Mountain bike for road riding
Discussion
Guys,
Been doing bits of biking recently using a boardman mountain bike fitted with some conti road type tyres and really like it. Prompted me to start looking into something for me (this is borrowed long term currently).
Any recommendations. Had a road bike years ago, don’t fancy one. Definitely prefer the mountain bike style but obvs a hardtail. £750 ish budget, what would you guys get?
Mike
Been doing bits of biking recently using a boardman mountain bike fitted with some conti road type tyres and really like it. Prompted me to start looking into something for me (this is borrowed long term currently).
Any recommendations. Had a road bike years ago, don’t fancy one. Definitely prefer the mountain bike style but obvs a hardtail. £750 ish budget, what would you guys get?
Mike
I started out riding a mountain bike, which I roads more and more on lanes and some roads, with less off road action.
In the end, I was frustrated by the lack of suitable gearing and really short cranks.
I didn’t want proper road bike though, as all to serious for my mixed activities.
I’ve not got the time, or inclination for multiple bikes either!
So I bought a Specialized Hybrid type. Decent road gears, with longer cranks and straight bars.
It has a fixed rate front suspension fork to take out the worst shocks off road.
I actually want to do forestry trains and gravel / dusty routs, so have fitted some slightly less smooth tyres.
Still good enough for me on the road, but can still get down a sandy track.
I can also wear mtb practical clothing with pockets and such, as I want nothing to do with skin tight Lycra wearing
I did buy the carbon one, but there are some in budget.
In the end, I was frustrated by the lack of suitable gearing and really short cranks.
I didn’t want proper road bike though, as all to serious for my mixed activities.
I’ve not got the time, or inclination for multiple bikes either!
So I bought a Specialized Hybrid type. Decent road gears, with longer cranks and straight bars.
It has a fixed rate front suspension fork to take out the worst shocks off road.
I actually want to do forestry trains and gravel / dusty routs, so have fitted some slightly less smooth tyres.
Still good enough for me on the road, but can still get down a sandy track.
I can also wear mtb practical clothing with pockets and such, as I want nothing to do with skin tight Lycra wearing
I did buy the carbon one, but there are some in budget.
Red 5 said:
I started out riding a mountain bike, which I roads more and more on lanes and some roads, with less off road action.
In the end, I was frustrated by the lack of suitable gearing and really short cranks.
I didn’t want proper road bike though, as all to serious for my mixed activities.
I’ve not got the time, or inclination for multiple bikes either!
So I bought a Specialized Hybrid type. Decent road gears, with longer cranks and straight bars.
It has a fixed rate front suspension fork to take out the worst shocks off road.
I actually want to do forestry trains and gravel / dusty routs, so have fitted some slightly less smooth tyres.
Still good enough for me on the road, but can still get down a sandy track.
I can also wear mtb practical clothing with pockets and such, as I want nothing to do with skin tight Lycra wearing
I did buy the carbon one, but there are some in budget.
Riding is 90% roads tbh but like the mob styling and don’t mind the front suspension or gearing. In the end, I was frustrated by the lack of suitable gearing and really short cranks.
I didn’t want proper road bike though, as all to serious for my mixed activities.
I’ve not got the time, or inclination for multiple bikes either!
So I bought a Specialized Hybrid type. Decent road gears, with longer cranks and straight bars.
It has a fixed rate front suspension fork to take out the worst shocks off road.
I actually want to do forestry trains and gravel / dusty routs, so have fitted some slightly less smooth tyres.
Still good enough for me on the road, but can still get down a sandy track.
I can also wear mtb practical clothing with pockets and such, as I want nothing to do with skin tight Lycra wearing
I did buy the carbon one, but there are some in budget.
Are hybrids not too hard ride wise then? Never ridden one but that was my view (uneducated).
MikeF86 said:
Red 5 said:
I started out riding a mountain bike, which I roads more and more on lanes and some roads, with less off road action.
In the end, I was frustrated by the lack of suitable gearing and really short cranks.
I didn’t want proper road bike though, as all to serious for my mixed activities.
I’ve not got the time, or inclination for multiple bikes either!
So I bought a Specialized Hybrid type. Decent road gears, with longer cranks and straight bars.
It has a fixed rate front suspension fork to take out the worst shocks off road.
I actually want to do forestry trains and gravel / dusty routs, so have fitted some slightly less smooth tyres.
Still good enough for me on the road, but can still get down a sandy track.
I can also wear mtb practical clothing with pockets and such, as I want nothing to do with skin tight Lycra wearing
I did buy the carbon one, but there are some in budget.
Riding is 90% roads tbh but like the mob styling and don’t mind the front suspension or gearing. In the end, I was frustrated by the lack of suitable gearing and really short cranks.
I didn’t want proper road bike though, as all to serious for my mixed activities.
I’ve not got the time, or inclination for multiple bikes either!
So I bought a Specialized Hybrid type. Decent road gears, with longer cranks and straight bars.
It has a fixed rate front suspension fork to take out the worst shocks off road.
I actually want to do forestry trains and gravel / dusty routs, so have fitted some slightly less smooth tyres.
Still good enough for me on the road, but can still get down a sandy track.
I can also wear mtb practical clothing with pockets and such, as I want nothing to do with skin tight Lycra wearing
I did buy the carbon one, but there are some in budget.
Are hybrids not too hard ride wise then? Never ridden one but that was my view (uneducated).
The issue I had with the gearing, was that once I was fitter, I was in top gear on the flat and even on slight inclines.
Going down hill, I wanted to change up and pedal, but was already in top!
I like the look of a MTB better too, but for 90% road, you might find the same?
they will be pretty decent. If its just for road riding and maybe the odd towpath type track can I suggest that a telescopic front fork is not reqd and adds weight to the bike, also can sap your energy.
Any of the big brands will be pretty decent. Problem is theres too much choice and niche models for niche markets no one ever knew existed.
Most of all try a few out, bike shop better than mail order but with Covid lockdown mail order may be easier.
You wont go far wrong with Specialized
https://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/bikes/specialized...
Any of the big brands will be pretty decent. Problem is theres too much choice and niche models for niche markets no one ever knew existed.
Most of all try a few out, bike shop better than mail order but with Covid lockdown mail order may be easier.
You wont go far wrong with Specialized
https://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/bikes/specialized...
loskie said:
they will be pretty decent. If its just for road riding and maybe the odd towpath type track can I suggest that a telescopic front fork is not reqd and adds weight to the bike, also can sap your energy.
Any of the big brands will be pretty decent. Problem is theres too much choice and niche models for niche markets no one ever knew existed.
Most of all try a few out, bike shop better than mail order but with Covid lockdown mail order may be easier.
You wont go far wrong with Specialized
https://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/bikes/specialized...
More inclined to look at a Sirrus as opposed to a cross trail then?Any of the big brands will be pretty decent. Problem is theres too much choice and niche models for niche markets no one ever knew existed.
Most of all try a few out, bike shop better than mail order but with Covid lockdown mail order may be easier.
You wont go far wrong with Specialized
https://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/bikes/specialized...
loskie said:
they will be pretty decent. If its just for road riding and maybe the odd towpath type track can I suggest that a telescopic front fork is not reqd and adds weight to the bike, also can sap your energy.
Any of the big brands will be pretty decent. Problem is theres too much choice and niche models for niche markets no one ever knew existed.
Most of all try a few out, bike shop better than mail order but with Covid lockdown mail order may be easier.
You wont go far wrong with Specialized
https://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/bikes/specialized...
More inclined to look at a Sirrus as opposed to a cross trail then?Any of the big brands will be pretty decent. Problem is theres too much choice and niche models for niche markets no one ever knew existed.
Most of all try a few out, bike shop better than mail order but with Covid lockdown mail order may be easier.
You wont go far wrong with Specialized
https://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/bikes/specialized...
https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/...
This is the one I have, and was referring to above from 2018
The shock in the forks is really sturdy and does not interfere when climbing.
I’ve never felt the need to lock it out at all, unlike on a mtb.
This is the one I have, and was referring to above from 2018
The shock in the forks is really sturdy and does not interfere when climbing.
I’ve never felt the need to lock it out at all, unlike on a mtb.
MikeF86 said:
Riding is 90% roads tbh but like the mob styling and don’t mind the front suspension or gearing.
Are hybrids not too hard ride wise then? Never ridden one but that was my view (uneducated).
What's the other 10%?Are hybrids not too hard ride wise then? Never ridden one but that was my view (uneducated).
Unless you like going slow I don't understand why there are so many people riding around on tarmac roads using mountain bikes.
I normally never ride for 'fun' on my hybrid commuter bike, but because it's got an electric motor I've been trying out a few experimental runs. But even with electrical assistance it's over 4 minutes slower over a 30 minute gradual climb than my PB set recently on my road bike.
My hybrid has rigid carbon forks and road tyres, so a mountain bike with suspension + knobbly tyres will be painfully slower on the same stretch of tarmac.
Even going down hill where the extra weight you think would help, it's a good deal slower than my road bike.
'Gravel' bikes are now very popular if you want to do that bit of emergency light off reading, but if you spend most of you time on tarmac roads get a road bike. Even a hybrid with rigid carbon forks is much slower than a proper bike designed for eating up tarmac miles.
......oh you can never have too many pedal bikes, 2 is a minimal anyone should have
.Edited by gangzoom on Sunday 26th April 07:34
Mountain bike.
Slicks.
Change the chain ring to something bigger.
Many years ago i put a 52 tooth ring on an old mountain bike and used to ride the 20km into london. I never ran out of gears!
Oo and i have 4 bikes!
Slicks.
Change the chain ring to something bigger.
Many years ago i put a 52 tooth ring on an old mountain bike and used to ride the 20km into london. I never ran out of gears!
Oo and i have 4 bikes!
Edited by Simes205 on Sunday 26th April 08:10
Edited by Simes205 on Sunday 26th April 08:11
These are the two bike, the difference in speed is down to riding position ' the road bike is simply more aero efficient, larger gearing on the road bike, 7.9kg versus 15.7kg for climbs/acceleration, stiffer frame/wheels on the road bike means every ounce of energy you generate is transfered to the wheels.
Personally I find comfort the same on both bikes on long runs the road bike is actually more comfy due to ability to change hand positions, but the hybrid is more durable.
I feel much more comfortable riding the hybrid through pot holes than round them, and I would never dream of pavement/kerb mounting the road bike for fear of damaging the barely 500gram each DuraAce wheels, which is why I commute to work on the hybrid rather than the road bike.
Still if you are riding for fun, mainly on tarmac roads, for the same effort a road bike is so much quicker (and fun) to ride.
Personally I find comfort the same on both bikes on long runs the road bike is actually more comfy due to ability to change hand positions, but the hybrid is more durable.
I feel much more comfortable riding the hybrid through pot holes than round them, and I would never dream of pavement/kerb mounting the road bike for fear of damaging the barely 500gram each DuraAce wheels, which is why I commute to work on the hybrid rather than the road bike.
Still if you are riding for fun, mainly on tarmac roads, for the same effort a road bike is so much quicker (and fun) to ride.
Edited by gangzoom on Sunday 26th April 07:53
gangzoom said:
Unless you like going slow I don't understand why there are so many people riding around on tarmac roads using mountain bikes
......oh you can never have too many pedal bikes, 2 is a minimal anyone should have.
That’s the crunch point, one bike to do it all and I’d pick a mtb and I suspect many others feel the same.......oh you can never have too many pedal bikes, 2 is a minimal anyone should have
.Edited by gangzoom on Sunday 26th April 07:34
Generally people need to ride the roads to get to the trails.
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