What to buy?

Wow, 150 miles over multiple days, or is that a 1-day trip? Pretty impressive for just getting started. For that road distance you definetly want something that is comfortable and fits you WELL.

If you weren't taking it offroad a comfortable touring-style road bike (with skinny, low-rolling-resistance tires) would be a natural recommendation, probably in a modern steel (newer columbus, reynolds 853, and the like) for comfort over the bumps (steer clear of Al wich is typcially stiffer/harsher).

If you want to use it for light offroad'ing, you'll want a beefier bike like a hybrid.

I think the best advise is -- find a LBS with someone who is knowledgeable and willing to help fit you, and find the bike that best balances what you want at your price range. Ride several before making a choice.

You might want to look at a cyclocross bike. With a set of smooth tires it's going to be a lot better for a long road trip than a typical hybrid.

madisonbenson said:

[font=Arial]We have been invited to ride in the MS 150 (Houston/Austin) in April. Generally, we are in good shape. However, neither of us has been on a bike for any distance for several years. I'm guessing we have several months to prepare between now and then.[/font]

[font=Arial]Generally, we like camping and the outdoors. But this is a 150 miles road ride. [font=Arial]I've seen the hybrids, but I'm not certain they will provide us with bikes that allow us the versatility of road and off-road riding in comfort. I like the mountain bikes, but can't imagine it on the road for any lengthy distance. His bike is a road bike handy for riding around town.[/font]
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[font=Arial]What kind of bikes can we purchase that will allow us to comfortably ride 150 miles on pavement and allow us to have a great ride through the great outdoors when we are camping?[/font]

[font=Arial]Suggestions?[/font]

[font=Arial]Thanks![/font]
[font=Arial]Madison 😕 [/font]

I've ridden the Houston to Austin ride several times. Great ride with lots of people. I would second the cyclocross bike suggestion. Put some slick tires on it and it would be perfect for that ride. Road bike style geometry with some beefier wheels and components. Very comfortable, smooth riding and the larger tires are quite flat resistant. Faster than a mtn bike also while allowing use off road on light trails. Great compromise.

If you are riding with a spouse, look into a tandem. They are faster and more efficent than two people individually on bikes, and you won't lose sight of each other. Well, if you do, you have done something really wrong. You can pack more gear on a tandem, too. Carrying a 2 person tent and enough supplies for a couple of days shoudn't be a problem.

My wife is not a particularly strong cyclist, but when the two of us go out on our old Cannondale tandem, we cover as much (if not more) ground as I normally do on my road bike, and maintain about the same average speed - around 20mph. She doesn't get left behind, and I don't feel like I'm riding too slowly.

I second the cyclocross bike idea- you ought to check them out- they are pretty all-purpose