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SCOTTinNJ · 04-02-2015, 07:36 AM

I am a fairly avid cyclist. Specifically a road cyclist. We are thinking of going full time and although I have a fairly nice road bike I am considering selling it in favor of something else. I only want to carry one bike and do not see a pure road bike as being the best option.

I have a soon to be 5 year old so I'm looking for something that I can ride alongside her on gravel roads, moderately smooth single track, and the like. On a very rare occasion I may get out solo for a real ride, but that's not a priority (or I would bring my road bike).

I've actually never ridden a mountain bike before - or any bike with a suspension for that matter.

My thoughts are to get something simple. Perhaps a single speed?

Possible options are (may not buy from bikesdirect but it was an easy place to find a bunch of styles):

1. Flat bar fixie.

2. Fat bike fixie.

3. Mountain bike fixie.

4. Cyclocross fixie.

Of course I can also get a geared version of any of these. I'm leaning against that as I don't foresee a lot of truly hilly riding and I don't want to mess with adjusting gearing all the time (I am fairly meticulous and do not like it when my bikes are anything other than smooth shifting).

Thoughts? What's worked best for others out there?

Wayne&Sam · 04-02-2015, 07:45 AM

As an avid cyclist you know it's hard to have just one bike.

I usually travel with my road bike and my hardtail mtb. If I can only take one, it's the hardtail with fairly unaggressive tires. With that I can ride anything reasonably well-roads, gravel or trails.

With the 2x and 1x gearing systems now you can have a very reliable transmission but not have the limitations (if you see it that way) of a fixie.

NavyCorpsman · 04-02-2015, 08:12 AM

Check out these American made offerings from Shinola.com.

adonh · 04-02-2015, 08:25 AM

After riding bikes for years my bad knees finally put and end to it on conventional bikes. Then I found the Original 7D | Electra Bikes. The Townie 7D has the peddles slightly forward and the seat lower and which is much easier on the knees. I can now ride 10 to 15 miles with no problem. Very well made, light weight and smooth rolling wheels.

Colonial Airstream · 04-02-2015, 08:30 AM

I like the Fatbike the best.

msmcv51 · 04-02-2015, 08:48 AM

At the age of 63 and knees going bad, I am really taken by the Vespa MP3.

SCOTTinNJ · 04-02-2015, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeatAirstream

I like the Fatbike the best.

I'm leaning that way!

And regarding the electric bike, no. Not yet.

martin300662 · 04-02-2015, 08:58 AM

"Horses for courses", if you have never ridden a mountain bike (let alone a fat tired mountain bike) try one first....the first time I road a narrow tired mountain bike I got off and checked the brakes because I thought they were binding the rolling resistance is so much more.

But then I did the same when I bought my current 'multipurpose' bike (Gary Fisher collection Trek Waubesa - a single year production when Trek bought out Gary Fisher). That has a Nexus hub gear, and it went back a couple of times, before both the shop and I worked out that all those moving parts = friction!

Wayne&Sam · 04-02-2015, 09:52 AM

I haven't ridden a fattie, but think it's a specialized bike.

I love my full suspension MTB (which is a Specialized bike!)in the woods and trails, but not at all thrilled with it on pavement where the tires feel like they have suction cups on them. I think a fattie would be that in spades.

KJRitchie · 04-02-2015, 09:59 AM

I have a hybrid Trek 8.3 with 700mm rims. Nice on the roads and can take gravel roads. However, not that suitable for some of the mountain bike trails I've hiked in Texas state parks. Having said that I think if I were to buy over again. I would go with a mountain bike with 29" rims. Good enough for riding around campgrounds, local towns, forest service roads and trails.

Kelvin

m.hony · 04-02-2015, 10:27 AM

It depends on where you camp. We mostly camp on pavement. If not pavement, sand or gravel. I have a Trek "comfort Bike"- essentially a mountain bike with a more upright posture- higher handlebar and less aggressive tires-
We also take a Huffy single speed, coaster brake beach cruiser along.
The quality of the Trek is light years ahead of the Huffy. Better bearings- it rolls easier/easier to ride-
My wife just will not allow me to buy her a good $500-$600 bicycle.
I just sold my Trek 2.1 road bike. Due to pain in my joints I won't be riding much anymore.
I still have my original manufactured in Iowa Linear recumbent that I might take to the campground sometime.
I would choose #1 of the examples given, but in a 18-21 speed- some campgrounds have extreme hills-
I was sad to see the day Trek bikes were manufactured in China- my old Trek bikes were made in the USA-

mefly2 · 04-02-2015, 10:27 AM

Mountain bike multi speed ... the lightest you can afford.

ole81 · 04-02-2015, 10:41 AM

.....I can't believe ANYTHING can beat my single speed, coaster brake
1960 Schwinn Panther.

Hittenstiehl · 04-02-2015, 10:45 AM

Ole, that's a beauty

B00merang · 04-02-2015, 10:59 AM

Scott
As an avid biker you know how everybody has their own specific preferences re bike type. Thus the wide variety of responses. Just go to your bike shop and try out different types and buy what YOU think fits you best. I found a fairly simple mountain bike my best choice...which also works on hard-packed beaches. jon

Airtandem · 04-02-2015, 11:25 AM

For years I rode a "up right" bike; but with neck, wrist and "private" problems I went to a recumbent bike. These are very comfortable bike. I just purchased a recumbent trike that folds for ease of transportation. These bikes come in several different models, road,mountain and now the fat tire. They also now come in an electric version. This bike will do 20 mph out of the box, but with adjustment of the electronics they have been clocked at 85 mph. Would I try that; I don't think so!!!
My wife also has a trike and loves it.
Mike

WaLee · 04-02-2015, 11:46 AM

Check out Rivendell bikes at rivbike.com.

Grant builds awesome beautifully crafted steel bikes. He's a bit of a "retro grouch". You'll see stuff there that hasn't been mainstream in a while but will do exactly what you are looking for.

The Homer Hilson frame us his premier do it all frameset. The Sam Hillborn very similar fir a better price point.

I think of this company a lot like Airstream. Spend a bit of time on the site and the blogs. Get a feel for who they are. As an Airstreamer i bet you "get it" quickly.

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Skater · 04-02-2015, 11:55 AM

Get a hybrid. They're good for on road and light off roading (dirt trails and such). Any bike is going to be a compromise. I can't imagine going without multiple gears, though, and they don't require THAT much maintenance.

We usually take both our road bikes and our hybrids with us on longer trips.

m.hony · 04-02-2015, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ole81

.....I can't believe ANYTHING can beat my single speed, coaster brake
1960 Schwinn Panther.

Too bad they don't make 'em like that anymore. Schwinn is now a Chinese company. The Huffy Walmart bike that looks like that is a hard to ride piece of junk.

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m.hony · 04-02-2015, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airtandem

For years I rode a "up right" bike; but with neck, wrist and "private" problems I went to a recumbent bike. These are very comfortable bike. I just purchased a recumbent trike that folds for ease of transportation. These bikes come in several different models, road,mountain and now the fat tire. They also now come in an electric version. This bike will do 20 mph out of the box, but with adjustment of the electronics they have been clocked at 85 mph. Would I try that; I don't think so!!!
My wife also has a trike and loves it.
Mike

Second vote for recumbent-
Still got my original Iowa-built Linear long wheel base under seat steering recumbent- very comfortable bike-

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