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Road Biking - anyone here do it? **Update- test rode few bikes**

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Renting bikes from a LBS is awesome, regardless of skill level. Most LBS have pretty trick bikes available. It's great to play around with different specs so you can get a solid feel for how you like them before you slap down hard money.
 
I have an older Giant iguana disc that I like. Not too heavy, everything just plain works. I paid a couple hundred for it a few years ago.
 
While I am an advocate for mountain biking vs road biking (road biking is way too boring for me personally), getting to some enjoyable trails is always the biggest pitfall of mountain biking for a lot of people (depending on location).

I'll just mention it again...mtbproject.com (and the associated app) is just awesome for this. It has detailed descriptions along with trail difficulties and favorability ratings. The app works offline so that you can see where you are on a trail. Really great for finding new trails and feeling comfortable that you won't get lost.

While I'm not familiar with the trails in that part of the country, I'm sure there are plenty of good ones. I believe Richie Rude (#1 Enduro racer is from that area).
 
Zeze said:
Maybe I just need to rent decent bikes at a LBS (vs. shitty tourist bike rentals) and ride to NYC couple times.
Then do the same hitting a trails with a MTB.

Then decide which route I want to go to. I don't even know what I want to do (aside from the desire to go out and ride), let alone zeroing on a specific kind of bike.
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Yeah pretty much what i said on page 1. Once you do that I'm willing to bet you will pick a hybrid. The rides you actually do are better than the ones you plan and never do. Pick a bike you will use ALOT. That means a bike you can use in your neighborhood. Not some dream bike with thoughts of conquering the highest peaks and lowest valleys. In dirty jerz we paved all that shit anyways.
 
monkeydelmagico said:
Yeah pretty much what i said on page 1. Once you do that I'm willing to bet you will pick a hybrid. The rides you actually do are better than the ones you plan and never do. Pick a bike you will use ALOT. That means a bike you can use in your neighborhood. Not some dream bike with thoughts of conquering the highest peaks and lowest valleys. In dirty jerz we paved all that shit anyways.
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really...

https://youtu.be/OU137N1hvAY

Seems like some pretty legit trails in the area.
 
Zeze said:
I just want to pause and say all of you have been amazing with your input and help- PricklyPete, ViviMage, etc.

Maybe I just need to rent decent bikes at a LBS (vs. shitty tourist bike rentals) and ride to NYC couple times.
Then do the same hitting a trails with a MTB.

Then decide which route I want to go to. I don't even know what I want to do (aside from the desire to go out and ride), let alone zeroing on a specific kind of bike.

I feel as though I have to list out pros and cons of my perspective for posterity:

A proper mountain bike: (be it 27.5 or 29er)
+Get to be out in the woods, a truly new scenery
+A new 'adventure' as I've never done something like this.
-Does not cover much distance vs road-biking (naturally so). I have this assumption that it's not as 'refreshing' if I'm just constantly stuck in rough patches doing 0-5 mph.
-I HAVE to drive out to trails then bike. This may be a considerable nuisance.

An 'adventure' road bike that can handle gravel / packed dirt
+NJ/NY is very roadbike friendly. Tons of routes that are amazingly beautiful. Up and down the Hudson river on both sides of NJ/NY.
+Do NOT have to drive. I can just leave out of my garage, ride up to GWB, then go into NYC and comeback for a half to full day.
+The nearby Overpeck park is huge and I can just ride there too.
+I'd assume less dangerous than MTBing. Yes cars are dangerous, but MTB I KNOW I'll hurt myself sooner or later. It's my personality to push myself.
+An 'adventure' bike can handle minor packed dirt/travel trail which will fulfill my needs
-No woods experience
Click to expand...

If I were you and I had any realistic thought of wanting to actually try mountain biking, I'd get a mountain bike. As is mentioned above, if you really like cycling, you will buy another nicer bike not too much further along.

A road or hybrid bike will suck if you try to mountain bike with it. But riding roads and stuff is still fun on a mountain bike. Heck, back when I was young and poor I pedaled halfway across the country on a cheap mountain bike.

I also recommend a mountain bike because I think mountain biking is hella more fun than road riding. I've got a racy carbon fiber road bike. I haven't used it in two years. This is because even when I'm intending to go for a road ride, I take my Salsa Vaya so if I pass a trail head that looks inviting I can decide to take it. I'd always mountain bike and never road bike if time to trailhead weren't a factor.

Finally, someone above said get fingerless gloves. Gloves are good, but if you're going to mtb, get gloves with fingers.
 
Dirigible said:
If I were you and I had any realistic thought of wanting to actually try mountain biking, I'd get a mountain bike. As is mentioned above, if you really like cycling, you will buy another nicer bike not too much further along.

A road or hybrid bike will suck if you try to mountain bike with it. But riding roads and stuff is still fun on a mountain bike. Heck, back when I was young and poor I pedaled halfway across the country on a cheap mountain bike.

I also recommend a mountain bike because I think mountain biking is hella more fun than road riding. I've got a racy carbon fiber road bike. I haven't used it in two years. This is because even when I'm intending to go for a road ride, I take my Salsa Vaya so if I pass a trail head that looks inviting I can decide to take it. I'd always mountain bike and never road bike if time to trailhead weren't a factor.

Finally, someone above said get fingerless gloves. Gloves are good, but if you're going to mtb, get gloves with fingers.
Click to expand...

yeah, I wear some nice fox racing gloves, realllly helpful. Hot or not, I want my fingers protected too, haha.

What can you do with your Salsa Vaya? Do you find its comfortable taking roots/rocks on it? I had never gone without a front suspension that wasn't a fatbike.
 
If you are just getting into it look for a cheap 26". I see a lot of good few years old 26" bikes with xtr parts, 2x10, a few carbon part upgrades for pretty cheap on CL. Santa Cruz has been ok for me. Honestly my 15 year old Specialized bike is still insanely light and I don't push it to it's max potential anyways that and I bought it for $100 from my neighbor. I actually bought a much nicer newer bike but the older specialized bike geometry and lightness still wins me over.


I'd look into a 650b or 27.5. I found riding the 29er wasn't as much fun or nimble for me. I too like a hardtail, lighter and less maintenance.
 
ViviTheMage said:
What can you do with your Salsa Vaya? Do you find its comfortable taking roots/rocks on it? I had never gone without a front suspension that wasn't a fatbike.
Click to expand...

I had a rigid SS for a while, and it was decent. A rigid mtb makes me go slower, but going slow through technical stuff is fine with me. Where I disliked rigid was on non-technical stretches of trail that has washboard or something else rough. I want to go fast on that but just get rattled if I do. Sold that bike because turns out I don't like SS, not because of the rigid aspect.

The Vaya is absolutely not a mountain bike. Riding position, skinny tires, needing higher pressure to avoid pinch flats because of those skinny tires... But it does ok on mildly bumpy stuff. Occasional minor rocks and roots are fine, but sustained bumpy trails or anything of significance are not so fun. Aside from pavement, I mostly ride it on fire roads and easy trails, and go pretty slowly when things are rough. Steep uphills are no problem. Steep downhills scare me.

Here's a random video I found of the park that's closest to me and thus the park I most visit on the Vaya:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoBeNKRZUvU

That park is mostly soft loamy earth under redwoods. Pretty much everything in that video is fun on the Vaya. Exceptions I spotted while skimming through the video are at 4:02, (where I would I walk for about 25 yards of a rocky steep downhill), from 6:22-6:57 (steep downhill with logs/water bar things), and 7:42-8:00 (one of the few trails in that park where people bother to put on their full face and pads and shuttle).
 
ah okay, so definitely not mountain biking roads... I would be afraid with a full solid frame like that on 'real' single track style trails.
 
Dirigible said:
Here's a random video I found of the park that's closest to me and thus the park I most visit on the Vaya:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoBeNKRZUvU
Click to expand...

Man I'd love to have access to such great trail close to me (within 15 mins drive).

I'm more and more leaning towards a road bike. Hudson river on NYC side is absolutely stunning. I can take advantage of that.

imgres
 
PricklyPete said:
Don't agonize the details... 27.5" will be just fine...and so will 29". The Diamondback you posted would be great to start with.

Ultimately it will be your second or third bike where your choices will truly matter. The key with the first bike is to get you out there and be capable enough to get you past gravel roads. Any new bike in the 700-800 price range is likely to do it for you.

...
Click to expand...

Agreed....and

Jeepers Creepers!!!! May I come ride with you???? 🙂 My trails suck compared to those views.
 
My bike, the bars are no longer the height in the picture and the bag under the seat is not used. I don't use it in the mountains, that seems clear, heh. 2013 Giant Revel 29er, medium size.

20140914_080524.jpg
 
Zeze said:
I just want to pause and say all of you have been amazing with your input and help- PricklyPete, ViviMage, etc.

Maybe I just need to rent decent bikes at a LBS (vs. shitty tourist bike rentals) and ride to NYC couple times.
Then do the same hitting a trails with a MTB.

Then decide which route I want to go to. I don't even know what I want to do (aside from the desire to go out and ride), let alone zeroing on a specific kind of bike.

I feel as though I have to list out pros and cons of my perspective for posterity:

A proper mountain bike: (be it 27.5 or 29er)
+Get to be out in the woods, a truly new scenery
+A new 'adventure' as I've never done something like this.
-Does not cover much distance vs road-biking (naturally so). I have this assumption that it's not as 'refreshing' if I'm just constantly stuck in rough patches doing 0-5 mph.
-I HAVE to drive out to trails then bike. This may be a considerable nuisance.

An 'adventure' road bike that can handle gravel / packed dirt
+NJ/NY is very roadbike friendly. Tons of routes that are amazingly beautiful. Up and down the Hudson river on both sides of NJ/NY.
+Do NOT have to drive. I can just leave out of my garage, ride up to GWB, then go into NYC and comeback for a half to full day.
+The nearby Overpeck park is huge and I can just ride there too.
+I'd assume less dangerous than MTBing. Yes cars are dangerous, but MTB I KNOW I'll hurt myself sooner or later. It's my personality to push myself.
+An 'adventure' bike can handle minor packed dirt/travel trail which will fulfill my needs
-No woods experience
Click to expand...

I live in North Jersey so have ridden the city a decent amount the last 5 years when I got into cycling. Gotta say the greenways in the city are phenomenal - riding over the GWB and down the entire west side greenway is a blast. So is cutting into Central Park and doing the loop. I've ridden a few times in brooklyn all the way to Coney Island on the Ocean Parkway greenway. It's fun to cut into the city and explore the city streets and stumbling onto street festivals and musicians and all the cool stuff NYC has to offer. I ride a flat bar hybrid geared towards road riding with 28c tires and a 1x9 gearset.

Trek makes their DS series of hybrids that have suspension forks and wider tires. But so do other manufacturers and I think you get more bang for your buck with other brands like Giant. Me, I sold my front suspension hybrid as I discovered that city riding was all I needed to keep me happy. Rent a bike and ride over the GW and down the west side greenway a couple of times and see how it tickles your fancy before making a decision.
 
PixelSquish said:
I live in North Jersey so have ridden the city a decent amount the last 5 years when I got into cycling. Gotta say the greenways in the city are phenomenal - riding over the GWB and down the entire west side greenway is a blast. So is cutting into Central Park and doing the loop. I've ridden a few times in brooklyn all the way to Coney Island on the Ocean Parkway greenway. It's fun to cut into the city and explore the city streets and stumbling onto street festivals and musicians and all the cool stuff NYC has to offer. I ride a flat bar hybrid geared towards road riding with 28c tires and a 1x9 gearset.

Trek makes their DS series of hybrids that have suspension forks and wider tires. But so do other manufacturers and I think you get more bang for your buck with other brands like Giant. Me, I sold my front suspension hybrid as I discovered that city riding was all I needed to keep me happy. Rent a bike and ride over the GW and down the west side greenway a couple of times and see how it tickles your fancy before making a decision.
Click to expand...

Yea! Are there any way to get back to NJ from southern end of Manhattan (Battery Park)?

At worst, I can take WTC path to Jersey City. This is exciting!

Where are MTBR.com equivalent for road bikes? I'd like some reviews for different price points. (most likely $500-600)
 
Zeze said:
Yea! Are there any way to get back to NJ from southern end of Manhattan (Battery Park)?

At worst, I can take WTC path to Jersey City. This is exciting!

Where are MTBR.com equivalent for road bikes? I'd like some reviews for different price points. (most likely $500-600)
Click to expand...

My bike was $573, but its not stock now, I put quite a bit into it to get it looking the way I wanted it. Red is not my first choice, but you don't get tons of options, color combo wise when buying.
 
Zeze said:
Man I'd love to have access to such great trail close to me (within 15 mins drive).

I'm more and more leaning towards a road bike. Hudson river on NYC side is absolutely stunning. I can take advantage of that.
Click to expand...

I happen to also own a Vaya. It has a very smooth ride and is great for cruising on road and gravel. While it's technically a touring bike, it could also be considered a gravel/adventure bike. They have more tire clearance, more relaxed riding position, and the frames have more flex to absorb the bumps a bit more.

If you want a good all around bike for road and light off-road duty, a gravel/adventure bike would be a great solution.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKMVsMqaErs

http://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya
 
Last edited:
Zeze said:
Yea! Are there any way to get back to NJ from southern end of Manhattan (Battery Park)?

At worst, I can take WTC path to Jersey City. This is exciting!

Where are MTBR.com equivalent for road bikes? I'd like some reviews for different price points. (most likely $500-600)
Click to expand...

Yeah I live in Jersey City so take the WTC Path in and out. Back when I lived in the burbs I'd drive to the GWB and ride from there. Your only other options are to PATH it to Hoboken or take the ferry to either JC or Hoboken.

For road bikes you need to spend 1k new I think on a decent ride from what I know. If you want a road bike at that price you'd probably have to go used. I don't like drop bars for city riding where you have to make quick changes in steering and also you are a little more upright to see traffic.

Best bet might be getting a flat bar hybrid. I bought a used steel Jamis Coda Elite for $350 then spent $350 on it just for things that I wanted, but were not needed to make it rideable (it did just fine). Things like going to a narrow wide 1x9 crankset, a lighter seatpost, pedals and new grips.

I personally like steel bikes for the way they feel on the road. They absorb much of the chitter chatter that aluminum frames transfer to the rider. The entry level Jamis Coda series is around 500. Then 750 for the next one up and then 1K for their top of the line steel hybrid.
 
nashbar.com has really good deals on their store brand road bikes. You just have to wait for one of their 20-25% off with free shipping days. Can pick up an aluminum 105 5800 bike for around $700. Dude I ride with bought one of their Steel CX/touring bikes earlier this year for around $600 and is pretty happy with it. I have one of their carbon CX bikes but I bought it used.

That Diamondback Mason is an insane deal for a mtn bike. I'd jump all over that if I didn't already have a slack 27.5 hardtail. Not going to be that great on the road though with the 1x10 drivetrain.
 
I'd take my chances with roots, rocks and tree trunks with mountain biking over delivery trucks, dump trucks, 18 wheelers with someone behind the wheel looking at a text message when out there road biking.

People are more distracted than ever on the road. I would go MTB, but that's a personal choice you will have to make.
 
Don't worry about brands too much, they are all pretty much the same these days. Worry about what components are on the bike (most are commodity parts that most brands share).

$500 bike is ok if all you are doing is trail riding without jumps. You may need to get some better tires than it will come with if you want to avoid flats.
 
dualsmp said:
I'd take my chances with roots, rocks and tree trunks with mountain biking over delivery trucks, dump trucks, 18 wheelers with someone behind the wheel looking at a text message when out there road biking.

People are more distracted than ever on the road. I would go MTB, but that's a personal choice you will have to make.
Click to expand...

OP is riding in NYC which has extensive bike infrastructure as well as drivers who are acclimated to a myriad of cyclists sharing the road on a day to day basis
 
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