10 replies to this topic

[divvxj]

i have mountain bike that i have modified to more of a road bike , but its still a mountain bike , and its solid as fck, ie heavy frame, just been wild camping overnight ,handy panniers from lidl very liteweight tent, cooking stuff and sleeping bag , 60+miles round trip, trying to put in a lot more miles training but I am not sure whether to get a racer road bike or a hybrid , any thoughts from the cyclists amongst us would be much appreciated

[mototdm]

It all depends what sort of mountain bike you have. I am guessing it's not the appropriate bike for touring camping. Don't go for the lightweight racer either. A longer wheel base hybrid type would suit, a balls out tourer costs££££££. Keep it light, as you seem to be doing. Right gearing ie to suit your riding style , laugh as much as we do at lycra wearing cyclists some of it makes sense. Saddle very important , you will find what suits you, not everyone is the same. Join a cycle touring club, doesn't cost a penny & there is plenty of good advice. To get fit just cycle, cycle, cycle & more. Good luck

[Latestarter]

I've done the same dumped the MTB and got one of these a Scott SUB20 hybrid really light, mega fast and stops on a pin. The best of both worlds I feel.

[Studley Ramrod]

The hybrids also tend to have the frame holes for fitting mudguards, pannier racks etc and you can fit a decent tyre that'll let you go off the beaten track.

[dablik]

Hybrid i reckon, slower than a road bike, faster than a mtb, depends who's doing the riding mind   I use a hybrid for canal paths and old railways and it's fine on the road.....and dont have to wear the licra either  if you end up doing mainly road on one you could always change the tyres.....or wot about a 29r !!

[JerryS]

 

Adventure/gravel bike is what you want . Drop bars, big tyres and mounting for mudguards and panniers.

[dapleb]

What is yer question ed Zackery?  You dont loike yer existing boike or wha?

 

I love tour cycling and do it on my 23year old steel framed treader.  Peeps tour on allsorts ....even uni cycles and penny fartings.

 

Fitness will sort itsen out as you treader.  But if you are worried aboot it then there is plenty of advice on umm everything tour cycling ear:  crazyguyonabike.com

 

Lettuce snow how ya gerron.

 

If you have an unlimited supply of money and are not worried aboot leafing a 3 or 4 grand boike oootside then you could speak to the peeps at Thorn who will build a boike aroond you...with a Rohloff hub etc etc...the options are endless.

 

Another thing I would consider if you plan on doing big miles day after day is a Brookes saddle.

[ChrisG]

If you're cycling to get fit then the heavier the bike the better, if you're in to get somewhere then lightness helps

 

I'm not convinced hybrids are necessarily much lighter than a modern mountain bike unless you start spending serious cash.  The wife's £300ish hybrid is a similar weight to my similarly priced Mountain bike, and with dual purpose tyres on mine the rolling resistance is similar on the road.  Her more upright (TDMish) riding position makes for a more comfortable bimbling around bike but a slightly sportier position makes for better hill climbing ability.

 

If you've not tried them'd recommend dual purpose tyres, they have a ridge down the centre to give a smoother ride on the road, and knobbles elsewhere for grip.  Not as good as a proper offroad tyre on soft mud but just as good on harder tracks and much smoother on the road.

[muddy]

i have mountain bike that i have modified to more of a road bike , but its still a mountain bike , and its solid as fck, ie heavy frame, just been wild camping overnight ,handy panniers from lidl very liteweight tent, cooking stuff and sleeping bag , 60+miles round trip, trying to put in a lot more miles training but I am not sure whether to get a racer road bike or a hybrid , any thoughts from the cyclists amongst us would be much appreciated

The cycling bit was making feel tired, but the I like the wild camping bit. I wonder how many others here are into that and other bushcrafty stuff.

[Studley Ramrod]

Yeah, good tyres, I've got Schwalbe Land Cruiser tyres on the old hybrid and they're great for canal towpaths, forest trails and tarmac.  Less than £30 a pair too.

[divvxj]

mud gaurds , gel cover, wifes rack off her bike ,tri bars , changed pedals for a pair with straps, white wall road tyres , that was the big difference as it had big fck off knobblies , and the ride is a lot smoother but then I have front suspenders , may be I should just get out on the thing and put in miles , after watching clips on you tube I reckon I should be doing approx. 25 miles 3 times a week with a bigger run at the week end , I suppose it depends on how serious I want to get , I  am fairly fit for my age , 55ish , but I still feel that I should be zooming around the countryside like I did 10 =15 years ago , may be its a macho thing , and no bloody lycra, sons mate turned up at the house with a new MTB, £1300 REDUCED TO £8OO  , nice looking bike , light , but there is no way I could justify spending that sort of money to my financial advisor {the wifey},thanks for all the input , I was hoping for a 130 mile round trip over the Cairn o Mount , down Deeside ,Glenshee , then back through Blairgowrie and then home but I will just have to get out there and put the miles in