Mountain bike or road bike....

[Ricky]

I'm having trouble deciding if i want to get a mountain bike or a road bike. I obviously know the limitations of each, but not sure which I should get.

Anybody have any recommendations on which they think is the best to get and which brand you'd recommend?

 

[Throttle]

what do you want to use it for?

i have a mid-level Trek hybrid b/c most of my biking is on streets & mixed use bike trails. you can't take a road bike (or at least not racing tires) on a non-paved surface, and it's a ***** to hop curbs with a road bike. also, i prefer the slightly upright stance of a hybrid for visibility in traffic. lastly, the gear ratios are a nice compromise -- i can't find a high enough gear for high-speed cruising on a mountain bike, nor are the tires really meant for speed.

 

[Throttle]

oh, and my understanding of the US bike market is that there are three levels of new bikes (and used bikes from the last 10 years or more):

fairly expensive bikes (>$1000)

Trek

all the other crap out there, including just about any bike you'd find at Walmart, Target or the like.

as the prices go up, you're paying for sturdier parts, fancier shifting mechanisms, better & lighter materials.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Depends:

• Where would you ride most often? On smooth pavement or on unpaved roads?
• What types and models of bikes are mostly supported by your local bike store?
• How much are you willing to spend for a good bike?
• Have you considered having one of each?

 

[BluEyes]

If this will be your first bike, get a walmart bike.

Go for hybrid(part mountain, part road).

Until you know your resolve through experience, stick to cheap stuff that you won't feel obligated to use regularly, or feel guilty if you dont use it, bad if you break it, or mad if it gets stolen.

The most I've paid for a bike is $150, and it hasn't let me down yet. Just keep it dry and oiled and you're good to go.

But yeah, don't go road bike unless your considering hardcore racing. Don't go mountain unless offroad is what your game is, because they're hard as fvck to peddle around the roads..The reason being is that the shocks takes alot of momentum away and reduces your speed, as well the thick/sturdy frame makes it alot heavier and harder to peddle.

If you're lookin for an exercise bike, go hybrid or mountain because they take more energy to peddle.

I had a hybrid for the longest time, worked great. It got stolen when I was at the gym awhile back. Then I got a mountain bike and it goes sooo slow on road unless you peddle like a motafoka. Then i got a car and haven't saddled up the bikes in over 6 months

 

[Create Reality]

You wanna actually RIDE your bike? You need to spend alot more then 150. 600 minimum for a bike of decent build and weight.

For tires, I would suggest Specialized brand, the ones with Kevlar lining. They can stop a flat where other tires would blow up.

I would get a mountain bike, unless you are really into road riding. Imo it's much more fun than a road bike. Not to mention you can slap on another pair of slicks to take on the road, and ride upright if you like that.

Im getting a new bike soon too. Im thinking of trials riding and doin all that bunnyhop **** across rocks and stuff. Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpd2XT9L_LA

 

[Ricky]

Thanks for the advice. There is a Trek store in town so I want to check that out as well as a few other bike shops.

In the end though I won't be surprised if I go cheap. For the reason that one of you mentioned. If it gets stolen I won't care!

I don't trust people as much after I got my personal laptop stolen from me at work a few years ago.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Whatever you do, if you want to enjoy your bike don't pick up a cheap POS. They are more difficult to ride for various reasons. I know a ton of people who greatly increased their enjoyment by trading up from their generic, general purpose bike.

Also, don't buy a bike just because a salesperson convinces you. Ride it first for a good amount of time. Any reputable bike shop will allow you to take out the bike for an extended period of time if you leave a credit card and/or driver's license. They will also fit you for the bike before taking it out. These things alone is worth going to a bike shop instead of a typical department store.

 

[Throttle]

I trust even the low end treks (<$300), they're just a good bit heavier than more expensive ones. No one I know with a dept. store bike rides theirs with any consistency (despite an oft-professed desire to do so); meanwhile I have several friends who commute by bike whenever the weather is nice, all Trek hybrid owners. I'd call myself one of em but my 'commute' is typically a 10-20 min walk, so the bike usually takes longer to check before and secure after than the ride itself.

Used bikes are another option IF you can find a reputable store in your area. There's only one store in each of the major cities I've lived in that I'd trust.

 

[BluEyes]

Why the hell would I pay $600 for a bike, unless I was competing?

Sure it's got some modern amenities and gitchets and widgets attached to it, but I'd rather put 150 on a bike and get an amazing soundsystem for my car as well.

$600 bucks can buy performance quality bikes... For a newbie biker, you won't even UNDERSTAND the suttle nuances that seperate a $150er from a $600er.

Go cheap for your first bike. If you like it and find you want more, go for it.

I'm all for budgeting and making smart decisions(buy one good one, instead of two **** ones, etc etc), but if you aren't sure if you'll even USE it after 3-6 months, its a waste of hardearned beer money.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Why the hell would I pay $600 for a bike, unless I was competing?..

I have yet to find a worthy $600 bike for competition unless it was with a bunch of local guys trying to have the best time from home to the local liquor store and back.

 

[Create Reality]

Well the impression I got from the OP is that he was going to use it for recreation and not commuting. For that 150$ bike you need not worry about durability so much because most of the parts are made out of steel, which makes it heavy as ****. Good luck uphilling on that beast. Really the best bet for a beginner who wants to actually ride is a semi-competition level bike. You'll come to know the little nuances that some bikes have as you ride them more, and you won't blow the bank either. Then you'll never want to ride a walmart special again.

I got my bike stolen awhile back. But that was only because I didn't lock it! Stupid me lol.

 

[BMX]

First off, bicycling is one of the best things that has happened to me...seriously. I started off as a bmx racer in Jacksonville, Florida when I was pretty young, then to mountain biking (which is still enjoyable). I am now a road cyclist and plan on going for a 33 mile ride when the weather gets better. oh, and the guys that compete both locally and professionally have bikes in the $1,000's (not everyone though).

 

[Potbelly]

I have a 50 dollar bike.

It's for getting around on campus and it does that just fine.

Does it get me looks from the chicks? No.

Does it let me speed past other bikers? No.

Does it perform it's function as a bike I can ride and get me to classes faster than walking? Yes.

So that's how I decided what bike to get. Find the purpose and everything is clear from there.

 

[Create Reality]

I have a 50 dollar bike.

It's for getting around on campus and it does that just fine.

Does it get me looks from the chicks? No.

Does it let me speed past other bikers? No.

Does it perform it's function as a bike I can ride and get me to classes faster than walking? Yes.

So that's how I decided what bike to get. Find the purpose and everything is clear from there.

It's okay dude. We are talking sport, not lookin like a sucker on a 50 dollar bike!