700c vs. 29er

zebrahum · May 7, 2013

manmythlegend said:
This is an older thread but very helpful.

Please correct me if Im wrong but it seems a MTB is much more flexible. Is there any way to Add "cushier" tires to a road bike or something dirt gravel friendly ?

My GF wants a new bike and light weight /lean over/drop bars /larger wheel circumference is what she thinks is ideal however a road bike would prevent her from any sort of comfortable non pavement riding no ?

The practical limit for most road bikes is a 700x28c tire. Tires larger than that typically do not fit. This makes for a cushy road ride, but does not give you a good ride off of pavement.

Drop bars, skinny tires, bad brakes and aero riding position do not make for a good off road experience for someone who is unfamiliar to riding off pavement so that pretty much rules out a road bike. Even a cross bike would be a poor suggestion unless your GF has experience riding off road. But if you are looking for a bike with the ability to ride mostly on road with the occasional trip to dirt roads then a cross bike could be your answer. If you are looking for a bike which could be used for off-road trails then a mountain bike is the only thing I am comfortable recommending.

Major caveat is that if someone is an experienced bike rider, a cross bike is a ton of fun both on road and off. I liked my old one so much I took a frame building class and largely copied it for my new bike. A huge challenge and a totally new experience when that comes out for a trail ride. Just because it's not a beginner's bike doesn't mean it's a stupid bike.

Perhaps it's time to do a dirt demo of a couple bikes.

veloborealis · May 7, 2013

Either will work...

XC_Noob said:
What this is boiling down to, all else being equal, is a question of frame "toughness" (and certain other components like pedals etc) . I checked a shop at lunch and between their 700c hybrids and 29ers the rims were identical save for, literally, just 2mm difference in the width!

700c or 29er of similar price will have no appreciable difference in frame/component strength/durability for the type of riding you describe: pavement, gravel roads, groomed bike trails, occasional smooth single track. A cross bike (or a stout touring bike like the Surly trucker) is a good suggestion, but you insist on a suspension and upright bars. Personally, I would not want suspension for that type of riding as it adds weight and complexity for minimal gain, but it's your choice, man. Bike industry has pretty much convinced everyone it ain't a real offroad bike if it ain't got suspension. I run 700x42 cross tires on my trucker and it handles light to med offroad (roots, occasional fist-sized rocks, short drops) quite well. I switch to narrower, lighter tires for extended road riding.

Get a nice hybrid with 1) the best component spec in your price range and 2) in a color you like and you'll be happy with it. Or apply rules 1) and 2) to a 29er. You will be equally happy.

veloborealis · May 7, 2013

Consider dropbar or dirtdrop expedition rigs?

zebrahum is right about the limits of true road bikes, but there is a small, yet growing number of offroad riders using dropbar mtb bikes, cross bikes, and touring bikes to venture off pavement. The 2012 Tour Divide was won by Jay Petervary on a Salsa Fargo, a dirtdrop expedition rig that can run tires of mtb dimensions. Also check out the Surly Crosscheck and Long Haul Trucker, both of which can run rubber up to, I think, 700x45c. I have 42c w/ fenders on my own LHT. The Fargo is pretty close to any rigid mtb in terms of the type of terrain it can handle, but can also be rigged for pavement. The other two, set up properly, shine on fire roads, gravel roads, and non-technical singletrack. All are very versatile, flexible rigs that would seem to fit your GF's needs.

Saul Lumikko · May 7, 2013

If you are hesitant about cross bikes because of their "roadish" riding position, keep in mind it can be adjusted to be more upright with a different stem and bars. Those are not expensive modifications to make.

And as already mentioned, a 29er can be good a commuter just like a hybrid, but on the trails you'll see the difference. If you ask me, commuting is not where performance matters that much. You're just going from one place to another. It's a different story if you commute 20 miles each day, but at that point one could say a separate commuter is justified.

XC_Noob · May 14, 2013

As the original poster I thought I'd drop back in for a sec. I decided, seemingly against the resident grain, on the Trek DS 8.4 and have been loving it for several weeks now (my wife is on the Neko SL and loving it even more I think). For my money, it was simply the right mix of features and fit.

The DS is perhaps a little unique in that in terms of geometry its very close to a Cross Country hardtail (the Giant Roam which was also on my list I found to be a more upright casual posture). Comparing to the "true" 29ers from Trek and Cannondale at about the same price point, it was pretty much a wash in terms of components. Really, the same bike (tires notwithstanding) with a different fork: one which is a good pound or pound and a half lighter at a cost of travel. I can hear the groans and "whats the point?!?" comments, but at the end of the day, if you feel safe hitting a choppy section of the trail with a rigid, good for you, I applaud your skill, but I feel I have better control and am safer with a little give up front.

Clearly (as evidenced in this thread) these are not a bike everyone has a use for but the one take-away I'd like to leave those in a similar situation with is that there is a wide breadth of product in a given category and we shouldn't write off all "hybrids" just because they don't fit someone else's idea of ideal.

cpfitness · May 14, 2013

Well the reality is everyone wants multi purpose bikes and they exist they just tend to not do any one thing particularly well. You will be 3-5mph slower on paved streets than you would be if you were on my carbon crotch rocket. But you will be 15mph down a dirt trail Cruz the carbon crotch rocket just ain't going there. Bottom. Line is if u enjoy it that's what matters. If you want to be fast on paved streets, consider getting a 2nd lighter weight wheel set and fit a tighter spaced cassette to it for road and commuting purposes. A lot cheaper than a 2nd bike

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

veloborealis · May 14, 2013

Success! Another happy rider. Nothing wrong with a hybrid for your needs and riding style. We knew you would make the right decision. One reason you felt steered toward a mtb and away from hybrids was that you were asking for advice on mtbr. Not many hybrid riders here. Enjoy your new bike.

700c vs. 29er

zebrahum

veloborealis

veloborealis

Saul Lumikko

XC_Noob

cpfitness

veloborealis

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