Bike question.

[2strokebloke]

I've got a question about choosing a bicycle. When I do decide to ride a bike, I usually use an old mountain bike that was given to me by my brother who never used it - but since practically all unpaved roads, and a majority of the trails where I live have been paved over, or no longer exist, and I ride almost entirely on pavement now I was thinking about getting a road bike or at least something better for use on pavement.
My question is this, mountain bikes are geared lower than road going bikes to go up steep hills, and steep hills are in abundance where I live. Would using a road bike in my area take too much effort?
I've never used the lowest gearing on my mountain bike, and I have no road bike to test out to find out whether they're geared too high or not, so I wanted to hear somebody else's insights before I decide to plunk down my hard earned cash (or before I spend $20 on somebody's old ten-speed at a garage sale)

To the bike experts, thanks in advance.

[freakray]

If you want to get a road bike but are worried about hills, get one set up more for touring with a triple front change ring and larger sprockets across the back, this will give you plenty of speed on the flats but still be great for climbing all those hills.

Ray <<ex racer and bike shop employee

[jinushaun]

I agree with freakray, get a road bike with three front change rings. You shouldn't have a problem with hills. As for price, the cheapest I've found is $500. Good ones usually start at $800.

If you want to keep your mountain bike, how about getting some road-going tyres? It won't be the best on pavement or the most efficient, but it'll be better than the mountain tyres.

[2strokebloke]

Well I need a new bike either way, because the mountain bike was a cheap-o throw away from the start, and I'm surprised that it even has lasted five years. I know that bike prices are rediculously high (I mean why would I pay as much for a bike as I did for my car?) but there's a large amount of "used" bikes where I live, which of course means that the owner bought it, used it several times, let it sit for two years then decided to get rid of it for half of what he paid - my gain is somebody else's loss.

[ac427cpe]

well... road bike v. mountain bike, is like F1 v. rallycross... the feel of the bikes is going to be completely different. how sore do you want to be when you are done? and how much do you want to spend setting the bike up for you? what purpose will the bike serve? exercise/training? or just for riding around? if it's just for riding around and you want more of a spin, you can get a mountain bike set up with taller gears and a longer crank, and just put some slicks on the rims. you will be in more of an upright position, won't get sore as fast, and you probably won't spend as much for a nice(ish) one.

i didn't buy a road bike untill after racing mountain for 3 years, and after my first road ride, not a race, just a group ride with the guys from the shop, i could hardly walk the next day! (but, you probably wouldn't be pushing it like that...) so i suggest that only if you want a workout bike, as you are in a much more agressive position, and pushing a lot harder.

used bikes are awesome, check in bike shops, ask if they have any used ones, or any on consignment first. i've discovered that it's more expensive to race bikes than cars... so i gotta suggest the looking at of used bikes first

[2of9]

for me, i get a mountain bike, but fell off a bike more than 10 times on any road. I only go BIKE RACING now, as in PEDDLING, yes bike racing

[Sean]

I dont really know too much about bikes. my bike is a cheap one my parents bought me at Canadian Tire, and it surprisingly still fits me 7 years later. Of course, i couldn't touch the ground on it for the first 2 years...

anyways, i tried using it to go mountain biking, and it was okay although the lack of shock absorbers made me really sore in the morning. I'm not going to try going off any jumps on that thing anymore.

does anyone know how much a decent mountain bike costs? nothing too fancy, just something with shocks.

[taranaki]

don't forget,a big wing on the back will give you extra traction!

[2of9]

Wal-Mart has prices up to 100 bucks for a nice Mtn bike. but the best price for a Mtn bike is GOOD-WILL

[TheNotoriousMogg]

I have a cannondale, its a mountain bike but personally I love it, cost me about $1000 bucks though

[jon@af]

Originally posted by TheNotoriousMogg
I have a cannondale, its a mountain bike but personally I love it, cost me about $1000 bucks though

Yeah, Ive got a 2.8 aluminum cannondale road bike outfitted for triathlons, and I must say it's the best bike Ive ridden. Had to shell out a pretty penny though, but it was worth it.

[TheNotoriousMogg]

Originally posted by ILike2DriveCars


Yeah, Ive got a 2.8 aluminum cannondale road bike outfitted for triathlons, and I must say it's the best bike Ive ridden. Had to shell out a pretty penny though, but it was worth it.

yup cannondale is #1 in my book

[freakray]

I have a Giant Team ATX, best bike I ever had.
One of my team mates from 'back in the day' switched from a F2000 'Dale to one too and said he preferred the ATX.....

[2strokebloke]

I think I'm goning to get a used road bike. The thing is, that I rarely use my cars to go any distance under 10 miles unless I need to carry something. I usually would just ride my moped, but that instrument of the devil is finally leaving the garage, and I'd sometimes use the mountain bike - but mostly for riding through the back country in my area that's just now being turned into houses. I need something better for the road and quicker than the mountain bike, but just wondered about gearing as I have no idea about road bikes. Thanks for the ideas.

[freakray]

Here's a last gasp idea....

If you still want a bike capable of off road, but quick on the road, get a Cyclo-Cross bike.....