Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More - View Single Post

06-12-2004, 07:48 AM

> >>> Original poster here,
> >>> I have found a good deal on this bike at a local bike shop:
> >>> http://www.harobikes.com/2003/ics4.html
> >>> Any comments? Can get it for about $550-600 USD including taxes..
> >
> > Do you think it would be good for the type of riding I originally
> > described above, about 50/50 offroad/onroad?
>
> As it's configured right now, no I don't think it would be your best bet.
> The bike you show appears designed to be a low-end mountain bike. It
> probably relatively heavy and not the best thing to put in miles on the
> road. The suitability of it for your need depends more on what type of
"off
> road" riding you want to do and how much road riding you want to do. If
> you're talking gravel paths and groomed but unpaved bike trails, you're
> probabaly better off looking at a hybrid machine. If you are talking
about
> standard off-road mtb terrain (hehehe, whatever that is?) then you may
want
> to sacrifice some road-riding efficiency for better performance off road.
>
> The bottom line is that you can always ride a MTB on the road, but not
> vice-versa. The question you need to ask is what you'll give up in the
way
> of speed and effiiciency in favor of comfort and off road performance.
You
> can always "roadie-ize" a mtb with slick wheels, changed the stem and
fork,
> etc.
>
> My advice -- go talk to a well regarded bike shop. Let them show you the
> type of bike that meets your needs in the price range you want. Then have
> them make sure whatever you buy fits.
>
> Tom

Tom, thanks for the advice, its appreciated. I would probably sacrifice some
road riding ability for better offroad performance. I am not looking to do
any long hauls on the road with this bike, mainly it would be used to ride
around with my small kids when I am not off on a trail someplace. We live in
BC and on top of that we live up on a mountain, lots of opportunities to go
offroad around here.

06-12-2004, 07:48 AM	#22 (permalink)
kmf Posts: n/a	Re: Its been awhile and I need advice.. > >>> Original poster here, > >>> I have found a good deal on this bike at a local bike shop: > >>> http://www.harobikes.com/2003/ics4.html > >>> Any comments? Can get it for about $550-600 USD including taxes.. > > > > Do you think it would be good for the type of riding I originally > > described above, about 50/50 offroad/onroad? > > As it's configured right now, no I don't think it would be your best bet. > The bike you show appears designed to be a low-end mountain bike. It > probably relatively heavy and not the best thing to put in miles on the > road. The suitability of it for your need depends more on what type of "off > road" riding you want to do and how much road riding you want to do. If > you're talking gravel paths and groomed but unpaved bike trails, you're > probabaly better off looking at a hybrid machine. If you are talking about > standard off-road mtb terrain (hehehe, whatever that is?) then you may want > to sacrifice some road-riding efficiency for better performance off road. > > The bottom line is that you can always ride a MTB on the road, but not > vice-versa. The question you need to ask is what you'll give up in the way > of speed and effiiciency in favor of comfort and off road performance. You > can always "roadie-ize" a mtb with slick wheels, changed the stem and fork, > etc. > > My advice -- go talk to a well regarded bike shop. Let them show you the > type of bike that meets your needs in the price range you want. Then have > them make sure whatever you buy fits. > > Tom Tom, thanks for the advice, its appreciated. I would probably sacrifice some road riding ability for better offroad performance. I am not looking to do any long hauls on the road with this bike, mainly it would be used to ride around with my small kids when I am not off on a trail someplace. We live in BC and on top of that we live up on a mountain, lots of opportunities to go offroad around here.