brake levers to give me
a more upright position on the way down, but you still take a beating,
especially on washboard.

But if you're only doing that one ugly-ass half mile, a steel cyclo-cross
bike is a good all-rounder. It doesn't do anything perfectly -- outside of
racing cyclo-cross -- but it does pretty much everything acceptably.

Cheers,

Patrick O'Grady
Mad Dog Media
http://www.maddogmedia.com

In article <[email hidden]>, Fred

Barney said:

David L. Johnson says...

How about a dirt road with a 1/2 mile 20% downhill grade? I already
have road bike and I only use 25's. I love it, but it isn't always the
best choice.

I used to ride a Steelman Eurocross down a 1.1-mile stretch of
indifferently maintained private gravel road that dropped 430-some feet;
the steepest bit, about a quarter-mile, is probably 15 percent or
thereabouts. Frankly, it's not much fun, even with 700x30 or 700x40
rubber. Got a bit easier once I added top-mounted brake levers to give me
a more upright position on the way down, but you still take a beating,
especially on washboard.

But if you're only doing that one ugly-ass half mile, a steel cyclo-cross
bike is a good all-rounder. It doesn't do anything perfectly -- outside of
racing cyclo-cross -- but it does pretty much everything acceptably.

Cheers,

Patrick O'Grady
Mad Dog Media
http://www.maddogmedia.com

In article <[email hidden]>, Fred

Barney said:

David L. Johnson says...

How about a dirt road with a 1/2 mile 20% downhill grade? I already
have road bike and I only use 25's. I love it, but it isn't always the
best choice.

I used to ride a Steelman Eurocross down a 1.1-mile stretch of
indifferently maintained private gravel road that dropped 430-some feet;
the steepest bit, about a quarter-mile, is probably 15 percent or
thereabouts. Frankly, it's not much fun, even with 700x30 or 700x40
rubber. Got a bit easier once I added top-mounted brake levers to give me
a more upright position on the way down, but you still take a beating,
especially on washboard.

But if you're only doing that one ugly-ass half mile, a steel cyclo-cross
bike is a good all-rounder. It doesn't do anything perfectly -- outside of
racing cyclo-cross -- but it does pretty much everything acceptably.

Cheers,

Patrick O'Grady
Mad Dog Media
http://www.maddogmedia.com